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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.b. Minutes of the February 8, 2016 Work Session ProceedingsROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS FEBRUARY 8, 2016 CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a work session of the Rosemount City Council was held on Monday, February 8, 2016 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 DeBettignies, Nelson, Demuth and Weisensel. Staff present included City Administrator Johnson, City Clerk Hadler, Public Works Director Wrase, Parks and Recreation Director Schultz, Chief of Police Scott, Project Engineer Hatcher, and Finance Director May. Guests included Craig Nelson, of RAHA, Brian Steele, of RevSC (formerly Dakota REV), and Jacob Rezac, of Dakota County. DISCUSSION 2.a. County 42/Highway 52 Interchange Project Public Works Director Wrase provided a summary of the project to date. Dakota County Project Manager Jacob Rezac was on hand to give further details. Mr. Wrase stated that the county and city received a TED grant that will be used to extend the widened portion of the road approximately a half-mile to the east. Mr. Wrase discussed two traffic routing options; the first utilizing a single lane in either direction on 52 and 42. This would take the longest amount of time, two seasons. The second option would be to completely close County Road 42 at the underpass and utilize the exit/entrance ramps to keep 4 lanes of 52 open. The cost difference between the options is that Option 2, done in one season, is $800,000 less than the two season option. Mr. Wrase and Mr. Rezac stated discussions with various businesses in that area indicate some amount of preference for the single-season option. The County plans to come back to the Council in March for municipal consent. The project is planned to start in March of 2017 and be completed by the end of that year. Mayor Droste stated that the County planned to remove the project from their Legislative Priority list, but the City will leave it on theirs in the hopes of receiving additional state funding. 2.b. 2016 Fleet Vehicle Purchases Police Chief Scott gave an overview of the two vehicles in need of replacement. The Crown Victoria is the last CV in the fleet, and will have over 100,000 miles. Chief Scott would like to trade the vehicles for training at Dakota County Technical College. DCTC utilizes the vehicles for “PIT training”. The purchase price of the new vehicles is $300 less than last year. Chief Scott stated that the City would have been purchasing four vehicles if not for the restructuring of the Police Vehicle CIP in 2015. Council member Nelson noted that 100,000 miles is not a lot of miles. Chief Scott stated the wear- and-tear on the police vehicles is much worse than personal vehicle usage. 6.b. ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS FEBRUARY 8, 2016 The item will be on the council agenda next meeting. 2.c. Park and Recreation bond Referendum Park and Recreation Director Schultz gave an overview of the item at hand. The Council created goals in January, one of which was to explore a referendum to fund parks and recreation projects. Staff has spoken with representatives of RAHA, REV SC, and RAAA, all of which support the referendum. Staff also has spoken with ISD 196 about the potential parking lot in the space that is currently a playing field. The school has concerns about the loss of the green space. Council members discussed various construction costs. Mayor Droste noted the amount that the City of Lakeville spent on their two ice rinks; only half of one rink, due to contributions by their hockey club and private funding. Council member DeBettignies inquired about access agreements with the Irish Dome. Mr. Schultz stated they exist. Mayor Droste stated the Irish Dome might be removed when it transfers to the school. Mayor Droste stated the Community Center site would be cramped. City Administrator Johnson noted that the cost is $3 million more for that site location. There are other locations along Akron or in the Business Park that provide opportunities. Mr. Johnson stated that Dan Corley, of Dakota Fieldhouse, is welcoming of the ice rink as a neighbor. Council member DeBettignies stated concerns for The Pond. Mr. Schultz stated that staff has met with them and they are aware of the potential second sheet of ice. He stated his impression was that their business model is different than a full sheet of ice would be, and that RAHA would still be purchasing hours from the Pond. Craig Nelson concurred that RAHA would be purchasing ice time, but maybe not the same amount of time. Mayor Droste stated he had spoken with the owner and she stated the new sheet of ice would significantly impact their business. Mr. Schultz stated that the deadline for notification of the referendum is 74 days prior to election. City Clerk Hadler stated that in speaking with polling locations, the only date available in May or June is May 17th. Mayor Droste stated that the projects should be combined into a single ballot question. Council member DeBettignies stated he is not necessarily in support of splitting the questions. Council member Nelson stated that it’s not fair to hockey if everything else is voted for, because hockey is more expensive. He inquired if there is a CIP for hockey rinks. Finance Director May explained how Capital projects are typically planned and funded in Enterprise Funds. Council member Weisensel inquired about the UMore Park fields, and why the referendum wouldn’t just ask for the full amount to finish the whole project. ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS FEBRUARY 8, 2016 Craig Nelson, of RAHA, provided results of a survey RAHA did of their parents. Mr. Schultz gave an overview of the various project diagrams and the costs of each. He stated that the user groups booked their field times recently, and there is nothing left over. Groups have expressed interest in additional usage. Adding lighting to baseball fields allows more games to be played later into the evening. Mr. Schultz stated the project might be eligible for a Mighty Ducks grant or for sponsor donations. Craig Nelson stated another option is for RAHA to guarantee a certain level of ice usage. City Administrator Johnson stated support for this concept. Council member Weisensel inquired about the funding schedule of these projects without the referendum. Mr. May stated these are currently unscheduled and unfunded. Mr. Johnson stated that with development, the projects other than the ice sheet might be funded in 10 years. Brian Steel, REV SC President, stated that REV is supportive and families will assist where possible. He stated many families leave for vacations in August. They would prefer one question with one number and suggest $15 - $20 million. Mayor Droste stated concerns about the growth of Lakeville and future development of additional rinks there near the border of Rosemount. Craig Nelson stated that players must participate according to the high school they will be attending in the future. Council members discussed the tax implications of various dollar amounts on a referendum. Mr. May stated the tax implication on a $15 million 20 year referendum, on the median value home, has been conservatively estimated at $102. He explained that borrowed money has to be spent in a certain amount of time. There is no deadline for the timeframe between the referendum and when the projects are completed. There is a legal risk to not doing certain projects that are stated on the ballot, in that the city could be sued for misrepresentation. Mayor Droste stressed the importance of giving people as much information as possible, including added costs to maintain new facilities. Finance Director May noted the fact that Dakota Fieldhouse is not yet a sure thing, and that maybe the city should wait and see if that goes through. Mr. Johnson stated that cities don’t typically build health clubs. Council member Nelson stated he has heard that Mr. Corley’s investment opportunities have increased since the City has stated they will help fund the land acquisition. Mr. Schultz added that his most recent discussion with Mr. Corley was very positive. Council members and staff discussed the format of a ballot question and appropriate referendum amount. Council members expressed their preferences. Mayor summarized that the overall preference is $15 million. Council members expressed varied preferences for timing of the vote. A consensus of May 17th was reached. ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS FEBRUARY 8, 2016 Mayor asked for a draft of the flier and stated the importance of a consistent message from Council. 2.d. Pavement Management Program Public Works Director Wrase gave a brief overview of the Pavement Management Program. The program road condition map shows the conditions of each road in the city. Council members and staff discussed pavement management strategies, funding structures and individual street projects. Mr. Wrase noted that garbage trucks cause 6000 times the impact of a light car or truck, so street measurements are based mainly on large truck traffic. Council member Weisensel asked if the goals are too aggressive. Mr. Wrase explained the strategy and rationale for the proposed goals. Council member Demuth inquired about increased freeze/thaw cycles with climate change. Mayor Droste stated there is no data to support. Demuth discussed information she had heard. Mr. Wrase outlined the 3 budget options for the program. Council members had mixed preferences for budget options. Most preferred option 2 or 3. Council member Weisensel asked how this plan was different than the current. Mr. Johnson explained the current plan was only short range, approximately 5 years, while the new plan sets 30 year strategies and places a priority on overlaying streets before they deteriorate to the point where they need full reconstruction which is much more expensive. UPDATES City Administrator Johnson recommended tabling the Updates until the special meeting the next night. Council member DeBettignies gave brief update on hotel project. 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 11:00 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Clarissa Hadler, City Clerk