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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-05-18 PACKET 07.A. Cottage J Grove ��er� Pride and Qro�P�rity Me�t Clt�/ COUI'1CII CONSENTAGENDA Acfion Request Form �'A' Meeting Date 5/18/2016 Department Administration Title of Request City Council Meeting Minutes - 4/20/2016 Special Meeting Staff Recommendation Approve the 4/20/2016 City Council special meeting minutes. ATTACH MENTS: Description Type Upload Date Draft Minutes Backup Material 5/5/2016 Cottage J Grove �here Pride and Pr�sperity Meet MINUTES COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL April 20, 2016 COUNCIL CHAMBER 12800 RAVINE PARKWAY SOUTH SPECIAL MEETING - 6:00 P.M. 1. WORKSHOPS — OPEN TO PUBLIC A. Red Rock Corridor Bus Rapid Transit Station Planning B. HERO Center Memorandum of Understanding A. Lyssa Leitner, a Senior Planner with Washington County and Project Manager for the Red Rock Corridor Project, introduced Sarah Allen, a new Washington County intern, who will be helping on the transit projects. There will also be a business Lunch & Learn on Friday. Planner Leitner gave a brief update on their thought process right now, and she asked for any questions and feedback. The general route will have two- or-three stations within Cottage Grove. Bus Rapid Transit is around station locations. They wanted to make sure they had a balance of access on both sides of Highway 61 but also speed; the ridership will really be lowered if a transit trip takes too long. They also looked at the types of jobs, population, retail, etc. that are around each one of the stations. A one-half mile walking distance is associated with these types of transit trips, and that's generally as far as people want to walk; that would take maybe 10-to-15 minutes. Shuttles are probably going to be necessary to and from the stations, especially with the weather factor. Currently, proposed station locations are the east side of Highway 61, on 80th Street, 95th Street, Langdon, and Jamaica Avenue. Feedback received made them think they should stay off Hadley Avenue on the west, and the east side of Highway 61 made more sense. Planner Leitner spoke about the synergy between the existing Park & Ride, which is really an underused site, so she wondered if there was an opportunity to move the Park & Ride. They were hoping to decide where the first two stations would go within Cottage Grove. They were looking at perhaps putting in a parking deck at the District Program Center so the Park & Ride could be located there. Discussion took place regarding removing a station from Langdon and instead placing one at the Shoppes of Cottage View, which would provide access to Ravine Park. If there were concerns with Jamaica Avenue, citizens should let hem know because they're anticipating that Friday's Lunch & Learn will continue to support that site. It was asked if there was any way to work with the School District to possibly utilize school buses, which generally sit idle in the parking lot. Mayor Bailey asked if the east side was the way to go, and everyone agreed; he thought they could look at a circulator idea later on, but they should decide if they even want to keep Langdon in the mix. CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE • 12800 Ravine Parkway • Cottage Grove, Minnesota 55016 www.cottage-grove.org • 651-458-2800 • Fax 651-458-2897 • Equal Opportunity Employer City Council Meeting Minutes April 20, 2016 Page 2 B. Public Safety Director Woolery stated they were asking for approval of the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Cottage Grove and the City of Woodbury for maintenance and operation of the HERO Center, and also to enter into a service agreement with the architectural company, Leo A. Daly, to design the facility. The interview panel found they had a wealth of experience with training facilities, on the local, state, and federal level, and they're very well versed with our legislature. Director Woolery hoped to have everything approved tonight to keep on schedule to go into a second bonding cycle for construction. There's the opportunity to evaluate both locations, 80th Street and Ravine Parkway, as potential sites; he felt either site would be adequate. The State had identified that there was a definite lack of a training facility in the southeast metro. Especially with what's been happening lately with law enforcement, the concept of de-escalation strategies and dealing with people with mental illness and special needs, we need to be better trained to meet those needs. The HERO Center would actually be a one of a kind opportunity to be able to provide immersive training for any first responders, be it police, fire, or EMS. It's not a typical classroom setting, but it's a space where you could do any type of live scenario. The cities in northern Dakota County and our neighboring South Washington County cities all have an interest as end users. There is definitely a public component; which is necessary if you have a firearms range. They've received very positive feedback about that. Director Woolery believed the need was there and the City could position itself to be able to deal with the needs and expectations of the public. He stated the Memorandum of Understanding indicated that Cottage Grove is the owner of the property and will receive the primary disbursements; it's a 50-50 split. The money that's been spent so far is for a consulting firm, Interactive Business Group; that is the company that really sets up operations and management of a shared training facility. Leo A. Daly, the architectural company, has much experience; Engineer Levitt indicated they know how to go after bonding dollars, which will be important in making the City successful in the next phase. Director Woolery stated Leo A. Daly would put them in a good position to submit their pre-design and design component. First responders from several counties would be coming to Cottage Grove to train. It's a low-impact facility with an indoor range. Mayor Bailey asked about the size of the facility; Captain Rinzel stated they were originally looking at 45,000 square feet, but it's been considerably downsized from that, to perhaps 20,000 to 25,000 square feet, which includes the shooting range. Captain Rinzel stated they were still trying to determine which shooting range size would make the most sense as a business model. Director Woolery advised the DOD had a minimum 50-yard range. Captain Rinzel stated if they wanted to be able to continue to train indoors with a long-range rifle, the 50-yard range is the minimum. Director Woolery stated the Police Department currently has to schedule their shooting a year ahead of time due to the limited number of ranges available. City Council Meeting Minutes April 20, 2016 Page 3 Questions were posed regarding the Memorandum of Understanding with Woodbury, as to their interest level. Administrator Stevens stated the Memorandum of Understanding stated it would be jointly owned and jointly operated. She stated this was important in moving forward with the State to receive State funding. Concerns were expressed if Woodbury decided not to go ahead with this and if Cottage Grove would be left with all expenses. Administrator Stevens stated Woodbury administration had indicated that they are totally engaged. Director Woolery stated the Woodbury City Council was also having a workshop tonight to address any questions. Engineer Levitt stated they wanted to get everybody's input tonight because timing was important as they can't miss the bonding cycle, and the architect can't begin until the grant is accepted by the State. 2. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Council Member Olsen, second by Council Member Peterson, to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. Motion carried: 5-0. Minutes prepared by Judy Graf and reviewed by Joe Fischbach, City Clerk.