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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-29-03 WS~• JOINT COUNCIL/ISD 194 WORK SESSION MINUTES Monday, September 29, 2003 7:00 P.M. Marion Conference Room In attendance: Mayor Robert Johnson; Council Members Laurie Rieb, David Luick, Mark Bellows, and Wendy Wulff; ISD 194 School Board Chair Holly Dahl; School Board Members Judy Keliher, Michelle Volk, Jim Skelly, Kathy Lewis, and Tom McKinney Also in attendance: City Administrator Robert Erickson, Assistant to City Administrator Brian Anderson, ISD 194 Superintendent Gary Amoroso, Curriculum Instructor & Assessment Director Barb Knudsen, and Technical Coordinator,Greg Utecht. There were also 21 area residents present. General Discussion Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Due to the unexpected number of residents in attendance, Mayor Johnson told the assembly that he would first hear the residents' concerns and then proceed with the agenda in • order to expedite the meeting. The group agreed that would be the best way to conduct the meeting. Leading off the discussion was resident Ron Schieck who inquired about a pool being built that would meet the community's needs. A second resident, Brent James from the South Metro Swim Club, wanted to know what the City and ISD 194 were going to do about accommodating the community's swimming needs and if a new pool facility was anticipated. He reiterated the need for a pool and feels that both ISD 194 pools are currently at maximum capacity. He concluded by stating that swimming programs will suffer due to lack of pool space and a privately owned and operated pool wasn't the answer. Superintendent Gary Amoroso stated that he has looked into the construction of new pools at all schools, including the new high school. He explained that all of the options are expensive and a swimming pool, sheet of ice, classroom modifications, and physical education needs all need to be addressed with a limited budget. The board has not approved any funding, but all the items are under consideration. Resident Rick Ringeisen, teacher at Kenwood Trail Junior High and swimming coach, is surprised that a pool is not being built and feels there was a glitch in • the planning process of the new high school. He stated the new high school would not be comparable to other area schools. Ron Schieck listed the swim team's various achievements in recent years. Rick Ringeisen reinforced his belief and need for the swimming programs by stating additional statistics. He also stated that he would like to see another pool at Century Junior High. He said the topic needs to be addressed and doesn't think a privately owned community facility is the solution. He expressed. his concern over the City's decision to remove the lifeguards from the beaches. He said every student has the right to learn to swim and be acquainted with the water and that aquatics is a part of our life. City Administrator Erickson stated that .the City Council recently learned about the needs at the new and current high schools, along with the need for a third sheet of ice. He stated Lakeville was the only city in the seven-county metro area with lifeguards still on-staff and reiterated the painful cuts the Council was forced to make due to state aid cuts. Eliminating lifeguards and skating rink attendants saved the City $65,000 for each program, which is equivalent to two police officer positions. The Council established priorities and decided that Lakeville did not need to staff three beaches, when there were often only 6-8 swimmers per two lifeguards. The community's needs have changed along with . the resources to pay for those needs. Fore example, more families. are utilizing the privately operated swim school on 165th. The City is not opposed to paying for the community's needs, but does not have the resources to maintain new facilities without it cutting into the heart of delivering basic services. Mayor Johnson expressed his appreciation for the summary and reiterated the statements between the City Council Members and the School Board Members. Item #1 Second High School Project Update Mr. Amoroso addressed the forum by stating that the second high school process is moving along nicely. In 2005 the ISD 194 grade structure will change from K-6/7-9/10-12 to K-5/6-8/9-12. He then stated that grades 10-12 need one-half credit of physical education every year and the bid they put out for a fourth gym at the current high school will cost about $425,000. Mr. Amoroso stated he didn't want to take up the Council's time but a new pool would be expensive at any school within the district, ranging between 4-6 million dollars. ISD 194 doesn't want the cost of a new pool to be part of the bond project. He then stated $500,000 might be available after the Oak Hills Elementary School project is complete, which could be used towards other projects. Another alternative would be to sell remaining bonds in the amount of • $900,000, which would need School Board approval. In addition, ISD 194 is anticipating $2 million in interest revenue from bonds that were recently sold. He stated in the worst-case scenario it would cost $5-6 million for a pool and a third sheet of ice, for which ISD 194 does not funding. He stated they need to spend their money very cautiously. Council Member Luick inquired about the amount of money ISD 194 has in the bank if they are earning $2 million. in interest. Several of the board members stated that it was from the sale of bonds and set aside for specific projects. School Board Member Volk asked Mr. Erickson if the City, along with private commitments, wanted to build a community center as a joint partnership. Mr. Erickson stated the trend is for school districts and private businesses to form partnerships to build a sheet of ice, a pool, and other community needs. He illustrated one example was in Plymouth where the Wayzata and Robbinsdale school districts provided funding for the swimming/ice arena while the City of Plymouth provided the land. He stated it has worked out very well through that joint powers arrangement. In addition, Savage went through a similar scenario, which has been successful in meeting the community's needs. • Mayor Johnson said avenues have to be established and stated that although it might be cumbersome, there may be a need to investigate a joint powers arrangement in search of funding for a new pool and sheet of ice. Mr. Erickson stated that at the Life Time facility in Plymouth, the schools have priority over the use of the pool and ice due to the contractual arrangement. Mr. Erickson pointed out that Lakeville's population will increase dramatically and additional facilities will be needed over time. School Board Member Skelly asked the Council if they would be interested in a joint powers arrangement such as the one in Plymouth. Mayor Johnson stated that an appropriate joint arrangement might be considered by the City. Mr. Erickson said the biggest challenge is purchase of land. More discussion took place regarding a potential joint powers arrangement. Mr. Erickson then stated that another good example of this type of arrangement would be the five-parry partnership managing the local sheets of ice at Ames Arena. He pointed out that it's unique and has worked quite well. • Mayor Johnson then asked Mr. Amoroso to discuss the levy election information. N Item #2 November Levy Election Information Mr. Amoroso stated that in the interest of time he would not go into great detail. He briefly outlined ISD 194 funding and expenses as provided in the packet. Council Member Wulff stated that ISD 194 is well below the Minnesota average in spending per pupil. Mr. Amoroso stated that ISD 194 has one of the lowest cost per pupil figures, $900 per pupil, out of 48 Minnesota school districts. A general discussion ensued. Item #3 Fiber Optics Project Update ISD 194 Technical Coordinator Greg Utecht briefly stated that the scope of the fiber optic project is to intra-connect the 17 permanent district buildings with a high-speed fiber optic system. He outlined the process he took to put together an RFP, in which two companies bid the project using dark fiber and two companies bid the project using bandwidth. He will seek action from the School Board on October 14t" and hopefully see the project completed by July 31, 2004. School Board Member Volk stated that the City might be interested in reviewing the results on October 14t". Council Members concurred. Item #4 Community Growth Update Mr. Erickson addressed the handout illustrating the number of townhome lots that are available in ISD 194 and how Lakeville is waiting for the market demand to draw upon this infrastructure. There .are currently over 800 lots available, which equates to a three-year supply of townhomes or enough for 2004 through 2006, even if no additional lots are developed. Also, .the moratorium on townhomes may expire in December. There are currently about 300 single- family lots available, which is an estimated one-year supply. Mr. Erickson outlined pending developments within ISD #194 on an area map as also illustrated in the handout, and discussed anticipated future housing trends. School Board Member Volk asked about the low number of apartment complexes in the City. Mr. Erickson responded that apartment vacancy rates are high as a result of favorable mortgage rates. The high apartment vacancy rate deters developers from constructing additional units at .this time. .The Planning Commission and residents of Lakeville have expressed to the City Council that development should be of high quality. The Metropolitan Councils affordable. housing requirements have been met due to the number of townhomes and senior complexes within the City. r School Board Member Skelly inquired about the Cedar Avenue urban reserve area located south of Dodd, north of 202nd Street, and east of Highview. Mr. Erickson stated that the former Metropolitan Councils' Smart Growth model indicated this area was not going to be part of the MUSA until after a sanitary trunk line was installed to serve the Elko/New Market area. However, the current Metropolitan Council has indicated this area will become part of the MUSA before Elko/New Market receives a sanitary trunk line. The growth would start in Farmington school district area and move west into Lakeville, which means it would not affect ISD #194 for several years. Mr. Erickson added that the CSAH-50/I-35 Interchange project is progressing with the cooperation of the businesses. Construction should start early next spring. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. RespectFully Submitted, ~' . Brian ]. nderson Assistant to City Administrator