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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-09-21 PACKET 03.A.CALL TO ORDER The City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington County, held a Special Meeting on June 15, 2011, at the Cottage Grove City Hall, 7516 80 Street South, Cottage Grove. Mayor Bailey called the meeting to order `at, '6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL The following were present: Mayor Myron Bailey, Council Member Jen Peterson, Council Member Dave Thiede, and Council Member Derrick Lehrke. The following were absent: Council Mem Also Present: Ryan Schroeder, Roland. Finance Director: John Kennedy & Graven; Jennifer Levitt, City E Director; and Les Burshten, Public Works Mayor Bailey p City Administrator Schroeder 's intent and the site for a Comm the letter of intent and they did letter of intent between the Cit City Administratoi is at Norris Squar includes the Park includes the City Hall, the Libi on the east side of Hemingwa Government Center Campus. r Justin Olsen. strator;';Caron Stransky, City Clerk; Robin nior Planner; Corrine Heine, City Attorney- Craig Woolery, Public Safety i'rector; amg. aff is requesting direction on the letter of YMCA. He stated that the EDA discussed tively to authorize adoption of the proposed Grove and the YMCA. ated that there are three (3) potential sites. The first site the second is the City Hall sites, a 5 -acre site which Branch site and the City Hall, and a 7.5 acre site which ry Site, Hemingway Avenue, and the two (2) properties Avenue. The third site is at the Public Safety /City Hall City Administrator Schroeder stated that as they have talked to the YMCA about a letter of intent, one of the answers that we really needed was on the site. The one thing that Staff needs is a consensus position on the site tonight so that he could have the City Council ratify it at the next City Council meeting. Cottage Grove City Council 2 June 1, 2011 Special Meeting Council Member Lehrke commented that he favored combining the community center with a new library and that it be placed at the existing City Hall or the Norris Square site because they are the most dense parts of the City. Council Member Thiede asked whether 7.5 -acres would be enough acreage for a community center and a library. City Administrator Schroeder advised that 7.5 acres would be but 5 acres would be a tight fit. Council Member Lehrke commented that the Library was supposedly going to rebuild in Cottage Grove in 2013. He stated that the Task Force did recommend placing the Community Center at the City Hall /Public Safety facility site but they pointed out that it would be nice to have it with a library. Council Member Thiede stated that the property is not collecting tax dollars. Being that the property is on 80 Street South, it would be much more attractive as a commercial piece of land that could earn property taxes. He expressed interest in collecting tax revenue. Mayor Bailey stated that he agreed with Council Member Thiede noting that was why he favored locating the community center at the East Ravine site and creating a quasi - government type area. Mayor Bailey stated that he understands what Council Member Lehrke was saying about this area being more prominently located in the City, but one of the YMCA's that we are being compared to as this process is unfolding is the one located in Andover, Minnesota. He stated he had an opportunity to go through that facility and they have a City Hall, Public Safety, Public Works, the YMCA and an Ice Arena altogether in one (1) corner. The complex is not located in the center of the community, it is located where there would be future growth, and apparently, they do not regret not placing the complex in the center of the community. Mayor Bailey confirmed that the County Commissioner actually advised him and City Administrator Schroeder that she would prefer to have the future Library at the existing site. Mayor Bailey stated that he personally would like to stay with the recommendation of the Community Center Task Force and the YMCA. Council Member Lehrke stated that he finds it difficult to say that we are going with their recommendation, because the YMCA did not have all of the information. The Cottage Grove City Council June 1, 2011 Special Meeting information that they did have was bad information. They had no idea about connecting to a Library. Council Member Peterson stated that her first choice would be to place the Community Center /YMCA at the Ravine Parkway location and the existing library site would be her second choice. Council Member Thiede stated that the Norris Square property could generate tax revenue whereas the East Ravine land would probably never be commercially -zoned property. He stated he is leaning toward the East Ravine location. The City Council briefly discussed the number of single family and multi - family high density units proposed for the East Ravine and Cottage View developments. Council Member Lehrke stated it was just two (2) days ago, that he heard that, the County Board was considering building a new Library in Cottage Grove in 2013. Mayor Bailey advised the City Council about a new business incubator system that the EDA was looking into and that there might be some interest in locating a business within the existing City Hall. City Administrator Schroeder stated that the question before the EDA is whether this is something that is worth talking about or whether you want to drop it and move on. Council Member Lehrke asked if we could at least agree to get the YMCA's opinion on the library staying here. He stated that he could ask County Commissioner Lehrke to write a letter to the YMCA just to see what they would say. Again, it would be frustrating if they were to hear about it and say; you know what, if the library stays where it is, we would be okay with that. City Administrator Schroeder stated that of the three (3) sites presented to them, they would be happy with any of the three (3). The caveat is that the City would have to provide the site to them as part of the deal. Council Member Lehrke commented that every map that we put out shows the future site of the Washington County Library at the Ravine Parkway. That is another reason why he would like the YMCA's opinion. They might say that it is not a big deal or they might say it is a big deal. Mayor Bailey stated that we could ask the question, but what they, the YMCA would ask is what does the City Council want to do and what he is hearing from the majority of the City Council, is that you support building out to the Ravine Parkway. Cottage Grove City Council 4 June 1, 2011 Special Meeting City Administrator Schroeder stated that he would first get in touch with County Administrator Schug to find out whether 2013 is the year that they are planning to build a new Library in Cottage Grove. City Administrator Schroeder stated that the City of Cottage Grove currently owns the site of the existing Library and should they vacate the premises, the property would revert to the City. Mayor Bailey asked City Administrator Schroeder to find out what the County's desire was in regards to where they would like to locate a new Library. City Administrator Schroeder stated that he is hearing consensus on locating the Community Center at the Ravine Parkway. City Administrator Schroeder stated that the EDA looked at the letter of intent and with a few amendments they would approved it. The normal action of the City Council would be to either ratify or reject it. This consensus is only a handshake that we are going to work together towards a common goal. City Administrator Schroeder stated that a part of what he started to talk about was the site and whether it should be at site A, B or site C, the letter of intent, so he needs those sorts of answers from the City Council to pursue the ongoing discussion. City Administrator Schroeder stated that the YMCA of Minneapolis and St. Paul consolidated and this would continue to be a high priority project for the new entity. What he really wants to know is if you have any consternation about what is in your packet. Mayor Bailey stated that there are two (2) things needed in the very near future. One is an estimated cost for the project and the other is the cost to the taxpayers. The second item is the question or questions because there has been discussion about having more than one question. One question may be for the community center, one to finish off Hamlet Park, and the third could be for a soccer bubble. Whatever they are, Mayor Bailey stated he does not want them all tied into one question and he hopes the rest of the City Council agrees. Council Member Lehrke asked what it would cost to hold a referendum because he has heard everywhere from $30,000 to $100,000. City Clerk Stransky stated that the minimum cost would be $30,000. She stated that the School District has eight (3) precincts and three (3) of them are in Cottage Grove whereas the City of Cottage Grove has 12 precincts. Cottage Grove City Council 5 June 1, 2011 Special Meeting 5 The City Council briefly discussed the costs associated with an election, such as election judge payroll and the benefit that the School District receives by the City holding a referendum. Council Member Lehrke asked if the referendum would be free if we held it with the next General Election in 2012 because we are already paying for it. City Clerk Stransky stated that there would be an additional cost for printing and marketing. Mayor Bailey stated he is good with moving forward with the letter of intent as presented. At 7:12 p.m., the City Council temporarily adjourned the special meeting to the open forum portion of the meeting. Prepared by, Caron M. Stransky City Clerk