Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-30-01 WSCITY OF LAKEVILLE • COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES APRIL 30, 2001 Present: Mayor Bob Johnson, Council Members Mulvihill, Luick, Bellows and Rieb; City Administrator Bob Erickson, Assistant to City Administrator John Hennen, Assistant Community Development Director Daryl. Morey, Associate Planner Ron Mullenbach and Deputy Clerk Judi Hawkins. ITEM NO. 1. PRESENTATION BY MARY AJAX AND NANCY CORYELL OF COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL. Mary Ajax, Community Action Council (CAC) President and CEO, and Nancy Coryell, Director, were present and discussed the mission and role of the organization in the community. Among the circumstances CAC deals with are homelessness, sexual abuse, truancy, domestic abuse and financial. needs. The non-profit organization receives funds from businesses, churches, volunteers and from United Way. Several recent situations and incidents were recounted as well as how the CAC was able to provide assistance and support for the individuals involved. Ms. Ajax and Ms. Coryell stated that the CAC's greatest need is to become more visible in the community and get information about their programs out to residents, possibly through schools and churches, so both youth and adults are aware of how to reach out for help if the need arises. Since there is a large adult population that is not connected to a church community, finding ways to inform them of the CAC's presence in the community and availability to help is challenging. It was suggested that the organization's brochure be modified so it would be specific to Lakeville. City Administrator Bob Erickson suggested that the CAC brochure be streamlined to fit as a utility bill staffer. Council directed. staff to work with the Community Action Council to produce a brochure that would be specific to Lakeville residents and prepare it for a mailing to all residents through the Lakeville utility billing system. ITEM NO. 2. MCLEOD USA PROPOSAL TO ACQUIRE CITY PROPERTY FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY (R. MULLENBACH). McLeod USA is proposing to purchase aCity-owned parcel at the southwest corner of Flagstaff .and Dodd Blvd. in order to construct a facility to house fiber optic transmission equipment. The building is an allowed use under the existing zoning ordinance, however, an administrative permit would be needed to construct a utility City 'Council Work Session Minutes April 30, 2001 Page -2- • building on this outlot. The emergency siren that is currently located on the property would remain with an easement to access the siren for maintenance. McLeod is proposing the building to be all brick with a standing seam roof to match Fire Station #2 across the street. Architect Gary Tushie reviewed the plans and suggested a couple of windows be added to break up the brick exterior. Landscaping would be incorporated to provide additional screening for neighbors. The proposed facility would not be staffed on a daily basis, but would be visited weekly for regular maintenance. Driveway access would be onto Flagstaff Avenue. Council directed staff to pursue a purchase agreement with McLeod USA based on $2.00 per square foot for the City-owned property at the southwest corner of Dodd Blvd. and Flagsta€f Avenue, with the .proposed building to coordinate with .the design of Fire Station #2. Proceeds from the sale. of the property are to be placed in the Building Fund. City Administrator Bob Erickson updated the Mayor and Council Members on the proposed Village Creek development. Existing neighbors in the Upper 206`'' Street and 207t'' Street area are concerned about increased traffic and are proposing that access to the downtown through their neighborhood be eliminated. Wensmann Development will • hold a second neighborhood meeting on May lOt''. The proposed development consists of 262 units; approximately half are townhome units with access to Hamburg Avenue only. As part of the development agreement, Hamburg Avenue will be paved the entire length of the plat.. In addition, Wensmann has agreed to pave Hamburg Avenue from the northern plat boundary to 202"d Street. Construction traffic would use an interim road and would not. have. access to the existing residential streets. It is being proposed that Hamburg Avenue be used for Village Creek residents until the time when a certain percentage of the development has been built and the Post Office has moved to Heritage .Commons. Mr. Erickson anticipates a resolution to the Post Office relocation will come in the next year. Council Member Mulvihill stated that the Downtown Lakeville Business Association (DLBA) is encouraging new retail customers and feels that the new residents should not be cut off from those businesses. Council Member Luick stated that he had discussed the issue with the DLBA at last week's forum. Weissmann is also planning to donate a natural area, which will be used as a park. Council Member Mulvihill pointed out that the park area is not centrally located within the plat. It has been suggested that a roadway be constructed through Aronson Park to • help alleviate traffic flow through the existing neighborhood. Mr. Erickson suggested City Council Work Session Minutes April 30, 2001 Page -3- that if a roadway through the park is the only alternative, it should accommodate one- way traffic only. Mayor Johnson felt consideration should be given to residents' desire to construct a road through Aronson Park to reduce traffic on their neighborhood streets. Council Member Mulvihill feels the proposed development would be a great opportunity for the downtown if the businesses were .accessible. ITEM NO. 3. STATUS UPDATE OF PROPOSED CEDAR 160 ADDITION DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (D. MOREY). Assistant Community and Economic Development Director Daryl Morey indicated that a third party might be interested in the purchase of Lot 10 of the Cedar 160 Addition. Paster Enterprises is proposing two separate strip centers on the lot. A much less intense use of the property had been discussed at the neighborhood meeting and was anticipated by the Planning Commission and City Council. The proposed development maximizes lot area by placing buildings as close to lot lines as possible, however, the plan would require 40-foot retaining walls to accommodate the strip centers. Some incentives have already been provided by the City to ensure a quality gateway appearance and project outcome. • Council directed staff to inform the developers that the more intense use of the property and the 40-foot retaining walls were not acceptable at this site and that they needed to continue with the original plan. ITEM. NO. 4. CONSIDER AIRLAKE DEVELOPMENT LETTER (PROPOSAL) REGARDING PARK DEDICATION FEES. Following receipt of a letter from Pat Regan, Mayor Bob Johnson met with Airlake Development, Inc. representatives last week to discuss their request to immediately pay park dedication fees at the previous rate of 5 % (approximately $58.,000) for land in Airlake Industrial Park which is unplatted. Airlake contends that since discussions regarding the sale of property have already taken place, an increase in park dedication fees would necessitate a higher cost for lots and be detrimental to pending sales. Airlake feels that keeping park dedication fees at their previous rate would keep land prices competitive and be an incentive for businesses. Mayor Johnson stated that he feels the new commercial/industrial park dedication rates would be applicable for the property south of Highway 50 and east of Cedar Avenue. Consistent with the aforementioned statement, the Regans, d.b.a. Airlake Development, are proposing the new rates would apply to the land east of Cedar. Mayor Johnson City Council Work Session Minutes April 30, 2001. Page -4- . feels that if the City approves the Airlake Development proposal, it would enhance the business atmosphere, offer job opportunities in the industrial park and possibly encourage Airlake Development to become good corporate citizens. Council Member Luick stated that in early discussions City Attorney Roger Knutson felt accepting the park dedication payment at the lower rate would not set a precedent. Council Member Mulvihill stated that she is disappointed that the renegotiations continue, after .the Regans had been given an answer however she is willing to accept their proposal. Council directed staff to inform Airlake Development that the payment of Park Dedication Fees at the previous commercial/industrial rate of 5% of the Dakota County Assessor's fair market value would be accepted for unplatted .property in Airlake west of Cedar Avenue. The new commercial/industrial park dedication rate will be in effect for land east of Cedar Avenue and south of Highway 50. ITEM No. 5. CITY COUNCIL RETREAT FOLLOW-UP. . Minutes of the City Council Retreat on March 31, 2001 were distributed and reviewed. Sa. Review of Summary Report: The Summary Report by facilitator Barbara Arney, Government Training Service, was discussed and Council Members suggested several additions to make the report more comprehensive. Council Members felt the retreat had been valuable and offered many insights into the various personalities of the Council. The "Critical Issues for Lakeville" priorities were also discussed and revised, inserting words to enhance the meaning and make each statement clearly reflect the Council's intent. Changes included: 1. Transportation: • Identify what east/west intra-county corridor will be as it ties in to Lakeville. 3. Communication: Review effectiveness of Comprehensive Communications Plan. Focus communications (not refocus) to increase understanding. 6. Downtown: • Increase the vitality of the downtown area through the implementation of .the design guidelines. Specific numbers should also be removed from the list. • City Council Work Session Minutes April 30, 2001 Page -S- Council Members directed staff to invite Barbara Arney to attend a City Council meeting to give a short presentation regarding the .rewards and benefits of the City Council retreat. Sb. Review of Revised Mission Statement: Dr. Bill Morris of Decision Resources had reviewed the proposed change to the City of Lakeville's Mission Statement and had offered the suggestion that the word "visionary" be replaced with "innovative" . The word "possible" was also removed. It was also suggested that a catchy "tag-line" would add further appeal. Council directed staff to compile some potential taglines for their consideration. ITEM NO. G. REVIEW PROJECTS/ISSUES LIST. • John Hennen will be receiving additional census information over the next two years. • The long and snowy winter created a $75,000. shortfall in the snow removal budget, which will be offset utilizing the contingency fund. • City Administrator Erickson indicated staff would like to ask residents on the next survey if they would support legislation prohibiting the use of phosphorus in lawn fertilizers. Mayor Johnson felt that citizens would first need to be informed on all aspects of the issue. Council Member Bellows felt that the question could be preceded with an informational statement. • City Administrator Erickson asked Council Members if they would be willing to assist with the Buy-a-Chair campaign by contacting associates for donations. Council Members would need a list of who has already donated. Mayor Johnson suggested that several of the civic organizations could also become involved by contacting their own members. • The Community. Development Agency (CDA) has announced that their next Affordable Housing project will be on the Gilb parcel at 203rd St. and Iberia Ave. • The City Attorney is working on an amendment to the Sexually Oriented Business Ordinance. A .summary of the ordinance amendment .could be published due to the sensitive nature of the material. • Negotiations continue for the acquisition of the property that was the former site of the dry cleaners/car wash in downtown Lakeville. The site could be cleared and • used for additional parking. City Council Work Session Minutes April 30, 2001 Page -6- • The Kenwood Crossing apartment complex plat will be developed in two phases. • Finance Director Dennis Feller is working on a proposal for Ames Arena seating. • The Economic and Community Development Director position description needs to be reviewed for possible revision. • City staff will tour several metro area Public Works facilities with Black & Veatch to get input for a future Lakeville facility. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS. Council Members asked that the City Administrator transition process be added to the list of future work session items to be discussed. Council Member Mulvihill discussed the role of the City Council in the public hearing process. She felt that following a public hearing at the Planning Commission, people wish to speak at the City Council meeting also, which is usually redundant. Parliamentary. procedure dictates that people may voice their concerns to the Council. Precedent has been set at previous meetings by allowing everyone to speak. It was suggested that if there is meeting where a large amount of people are expected, questions could be submitted to the City Clerk before the meeting or provided on a form and consolidated so that issues could be addressed more efficiently. ITEM NO. 8. ADJOURN. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM. Respectfully submitted, /L~. udi R. Hawkins, Deputy Clerk •