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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-26-10-WS r, EN HILLS Approved: August 9, 2010 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS,MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MEETING JULY 269 2010 6:00 P.M. -ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Stan Harpstead called to order the City Council Worksession meeting at 6:01 p.m. Present: Mayor Stan Harpstead; Council Members Fran Holmes, David McClung, David Grant and Brenda Holden Also present: City Administrator, Patrick Klaers; Community Development Director, James Lehnhoff; Parks and Recreation Manager, Michelle Olson; and via conference call, City Planner, Meagan Beekman. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). L COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember McClung requested that Staff provide a list of neighborhoods that had signed up for the Night to Unite event on August 3. Councilmember Holden presented some questions regarding the Lake Johanna Fire Department (LJFD) budget for 2011. Councilmember McClung, the Council Liaison to the LJFD Board, responded to these questions and indicated that at a future Council worksession, the LJFD contract, budget, and staffing plan would be discussed as the Fire Chief has now responded in writing to recent Council inquiries. 2. AGENDA ITEMS A. Arden Hall Concept Review — TAT Properties, LLC he Davidson Companies) and Northwestern College Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated that Mr. Davidson, Mr. Nolan, and Northwestern College are proposing to make Arden Hall, which is located at 1201 County Road ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION—JULY 265 2010 2 E a long-term use. He indicated the worksession is intended to help inform the applicant, as they move forward, in determining how and when they may want to put together an application. Mr. Lehnhoff stated the purpose of the meeting was to get any questions or concerns on the table but no decisions are made tonight and the conversation is non-binding. Community Development ment Director Lehnhoff stated that the interim use permit (IUP) for Northwestern Holiday College to use the former Inn for Arden Hall was approved in May 2008. Y The IUP is subject to a three year limitation and is set to expire at the end of May 2011. The � y original idea was that after Northwestern College was done using the property, it would be redeveloped into some other use which was not defined at that time. He explained that the applicants are proposing to subdivide the property to retain the eastern portion for future pp p p g redevelopment. Northwestern College would purchase the former Holiday Inn to use Arden Hall p as a longer term use under an interim use permit. The process for the proposal would involve a zoning code amendment, a PUD, and a plat. Mr. Lehnhoff indicated that if the property were to be purchased b Northwestern College it would make the property tax exempt since they are a tax p y g exempt entity. He stated that the City would want to negotiate for payment for City services. He ty y stated that the 2010 tax statement lists approximately $90,000 in taxes and of that approximately $7,500 was the Citys portion.ortion. He stated that other items that would need to be addressed include the aesthetics of the how the subdivided lot would be accessed, and improvements to the property, elevator and sprinkling system. Rob Davidson, TAT Properties, stated that everyone is delighted with the way Arden Hall has operated and in general the community has embraced the use both from an employment p g ty and for providing services to the students. He indicated that now, however, long-term perspective p g investment is p required in a sprinkling system, elevator upgrades, and interior and exterior q g y upgrades and with that long-term investment they need long-term commitment. He indicated that pg g another major factor that has made the sale of Arden Hall to Northwestern College an attractive option is the recession that has impacted both the private side and the college side. He stated the p sale to Northwestern College would permit long-term investment and would correlate with many of the goals and objectives of the Guiding Plan for the B2 District. Doug Schroeder, Northwestern College, indicated that because enrollment has not been increasing, financing a new on-campus residence hall would be difficult. Arden Hall provides g p housing approximately to a roximatel 170 students, and they would need to find alternative housing for them if Arden Hall could not be used. Matt Hill Northwestern College, indicated that students like living at Arden Hall because it is located by many services and amenities. Councilmember Holden asked if they were considering keeping the bus as the circulator. Mr. Schroeder indicated the would. She then questioned if there would be an easement from the two y acres that Mr. Davidson wants to keep to allow access to the property. Mr. Davidson indicated that there would need to be some accommodation to have access to that and hopes they can collectively reach an agreement. Mr. Schroeder indicated there is no p plan to spend money to remodel the kitchen and the eatery p will stayas is. The currently have 316 beds with a maximum of 350 and they do not see that y y ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSES SION—JULY 26, 2010 3 changing. He stated to service 316 beds they would require 260 parking spots. He stated there are approximately 400 parking spots but some of those will be part of the two acres and may be used pp y p g for the green space requirement. - Councilmember Holmes questioned what they were thinking of payment for City services. Mr. Schroeder stated that they do recognize compensation for City services provided and believes $7,500 is a reasonable amount. Mr. Schroeder indicated he could possibly see a 10-year use at Arden Hall. Mayor Har stead asked if they would be using the pool or the restaurant facilities. Mr. Y Harp stead and Mr. Hill stated that they would not be operating the pool or investing in the restaurant facilities. Councilmember Grant asked what would happen to the property if they did not renew after 10 years. Mr. Schroeder indicated they would probably sell the property. Councilmember McClung asked that Northwestern come back to the table with why it would be in the City's best interest to delay what is ultimately going to happen to the property after 10 years. Discussion ensued on whether the property would be developed considering the economy. Councilmember McClung indicated that he is not hearing the answers he wants with this and is not on-board with this at this time. Councilmember Holden asked Community Development Director Lehnhoff what the zoning would be changed to. Mr. Lehnhoff stated that the underlying zoning would not change, but the City would add residence hall as a use that would require a PUD. He stated since a zoning code amendment would be needed, the City can evaluate exactly what requirements would be needed for this type of use to help ensure that it is a benefit to the community and the B2 area. Councilmember Grant asked about the style changes mentioned earlier. Mr. Schroeder indicated that their staff had addressed several changes like the bollards in the front, temporary plantings, lantin s si d perimeter sidewalks and did not foresee any physical changes to the skin g na e g , an of the building itself. Mayor Har stead asked Council whether they wanted to move forward with further discussion Y Harp stead the concept. All members had concerns regarding the concept but encouraged the applicant to move forward with the proposal and to work with staff. B. Arden Hills Library Update City Administrator Klaers reviewed the staff report as prepared by City Planner, Meagan Beekman. The Council discussed the New Brighton proposal for providing library space in their Community Center, the cost of the New Brighton proposal, the cost to improve and update the current library facility in Arden Hills, and the Presbyterian Homes proposal for partnering with the libraryry operating. Libra o eratin expenses, service districts, and public transportation to library sites were also discussed. City Administrator Klaers stated that City financial assistance for the Presbyterian Homes project will be requested and may be necessary in order to make the entire yt p J q project y'ect financial) feasible. The timing for making a decision by the County Library Board is ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION—JULY 26, 2010 4 coming up soon. The library board will review the Presbyterian Homes library proposal at their August 18'h meetin and will be making a library site and project recommendation to the Ramsey g g g ry County Board at their September meeting. City Administrator Klaers noted that a Staff meeting was recently held with John Mehrkens of Presbyterian Homes. The library and Presbyterian Homes redevelopment concept proposal will be submitted in time for the City Council Worksession on August 9, 2010. Mayor Harpstead recessed the Council Worksession at 6:55 p.m. Mayor Harpstead reconvened the Council Worksession at 7:15 p.m. C. Continuation of Onboarding Discussion Mayor Harpstead stated that this discussion topic was a continuation from the .July 12 worksession. The Council talked about goals and work priorities for the City Administrator. Activities discussed included managing an effective organization; getting to know the community; and staying "on top" of TCAAP, especially now with the resignation of Community Development Director James Lehnhoff. Administrator Klaers reviewed some of the activities and projects that he has been working on and been involved with over the past twelve weeks. He explained that in the upcoming three months he would be concentrating on getting the new Public Works Director on board, leading the search for the new Community Development Director, and would be working with the Finance Director on the City budget proposal. In terms of the six month review for the City Administrator, it was noted that the Council could always use the performance review forms that are currently used for City employees and that part of the Executive Search contract called for assistance from Brimeyer Fursman in the review process. The Council discussed that some work goals and priorities may include: getting a TCAAP pro- forma to helpevaluate future development proposals; obtaining an understanding of the public p . safety contracts and ensuring that the City is receiving good services at a fair pace, and monitoring work the projects of the new engineer that the City will be getting from Roseville, p roJ particularly working on the Snelling Avenue feasibility study. ADJOURN Mayor Harpstead adjourned the City Council Worksession meeting at 7:50 .m. r Patrick Klaers StaiffJarpsrtead City Administrator Mayor