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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-07-03 MINUTES AGENDA COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL J U LY 3, 2001 SPECIAL IVIIEETING - 10:00 A.M. CALL TO ORDER — Mayor ROLL CALL — City Clerk 1. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Consider approving the plans and specifications for the Almar Village public utility and street improvement project and setting a bid date of August 9, 2001. Sfaff Recommendation:Adopt the resolution approving the plans and speci�cations for the Almar Village public utility and street improvement project and setting a bid date of August 9, 2001. B. Consider approving the plans and specifications for the Timber Ridge public utility and street improvement project and setting a bid date of August 9, 2001. Staff Recommendation:Adopt the resolution approving the plans and speci�cations for the Timber Ridge public utilify and street improvement project and setting a bid date of August 9, 2001. 2. NEW BUSINESS A. Consider authorizing execution of the assignment and purchase agreements for Country Inn and Suites. Staff Recommendation:Authorize execution of the assignment and purchase agreements. B. Schedule a special meeting and public hearing for July 26, 2001 to consider creation of the TIF 1-12 Financial Plan and Program. Staff Recommendation:Schedule the special meeting and public hearing. C. Authorize the City Administrator to enter into a Joint Powers Agreement with the Metropolitan Council for a Park and Ride Facility within the Langdon neighborhood. Staff Recommendation:Authorize the City Administrator to enter into the Joint Powers Agreement. 3. PAY BILLS A. Approve payment of check numbers 119379 to 119584 in the amount of $550,488.18. 4. OTHER BUSINESS ADJOURNMENT SPECIAL MEETING COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL JULY 3, 2001 CALL TO ORDER The City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota held a special meeting on Tuesday, July 3, 2001, at the Cottage Grove City Hall, 7516 80`h Street South. Mayor Shiely called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Sandy Shiely Council Member Rod Hale Council Member Pat Rice Council Member Jim Wolcott Absent: Council Member Cheryl Kohls Also Present: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator Ron Hedberg, Finance Director Les Burshten, Public Works Director Neil Belscamper, Administrative Secretary Mayor Shiely presided over the meeting. CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION BY WOLCOTT, SECONDED BY RICE, TO: A. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 01-089, APPROVING THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE ALMAR VILLAGE PUBLIC UTILITY AND STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND SETTING A BID DATE OF AUGUST 9, 2001. B. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 01-090, APPROVING THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE TIMBER RIDGE PUBLIC UTILITY AND STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND SETTING A BID DATE OF AUGUST 9, 2001. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. NEW BUSINESS A. Consider authorizing execution of the assignment and purchase agreements for Country Inn and Suites. City Administrator Schroeder explained the request for the City to work with WAG Farms in closing on the property as an intermediary. The property is owned by the school district. The Goldridge Group was unable to close on the property at the present time and would in turn purchase the property from the City if the assignment were to take place. Regular Meeting—July 3 Special Meeting Cottage Grove City Council Page 2 Council Member Hale stated his concern that the City would be assuming risk in owning the parcel. If the Goldridge Group failed to complete the purchase, the City would own the parcel. Schroeder replied that the parcel had been appraised by School District 833 a few years ago at the investment value, and thereby the City would not be assuming significant risk. Acting as an intermediary in the purchase would keep the hotel project moving forward. Schroeder noted that the agreement would also be contingent upon the City Attorney's review, and the review of financial statements. Council Member Wolcott commented that if the financial documents were thoroughly reviewed, the City's risk in the process would be very limited. MOTION BY RICE, SECONDED BY WOLCOTT, TO AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS FOR COUNTRY INN AND SUITES. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. B. Consider scheduling a special meeting and public hearing for July 26, 2001 to consider creation of the TIF 1-12 Financial Plan and Program. City Administrator Schroeder circulated maps of the proposed district. He explained that the public hearing would be moved up to July 26 because new legislation would affect creation of the district after August 1. The desire was to complete the process under existing state law. A request for waiver of the 30-day notification period with School District 833 would be sent if the public hearing were to be scheduled for July 26. Council Member Wolcott asked how the new regulations would affect creation of the district. Schroeder responded that at this time it was uncertain how the new regulations would impact the district, and that is the reason for creating it under existing regulations. Council Member Hale asked whether the property north of Grange Avenue would be included in the district. Schroeder replied that it would not. The public hearing on July 26 would affect only TIF Districts 1-12A and 1-12B. MOTION BY WOLCOTT, SECONDED BY HALE TO SCHEDULE A SPECIAL MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING FOR JULY 26, 2001 TO CONSIDER CREATION OF THE TIF 1-12 FINANCIAL PLAN AND PROGRAM. C. Consider authorizing the City Administrator to enter into a Joint Powers Agreement with the Metropolitan Council for a Park and Ride facility within the Lanqdon neighborhood. City Administrator Schroeder stated that the Metropolitan Council was losing their lease with School District 833 to operate a park and ride facility at the District Service Center. They have proposed entering into an agreement with the City to lease property for a temporary park-and-ride facility in the Langdon neighborhood. The City does not currently own the property in question, Schroeder commented, but is in the process of purchasing it. Two and a half acres in the northeast corner of the eight-acre parcel would be used for the park-and-ride site. Schroeder noted that this would be an authorized use in the B-2 zoning, and that authorization of the agreement would be contingent upon its review by the City Attorney. One of the Langdon neighborhood resident said there would not be enough room, and the area roads would not be able to accommodate the traffic. She felt the City wanted to take all of the Langdon neighborhood. She asked if the parking area would be Class V material. Schroeder responded that the traffic areas for the buses would be a bituminous surface, and all other areas Regular Meeting—July 3 Special Meeting Cottage Grove City Council Page 3 would be Class V material. The resident commented that the City requires others to use concrete for such applications, and should follow suit. Joe Murphy, another resident, voiced his concern that there would be too much traffic in the area if the proposal were allowed. He asked where access to the lot would be. Schroeder replied that access would be from Point Douglas Road. Tamera Myers complained that the Langdon neighbors had just found out about the park-and-ride proposal, and that they should have been informed earlier. Mr. Murphy felt the Class V surface would be dusty, especially for Ms. Myers' property, which would be very close to the park-and-ride site. Schroeder responded that the City could require the Met Council to blacktop the lot. The use of Class V would be in an effort to reduce both cost and the permanency of the facility. An unidentified Langdon resident commented that commuters would use roads other than just Point Douglas when going to and coming from the neighborhood, and that there are children in the area. She suggested that a study of the area be done before proceeding with anything. Mayor Shiely asked if the site would be temporary. Schroeder replied that it would probably be in use for finro to three years. An unidentified resident said the Rainbow parking lot would be a better site for a park-and-ride lot. Ann Redmond raised concerns that traffic would end up on 96th Street, which is dirt, and further exacerbate any dust problem. Shiely reminded residents that the parcel in question is zoned B-2, and that there are many permitted uses allowed in that zoning. The park-and-ride facility would be a permitted use. Terry Redmond commented that night traffic is already bad in the area. He thought a permanent site should be found, and suggested the Rodeo parking lot as a possibility. Council Member Wolcott voiced his concern over there being only a single entrance to the parcel. In addition, he said Class V would not be adequate for the surFace. Due to a scheduled appointment, Wolcott left the meeting at approximately 11:00 a.m. Council Member Hale concurred that gravel would not be acceptable, and that finro years at the site would be too long. However, he said that a park-and-ride site is a benefit to our citizens and the City should attempt to facilitate a solution. Council Member Rice also felt that asphalt would be a must for the driving surface. He questioned whether another site would be more appropriate, and also thought the Rodeo might make for a good location. Schroeder noted that the City would own the proposed Langdon site in short order and that the site would be an appropriate short-term use. Hale agreed that the site would be cost effective for the City, and would provide an interim use for the property, but noted that the citizens had raised some legitimate concerns. Schroeder reiterated that the current park-and-ride site would no longer be available as of August 1 and a solution was needed quickly. Shiely commented that she was troubled with the request, and asked if the Metropolitan Council would have precedence and be able to use the site even if the City did not approve it. Schroeder responded that they would not be able to. Shiely stated that the City did not know about it until a month before a new site was needed, and that the City Council does not feel the Langdon parcel is a good site. Regular Meeting—July 3 Special Meeting Cottage Grove City Council Page 4 The topics of fencing and additional lighting were also discussed. Schroeder noted that such improvements might contribute to the permanency of the site, and that this was meant to be a temporary location. He suggested a motion could be made with three options: an extension of the present lease with the school district could be negotiated, an alternate site could be found, and if those options fail, the Langdon site could be used. RICE MOVED TO APPROVE THAT 1. AN EXTENSION OF THE PRESENT LEASE WITH SCHOOL DISTRICT 833 BE ATTEMPTED. 2. AN ATTEMPT BE MADE TO LOCATE AN ALTERNATE SITE. 3. THE LANGDON SITE BE USED FOR A LIMITED TIME. Hale stated that if the option of using the Langdon site were removed, he would second the motion. HALE SECONDED THE MOTION AS AMENDED BY REMOVING THE OPTION OF USING THE LANGDON SITE. MOTION CARRIED 3-0. PAY BILLS MOTION BY HALE, SECONDED BY RICE, TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF CHECK NUMBERS 119379 TO 119584 TOTALING $550,488.18. MOTION CARRIED 3-0. MOTION BY HALE, SECONDED BY RICE, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 11:20 A.M. MOTION CARRIED. 3-0. Respectfully submitted, eil Belsc er dministr ve Secretary