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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-30-17CITY OF LAKEVILLE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES October 30, 2017 1. Mayor Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Lake Marion Conference Room. Members present: Mayor Anderson, Council Members Davis, LaBeau, Hellier, and Wheeler Members absent: None Staff present: Justin Miller, City Administrator; Allyn Kuennen, Assistant City Administrator; John Hennen, Parks & Recreation Director; Jerilyn Erickson, Finance Director; Tamara Wallace, Deputy City Clerk 2. Citizen Comments There were no citizen comments regarding non -agenda items. 3. Indoor Athletic Facility Taskforce Update Following three meetings held throughout the summer, staff provided an update on the work completed by the Indoor Athletic Facility Taskforce committee. The group, comprised of Council members, various athletic organization representatives and stakeholders, was asked to evaluate/ propose a local site for the facility, and work with an architect to bring forward cost estimates for its construction. The taskforce identified two potential locations, and contracted Tushie Montgomery Architects to prepare quotes for the dome. Staff also asked the architect to provide an estimate for the Hasse site as an alternative. The below estimates include the cost to build the dome facility, as well as additional charges such as engineering fees, soil borings, building storage, sanitary sewer, and water charges. • Lakeville North High School - approximately $5.6 - $5.7 million • Lakeville South High School - approximately $5.9 - $6 million ■ Lakeville Hasse Arena - approximately $4.9 - $5 million After reviewing the proposals, the taskforce agreed it would be best to move forward with one dome at this time, and to bring the estimates forward to the City Council and School Board for further comment. Jenn Pitman: President of Lakeville Soccer, 16518 Horizon Avenue Expressed the huge need their athletic organization has for an indoor practice facility, and the substantial cost savings in rental fees it would provide to their program. Special City Council Work Session Minutes, October 30, 2017 Page 2 Dave Tobias: Lakeville Baseball Association, 17325 Halifax Path Conveyed his organization has no preference in site location for the dome, and that his primary concern is for the planning and construction conversations to continue to move forward. The Council reviewed the cost proposals, and discussed the possible perception of partiality should the dome be at one high school over another, opportunity for corporate sponsorships, parking obstacles, financial benefits and advantages to the City, long-term maintenance needs, and the importance of making the facility attractive and accessible to all age groups. Chair Volk, School District 194 Cautioned that a site being the least expensive, does not mean it would work as the best option. Explained that Hasse Arena is perceived as an non -neutral site given Lakeville South practices there, and mentioned unsold school district land as a possible location to review. In addition, she felt the next step in the process would be to establish a business plan outlining financing, as well as long-term management needs of the facility. Bob Finke Arena Board 9142 - 212' Street West Clarified Hasse Arena is not a City -owned property, and expressed concern with the arena losing money initially should the dome facility be placed at that location. The Council discussed the possibility of the dome at Hasse being operated under the Lakeville Arenas JPA so as to maximize operating efficiencies. See item 6 discussion for staff direction. 4. Antlers Park Master Plan Review For the past few months, staff has worked with representatives from WSB & Associates to develop a master plan for the expansion of Antlers Park. Concepts for the plan began with gaining public feedback and commentary including a Park Visioning Meeting, several community events, a survey completed by 914 individuals narrowing down potential amenities, and a second survey completed by 277 individuals with three potential master plans. At their September 20, 2417 meeting, the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Committee (PRNRC) reviewed the options, and determined one plan to bring forward for recommendation. Staff, along with Candace Amberg of WSB, presented the design plan chosen by the PRNRC, which included an estimated cost to construct the park of $7.4 million. The plan included several amenities identified in the community survey such as: a central plaza, children's playground, ornamental splashpad with fountain, a firepit, regional trailhead, additional pavilions and picnic seating, a drive and drop-off area, open space for community/ civic events, and additional Special City Council Work Session Minutes, October 30, 2017 Page 3 parking stalls. Ms. Amberg also outlined the potential for County funding and assistance towards the trail system, should a trailhead be installed at the park. The Council was pleased with the overall design concept which they felt could be phased in through multiple construction stages; and commended the multi -generational elements, features, and amenities within the plan. They reviewed the cost estimates for the project, and discussed long-term maintenance needs, ability to fund the project through park dedication fees, thoughts on concession items, and voiced some concern with the fishing pier's location. See item 6 discussion for staff direction. 5. Avonlea Park Dedication Update As outlined in the Parks, Trails, and Open Space Plan, the current Avonlea Master Plan calls for a 66 -acre community park/ playfield. In 2015, the City acquired 40 -acres of that land from Mattamy Homes through park dedication, with the option to purchase an additional 26 -acres by the year 2020, at a fixed rate of $50,000 per acre. The current Capital Improvement Plan has budgeted to purchase this property in 2019. Although Mattamy will no longer build homes, they have committed to be the developer on this site, and are presently selling off the lots to two residential builders. While there is still opportunity, staff is seeking Council interest in approaching Mattamy Homes about the option to acquire an additional 33 -acres surrounding the 66 -acre parcel. The Council clarified the timeline requirement to make this decision, as well as the advantages to securing the property now at a fixed rate; and briefly discussed other improvement needs at existing parks such as East Community Park. Tom Goodwin PRNRC Member, 12100 - 175' Street West Felt East Community Park should remain a priority, referencing the lack of park options on that side of Lakeville, forcing residents to travel to utilize the park system. Jeanne Peterson PRNRC Member, 6551 - 161$" Street West Reiterated this same concern as a resident of this area who has had to migrate to neighboring cities due to the absence of park amenities and trails. Expressed concern with what she feels is already a huge divide between the east side of Lakeville and the remainder of the city; and the importance of reassuring residents in the eastern portions of the city so they do not feel forgotten. See item 6 discussion for staff direction. Special City Council Work Session /Minutes, October 30, 2017 Page 4 6. Community Park Financing Strategy The Council reviewed the costs associated with the land acquisition and proposed plans, and discussed one approach to funding these projects could include a bond referendum to obtain resident input and feedback. The Council cited Avonlea as a long-term project that did not require immediate review, development, or action right now. However, there was general consent to have staff explore an option to purchase the additional 33 -acres of land from Mattamy Homes. Under the current Capital Improvement Plan, East Community Park has funds set aside for its own master plan, which the Council felt was the appropriate first step in gaining an understanding of the park's needs, costs, and timeline through community outreach. While the Council did not make any final decisions on a site location for the indoor athletic facility, they would like staff to conduct a pro -forma analysis to determine the costs to manage, maintain, and operate the facility once constructed. They would also like a better understanding of the partners for this project, and their financial commitments to both the construction and upkeep of the facility. Staff is expected to bring this information back to the March 2018 work session meeting. Finally, the Council did feel the Antlers Park master plan/ design could be constructed incrementally over the course of several years, and asked staff to explore the opportunity for corporate sponsorship as was done with the previous Land of Amazement build. However, based on the ability to identify funding sources and capital for the project, the Council did discuss the possibility of a park referendum next year to gain resident input on costs. 7. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m.