Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.b. Minutes of the July 5th, 2016 Special Work Session ProceedingsROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS JULY 5, 2016 CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a special work session of the Rosemount City Council was held on Tuesday, July 5, 2016, following the regular meeting, in the Conference Room at City Hall, 2875 145th Street West, Rosemount. Mayor Droste called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. with Council Members DeBettignies, Demuth, Nelson and Weisensel attending. Staff present included City Administrator Johnson, City Clerk Hadler, Chief of Police Scott, Parks and Recreation Director Schultz, and Finance Director May. Guests included John Duchscherer, resident/RAHA member, Craig Nelson of Rosemount Area Hockey Association (RAHA), and Paul Essler, President of Rosemount Area Athletic Association (RAAA). DISCUSSION 2.a. Parks and Recreation Capital Improvement Plan Parks and Recreation Director Schultz introduced the discussion regarding the next steps for recreation amenity planning after the failure of the referendum, and which or how future projects might be accomplished in the future. City Administrator Johnson discussed the potential for a community survey to gauge resident interest in projects and taxing options. Staff is recommending a survey sometime later this year or sometime next year. Mayor Droste invited Council members to give their input. Council member Nelson stated he was thankful that it went to a vote, and that he felt the ‘vote no’ flier had a negative impact. He stated Council should examine needs and not necessarily wants. He stated the city shouldn’t focus on the argument that we’re building amenities that other cities’ residents are using, as Rosemount residents utilize other cities’ amenities, as well. Council member Weisensel questioned the use of the survey. Some residents didn’t accept the validity of earlier surveys. Council member Demuth stated she had heard concerns about the city not yet owning the land for the hockey rink. Council member DeBettignies thought there was not enough time to get information out to the residents before the referendum. Mayor Droste discussed public engagement activities in 2008 and this year. He stated concerns about the timing of the referendum and that it will take time to gain the public’s trust again. Council members, staff and guests discussed 2014 survey results and earlier community interest in various facilities. 6.b. ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS JULY 5, 2016 Council member Nelson asked if the city needs fields or court space more. Council member DeBettignies asked that the city examine the long term capital plan and prioritize all investments. Council member Demuth suggested a public/private partnership. City Administrator Johnson updated the Council on the Dakota Fieldhouse project and concerns brought by a resident about the background of one of the investors. Mr. Essler, of RAAA, gave his perspective. Mayor Droste stated that the tax base right now will not support the addition of a large new facility. He thinks that the city can probably finish the fields that are started. Mr. Essler conceded that their organization could have done a better job of getting the word out. He stated that he heard concerns that hockey was too much of the referendum expense. Parks and Recreation Director Schultz stated that the city needs to step back and look at all recreation facility needs and set priorities. He also stated that it would be helpful if the Dakota Fieldhouse moved forward. Mayor Droste discussed the school decision to locate the elementary in Lakeville and how the area around that will develop quickly. Craig Nelson, of RAHA, supported the idea of having a long-term plan, as this will help to educate the public, and help the organization’s planning efforts. Paul Essler asked that the survey ask for a forced ranking, so that priorities can be set. Council member Nelson suggested purchasing the land next to Dakota Fieldhouse. City Administrator Johnson stated that use of cash would make it difficult to build other projects. Council members and guests discussed opportunities for court and field space in the community. Mr. Essler asked about the possibility of putting a referendum question without the hockey rink on the November ballot. Parks and Recreation Director Schultz asked what spending the money on fields would do to the priority list if the Dakota Fieldhouse project does not move forward. City Administrator Johnson stated that putting the same questions on the ballot in the same year would not be viewed favorably be some residents and could complicate our ability to do future projects. Council member Weisensel asked Mr. Schultz to put together a list of the projects with dollar amounts associated and monies available in the next 10 years. Council member Nelson asked if there was a way to gather head counts for the user groups. Council members and staff discussed the best ways to use funds to accomplish what the community wants. Council member DeBettignies supported the suggestion of trying to get the Dakota Fieldhouse project moving forward. ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS JULY 5, 2016 Mayor Droste summarized that there was little or no interest from Council to put a question about fields on the November ballot. Council member Nelson stated he might support the question. Mayor Droste suggested the Council members work together on a questionnaire for the Leprechaun Days booth. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by Droste, second by Nelson, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Clarissa Hadler, City Clerk