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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-02-16 MINUTES (SPECIAL MEETING) COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL City of Cottage Grove, Minnesota Special Meeting February 16, 2011 CALL TO ORDER The City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota, held a th Special Meeting on February 16, 2011 at the Cottage Grove City Hall, 7516 80 Street South. Mayor Myron Bailey called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL The following were present: Mayor Myron Bailey, Council Member Dave Thiede, Council Member Justin Olsen, Council Member Jen Peterson, and Council Member Derrick Lehrke. The following were absent: None. Also present: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator; Caron Stransky, City Clerk; Robin Roland, Finance Director; Craig Woolery, Public Safety Director; Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer; and Howard Blin, Community Development Director. PUBLIC SAFETY/CITY HALL PROJECT Site and Project Update The City’s consultant, John McNamara and Jodi Nelson of Wold Architects and Engineering, provided an update on the site and building designs, outlining the comments and requested revisions from the site sub-committee meeting earlier in the day. Mayor Bailey stated that at the Strategic Planning Session, the City Council decided to remove the gun range from the Public Safety/City Hall facility. Mayor Bailey stated that he liked the latest floor plan revisions, particularly the new layout for the meeting room suite. Council Member Olsen inquired about the Veteran’s Memorial location on the site. McNamara responded that the site sub-committee determined that an appropriate location would be near the front-entry plaza or near the central lawn area. The landscape architect will work on options for the location and design of the memorial. Examples of Existing Council Chambers The consultant presented examples (photos and floor plans) of various council chamber showing different configurations and options for the City Council to consider. The examples included: Cottage Grove City Council 2 February 16, 2011 Special Meeting (a) Edina  Three (3) presentation podiums - left, right, and a table at center  Glass wall between the chamber and the lobby (b) Apple Valley  Large room  Corner dais location  Projection screen behind the dais  Adequate staff and media seating areas  Center presenter podium (c) Maple Grove  Round room shape  Day-lighting around perimeter of the room  Center presenter podium (d) Prior Lake  Side presenter podium  Separate staff table  Exterior windows with view to lake beyond (e) Farmington  Side presenter podium  Projection screen behind Council at dais as well as next to presenter podium  Glass wall between the council chamber and the lobby Public Spaces The consultant reviewed the layout for the public spaces including the lobby, meeting room, training/EOC room, and the serving kitchen, and noted the following: (a) The training room increased in size due to the need to hold up to 60 people. (b) The training room would also serve as the EOC (Emergency Operations Center) so voice/data and electrical outlets should be adequate for both room functions. Cottage Grove Council Chamber Plan The consultant presented the draft plan for the Council Chamber. (a) Dais Size and Configuration  The dais should accommodate the largest advisory commission, which has nine (9) members.  The dais shape should be arched. Cottage Grove City Council 3 February 16, 2011 Special Meeting  Technology at the dais may not include monitors, but rather iPads, which would require a docking station.  Ballistic material will be included in the dais wall makeup to be used for “duck and cover”. (b) Staff Location and Quantity.  The Council discussed the options of staff locating at the dais versus at a separate table.  Seven (7) staff members sitting at the dais in the council chamber.  A separate table would allow for more staff collaboration rather than separated at the dais.  The Council would like the staff area to be more integrated with the dais rather than a separate table. The number of staff at the dais could be reduced with the remainder sitting in the spectator seating. (c) Presenter Podium Location  The Council liked the presenter podium off to the side to allow for the presenter to face both the audience and the Council. (d) Technology/Media type and location  Smart board near the presenter podium  Monitors throughout the spectator seating area  Monitors in the lobby at overflow seating Additional Comments The consultant stated they would work with the cable commission to determine how much light would be acceptable. The Council also agreed that the lobby should include space for historical pieces as well as an area to display City items such as the annual photo contest. Council Chamber Tour The Council agreed to tour the council chambers at the cities of Apple Valley, Farmington, Prior Lake, and Edina, on Saturday, March 19. The special meeting adjourned to the regular meeting. Prepared by, Caron M. Stransky City Clerk