City Council - 10/10/1979 - Special Meeting SPECIAL PIEETING
EDEN PFcAIRIF CITY COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1979 6:30 P AJ, CITY HALL
COUNCIL ME-0ERS PRESENT: Wolfgang Penzel, Nlayor; Dean Edstrom, David
Osterholt, Sidney Pauly, Paul Redpath
STAFF PRE-SENT: Robert Lambert, Director of Community Services;
Roger Pauly, City Attorney
OTHERS PRESENT: Jerry Kingrey & Jerry Wigen, Co-Chairpersons
Park Bond Referendum Committee; David Anderson,
Ed King, Dick Feerick, John Reedy, Dick Dahl,
Eden Prairie News
77he purpose of this meeting was to consider Resolution No. 79-136, determining the
necessity of issuing general obligation park bonds and providing for an election
thereon.
Mayor Penzel called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.
Jerry h'igen and Jerry Kingrey, Co-Chairpersons of the Park Bond Referendum Committee,
• were present to answer questions.
Osterholt asked how the City would pay the operating costs for a pool and ice-
facility. Wigen reported that after reviewing the financial reports on other
facilities in similar communities, they estimated that the revenue should equal
the operating costs. lie added that there is no data available orr a joint-facility
which should operate more economically.
Osterholt had several questions concerning the hours of operation, the length of the
skating season, and the numbers of rental hours projected by the committee.
S. Pauly questioned the form used by other communities for their successful bond
issues. Did they pass their facilities whith separate questions, or a combined
question, as proposed by the committee? She expressed her desire for a successful
referendum, and was concerned about the depth of support for indoor ice.
Edstrom asked if it was appropriate to assume that if an ice facility alone would
break even, the combination of an ice-facility with a pool should lessen the loss
contributed by the pool.
Vigen again stated that the revenues should meet the operating costs. Ile noted
that the school should assume a share of the operating cost of the pool, similar
to what they would pay to operate their own.
Dave Anderson added that although operating costs must be considered, parks also
require maintenance, and they are not revenue producing.
Kingrey reported that the committee had explored all the possible ways to present
the question, and the majority of the people expressed their support of a single
question, rather than risk having their special interest fail.
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Special Meeting 0.2• 10/10/79
Eden Prairie City Council
y,
Osterholt stated that he felt park development is the highest priority, and that
by combining it with facilities, it may not pass; therefore, he favors separate
questions. yF
Edstrom felt that all parts of the package are needed in the community, and favored
supporting one question.
Redpath noted that he would support a single question, since he felt both park
development and facilities are important.
MOTION: Redpath moved to adopt Resolution No. 79-186, with voting to occur at the
six normal voting sites. The motion was seconded by Edstrom.
DISCUSSION: Osterholt stated that although he would favor the resolution, he did
mot think that one question would give the voters enough choice, and lie would not
support the referendums in the community.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
Osterholt cautioned the committee to use public funds for informational purposes
t only, not to persuade voters. The Council will 'give formal approval on funding
for. informational brochures or signs after they review them. l
Osterholt .also asked that the committee be prepared to work toward another .�
referendum for park development in the spring in the event that this one should fail.
MOTION: Osterholt moved for adjournment; seconded by Penzel, motion passed. The
meeting was adjourned at 7:15 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Georgia Jessen
Recording Secretary
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