HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-06-01 PACKET 03.A.CALL TO ORDER
The City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota, held a
Special Meeting on March 26, 2011 at the Cottage Grove City Hall, 7516 80 Street
South. Mayor Myron Bailey called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
ROLL CALL
The following were present: Mayor Myron Bailey, Council Member Jen Peterson, Council
Member Dave Thiede, Council Member Justin Olsen, and Council Member Derrick Lehrke.
The following were absent: None.
Also present: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator; Caron Stransky, City Clerk; Craig
Woolery, Robin Roland, Finance Director, Craig Woolery, Public Safety Director, Les
Burshten, Public Works Director, Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer, Recreation and Ice Arena
Manager Zac Dockter, Deputy Public Safety Director Pete Koerner, and Fire Services
Chief Bob Byerly.
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITY
ADVISORY COMMISSION
Mayor Bailey introduced the members of the Cottage Grove City Council and thanked all
of the Advisory Commission Members for attending this special meeting.
1. City Council Goals and Initiatives / Vision Statement
Mayor Bailey provided a brief description of the vision statement and the goals for 2011
and after reviewing the goals, each group identified the top five (5) goals or initiatives
and determined what their Commission could do to accomplish those goals. They were
identified as follows:
a. What can the Commission take off the City Council's plate
b. Can the Commissions do some of the research
c. Commission Members could help Staff on completing projects, such as playing
cards
d. Engage Historic Preservation Committee with projects and other commissions
e. Are there opportunities to work together with other commissions
f. Hold workshop sessions that are project specific
g. More networking and information dissemination suggested
Cottage Grove City Council +�
March 26, 2011 Special Meeting G
Volunteer for events
i. Rotate joint meetings between Commissions
j. Full spectrum housing /life cycle
k. Rental housing
I. Shopping /Retail targeted toward youth
m. Plan to bring in businesses
n. Create environment for people
o. Recreational facilities
p. Maintenance of infrastructure
q. Mass transit
r. Communication between commissions on project reviews,
s. Commercial /Industrial — Rooftops /employment
t. Public Safety /City Hall support
u. Business retention plan
v. Develop living wage, jobs
w. Community attractions, i.e. community center and transit
x. River Access
y. Transportation — local /residential planning including transit
i.e. wind and transit
z. Affordability of proposals. Briefing on fiscal condition
aa. Retail grants
bb. Build sense of community through infrastructure and events
cc. Community pride
2. Public Safety /City Hall Project Update
Mayor Bailey highlighted the handout entitled 'Best Kept Secret" and explained why
now is the time to proceed without increasing the existing levy.
Mayor Bailey stated the City Council would be acting on the design development plans
and ordering preparation of plans and specifications. He stated that 85% of the new
facility is for the Public Safety Department; fire administration would relocate to the new
facility; police administration entrance with three (3) individuals working at the front
desk; a police vestibule; parking garage with parking stalls; and a booking and
evidence suite. He then presented views of the main entrance, veteran's area,
amphitheater, and connection to the park trail system. The site also includes space for
a community center and a fire station. Information on the project is on the City's
website.
A Commissioner suggested that the City provide a link on the Washington County
Bulletin's website to the City's website, specifically on the Public Safety /City Hall
facility.
There was brief discussion on constructing one (1) the Fire /EMS facility in lieu of
having multiple stations around the City; whether there was interest in selling the
existing Public Safety /City Hall building; and park dedication.
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March 26, 2011 Special Meeting
3. Community Center
Senior Planner John McCool provided an overview of the Community Center Task
Force final recommendation, covering the purpose, needs study with short -term and
long -term recommendation, market studies, primary /secondary service area, median
household income, most popular uses, i.e. walking, swimming, exercise equipment,
meeting spaces, senior program, teen space, and an indoor play structure. He stated
that at the April 20, 2011 meeting, the City Council would receive the recommendation
and highlighted the sites considered, as well as the preferred location, East Ravine
area.
4. Infrastructure Update
City Engineer Levitt provided an update on some of the upcoming projects:
a. Pedestrian Trail under path at 80 Street South and Jeffery Avenue
b. Pedestrian Trail under path at 70 Street and Harkwood Avenue
c. Splash Pad at Highlands Park
d. Pine Coulee Park Improvement
e. Pavement Management Project in Pine Coulee /Howards Addition and along
West Point Douglas Road
f. Ravine Parkway Extension and Bridge
g. Washington County improvements to 70 Street and Co. Rd. 19.
h. Three (3) Residential Developments
5. Commission Questions and Suggestions
Based on interactions with the Council and City Staff, is commission flowing sufficiently
between Council /City and Commissions. If not, how would you improve interaction
and /or processes between the Council /City and Commissions? Overall, the
Commissioners responded yes, but suggested the following:
a. Hold orientation session for new commission members
b. Provide consistent on -line data
c. Email, text, and tweet
d. Place agendas on web site earlier
e. Inform public of meetings
f. Include budget impacts in reports
g. On the web site, include financial information on different funds, such as income
source from developers
h. Eliminate Silo'ed
i. Place an overview on web site of all commissions with everything in one spot
j. Email agenda packets
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March 26, 2011 Special Meeting
k. Hold joint Commission workshops on projects that need input from multiple
commissions.
I. Have the Chairs meet.
m. Hold group workshops one time or two times per year.
n. Staff Liaisons works well
o. Receives timely information
p. Hold big topic workshops
q. Add commission members as Facebook friends
r. Rotate attendance to other commissions
s. Email updates
t. Requested additional time to review data and suggested electronic or online
agenda /packets.
ADJOURNMENT
The special meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m.
Prepared by,
Caron M. Stransky
City Clerk