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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.b. Minutes of the March 17th, 2015 Regular Meeting ProceedingsROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS MARCH 17, 2015 CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Rosemount City Council was held on Tuesday, March 17th, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 2875 145th Street West, Rosemount. Mayor Droste, Council Members Nelson, DeBettignies, and Demuth were present. Council member Weisensel was absent. Staff present included City Administrator Johnson, Parks and Recreation Director Schultz, Public Works Director Brotzler, Police Chief Scott, Community Development Director Lindquist, and Recording Secretary Roudebush. The Pledge of Allegiance was said. ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO AGENDA City Administrator Johnson stated there were no proposed changes. Motion by Droste. Second by DeBettignies. Motion to Adopt the Agenda. Ayes: DeBettignies, Nelson, Droste, Demuth Nays: 0. Motion carried. PRESENTATIONS PUBLIC COMMENT Todd Mutch 1018 Whitney Drive, Apple Valley, expressed his concerned about propane explosion that happened March 12th by the Middle and Elementary schools. He would like to know what the city has done to ensure that reputable contractors are being used. City Administrator Johnson stated that it is still under investigation by the Police and Fire Departments. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Nelson requested that Item 6.j. be pulled for discussion. Motion by DeBettignies. Second by Nelson. Motion to Approve the Consent Agenda. a. Minutes of the March 3rd, 2015 Regular Meeting Proceedings b. Bills Listing c. Approval of Council Travel d. Early Voting Resolution e. Commission Appointments f. Request by Mark Elliot Homes for a Preliminary Plat and Major Amendment to the Planned Unit Development Agreement to Allow the Construction of 48 Townhomes h. Metropolitan Council Draft Water Resources Policy Plan Review i. Request by Lennar Corporation for the 34 Lot Final Plat of Prestwick Place 11th Addition j. Steeple Center Addition Project – Change Order #1 6.b. ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS MARCH 17, 2015 k. Receive Donations – Parks & Recreation Dept. l. Minnesota Department of Health Source Water Protection Implementation Grant Program m. Receive Bids/Award Contract-Well 16, City Project 416 Motion by DeBettignies to approve the consent agenda as presented with the exception of 6.j. Second by Demuth. Ayes: DeBettignies, Nelson, Droste, Demuth Nays: None. Motion carried. 6.j. Steeple Center Addition Project – Change Order #1 Councilmember Nelson stated that he wants a chance to discuss this item further as they didn’t get the chance at a work session. He feels that the additional expense could be better used. Park and Recreation Director Schultz stated that the original kitchen design was based on the kitchen in the Apple Valley Senior Center. The health department said that the current design could not be used as a catering kitchen. They said that it would need to look more like the kitchen in the community center; use of stainless steel counter tops and commercial grade appliances. Plumbing and utilities are the majority of the expense, not the changes to the equipment. Staff felt that it is more proactive to make the changes now vs. paying for residential appliances and then replacing them in a few years with commercial grade appliances. Councilmember Nelson stated that we already have a kitchen at the community center for catered events. He inquired as to what the expected usage and potential revenue would be from the Activity Center rentals. Mr. Schultz stated that in the past revenue was between $ 20,000-30,000 but it is hard to determine the actual revenue because the Steeple Center has never had a full year where the center has been available for rental. Councilmember DeBettignies confirmed that the state would reapprove the kitchen every year. He also stated that the commercial kitchen would be a bonus that would limit otherwise the types of events that could be held. He also inquired about the life expectancy of the equipment. Mr. Schultz stated if maintained properly life expectancy is 40 years out of equipment. Councilmember Nelson inquired about any upgrades to the concession stand that RAHA rents out for $650 a month; like an additional cooler so they can sell both Pepsi and Coke products as well as an oven so they can sell warm cookies. Mr. Schultz stated that the city provides cooler, freezers, and larger equipment and RAHA will work with the vendors to provide equipment for appliances, i.e. a popcorn machine. Mr. Schultz stated that they are open to discussing improvements to the concession. Mayor Droste wished to confirm that there would be no charge for seniors or city usage. Mr. Schultz stated that the policy would be the same operations as it is at community center, so there is no charge. Fees would apply to large catered events. ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS MARCH 17, 2015 Councilmember Nelson inquired if the Activity Center will have events dedicated to youth to use the site. Mr. Schultz stated that they are planning for activities like an after school study hall and teen nights. Motion by DeBettignies to approve Steeple Center Addition Project – Change Order #1, Second by Demuth Ayes: 3. DeBettignies, Droste, Demuth Nays: 1. Nelson Motion carried. PUBLIC HEARINGS 7.a. Request by Lennar Corporation for the Drainage and Utility Easement over Outlot A, Prestwick Place 10th Addition Mayor Droste asked for a brief report from Community Development Director and then opened the public hearing. No one was present to speak on this item. Motion by Droste to close the public hearing at 7:19 pm. Second by Demuth. Ayes: DeBettignies, Nelson, Droste, Demuth Nays: None. Motion carried. Motion by DeBettignies to adopt a Resolution approving the Vacation of the Drainage and Utility Easements over Outlot A, Prestwick Place 10th Addition. Second by Nelson Ayes: DeBettignies, Nelson, Droste, Demuth Nays: None. Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS 9.a. Amendment to the 2015 Rates and Fees-Ice Arena Fees Park and Recreation Director summarized his report for the Council. Councilmember Nelson agrees that ice rate fees should be at market rate and would vote in favor of an increase, but the timing isn’t the best. This past year two outdoor rinks were taken away to another location as well as a loss of access to a warming house with restrooms and drinking fountains. He doesn’t want to kick users when they are down. He inquired about the Park and Recreation Commission’s priority list and where the director stands on the warming house at Bloomfield. He wondered if it would be possible to approve the warming house at the same time as increasing rates. Park and Rec Director Schultz stated that he and the City Administrator will be reviewing the Commission’s list. ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS MARCH 17, 2015 Mayor Droste confirmed that a temporary warming house was put up and inquired what other cities do. Mr. Schultz stated that other cities are split, some have permanent and some temporary houses, depends on the city and usage. Droste also asked for clarification as to why it is recommended that non-prime and summer rates aren’t raised. Schultz stated that 95% of prime ice time is purchased by RAHA for Rosemount high school, they rarely turn down ice. Very little prime ice is opened to other groups besides the high school and RAHA. Summer is the time to bring in and sell as much ice as we can. Rate is attractive to bring in summer ice customers; one more year at $125 would best serve the city to bring in customers. Droste also inquired about the pricing at the Pond and how they are affected by a rate increase. Mr. Schultz states that the rates are similar but the Pond’s rates are per 50 min and 2/3 the size of the rink. The City ice allows groups to split ice between two teams. The Pond has a niche market and isn’t a direct competition. They are a benefit to the City rink, they provide 3 on 3 leagues, cater to younger youth, and have a training facility so it helps open up city ice to 5 on 5 teams. Councilmember Debettignies inquired as to why the rates are proposed on the bottom of the listing of rates by Cities. Mr. Schultz stated that some cities haven’t decided yet to increase rates and others were not increasing. Debettignies also clarified that two sheets of outdoor ice weren’t lost, they were relocated but water and facilities were removed. Councilmember Nelson asked that in future comparisons that the Hastings and Drake facilities are included as their facilities are similar to Rosemount’s and two arenas that RAHA uses frequently. Nelson also asked for further explanation on revenue projections. Schultz stated that they have started a new marketing program to bring in more local business to advertise on the rink dasher board signs. Dasher boards run $1,000 a year per sign and typically have 7-10 a year. Also staying open extra hours this spring will benefit them by $12,000. Public comment Craig Nelson, 14149 Crocus Way, RAHA president, noted that RAHA rents 650 hours of ice a year from the City of Rosemount, $10 is a big hit to their organization. With the lack of ice in Rosemount families have to drive to other cities increasing the financial burden of extra transportation expenses. He also stated that when he had the discussion with the city on raising rates he was thinking more of a $2 an hour increase each a year, not $10. Drake ($170/hr.), Hastings ($180/hr.) and Pond ($175/50 min) all charge less and RAHA uses about 700 hours a year from these three rinks. An increase means that RAHA will have to charge youth more money to play hockey, making it hard to expand youth hockey in Rosemount. Councilmember Demuth is concerned about the burden on current families as well as those who are unable financially. She is also concerned about increasing expenses on the aging facilities. City Administrator Johnson stated that the city projects expenses out 10 years, so an increase is not taken lightly. With projects slated for 2015 and 2016 the reserves will be at zero. And then in 2017 will need to start building the fund to replace a $450,000 refrigeration system. Motion by Debettignies to Amend the 2015 Rates and Fess-Ice Arena Fees , second Demuth Ayes: 3. DeBettignies, Droste, Demuth Nays: 1. Nelson Motion carried. ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS MARCH 17, 2015 ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Droste reviewed the calendar of events. The next City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 7th, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. The next City Council work session will be held on Monday, April 13th. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by Droste, second by Demuth, the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Amy Roudebush Recording Secretary