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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-05-04 MINUTES (SPECIAL MEETING) COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL City of Cottage Grove, Minnesota Special Meeting May 4, 2011 CALL TO ORDER The City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota, held a th Special Meeting on May 4, 2011 at the Cottage Grove City Hall, 7516 80 Street South. Mayor Myron Bailey called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. ROLL CALL The following were present: Mayor Myron Bailey, Council Member Jen Peterson, Council Member Justin Olsen, and Council Member Dave Thiede. The following were absent: Council Member Derrick Lehrke (Arrived at 6:06 p.m.) Also present: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator; Caron Stransky, City Clerk; Craig Woolery, Public Safety Director; Les Burshten, Public Works Director; Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer; Robin Roland, Finance Director; and Zac Dockter, Ice Arena/Recreation Manager; Corrine Heine, City Attorney-Kennedy & Graven (Arrived at 6:16 p.m.) A. Splashpad Project Recreation and Ice Arena Manager Dockter noted that at the April 20, 2011 City Council meeting, staff presented information on the Cottage Grove Splashpad Study and potential Highlands Park Splashpad Project and the City Council voted to table the matter to a workshop session tonight obtain more information related to the City Council’s concerns. Recreation and Ice Arena Manager Dockter reviewed the information from his report on the following:  Market Area and Community Demographics  Usage Projections  Community Splashpad Impacts on Future Community Center  Splashpad versus Municipal Pool Usage  Financial Impacts of Splashpad Project Jim Maland of Bonestroo reviewed his report dated April 28, 2011, included in the agenda packet addressing the scope of the bather load calculation, the methodology of the calculation, a comparison to an industry standard calculation, and his work experience. Cottage Grove City Council 2 May 4, 2011 Special Meeting Council Member Thiede stated he was actually not as worried about the splashpad taking away from the community center as much as he was concerned about the community center taking away from the splashpad. Mr. Maland stated that indoor aquatics was totally different as far as usage than outdoor aquatics, adding that for an indoor facility like the YMCA, the demand would be up when the splashpad is shutdown. Council Member Olsen stated that he telephoned the YMCA in Woodbury and Hastings and then he talked to Community Education and asked all three (3) entities how much people use their pools for open swim. Community Education stated that they get about 6-8 people participate in open swim, even in the winter. The YMCA facilities stated that they provide opportunities for members to swim during open swim. Council Member Olsen stated that at the YMCA you pay a monthly membership and that Community Education charges a $4.00 fee to attend an open swim per person. Council Member Thiede asked whether we are to assume that everyone who put in a splash pad had a good experience. Mr. Maland commented that the only locations where he has seen a splashpad sitting idle was where there were no amenities. The City Council discussed the financial impacts of a splashpad. Recreation and Ice Arena Manager Dockter commented that the packet item included an updated project budget. Council Member Olsen asked Recreation and Ice Arena Manager Dockter what usage he anticipates. Recreation and Ice Arena Manager Dockter stated that he believes that about 90% of our residents would use the splashpad at some point during the summer. Mayor Bailey stated that the cities of St. Paul Park, Newport and the south side of Woodbury would also use the facility. Council Member Lehrke asked how many people use the existing municipal pool. Recreation and Ice Arena Manager Dockter stated that last year there were just fewer than 7,000 total visits, of which 2,400 were non-residents and 4,500 were residents. Council Member Peterson stated that thinking back to living and growing up in South Minneapolis, they had wading pools, and they were always packed. Mayor Bailey stated that he has been a big proponent to splashpads and it is something that would be a nice draw to the community. He stated that when the City Council tabled this item at the last regular meeting, he received many emails, even from residents of St. Paul Park and Woodbury. Cottage Grove City Council 3 May 4, 2011 Special Meeting B. Council Chamber Design John McNamara of Wold Architects presented drawings of the Council Chamber pointing out that there was space for nine (9) individuals at the dais, four (4) permanent seats for the staff that are required at the meeting, and room in the audience. McNamara stated that they would not be building monitors into the Council dais due to changes in technology and could install a connection for power and data into the desk itself. Council Member Olsen asked if we would be creating an area for a smart board. McNamara responded that a smart board could near the presenter. Council Member Thiede asked about the projector type equipment and McNamara stated that they plan to install it near the presenter. The City Council then discussed whether the City Administrator and City Attorney would sit at the dais. Council Member Lehrke stated that he would be in favor of having only the City Council sit at the dais. Council Member Olsen stated that on this issue, he would defer the decision to the Mayor. Mayor Bailey stated that he would like to have the City Administrator and City Attorney sit at the dais. Council Member Thiede commented that it does not matter to him where the City Administrator and/or City Attorney sit. C. Washington County Land Swap/Cost Share Agreement City Administrator Schroeder reviewed the three (3) agreements included in the agenda packet with Washington County. The first Agreement is for the proposed land swap on the land exchange for use of the Ravine site for the Public Safety/City Hall facility. The second agreement is a copy of the 2005 Land Swap Agreement; and the third Agreement is the cost sharing agreement. The special meeting adjourned to the regular meeting. Prepared by, Caron M. Stransky City Clerk