HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-23-12 WSMinutes
Lakeville City Council Work Session
July 23, 2012
In attendance: Mayor Mark Bellows
Council Member Laurie Rieb
Council Member Matt Little
Council Member Colleen LaBeau
Absent: Council Member Kerrin Swecker
Staff. Steve Mielke, City Administrator
Dave Olson, Community & Economic Development Director
Zach Johnson, City Engineer
Chris Petree, Public Works Director
Judi Hawkins, Deputy City Clerk
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 pm.
There were no citizen comments.
ITEM 1 — Insurance Auto Auctions (IAA) Project Concept
Dave Olson briefed the City Council on the Airlake Development proposal to
relocate the Insurance Auto Auction (IAA) business, currently located in St. Paul, to
the Airlake Development property on the east side of Cedar Avenue, south of the
Airlake Airport. IAA is a wholesale salvage vehicle auction company which
provides storage and auction services to insurance companies for vehicles that
have been totaled for insurance purposes. IAA has 160 facilities nation -wide.
There is no parts salvage or repairs made on site. Most customers buy in large
volumes for commercial purposes.
The property is the area that was annexed to the City of Lakeville in 2008 at the
request of the property owners. It is zoned 1 -2 and is in the current MUSA. The
property owners consider this an interim use and will lease the property to IAA for
15 years with options for extensions to 25 years. This use is considered wholesale,
which is allowed in the 1 -2 District, however most of the use would be outdoor
storage, which requires an interim use permit. The City's Transportation Plan calls
for a realignment of Cedar Ave. to accommodate a future extension of the Airlake
Airport runway. Watershed issues will also need to be taken into account. The
Zoning Ordinance requires asphalt surfaces for outdoor storage.
Dan Regan of Airlake Development stated that the property is on a 99 -acre parcel
near 220 Street across from Airlake Airport, adjacent to Eureka Township.
Benefits of the project would be construction - related jobs, approximately 25 -40
employees, and an increased tax base for the city and county after the property is
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Ju /y 23, 2012 Page -2-
improved. Because of their significant investment, IAA would like to be
guaranteed use of the property for 25 years.
The developer is working with the Metropolitan Airports Commission to identify
right -of -way in order to accommodate future runway expansion. The stormwater
holding area has an oil separator to filter runoff. A security /privacy fence and
heavily landscaped berms will surround the entire site. The facility will not be
visible from Cedar Avenue.
Mayor Bellows asked if the surface would be pervious or impervious. Mr. Olson
stated that the surface is pervious and is comparable to Class 5 gravel with an
asphalt emulsion coating. Mr. Mielke added that the material works well for dust
control for the site; fluids will still permeate the base material.
Council discussed the length of the interim use permit. The ordinance does not
define "interim" but the Council would approve various interim use criteria and
terms and can grant extensions. The Watershed District will also be reviewing the
application due to the proximity of the site to the trout stream.
Council will reexamine the proposal when responses are received from MAC and
the Watershed District.
ITEM 2 — Collector Road Financing
Public Works Director Chris Petree introduced Bret Weiss and Monica Heil of WSB
Engineering. City Engineer Zach Johnson stated that the Collector Road
Financing Study completed by WSB evolved from the January 31, 2012
Developers Forum. The study analyzes the current transportation infrastructure
system and the anticipated build -out. Lakeville's current policy is for developers to
construct and pay for collector roadways as part of their development. Developers
requested the City consider a cost share for road improvements and infrastructure.
Monica Heil provided background information. The study reviewed current and
future infrastructure and transportation system needs, financing policies, and
roadway design standards. Past practice has been for developers of new plats to
dedicate rights of way to accommodate various classifications of roadways in
addition to trails and sidewalks on major and minor collectors. Developers are
required to construct arterial roadways to the City's Comprehensive Transportation
System standards. The new Dakota County policy proposes to fund over - sizing
costs if roadways are constructed to their ultimate sections.
Currently there are approximately 46 miles of minor collector roadways in the City
with an additional 20 miles proposed; and 42 miles of major collector roadways
with an additional 22 miles proposed. The State Aid System evaluated current and
projected mileage using 2030 Comp Plan estimated population and verified all
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July 23, 2012 Page -3-
new collector and arterial roadways could be added to the City's State Aid System.
State Aid funds may be available to assist with future roadway projects.
Using the current policies, the cost estimate for ultimate expansion of the system is
approximately $282,600,000. These are projected costs and are stated in today's
dollars. Funding could come from a combination of city, county, state, federal, and
developers. The study suggests the following goals: employ right -size design
standards; develop a funding approach that will provide value to all parties; and
budget for future new and reconstruction projects. The study can be used as a
tool for Council to discuss the current City funding policy for collector roadway
construction; evaluate design standards; and consider funding alternatives for the
City's share of construction costs.
Developers are currently being asked to pay for publicly used collector roads
where they cannot construct driveways accesses. The costs of the improvements
are passed on to the homebuyers, with the belief that additional residents
generate additional traffic. Mr. Mielke stated that if the City is going to participate
more in the costs, financing alternatives such as increased taxes, assessments, etc.
need to be addressed. Input should be solicited from the public and developers.
Altering design standards such as roadway widths might provide an opportunity
to reduce costs. Funding prioritization would determine the order of development
so not to create gaps in the City's development.
Mr. Weiss stated that the current method is not necessarily wrong, but a constant
effort will need to be made to monitor and update prioritization as opportunities
arise. WSB believes it is important for Council to have an overview of the future
build -out of the City and to consider funding policies.
Item 3 — 2012 Parks, Trails and Open Space Plan
Dan Licht of The Planning Company (TPC) stated that the update of the Parks,
Trails and Open Space Plan is an ongoing effort to stay current with changing
times and needs. It also allows for consideration of new ideas and opportunities to
provide for park and trail facilities and recreation programs for all residents. The
plan is based on national standards as well as community preferences. This update
emphasizes trails and greenways and defines the purpose and classification of
each trail segment based on function and connections.
Community playfields are a priority for youth and adult team sports. The trend of
increased organized sports continues to increase the need for fields. The update
continues the policy of working with area school districts and athletic associations
to avoid duplication whenever possible. In the newer and undeveloped areas of
the City, the service radius of neighborhood parks has increased over time from a
quarter -mile to a minimum of one -half mile, defined by physical boundaries.
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Ju /y 23, 2012 Page -4-
The plan recommends 15 additional active parks, including three community
playfields and 12 neighborhood parks; and two planned conservation areas - one
by King Park and one by Lake Marion. The Parks, Recreation and Natural
Resources Committee reviewed the draft Parks, Trails and Open Space document
at their July 18, 2012 meeting and recommended approval by City Council.
Council Member LaBeau is concerned about an aging population and estimates by
the Met Council. She had contacted Met Council Commissioner Wendy Wulff
about conducting an analysis of Lakeville's population. LaBeau believes the needs
are different today than they will be in 30 years. LaBeau also asked about property
in the industrial park that is identified as parkland. Licht stated that City -owned
property is identified as a trailhead for the trout stream and possible site for fields.
Council has indicated that they wish to have the Parks and Trails Plan included in
the visioning process, with the community having an opportunity to see the plan
prior to adoption by the City Council. Bellows asked about maintenance costs and
sustainability of the system. He sees it as more of a wish list than a plan and asked
how funds would become available.
Bellows asked what maintenance services are provided for school facilities by the
City. John Hennen stated that the Parks Dept. drags the elementary school
ballfields and the cost is covered by sports association user fees. Mielke added that
lighted fields provide additional hours when fields can be used, saving on the
expenses of constructing additional fields.
The Finance Dept., Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee, and the
EDC worked together to develop park dedication fees. The cost of proposed
future acquisitions and expansions is approximately $100M. Park dedication fees
would cover approximately 70% but other revenue sources such as referendums
would be needed for the remainder. Mielke suggested Council consider allocating
various funding sources for various park classifications, i.e., neighborhood parks vs.
community parks.
LaBeau asked if there have been discussions on the national level regarding how
changing demographics impact park needs. Licht stated that the map reflects
how service areas and spacing have been adjusted for future designated parkland.
LaBeau believes there are a lot of parks in the system that are under - utilized.
Council Member Little asked for a clarification of the community park expansion
areas. Licht stated those are areas where there is a desire to acquire property to
increase the size of an existing community park, such as Ritter Farm or Antlers Park.
Mayor Bellows believes further fiscal analysis is needed before the plan is adopted.
Mielke suggested that policies be adopted on how to allocate park dedication fees
and other revenues to insure that Council priorities are being met.
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July 23, 2012
Page -5-
The County is focusing on regional trail systems which could mean construction
and maintenance costs of some trails identified in the Parks Plan could be passed
on to the county.
Resident David Bares asked about public "taking" of property to add to a
community park. Mielke stated that acquisition would typically come at a time
when property develops or through a willing seller.
Item 4 — Other
The LOGIS consortium and the DCC will be looking at alternatives to the Motorola
system, which did not adequately function as desired.
The Cedar Corridor will receive its final lift of asphalt in August and will be
substantially complete by fall.
Item 5 — Adjourn.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15.
Respectfully submitted,
Aq i�
J di Hawkins
D'eliuty Clerk
Mark Bellows
Mayor