HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-20-10-SCITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 20, 2010
6:00 P.M. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Mayor Harpstead moved that the Special Council Meeting be called to order at 6:04 pm.
The motion carried 5-0.
Present: Mayor Stan Harpstead; Council Members David Grant, Brenda Holden,
Fran Holmes, and David McClung.
Absent: None.
Also present: City Administrator, Patrick Klaers; Public Works Director, Terry Maurer;
City Planner, Meagan Beekman; Parks and Recreation Manager, Michelle Olson; Civil
Engineer, Kristine Giga; Deputy Clerk, Rebecca Brazys
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Mayor Harpstead moved to approve the meeting agenda as presented,
seconded by Councilmember McClung, motion carried unanimously (5 -0).
1. Arden Hills Library Discussion
Approved: October 25, 2010
City Administrator Klaers stated that he and City Planner Beekman had been attending the
Library Board meetings and that at the September 15th meeting the Library Board unanimously
voted to support the New Brighton proposal. He further stated that this evening's special
meeting was called to review the resolution that Councilmember Holmes authored and discussed
at the last City Council meeting on September 23, 2010.
Councilmember McClung felt the wording for the second to last "Whereas" needed to be
changed since the Library Board had, in fact, selected the New Brighton facility. Discussion
ensued on the wording to be used.
Mayor Harpstead suggested the wording be changed to, "Whereas the Ramsey County Library
Board has selected another facility option for library service in the area served by the Arden Hills
library."
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 20, 2010
MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Coucilmember Holden seconded, to
approve, as amended, Resolution 200 -051 regarding the Arden Hills library.
Councilmember Holden indicated she questioned the Library Board on why they were not
keeping the old library open until the New Brighton library site is open. She explained that their
response was that residents would get confused. She is wondering if Council should recommend
the library stay open for the course of the school year or until the new library opens. She also
stated she did not feel it would be practical to close the library in the middle of the school year.
Councilmember Grant suggested they could post something at the library informing residents
that the library will now remain open until June.
Councilmember McClung indicated he feels the Council should take action and oppose the
closing of the library.
Councilmember Holmes stated that the library hearing before the Ramsey County Board of
Commissioners will be held on either October 5 or October 12. She felt that Council could
discuss its opposition to the closing of the library at the hearing. She indicated that Susan
Nemitz, the Library Director, was in favor of keeping the library open and feels that there
probably is funding to do so.
Mayor Harpstead indicated that from a discussion standpoint he will not vote for the resolution
since he does not feel the demographics justify the long -term choice of the location, there is no
tangible third option for the library, and they still have not accomplished the primary issue of
replacement of the facility.
Councilmember Grant suggested another option would be to leave the library open until they
see what happens with the northwest quadrant in TCAAP and then revisit this after five years.
He feels the Arden Hills Library is in a position to operate for another five years.
Mayor Harpstead asked if they had done the analysis and presented the cost.
Councilmember Holden asked City Planner Beekman if she had received a copy of the packet
with the analysis that she had previously requested.
City Planner Beekman stated she did e -mail the Library Board requesting a copy of the packet
and they indicated they would send one and would also post it online. However, as of today she
had not received it or seen it online.
Councilmember Holmes questioned whether a notice of a possible City Council quorum needed
to be posted for the County Board Meeting. Discussion ensued and it was agreed the meeting
should be posted and a copy of the resolution sent to all Commissioners.
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 20, 2010 3
The motion to approve the resolution as amended carried on a 4 -1 vote (Mayor Harpstead-
Nay.)
ADJOURN
Councilmember Holden moved to adjourn the Special Council meeting, seconded by
Councilmember McClung. The Special Council meeting adjourned at 6:1 p.m.
Patrick Klaers
City Administrator
tan H
Mayor
stead