HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.a. Minutes of the November 9, 2015 Work Session ProceedingsROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
NOVEMBER 9, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a work session of the Rosemount City Council was held on
Monday, November 9, 2015, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Room at City Hall, 2875 145th
Street West, Rosemount.
Mayor Droste called the meeting to order with council members Weisensel, DeBettignies, Demuth, and
Nelson in attendance. Staff members in attendance included City Administrator Johnson, Director of Public
Works Wrase, Assistant City Engineer Hatcher, Fire Chief Schroeder, Chief of Police Scott, Parks and
Recreation Director Schultz, Finance Director May and City Clerk Hadler. Guests included Craig Nelson
(RAHA), Jeff Bartlett, Bruce Rydeen (Cerron Properties) and Warren Israelson.
Mayor Droste invited Craig Nelson to speak regarding updated registration numbers. Mr. Nelson
stated the estimated Junior Gold registrations are 630 (13.5% increase). These estimates are higher
than what their earlier models were predicting for 2018. Overall 16.3% increase overall. Mr. Nelson
discussed increases in various groups. Mayor Droste inquired about how many of the registrations
are Rosemount residents. Mr. Nelson stated he did not have that information at this time. Mr.
Nelson also stated that there were some improvements in the existing facilities that are under way
that are being funded by the boosters club, RAHA and the High School.
2.A. Steeple Center Lighting Project
Community Development Director Lindquist introduced the topic. Ms. Lindquist and Parks and
Recreation Director Schultz discussed the possible lighting project, including the views of the steeple
from various distances. Mr. Bartlett, the lighting designer, was on hand for questions and to explain
the design drawings that were presented in the Council packet.
Council member Nelson inquired if this set of specs is the one Council is set on. Mayor Droste
explained that the smaller packages didn’t light the front of the Steeple Center.
Council member DeBettignies inquired about the cost of the controller. Mr. Bartlett explained the
need for a sophisticated controller. Mr. DeBettignies inquired if the controller would be able to be
used for the stage, as well. Mr. Bartlett stated this might be a possibility.
Council member Nelson expressed concerns about snow accumulation because the LED lights
don’t give off heat. Mr. Bartlett explained his efforts that would keep snow off of the fixtures.
2.F. Discussion Of Multi-Family Housing At Rosewood Commons
Community Development Director Lindquist introduced the issue; a proposed multi-family housing
project just east of downtown, behind the El Dorado facility off of 145th Street. The facility would
consist of 8 residential buildings, with 180 units, as well as a clubhouse. The facility is proposed as
affordable housing project and the property would need to be rezoned. Mayor Droste asked for
6.a.
ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
NOVEMBER 9, 2015
clarification on definition of “affordable housing”. Ms. Lindquist explained that it would be a family
of four that earns 60% of the household median income; or roughly $63,000.
Ms. Lindquist asked if the council would entertain a medium-density project on this site. Council
member Weisensel stated the area was guided Business Park a long time ago, and that it shouldn’t
have been changed to housing because of the railroad proximity, but the proposed use makes sense
at this point. Council member DeBettignies expressed concern that the railroad might remove the
silent zone if there is housing there.
Council member Demuth stated she liked the look of the other developments the builder had done.
Council member Nelson expressed concerns about the noise and shaking caused by the trains and
inquired if there was something the city could do with the zoning code. Ms. Lindquist stated the city
should be cautious because there is quite a bit of land to be developed east of downtown. She agreed
that staff would discuss the issue with the developer so that they might make appropriate upgrades.
Council members expressed support for the project.
Mayor Droste asked if the guests, Bruce Rydeen, Broker with Cerron Properties, and Warren
Israelson, property owner, had questions or comments. Mr. Rydeen stated he would take this
information to the potential developer and try and keep them interested.
2.B. 2016 Budget And Capital Improvement Plan
City Administrator Johnson introduced the topic. Mr. Johnson discussed options for the Budget
using some savings from the debt levy. Mr. Johnson stated one option was to purchase open data
software, another was a visioning process for the Comprehensive Plan.
Council member Weisensel asked for clarification on the $50,000 savings from the Sales Tax
Exemption. Finance Director May explained the process to estimate the sales tax exemption
savings.
Council member Weisensel asked if there is an estimate of what the budget will be at the end of the
current year for a surplus. Mr. May stated he could speculate, but not officially state an estimate.
Mr. Johnson stated that staff recommends that any surplus go to the Capital Equipment Plan.
Council member Weisensel inquired about the Capital Improvement Plan and the water treatment
plant. Mr. Johnson discussed factors that might influence that investment and the responses to the
city survey. Council member Demuth expressed concerns with the level of manganese in the city’s
water supply and that she would be in favor of a water treatment plant being built in 2018. Council
member Weisensel supports it in 2019. Mayor Droste suggested we leave it in 2019 for now and
Council and staff can look into the topic further.
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WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
NOVEMBER 9, 2015
Mr. Johnson moved on to discuss how to show the investments in indoor recreation. Staff
proposes setting aside $500,000 in 2016 and $750,000 in 2017.
Council member Weisensel inquired about “phase 2” type projects that are still unfinished. Mr.
Johnson stated that many of those larger projects would be put off for a few years. Many of the
earlier listed projects were park and recreation oriented projects, which would compete with the
indoor recreation concepts.
Mr. Johnson addressed MSA (Minnesota State Aid) funds, 3 years of which will be taken up by the
upcoming County Road 42 / State Highway 52 interchange project. There are other projects for
which funding might otherwise come from the MSA funds which will now have to be funded
another way. MSA funds can be borrowed up to $4 million ahead. There are 3 projects that would
need approximately $2 million total.
Mr. Johnson addressed the Equipment CIP and recommended that any surplus be committed to
that fund. A number of items have been deferred for a few years and the result will be a number of
items needing to be purchased all at once. Council member Weisensel expressed hope that
equipment usage might be maximized even further. Members discussed the scoring system for
equipment replacement.
Council member Nelson expressed concern with the body camera and the expense of data storage
and retrieval. Chief Scott explained that staff is waiting for the legislature to make decisions about
public access to video data.
Mayor Droste invited Council members to comment. Mr. May explained how the items can and will
be shifted as time goes by as items are reevaluated.
2.C. Letter Of Intent For Dakota Fieldhouse
City Administrator Johnson discussed the item. Mr. Dan Corley, developer of the proposed Dakota
Fieldhouse, is looking for the City’s commitment to support his project. The Letter of Intent is not
legally binding, but would express the city’s interest in the project. Mr. Johnson explained that one
way to financially support the project would be with Tax Abatement. Mayor Droste stated that
Parks and Recreation Director Schultz has been working on this type of project for around 4 years.
Mr. Johnson stated that around $1 million in financial support could leverage $10 - $15 million in
private investment.
Council member Demuth asked how the $1 million would be invested. Mr. May explained they
would want the money up front for land acquisition.
2.D. Dakota Broadband Agreement
City Administrator Johnson introduced the topic. The broadband agreement would be an attempt
to coordinate with neighboring cities and Dakota County to connect broadband lines that are
ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
NOVEMBER 9, 2015
currently separate. A closed system would create redundancies that would provide more reliable
service to all. The project is also expected to be an economic development tool.
The JPA would be developed in 2 phases.
Council member Weisensel asked about how the City would back out of a system as is proposed and
how the system would work. Mr. Johnson provided details on the project, exit strategy, and risks.
2.E. Solar Subscription At Empire WWTP
Community Development Director Lindquist introduced the item. The Met Council is looking at
installing solar panels at the Empire Waste Water Treatment Plant. The city could subscribe and
obtain about 6% of the production. The subscription is for 25 years. There may be some risk that
if utility rates decrease substantially, the city may be worse off than it was originally, but this is
unlikely.
2.G. Water Efficiency Grant Program
Public Works Director Wrase introduced the proposed grant program. Staff would like to apply for
a grant from the Met Council, which would allow the city to give grants to residents for water
efficiency efforts. Mr. Wrase has made some projections in staff time necessary to administer the
grant program and the potential water savings. Council members expressed support for the grant
program.
UPDATES
City Administrator Johnson gave an update of a conversation with Jane Berenz, superintendent,
regarding potential elementary school sites. Staff had provided the school district with a map of
proposed sites.
Council member Nelson expressed concern that the city maintain communication with the school
district and keep them up-to-date on potential development and remind them about the need for a
new school in Rosemount. Mayor Droste stated that he and staff are in communication with them
on a regular basis and that the School Board will most likely utilize data to support their decision.
Council member Weisensel noted the Regional LMC conference on November 18th. He noted that
STAR was having a webinar with follow-up steps and encouraged staff to watch. He discussed
ESRI and that there might be potential GIS solutions that we are not fully utilizing. Also the NLC
Congress of Cities is taking early bird registrations.
Council member Demuth discussed her experience at the NLC conference last week. She stated she
learned more about the “vaping” issues.
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WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
NOVEMBER 9, 2015
Mayor Droste discussed a book of history of Rottweil, which is where a group of exchange students
came from. Also, he discussed upcoming Chamber events and The Rosemount senior housing
facility opening.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by Droste,
second by Demuth, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Clarissa Hadler, City Clerk