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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 08/21/2001 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP/FORUM TUESDAY,AUGUST 21,2001 5:00-6:55 PM, CITY CENTER HERITAGE ROOM H CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Jean Harris, Councilmembers Sherry Butcher,Ron Case, Jan Mosman, and Nancy Tyra- Lukens CITY STAFF: Acting City Manager and Director of Financial Services and Community Development Donald Uram,Public Safety Director Jim Clark,Public Works Services Director Eugene Dietz,Director of Parks and Recreation Services Bob Lambert,Finance Operations Manager Sue Kotchevar, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER—MAYOR JEAN HARRIS Mayor Harris called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. H. APPROVAL OF AGENDA III. 2002/07 CIP Financial Services Director Don Uram said the proposed CIP and"unfunded challenges" would be presented at this workshop to allow the Council a full month to review the details before the next scheduled CIP workshop, September 18, 2001. Uram defined the CIP as the systematic planning, scheduling and financing of capital projects. A capital improvement is a construction project or capital purchase which costs more than$25,000 and has a useful live of longer than five years. There are three types of capital improvements: maintenance, support, and expansion. Staff currently projects $23,223,028 in capital improvement projects for 2002-2007 and another$4,210,000 in projects beyond 2007. The breakdown of projects by priority, including those beyond 2007,is as follows: "A"Projects, $23,367,782; `B"Projects, $3,433,450; "C"Projects, $521,796. Estimated costs for"A"projects for 2002 to 2007 are: Information Technology $1,241,000 Historical Properties 820,782 Facilities 2,320,000 Park&Recreation 5,230,000 Public Safety 3,096,000 Public Works 6,450,000 Total $19,157,782 COUNCIL WORKSHOP MINUTES August 21,2001 Page 2 Uram noted that the CIP is not self-sustaining, and that all revenues come from other sources. Current revenue sources include$6,874,135 in the CIP fund, a$500,000 from the 2001 general fund, a proposed$717,922 transfer from the 2002 general fund, one- time revenues, and$2,313,176 from the park improvement fund. Uram said he knows of only two remaining one-time revenue sources—a one-acre parcel of city-owned land on 169 next to Broadmoor Apartments and the old police station. Based on projected capital costs and revenue sources,Uram listed the following outcomes: • "A"projects can be funded through 2005 • New Debt Levy of$200,000 for 5 years should be issued to pay for the Joint Public Safety Training Facility • Equipment Certificates should be issued to purchase new public safety vehicles • A CIP fielding deficit of$2.5M would necessitate a transfer of$2M from elsewhere • `B" and"C"projects are not currently funded In addition to projects currently in the CIP,the following are unfunded wants and/or needs that have been expressed by citizens,the Council, or staff over the past year: Golden Triangle Area(GTA)traffic projects $6 - 12M Other unfunded transportation projects l OM Southwest Fire Station 2M PCRA Entry 3M Water Park/Community Center 4M Parkland Acquisition 2M Birch Island Woods/Picha Property 1.5M 3rd Ice Sheet 3 -4M Youth Athletic Fields 1 - 5M Golf Course 4- 5M Total $36.5—47.5M In light of the projected$2M shortfall,Uram recommended designating a dedicated revenue source for the CIP—specifically an annual transfer from the liquor enterprise fund. Uram estimated the annual amount available for transfer at about$700,000,which would cover the$2M shortfall over five years and allow for funding of some transportation projects. Uram also recommended continuing general fund transfers and issuing debt when possible. Public Works Director Dietz said that the$2M shortfall referenced by Uram does not include approximately$5.5M in forecasted transportation projects. Dietz noted that with GTA(Golden Triangle Association) cooperation, special assessment bonds could be issued to cover some transportation projects in the Golden Triangle. Dietz said special assessment bonds are a potential source of revenue,but noted that the City should commit to some level of funding of projects in the area. COUNCIL WORKSHOP MINUTES August 21, 2001 Page 3 Parks and Recreation Services Director Lambert discussed unfunded Parks and Recreation Services capital improvement projects, including acquisition of the Birch Island Woods (including the Picha property), acquisition of Westgate Conservation Area access point, development of the Purgatory Creek Recreation Area entry, construction of an outdoor pool and improvements to the Eden Prairie Community Center, and restoration of historic sites. Lambert recommended these projects be considered for a referendum in the near future. He also noted that the operating costs for each project should be determined and taken into consideration when planning for funding. He estimates it will take a minimum of six months to adequately prepare for a referendum,including estimating costs and evaluating community support for various projects. He cautioned that the school district has already indicated they may wish to hold a referendum in the Fall, and in the past the City has always agreed not to hold a referendum at the same time as the school district. Lambert also noted that Hennepin County has granted an extension until the end of 2001 for the City to purchase the county's portion of the Birch Island Woods for the assessed price of$650,000. Lambert believes successful preservation of the Woods will depend on the City acquiring both the County's portion of the parcel and the 4-acre Picha parcel. Lambert said some members of the Picha family have expressed interest in selling the land to the City for preservation purposes. Lambert recommended that the City attempt to obtain 2-year options on both parcels, and then raise funds to pay for the land. Lambert said improvements to the parcel to make it accessible to the public would come to less than$50,000 and would include a wood-chipped trail and a small parking lot. Lambert thinks the County may view a 2-year option favorably because a main objective appears to be to dispose of the land for a fair market price without having to go through another costly legislative session. Councihnember Case asked that staff conduct some research into recent City and School District referendums to help determine optimal timing and evaluate which types of projects are generally supported. IV. OTHER TOPICS V. COUNCIL FORUM A. ZERO EXPANSION Vicky Pellar-Price and Kim Vohs provided an update on recent Zero Expansion activities. Pellar-Price said the group met with Representative Jim Ramstad on August 10, and provided copies of a letter Ramstad sent to the FAA regarding opposition to expansion. Pellar-Price said the group has a meeting planned with Senator Wellstone in about two weeks. Zero Expansion has also worked with several other groups opposing airport expansion, including NPTA,the League of Hard of Hearing, and Mothers Against Airport Pollution. COUNCIL WORKSHOP MINUTES August 21,2001 Page 4 Vohs said Zero Expansion is interested in exploring the possibility of bringing their efforts and the City's efforts onto a parallel track since MAC has rebuffed the City's recent efforts at negotiation. He asked for clarification on the City's stance regarding the upcoming MAC hearing on the preliminary EIS. City Attorney Ric Rosow indicated that much of the information on the City's efforts must remain confidential for now,but that he would check with Special Counsel Peter Kirsch to determine if there is anything Zero Expansion can work on with the City. Councilmember Case expressed frustration at not being able to provide more information in a timely manner to citizens. Rosow said a proposal will be presented at the September 4 Council Meeting to develop a City Website that will provide current information on the Airport. VI. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Harris adjourned the meeting at 6:57 p.m.