HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.e. Minutes of Spetember 21, 2004 Special Work SessionITEM
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ROSEMOUNT CITY PROCEEDINGS
SPECIAL WORK SESSION
SEPTEMBER 21, 2004
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a special work session of the Rosemount City Council
was duly held on Tuesday, September 21, 2004, at 8:10 p.m. following the regularly scheduled
City Council meeting in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 2875 145 Street West.
Mayor Droste called the meeting to order with Council Members Riley, Strayton, Shoe - Corrigan
and DeBettignies present. Also present were City Administrator Verbrugge, Community
Development Director Lindquist, City Engineer Brotzler, Public Works Supervisor Cook, Fire
Chief Aker, and Assistant Administrator Weitzel. There were no changes to the agenda.
Public Facility Projects
City Administrator Verbrugge presented an expansion of the public works campus. Verbrugge
requested Council to consider building this project at the same time as the eastside fire station to
incur some cost savings for construction material estimated at $250,000. Todd Christopherson
from AMCON Construction Managers was present as a consultant manager. Verbrugge pointed
out that the city population has grown quickly and city staff has increased accordingly. The City
Hall office does not have any additional space for future staff. Staff proposes that the
engineering department offices could be moved to this expanded public works campus and be
linked with a breezeway. Storage now used in the Police Department and City Hall would move
to the Public Works facility and thereby open up needed storage at City Hall. City Hall could
also use some structural updates to improve customer service and available meeting space.
Verbrugge explained that a referendum would not be needed when bonding is used for public
safety facilities and equipment. City Engineer Brotzler explained that to renovate the garage
would be more expensive than starting from new construction. The original public works garages
are cement block and were built in 1960 with changes made in 1980 and 1990. There is currently
1900 square feet of garage and the plan would allow for 3200 square feet. Discussion brought out
that all motorized equipment is able to be stored inside now, but is not convenient to remove due
to stacking. The public works lunchroom would become the woodshop /sign shop and tool
storage. Brotzler noted that at present the water meter assembly is done at a well house because
of lack of workspace. Verbrugge estimated the cost of the fire station at $2 million and the public
works expansion at $4 million. Bonds could be sold in 2005 with the first payments in 2006. This
would impact the tax rate by about 3 %. It was noted that the tax value increases every year also,
so residents would not likely see an increase in their property taxes.
Council directed staff to compare the Capital Improvement Project budget and see how bonds
would phase into it. A plan should be developed to inform residents; perhaps hold some
community meetings. Council would like to consider a new Space Needs Study to justify the
need for the public works expansion. Council asked for additional information to help determine
the best direction to take. City Administrator Verbrugge noted this discussion is preliminary and
that it will be considered at another work session. Mayor Droste noted he would like to move
ahead with the fire station since it is already in the budget.
Hiring Practices
Assistant City Administrator Weitzel presented two policies in relation to job recruitment and
hiring practices. The policies would allow the City Administrator to direct replacement
procedures for positions which are not newly budgeted or supervisory. Council Member Strayton
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ROSEMOUNT CITY PROCEEDINGS
SPECIAL WORK SESSION
SEPTEMBER 21, 2004
did not agree with the reported timesavings. Council did not offer any other changes to be made
to the policies with will be brought to Council on October 5 th for adoption.
Council Comments
Council Member Strayton said that residents have been contacting him regarding the need for
athletic fields. Mayor Droste noted that the funding for athletic complexes requires a referendum
vote from residents and the best opportunity for that is not until 2006. Strayton would like to see
that done sooner and believed that there is support in the community for a referendum to pass.
City Administrator Verbrugge suggested testing community support for financing an athletic
complex through the community attitudinal survey. A survey is scheduled for 2005, and that
could be completed in February to get results sooner. Parks and Recreation Director Schultz
could be directed to get information on community interest and costs for a water park and second
sheet of ice. Verbrugge mentioned that long -term land lease may be a possibility in our
community. Mayor Droste noted that a senior center was first on the list from last year's survey.
Council Member Strayton also suggested prioritizing the goals that have been chosen by City
Council. City Administrator Verbrugge said it would be good to combine this with setting up
budget issues so they work together.
Mayor Droste adjourned the meeting at 9:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Jentink, City Clerk
Recording Secretary
The City Council Agenda Packet is Clerk's File 2004 -38.
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