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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 11/12/2002 - Workshop APPROVED NHNrtJTES EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP/FORUM TUESDAY,NOVEMBER 12,2002 CITY CENTER 5:00- 6:25 PM,HERITAGE ROOM H 6:30—7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Councilmembers Sherry Butcher,Ron Case,David Luse and Jan Mosman CITY STAFF: City Manager Scott Neal, Police Chief Dan Carlson, Public Works Director Eugene Dietz, Director of Parks and Recreation Bob Lambert, Management and Budget Director Don Uram, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters Heritage Room If I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA III. CIP Uram explained that this year's CIP is a continuation of the 2001 CIP. He said the CIP will be completely updated next year. Uram reviewed the CIP budget that was approved by Council in 2001. The 2002-2007 CIP budget is $23,903,895, with$4,145,000 budgeted for CIP projects beyond 2007. Sources of funding for the CIP include the CIP revolving fund($13,878,895),Bonding($3,010,000), Park Improvement Fund ($5,155,000), Major Center Area Construction Fund($1,000,000), and other sources ($860,000). Uram also reviewed the status of current CIP projects: • Information Technology projects include network infrastructure work and website development • Historic properties projects include renovation of the More House for use as a Dunn Bros. coffee house/wine bar • Facilities projects include replacement of the City Center roof and Community Center improvements • Park R Recreation projects include play structure replacement,parking lot maintenance, Flying Cloud Balls Fields, Crestwood Park, and Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area • Public safety projects include the construction of the shared Public Safety Training Facility in Edina,purchase of Ladder Truch 2 and the Mobile Command Post CITY COUTNTCIL WORKSHOP AT IL'UTES November 12,2002 Page 2 • Public Works projects include pavement management,trails construction and maintenance, and acquisition of an outside storage site Capital improvement projects under consideration for the near future include an outdoor pool, Community Center improvements, youth athletic fields, and the Purgatory Creek Recreation Area entry. Total cost for these projects would be between$10 and$12 million. The main funding source for these projects would be through a referendum to issue general obligation bonds. Uram said Council will need to decide if and when to hold a referendum. Councilmember Butcher said she is worried about holding a referendum based on the fact that the school fund referendum passed,but not by a landslide. Councilmember Mosman said she thinks the public views school and recreation referendums differently. She noted that a community survey conducted by the City two years ago indicated strong support for the items under consideration, and she believes the public is likely to support things like a new pool and community center improvements. Butcher said she believes public opinion has changed over the last two years, and that the public is not willing to support new taxes. Councilmember Luse said he disagreed with Butcher. Mayor Tyra-Lukens asked if there are consultants who can help the City determine the level of support for a referendum before actually going forward. Parks Director Lambert said that after the several Park and Rec taskforces exploring the feasibility of these projects complete their work,the City should consider conducting a telephone survey to determine which items the public supports. There are companies that specialize in this type of work. Councilmember Luse said that there are second and third meetings scheduled for the"Forward Eden Prairie"initiative, and that this organization might be able to help promote a referendum.Uram said that the City is also looking at restructuring its debt, and that the interest savings would help to reduce the financial impact of issuing new debt. Mayor Tyra-Lukens asked what would be the soonest date a referendum might be held. Lambert said they will know by early February whether or not the taskforce recommendations require a referendum. It would take another two months to research whether or not the public supports a referendum and then another six to eight weeks to actually prepare for the referendum. Councilmember Luse asked, "When are we going to let people know how well the city is being run financially?" Mayor Tyra-Lukens said she thought that was accomplished by sending out the annual report to residents last winter. Butcher said she thinks people are against raising taxes and are"willing to do without,"but that a referendum is worth looking into. Tyra-Lukens said it will be critical to find out which items the public is willing to support before putting them up for a vote. IN'. OTHER TOPICS i CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP INUNTUTES November 12,2002 Page 3 Comicil Chamber V. OPEN FORUM (Scheduled participants, 6:30-6:50 p.m.) A. NbIURSHAD BARAT Mayor Tyra-Lukens said Mr.Barat had phoned to say he would like to delay his presentation until November 19. VI. OPEN PODIUM (Unscheduled participants, 6:50-7:00 p.m.) VH. ADJOURNMENT