Loading...
City Council - 06/20/2006 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY,JUNE 20, 2006 7:00 PM, CITY CENTER Council Chamber 8080 Mitchell Road CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Councilmembers Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher, Ron Case, and Philip Young CITY STAFF: City Manager Scott Neal, Parks & Recreation Director Bob Lambert, Public Works Director Eugene Dietz, City Planner Michael Franzen, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah, City Attorney Ric Rosow and Council Recorder Deb Sweeney I. ROLL CALL/CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER Mayor Tyra-Lukens called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. COUNCIL FORUM INVITATION IV. PROCLAMATIONS /PRESENTATIONS A. MRPA AWARD OF EXCELLENCE Dona Tilsner, of the Minnesota Recreation and Parks Association (MRPA), presented a 2005 award of excellence to the City for its new archery facility, designed to provide exemplary safety and functionality, and probably the only one of its kind statewide. V. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS Case and Tyra-Lukens each added two items to Reports of Councilmembers. Neal added two brief updates to Report of City Manager. MOTION: Aho moved, seconded by Case, to approve the agenda as published and amended. Motion carried 5-0. VI. MINUTES A. OPEN FORUM\OPEN PODIUM HELD TUESDAY,JUNE 6, 2006 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES June 20, 2006 Page 2 MOTION: Butcher moved, seconded by Young, to approve the Open Podium/Open Forum minutes as published. Motion carried 5-0. B. CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD TUESDAY, TUESDAY,JUNE 6, 2006 MOTION: Case moved, seconded by Young, to approve the City Council minutes as published. Motion carried 5-0. VII. CONSENT CALENDAR A. CLERK'S LICENSE LIST B. BANEBERRY HOLLOW by Westlake Holding, LLC. Second Reading of the Ordinance for Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers on 2.51 acres and Zoning District Change from Rural to RM-6.5 on 2.06 acres. Location: 10015 and 10065 Pioneer Trail. (Ordinance for PUD District Review with waivers and Zoning District Change) C. GANDER MOUNTAIN by Oppidan Investment Company. Second Reading of the Ordinance for Planned Unit Development District Review and Zoning District Change from I-2 to Regional Commercial Service on 4.69 acres, Resolution for Site Plan Review on 4.69 acres. Location: 12150 Technology Drive. (Ordinance for PUD District Review with waivers and Zoning District Change, Resolution No. 2006-76 for Site Plan Review) D. PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF EDEN PRAIRIE by Primrose School Franchising Company. Second Reading of the Ordinance for Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers and Zoning District Amendment within the Office Zoning District on 1.8 acres, Resolution for Site Plan Review on 1.8 acres. Location: 7800 Eden Prairie Road. (Ordinance No. 11-2006 for 8-2006 PUD District Review with waivers and Zoning District Amendment, Resolution No. 2006-77 for Site Plan Review) E. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2006-78 APPROVING FINAL PLAT OF ERS ESTATES F. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2006-79 APPROVING FINAL PLAT OF GANDER MOUNTAIN G. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2006-80 APPROVING FINAL PLAT OF BANEBERRY HOLLOW H. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2006-81 APPROVING FINAL PLAT OF THE RIDGE AT RILEY CREEK 2ND ADDITION CITY COUNCIL MINUTES June 20, 2006 Page 3 I. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2006-82 DECLARING COSTS TO BE ASSESSED AND ORDERING PREPARATION OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL AND SETTING PUBLIC HEARING DATE FOR HILLTOP ROAD STREET & STORM SEWER IMPROVEMENTS, I.C. 05-5642 J. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2006-83 AUTHORIZING ISSUANCE OF $4,290,000 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN BONDS SERIES 2006B K. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2006-84 CALLING FOR PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ESTABLISHING A TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF) REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FOR THE SUPERIOR TECH PROJECT L. APPROVE COLUMBINE ROAD EASEMENT AGREEMENT WITH WELL-PROP MULTIIO LLC (FLAGSHIP ATHLETIC CLUB) M. APPROVE ANNUAL REPORT FOR PHASE II NPDES STORM WATER PERMIT PROGRAM N. AUTHORIZE SALE OF POLICE DEPARTMENT FIREARMS AND EQUIPMENT TO OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES O. APPROVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE AND THE ABC FOUNDATION TO USE CDBG FUNDS FOR REHABILITATION OF THE ABC HOUSE Regarding Item J, Neal noted the City's AAA bond rating was approved. MOTION: Butcher moved, seconded by Case, to approve Items A-O on the Consent Calendar. Motion carried 5-0. VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS/MEETINGS IX. PAYMENT OF CLAIMS MOTION: Butcher moved, seconded by Case, to approve Payment of Claims as submitted. The motion carried on a roll call vote with Aho, Butcher, Case, Young and Tyra-Lukens voting "aye." X. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS XI. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS XII. REPORTS OF ADVISORY BOARDS & COMMISSIONS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES June 20, 2006 Page 4 XIII. APPOINTMENTS A. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES TO COMMISSIONS Assistant to the City Manager Mike Barone reviewed changes to policies for student representatives on commissions. Since applications continue to be high, appointments have been changed from eight months to four months in length to allow more students to participate. The schedule has been adjusted to reflect this change and to fit students' schedules. MOTION: Case moved, seconded by Butcher, to appoint Cassandra Warman to the Fall class; Colin O'Donnell to the Winter/Spring class; and Sarah Ericson and Kristy Shillock to both Fall & Winter/Spring classes for the Arts and Culture Commission during the 2006—2007 Students on Commission year. Motion carried 5-0. MOTION: Butcher moved, seconded by Case, to appoint Casey Russell and Jennifer Brown to the Fall class; Alesia Casanova and Mark Muston to the Winter/Spring class, and Lauren Mosman to both the Fall &Winter/Spring classes for the Conservation Commission during the 2006—2007 Students on Commission year. Motion carried 5-0. MOTION: Aho moved, seconded by Butcher, to appoint Nathan Wagner and Alexandra Shea to the Fall class; Kaitlin Robinson and Claire Lukens to the Winter/Spring class; and Lauren Bentz to both the Fall & Winter/Spring classes for the Heritage Preservation Commission during the 2006 — 2007 Students on Commission year. Motion carried 5-0. MOTION: Young moved, seconded by Aho, to appoint Grace Li to the Fall class; Thea Terp to the Winter/Spring class; and Sandra Moran and Steven Shonts to both the Fall &Winter/Spring classes for the Human Rights and Diversity Commission during the 2006—2007 Students on Commission year. Motion carried 5-0. MOTION: Case moved, seconded by Butcher, to appoint William Wahlers, Jennifer Dworak, and Elise Garton to the Fall class; and Kristine Pederson, Alexa Redfield, and Stephen Carew to the Winter/Spring class for the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Commission during the 2006—2007 Students on Commission year. Motion carried 5-0. XIV. REPORTS OF OFFICERS A. REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS 1. Disc Golf Improvements CITY COUNCIL MINUTES June 20, 2006 Page 5 Case said he often hears of the popularity of the disk golf course. Users of the disc golf course should consider a petition if they would like the course expanded, or a new course added. Butcher noted the disc golf course has provided a heavily used and much appreciated amenity for very little cost. 2. Sisn Adoption For Elizabeth Fries Ellet Trail Case recommended the City sponsor one of the three remaining signs on the Elizabeth Fries Ellett trail. Staff will look into it. 3. AMM Seeks Committee Members Tyra-Lukens reported the Association of Metro Municipalities (AMM) is seeking committee members,both councilmembers and Staff, to serve on committees preparing for the next legislative session, including topics of Metropolitan Agencies, Transportation, Housing and Economic Development, and Municipal Revenue. Neal noted City Assessor Steve Sinell will participate. 4. Voter Education Effort for AMBEST Referendum Tyra-Lukens said the Southwest LRT Commission has developed a voter education piece to build support for the referendum dedicating 100% of the motor vehicle sales tax to transportation. Talks with voters revealed the wording of the referendum is confusing, and support jumped sharply when voters understand there were no new taxes. B. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER 1. Meeting Minutes Standards Neal said based on discussion in tonight's workshop, the next City Council minutes will be prepared both in the current format and in the proposed summary "discussion and decision" format for purposes of comparison. The options can be reviewed at the August 1, 2006 workshop and meeting. 2. NIMS Training Neal directed Councilmembers attention to an article in the Minnesota League of Cities magazine regarding National Incident Management Training (NIMS). The City is conducting NIMS training, which requires CITY COUNCIL MINUTES June 20, 2006 Page 6 different levels of training for different positions. Councilmembers will receive their NIMS training at a future workshop. 3. Somali Independence Day Celebration Neal noted councilmembers are invited to the Somali Independence Day celebration, Saturday, July 1, from 1-3 p.m. C. REPORT OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR D. REPORT OF PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR 1. Community Center Schematic Comparisons Neal prefaced the discussion by noting it is not unusual for public projects to expand as excitement builds, then contract due to financial parameters. The referendum authorized Council to borrow a certain amount but did not cap spending on the project. The Council has discretion to spend more on the project as long as there is a logical connection to what was voted on. Lambert reviewed the history of the project's development: Scheme A: The scheme used for the referendum65,000 sq ft and $6.6 million. The City could build that facility today for the same price plus cost increases. Scheme B: The scheme as altered post-referendum after meetings with users and Staff. This feedback highlighted control access problems, which impact revenue. Components of the plan, including the gym and racquetball courts, were moved into a controlled area. This plan had a square footage of 63,000 with a similar cost to Scheme A. Scheme C: The scheme as altered after meetings with managers of private and public facilities. All managers agreed providing childcare is essential to generating memberships. The scheme added childcare and added offices and an arcade in the central building area vacated by the racquetball courts. It measured 72,660 sq. ft. and cost$8.8 million. Scheme D: The scheme as altered by Parks staff to cut costs. Along with many smaller items, the racquetball courts, childcare gym, and a large meeting room were cut or listed as deduct alternates. The scheme with all deduct alternates taken measures 56,000 sq. ft at a cost of$7.1 million. Scheme E: The scheme as altered by the Parks Commission. Commission members felt racquetball should be kept. They felt the CITY COUNCIL MINUTES June 20, 2006 Page 7 meeting room was not worth taking out; since it fills a niche in an exterior wall, cost savings would be limited. Scheme E has an area of 67,000 sq ft and a cost of$8 million,reduced to 61,000 sq ft and $7.6 million if all deduct alternates are taken. Young asked if the numbers include furnishings. Lambert said the furnishings and fitness equipment add about$300,000 to the cost. Butcher asked Lambert to review how the shortfall would be funded. Lambert said the money would come from cash on hand from parks fees, which are paid by developers for neighborhood parks and community-wide amenities. The Council decides how these dedicated parks monies are spent. No additional taxes would be raised. Young said that although the Council has the authority to spend more, the City promoted a vision with a price attached to it in the referendum. It is natural to expect cost increases,but the increase on this project is uncomfortably high. Many of the causes of the increase could have been predicted prior to the referendum, for example, increases in materials costs after Hurricane Katrina, the need for child care, the decision to include racquetball courts, and the fact that outdated cost figures were used. The referendum only passed by 230 votes, and perhaps wouldn't have passed had the cost been higher. Young proposed making all the bid alternates firm reductions and eliminating the racquetball courts, which have passed their heyday. This would be responsive to the taxpayers while impacting a minimum number of people. Tyra-Lukens asked about racquetball revenue and usage. Lambert said the court is heavily used during the winter, typically busy from 5-10 p.m. nightly, and brings in $14,000 in revenue on two courts (vs. $15,000 on three courts when the City had three). Some members join because of racquetball, which is harder to find these days,but their numbers are small compared to fitness users. Aho said everyone wants a wonderful facility,but to exceed the costs by 20% or more 14% even for the Scheme E proposal with all deduct alternates—is a big increase. In the future,projected cost increases should be built into the proposal. Costs are sure to rise even more. The City should look for cuts that don't impact usability. Butcher said the Parks Commission and Staff have already done that work, exhaustively. The Parks Commission is made up of taxpayers. She urged Councilmembers not to be shortsighted. The City has cash park fees to cover the difference and an excellent overall financial position, as evidenced by its AAA bond rating. The mission and vision for Eden Prairie is to provide a high quality of life. Estimating costs is very CITY COUNCIL MINUTES June 20, 2006 Page 8 difficult and this level of increase is not unusual. Racquetball might get hot again too. It would be prudent to take the Staff and commission's recommendation. Case noted the backup plan simply to save the Community Center and make it livable, in the event of the referendum failing, would have cost$2 million, and would have come out of parks fees as well. Parks fees exist for the express purpose of enhancing the community. The City should not repeat the mistakes that were made with the original Center and the Oak Point pool. The Parks Commission members did examine the issue closely and knows well what other projects will have to be delayed by using parks fees toward the Community Center, yet still deemed spending them a wise decision. The Council would not be good stewards of the referendum money by building a non-functional facility. Tyra-Lukens asked Lambert to review the alternate process. Lambert explained going out with too many alternates makes bidders nervous and can cause them to bid the base project higher. The City is using deduct alternates (as opposed to deduct alternates) in the belief that it makes bidders more inclined to believe the City will do the whole project. Tyra- Lukens asked if there are too many alternates in the project. Lambert said no,but the number of alternates is maxed out and no more should be added. Tyra-Lukens said the decision is difficult. It is important to build a facility that residents will use and be proud of. Citizens often compare the Community Center to the ones in other cities. The proposed project is in no way extravagant compared to them. It would be far better to spend $8 million on a facility everyone is excited about than to spend $7 million and have people be disappointed. Tyra-Lukens said she disliked the $8 million price tag but the presence of the alternates made her comfortable enough to support the project. MOTION: Butcher moved, seconded by Case, to approve the motion. Tyra-Lukens clarified the motion approves the schematic plan, but does not require the City to build this version of the facility if bids come in high. Lambert said the motion directs Staff and the architect to design this specific building and do plans and specifications so it can be bid. The Council retains the option to eliminate the racquetball courts or make other changes. MOTION: Butcher moved, seconded by Case, to approve Schematic Plan E as per the recommendation of the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission with a cost estimate without alternates of CITY COUNCIL MINUTES June 20, 2006 Page 9 $8,060,500; and a net cost estimate with alternates of$7,595,500. Motion carried 4-1 with Young opposed. E. REPORT OF PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR F. REPORT OF POLICE CHIEF G. REPORT OF FIRE CHIEF H. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY XV. OTHER BUSINESS XVI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Butcher moved, seconded by Case, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.