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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 09/18/2001 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP/FORUM TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18,2001 5:00-6:55 PM, CITY CENTER HERITAGE ROOM H CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Jean Hams, Councilmembers Sherry Butcher,Ron Case,Jan Mosman, Nancy Tyra- Lukens CITY STAFF: City Manager Carl Jullie, Gary Therkelson,Public Works Services Director Eugene Dietz, Director of Parks and Recreation Services Bob Lambert, Community Development and Financial Services Director Don Uram,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 5:30 p.m. Councihnember Nancy Tyra- Lukens was absent. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA III. 2002/2007 CIP Community Development and Financial Services Director Uram said there are $23,903,895 in Capital Improvement projects budgeted for 2002-2007 and$4,145,000 beyond 2007. Of the$23,093,895 -- $20,709,649 are"A"projects, $2,687,450 are`B" projects, and$506,796 are"C"projects. Uram said staff anticipates funding the 2002-2007 projects with through the following sources: CIP Fund $13,878,895 Debt 3,010,000 Park Improvement Funds 5,155,000 MCA Construction Fund $1,000,000 Other 860,000 The breakdown by type of project is as follows: Information Technology $1,241,000 Historical Properties 1,561,895 Facilities 2,535,000 Park&Recreation 7,625,000 Public Safety 3,996,000 Public Works 6,945,000 COUNCIL WORKSHOP MINUTES September 18, 2001 Page 2 Uram noted that the historical properties budget currently includes a$500,000 lump sum for renovation of the More House. A more detailed figure will be available after the architect for Dunn Brothers submits a list of required work. Director of Public Works Dietz said that of$6-12 million in projected transportation projects in the Golden Triangle, $2.5 million can be funded in the 2002-2007 CIP. Dietz noted that although there are$10 million in unfunded transportation projects listed, at least half of these projects require involvement of other agencies that may or may not be funding them. Because of that,Dietz said transportation funding looks reasonable at this point. Director of Parks and Recreation Services Lambert said that he believes all of the projects currently referenced in the 2002-2007 CIP can be funded with Park Dedication Funds. Lambert specifically addressed the following long-term needs: • The CIP includes acquisition of land for the last major neighborhood park, Cedar Forest. Development of this park would fulfill the City's long term plan to locate a neighborhood park within a half-mile of each residence. He said he would be requesting the Council's authorization to negotiate for this property shortly. • County staff has indicated it will not support the City's proposal of a 2-year option to buy their portion of the Birch Island Woods. In response,the City has proposed to pay$600,000 over five years with no interest. The County responded they believe interest should be paid,but they are willing to lock into the current prime rate. Lambert said this totals about$134,000 per year over five years for a total cost of $670,000. The Picha property will have to be dealt with separately;but Lambert noted that even if the City cannot acquire the Picha property, a usable trail system can be constructed. • Lambert briefly discussed some of unfunded Parks and Recreation projects listed as "wants or needs"over the past year. He noted that a water park was listed as a top "want"by Eden Prairie survey respondents in 2000 and early 2001. He recommends hiring a consultant to conduct a feasibility study with input from residents. • Lambert said Parks staff has been working on updating the Open Space Plan for the past three years. Much of the plan is completed,but projection of needs for fixture athletic fields will probably require analysis by an independent consultant. Case noted that back in January he had advocated forming an association of athletic field users to help predict future use. • Lambert recommended a phased development plan for construction of the Purgatory Creek Recreation Area. He said construction of a building should be delayed until a clear need is identified. For now,the City can choose to go with a simple gazebo and paved area, and can pursue funding for fountains or sculptures through foundation grants. More details on phasing and costs will be available in the near future. COUNCIL WORKSHOP MINUTES September 18, 2001 Page 3 • The only undeveloped parcel of land large enough for an 18-hole golf course is at Flying Cloud Airport. Lambert said MAC has previously indicated that if a golf course were to be built at the airport,MAC would construct and operate it. Also, depending on changes in configuration of the athletic fields,there may not be enough room for an 18-hole course. Mosman stated there may be a question on golf courses because of a recent FAA directive discouraging golf courses and agricultural uses in the RPZ at all airports. In summary: • Staff expects to be able to fund all CIP projects through 2007 as well as funding"A" transportation projects • New debt will have to be issued to pay for Eden Prairie's portion of the Joint Public Safety Training Facility and replacement of vehicles Butcher,Mosman and Harris praised the plan and said they were pleased staff had been able to fund so many of the projects listed. Uram said staff will put the CIP in the same format as the 2002 budget for approval at a December Council Meeting. IV. OTHER TOPICS V. COUNCIL FORUM A. EDEN PRAIRIE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION John Schmelzle provided an update for the Council on activities since the Third Rink Taskforce last met about a year ago. Schmelzle said he was representing the Eden Prairie Hockey Association and the Figure Skating Club,which have hired a fundraising consultant to determine whether or not enough private support exists to build a third rink. The consultant believes,with 96%assurance,that$1.2 million can be raised through small corporate and individual contributions. The Hockey Association has also committed to contributing$250,000 toward a rink. Schmelzle said the Hockey Association is ready to start collecting money, and that the School District has expressed interest but has not yet made a commitment. Schmelzle said the association is planning to retain the same fundraising company to manage collected funds. The Hockey Association's architect estimates a new rink will cost from$2.5 to $5 million, depending on the design. Lambert said there are several configurations being considered at the Community Center site. Councilmember Case asked if there had been any consideration given to loosening requirements for matching the existing brick exterior. Lambert said the Association has inquired about that,but he had told them he did not believe the Council would allow that. Case said he doesn't know if the City should be building a large,permanent structure that may only be used for 10 or 15 years. Councilmember Butcher said departing from existing requirements would be a real philosophical shift and would require careful consideration and discussion. Mayor Harris agreed. COUNCIL WORKSHOP MINUTES September 18,2001 Page 4 B. ZERO EXPANSION Mark Michelson said he and Kim Vohs had met with MAC recently and had concluded that if the City intends to sue MAC,now is the time to do it. Mayor Harris thanked Mr.Michelson and Mr. Vohs for their input. C. FRIENDS OF BIRCH ISLAND WOODS Jeff Strate said he submitted a complaint to the DNR about belated notification of denial of grants for purchase of the Birch Island Woods from Hennepin County. Strate said the DNR apologized for any confusion there may have been and said that they would be adopting a formal policy to deny grants for purchase of land from one government entity by another. Strate said he has spoken with Representative Workman,who has said he is willing to help obtain funding for purchase of the Woods. VI. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Harris adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.