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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-16-99 WSCITY OF LAKEVILLE COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 16, 1999 ITEM NO 1: Review Options and Cost Estimates for Converting Hart Hall into an Area Arts Center. Steve Kalkman of Grooters, Leapaldt, Tideman Architects presented the City Council two options and cost estimates for converting Hart Hall into an Area Arts Center. Option A follows a model similar to Holy Angels Performing Arts Center in St. Cloud where the altar area would become the stage area. The existing exterior entrance stairs on the east side of the building would be removed, the main doors would be dropped to grade level and there would be a 15-foot, 6- inch ceiling in the lobby area with two staircases, one up and one down. An elevator would be constructed in the lobby that would access both upper and lower floors. The auditorium would not have a sloped floor but telescoping platforms with removable seats. The stage would be somewhat small for dancing performances and stage musicals and the fly space would be limited. The north entrance would be utilized by the cast, stagehands and for the delivery of props. The total estimated construction cost of Option A is $99,700. An additional $440,000 would be needed for site improvements, stage equipment, monumental sign, seating for 300, fire sprinkler in non-required areas, and for the remodeling of the existing north entrance. Downstairs would consist of a greenroom for actors, pottery/sculpture area, paint/draw/fiber area and catering kitchen. Mr. Kalkman provided a variation of Option A (Option A1), which would reduce the cost of the project by $50,000. Option Al would not alter the elevator or remove the stairway or ramp. This option would limit art space in the lower level and would make some spaces inaccessible for wheelchairs. Discussion occurred regarding the proposed parking lot on the vacant parcel northwest of the school. Mr. Kalkman ,indicated that the proposed number of stalls would be more than adequate for a single event and would meet the needs for two events occurring simultaneously in the facility. Council Member Sindt was concerned with pedestrians crossing Howland Avenue when walking at night from the parking lot to Hart Hall, and vice versa. She expressed the need for additional streetlights in the area. Mr. Erickson indicated that if the parking lot were developed as proposed and ISD 194 purchases the school for educational • uses, ISD 194 staff would also utilize the parking lot. The parking lot could also • Council Work Session Minutes -August 16, 1999 Page Two be used by downtown employees if they are willing to park farther away and leave parking spaces open in front of their businesses. Council Member Ryan asked if the existing balcony in Hart Hall could be used for musical accompaniment. Mr. Kalkman indicated that the balcony is proposed to be used by lighting and sound technicians. There would be a sound delay between the musicians in the balcony and the actors/actresses on stage if musicians were to set up in the balcony. Discussion occurred regarding the cost of a catering kitchen versus a full service kitchen. Council Member Luick asked if a facility such as this would be needed for emergency situations/disasters to feed a large number of people. Mr. Erickson indicated catering kitchens can serve a large group of people better than a full service kitchen and the majority of the churches in the community have kitchen facilities to handle emergency situations. Option B would provide an entrance on the north through a new plaza space and a renovated north entrance to the existing church. The architect understands the beauty of the east entry but believes the north entrance would be more • desirable with the proposed parking layout. The lobby and ticket sales area would be located where the altar area currently exists and a portable stage would be set up on the east end of the sanctuary. There is also access to a stage at the modified east entry for outdoor performances. The cost of Option B is $1.156 million plus $320,000 for remodeling the north entry, site improvements, stage and equipment, monumental sign, seating for 300 and fire sprinkler in non-required areas. Council Member Mulvihill asked if a group could present a performance in a ~~theatre-in-the-round" setting. Mr. Kalkman indicated they could do so in either Option A or B. The difference in Option B is that the stage is portable versus permanent. Council Member Sindt indicated the proposed reconstructed north entrance doesn't highlight the main church structure very well. Council Members agreed that the east entrance is so spectacular that it would be hard not to use it as the main entrance into the building. Regarding the proposed outdoor stage, Council Member Sindt indicated that neighbors living in the area might have a concern with the noise that is generated from an outside performance. Mr. Erickson visualizes the east plaza area as a place to meet, talk and enjoy beverages at intermission with other audience members. Mr. Kalkman proceeded to show afive-minute video on one type of temporary telescoping platform seating that is available. • Council Work Session Minutes -August 16, 1999 Page Three Mayor Zaun asked if it is now appropriate to share the options with other civic groups and organizations that may be interested in utilizing the facility. Staff was hesitant up until now to share the options with a vast majority of people, because staff didn't want to get their expectations up prior to a final decision by the Council on whether or not to begin negotiations with the church on purchasing the properly. Staff felt it was appropriate for the Council to take a hard look at the cost of the project to determine if it was feasible and then proceed to establish an Arts Advisory Committee. Fundraising. campaigns would most likely have to be established such as a ~~Buy-A-Seat" program. Mr. Erickson also indicated that he is optimistic that grants from foundations are available which could be obtained for such a project. He also indicated there may be funding from the legislature. Council Member Luick believes there are good qualities in both options and is split between preferring one option over the other. Council directed staff to work with the architect to modify the plans and bring back a single option to be shared with the Council at a future • Work Session. Item No. 2: Discuss City of Farmington and the Empire Township Comprehensive Plans. Community & Economic Development Director Michael Sobota stated that the City of Lakeville has the opportunity to review and comment on adjoining communities' plans as part of the 1998 Comprehensive Plan Update process. City staff has reviewed plans from Rosemount, Apple Valley, and Burnsville and found no significant issues. In review of the Farmington and Empire Township plans, however, City staff noted several significant issues. In general, both communities continue to significantly increase their population and household projections. The increased .projections are proposed to be accommodated by expansion of the MUSA into agricultural areas of the communities. For example, Farmington has an orderly annexation agreement with Empire Township to annex nearly 1,000 acres of land (known as the Seed/Genstar property) to be urbanized in the next 5-10 years. Mr. Sobota emphasized that both plans raise a fundamental policy issue of whether urban style growth should be allowed in areas identified for agricultural uses in the Metropolitan Councils Regional Blueprint. • Council Work Session Minutes -August 16, 1999 Page. Four Mr. Erickson pointed out that the central issue for the City of Lakeville is preserving the City's right to capacity at the Empire Wastewater Treatment Plant. Staff is concerned that continually increasing population and household projections in Farmington and Empire Township will lead to premature consumption of the capacity of the plant. In addition, Metropolitan Council staff has indicated that the planned expansion to the plant may be restricted by the ability of the Vermillion River to handle more discharge. Mayor Zaun indicated that the City of Lakeville, while controlling its own growth, will have to rely heavily on its Metropolitan Council representatives to regulate neighboring communities. Representatives of the City of Lakeville may need to meet with Metropolitan Council staff to express the City Council's serious concerns regarding growth in neighboring communities, including Credit River and New Market Townships to the west and south of Lakeville. Mr. Erickson stated that the City of Farmington is requesting a joint meeting with Lakeville City Council and School District Board 192 to discuss a variety of issues associated with growth, development issues, Empire Wastewater Treatment • Plant, etc. Mr. Erickson stated that City staff needs direction on how to respond to Farmington's request for a joint meeting. Council Member Ryan asked whether the City of Farmington's statement that there is not a guaranteed amount of capacity at the Empire Wastewater Treatment Plant for each community is a true statement. Mr. Sobota indicated that the Metropolitan Council staff have indicated that approval of a community's comprehensive plan is a guarantee that the capacity to serve the identified growth will be made available. However, there are °Projected Preferred Flows" for each community. In their review of Lakeville's comprehensive plan, the City of Farmington referenced those Projected Preferred Flows as a limit or guarantee. Mr. Erickson also stated that rapid growth in Empire Township also affects the transportation system. As an unincorporated area, Empire Township does not have to pay the 45% share of County road improvements that cities currently must pay. The cost of improving roads in Empire Township, instead, is spread to all cities in Dakota County. • Council Work Session Minutes -August 16, 1999 Page Five Council Members agreed that they would like to see the Projected Preferred Flows for Empire Wastewater Treatment Plant. Council Members agreed that an accurate response from the Metropolitan Council regarding the expansion of the Empire Wastewater Treatment Plant is needed. Mr. Erickson stated that Patrick Peters is the City's new Sector Representative and Julius Smith is still our District Representative on the Metropolitan Council. Mr. Erickson suggested that possibly two Council Members, along with City staff, could meet with representatives of the Metropolitan Council. The Council directed staff to provide them with the projected preferred flows for Empire Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Council felt it was appropriate to meet with the Metropolitan Council representatives prior to meeting with the City of Farmington and ISD 192 Board Members. Item No. 3: Discuss 1999 Community Survev Results. • Mayor Zaun indicated that Council Members' packet of information regarding this item included a narrative document of what Dr. Bill Morris highlighted at the City Council meeting along with the original Executive Summary which was first provided to staff. Staff's corrections (grammatical and statistical), comments and questions that were forwarded to Decision Resources, Ltd., were also provided on the document. Mayor Zaun noted that there seemed to be more negative change in this year's survey in the upper income resident category versus middle to lower, people who have lived here over 10 years and residents who live in the south and west sections of our community. Greater support seemed to come from middle income residents, 6-10 year residents, and individuals that live in District 192. Results indicate that a renewed effort in the ways the City communicates with Lakeville residents is needed. For example, south and west area residents indicated they didn't see the City's communication efforts regarding the neighborhood Comprehensive Plan meetings. Council Member Mulvihill believes the results regarding households with children is inaccurate and is concerned about the low ratings in the Fire and Police Departments. She believes this is a result of uninformed residents. It seemed to Mayor Zaun that the majority of survey participants enjoy the community but they really didn't know why. He also believes the survey must be shortened in length. Council Member Luick agrees that we need to improve our communications efforts. Council Member Mulvihill indicated it seems that e Council Work Session Minutes -August 16, 1999 Page Six responses by survey participants were not well thought out. For example, 91 percent of the participants in the survey indicated they felt safe in our community, although, the Police Department service rating was lower than previous years. Council Member Mulvihill questioned Council Member Ryan regarding the questions he asked Dr. Bill Morris at the City Council meeting regarding which staff members reviewed the Executive Summary prior to submittal to the City Council. She felt the question was inappropriate and implied that staff was trying to ~~pull a fast one" by tampering with the results of the survey. Council Member Ryan indicated he believes Dr. Morris should guard this information prior to distribution. The summary should not be altered at all. As the survey results were being tabulated, Council Member Ryan was only seeing bits and pieces of the information, and prefers to receive the survey results in the purest form as it comes out of the mouth of the people and not diluted in any way. He felt it was appropriate to ask this question 'and set the record straight. Mayor Zaun indicated that in the future it may be more appropriate to have Dr. Morris come to a Work Session first rather than a City Council meeting to present the information to the Council before it is presented to the public. Mr. Erickson indicated in the proposed 2000 budget, which will be presented to the Council in upcoming months, staff has budgeted $20,000 to send out the Citizens Guide to the Comprehensive Plan (which. includes the Land Use Plan). Staff is also proposing to budget another $20,000 to send out the updated Resident Guidebook to all residents. The distribution of these items is the beginning of our renewed effort to better communicate with our residents. Mr. Erickson is also proposing to budget $5,000 to re-survey residents on a handful of questions that resulted in a significant percentage of "don't know" or negative comments. Mr. Erickson believes we didn't receive specific reasons for these comments. Council Member Mulvihill suggested creating some kind of one page document which would indicate where residents can access information about our community, i.e., Cable TV, Messages, etc. Council Members agreed that the distribution of the new Citizens Guide to the Comprehensive Plan and the Resident Guidebook is appropriate. Council Member Ryan said he didn't know if spending $5,000 to re-survey residents on certain questions was worthwhile. c: ~~ • Council Work Session Minutes -August 16, 1999 Page Seven The Council proceeded to interview Environmental Affairs Committee applicants Kelly VanderVeen and Mary Nielsen. The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~n Hennen `" ministrative Assistant • •