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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-11-05 WS• CITY OF LAKEVILLE COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES May 11, 2005 Present: Mayor Robert Johnson, Council Members David Luick, Mark Bellows, Laurie Rieb and Wendy Wulff; City Administrator Steve Mielke; Finance Director Dennis Feller; Police Chief Steve Strachan; Fire Chief Scott Nelson; Planning Director Daryl Morey; Community and Economic Development Director David Olson; Parks and Recreation Director Steve Michaud; and Deputy Clerk Judi Hawkins. ITEM NO. 1. - 7OINT DISPATCH ~ $OO MH2. As part of the High Performance Partnership project (HiPP) Dakota County and city staff have looked at several possible tax saving opportunities by collaborating on various projects, including consolidating dispatch services. The proposal would combine the current six dispatch centers in the county into one site. A Technical Committee and a Policy Committee have been working to structure the joint dispatch program. With the 800 MHz radio systems becoming the new standard for Public Safety communications, adecision was made by Dakota County to pursue an upgrade to the new system. Federal grant dollars have been secured as part of the Homeland Security bill which will pay for approximately half of the costs, but these dollars must be spent by November, 2005. The County needs to determine how many dispatch centers will need to be connected to the 800 MHz system and must submit a proposal to the Metropolitan Radio Board by June 1~. Construction and startup costs will be $9-li million, or roughly $25 per capita. Council is being asked to consider whether to participate in the 800 MHz system and whether to approve the model for the joint dispatch, being developed at the same time. A Joint Powers Agreement will be drafted and brought to Council at a later date. Agencies will be allowed to opt out of joint dispatch if they feel that is the right thing to do in the future. BJ Battig, Dakota County Risk Management Director, was available to answer questions. He stated the program should be operational in about 24 months. Police Chief Strachan feels it is important for the City of Lakeville to take a leadership role in this project. Dakota County has committed to building the 800 MHz system, but each agency that joins will purchase its own equipment such as mobile radios. City Administrator Mielke outlined the draft model of the Joint Powers Agency, the structure of the Joint Powers Board, cost sharing, governance, budgetary issues, and operational controls. Estimated cost savings were also outlined. The County is offering an incentive for cities to participate in the joint dispatch. Cities that choose not to connect to the joint dispatch system will be charged the amount that they would have received from the grant funds if they do not join the joint dispatch. This is equivalent to approximately $15 per capita, or in Lakeville's case, approximately $750,000. • Council Work Session May ii, 2005 -2- Chief Strachan feels it is important to design the dispatch center so as to preserve the connection between dispatchers and officers and not compromise the current level of personal, professional service. Mayor Johnson feels the financial savings are significant and if the system can be implemented without diminishing service, then it would be beneficial. ^ Council directed staff to place two proposed resolutions on the May 16, 2005 Council agenda for consideration -one reso/ution that would al/ow staff to join the 800 MHz system with other Dakota County agencies, and one that would pursue Joint Dispatch, provided the Joint Powers structure is acceptable. ITEM NO. 2. - DEL WEBB ~ PULTE -MILLER DEVELOPMENT City Planner Daryl Morey outlined a proposal by Pulte Homes to develop a Del Webb community south of Dodd Blvd., east of Highview Avenue, and west of Cedar Avenue. The proposal is for an age-restricted 55 and over development of 750-1,000 dwelling units. In order to make the development feasible, several more acres need to be added to what the developer now owns. Joe Miller owns adjoining properly and would like to have it considered to be brought into the MUSA, however the property is in the Urban Reserve and is currently unguided. The Miller property was planned to be guided as part of the 2008 Comprehensive Plan update, however, Pulte would like to begin construction in 2007. The property is actually zoned for higher density than the three to four dwelling units per acre being proposed. Council Member WulfF expressed concerns about setting a precedent by bringing land into the MUSA early. Council Member Luick concurred, stating it is inconsistent with approved growth management. Mayor Johnson stated that it is a unique development and life-cycle housing is needed in the community. Council Member Rieb added it would not impact the school district. It is Mr. Mielke's understanding that for an identified public purpose, consideration could be given to bringing property into the MUSA early, such as for the South High School and Council has identified a need for this type of housing. Mr. Mielke also feels that it fits well with proposed transportation corridors. Mayor Johnson feels the importance of serving the aging population justifies the project. Council Member Luick continues to have concerns about setting a precedent, but feels a staged phasing would be a workable solution. • Council directed staff to continue to work with the deve%per on a possib/e staging or phasing of the project to support the success of the project. ITEM NO. 3. - MULTI-FAMILY ZONING DISCUSSION City Planner Daryl Morey stated that after last the Comp Plan update, more medium density life-cycle housing opportunities were available. With the current trends in the marketplace Council Work session May 11, 2005 -3- and a surplus of townhouse lots, staff is now looking at whether there is too much medium density zoning. Council is being is asked for direction prior to the next Comp Plan update to determine what they feel will best suit the community. in the future. Mr. Mielke pointed out that the market is driving developers who own RM1 zoning. to build products of lesser density. Council Member Wulff stated that the higher density zoning increases land costs, which in turn is driving up the price of the lower density homes. Counci/ directed staff to continue to encourage slower-density use on RMI property and to take that into consideration in the update of the Comp P/an. ITEM NO. 4. - DOWNTOWN PLANNING PROCESS In December 2004 Council approved the three-year Strategic Plan for Economic Development and in January the EDC and Council approved the first year work program of that plan. Community & Economic Development Director Dave Olson stated that one of the goals of the first year was to facilitate a plan to promote downtown economic viability. Mr. Olson and Mr. Mielke have met with the DLBA, developers, and some of the downtown anchor businesses to identify needs. Staff feels the next stage is to bring in a specialized consulting firm that might assist with the planning process. A scope of services and a proposed budget have been identified and the CDA has determined that the cost would be eligible for CDBG funding. There is $70,000 remaining from last year's funds that could be re-budgeted for this purpose. The EDC supports this project and recommends Council approval. If the proposal is approved, a downtown planning task force will be formed to work with the consultant. Council Member Luick asked if any of the downtown businesses have expressed an interest in financially supporting this process. Mr. Olson stated that the public entities such as the Post Office are unable to contribute, however, there are some private owners who have seen the success of others and would like to continue to see downtown improvements. Mr. Mielke feels that an implementation plan and strategy will give businesses a vision of how to proceed and an incentive to become involved. Council directed staff to proceed with the request to the CDA to re-budget the 2004 CDBG funds in order to be able to use them for costs associated with the downtown planning process ITEM NO. S. - KPAC ~ BALLFIELD PLANNING The KPAC developers have met several times with staff and have committed to moving their project across Dodd to the current King Park ballfield site. They have submitted a letter from a bank showing a strong interest in financing however it is not a full commitment letter. Full financing commitment might not be forthcoming until the cost of the project is fully known. Financing contingency dates are approaching and it does not appear they will be met. KPAC is continuing to refine the design on the new site. Even though they are Council Work Session May 11, 2005 -4- significantly behind in their plans, they intend to begin construction this year. The City needs to commit to the LBA that ballfields will not be moved without a guarantee that fields will be ready for them to play on next spring. The developer is being asked to provide a new timeline. Parks and Recreation Director Steve Michaud has worked with planners to design a ninth field into the new site which would be used by the North High School baseball team. ISD #194 has committed to paying for the 90' field. Moving their varsity field would allow improvements at the high school facility by reorienting the remaining fields. The King Park baseball facility design includes three 90-foot fields and six 60-foot fields, as well as scoreboards, dugouts, and 350 parking stalls on a gravel parking lot. No mitigation of wetlands will be needed with the proposed design. Future amenities proposed at the site include grading for amphitheater-type spectator seating, bleachers at the 90' varsity field, one field lit with no-spill lighting, room for future warm-up/batting cage, and an area for a future concession/storage facility. A playground will also be budgeted in a future CIP. Staff will continue to keep Council apprised as the athletic facility and ba//field plans progress ITEM NO. G. - ZOOS BUDGET AMENDMENT ~ PLANNING Finance Director Dennis Feller stated that there are a number of omnibus tax bills before the legislature which jeopardize the City's budget. The Finance Department has prepared a list of possible budget amendment recommendations for the "worst case scenarios" in the event the legislature reduces Lakeville's Market Value Homestead Credit by an estimated $656,000 for 2005. It is possible that no definite action will be taken until July, the middle of the fiscal year. Staff recommended several proposals for City Council consideration including using a fund balance from 2004 and utilize savings from vacant non-essential positions. • Staff wit/ keep Council updated as the Legislature finishes their session. ITEM NO. 7. - OTHER BUSINESS Dave Olson has been working with Designed Cabinets on their purchase of the existing Park Maintenance Building. Mr. Olson stated that Designed Cabinets, the owner of the adjoining property, wishes to expand their business. The closing for the property was originally scheduled for May 31~, however since the new Central Maintenance Facility is not complete, and in order to avoid an additional move by the Park Maintenance Dept., an extension is being worked out. Designed Cabinets has agreed to lease back the building to the City for three to five months. In order to accommodate future growth by Designed Cabinets, an additional 52,000 square feet of property is available for them to purchase. The property, which is currently being used for storage, would provide adequate parking for Designed Cabinets' expansion. The • remainder of the City property would be used for ponding and a cul-de-sac, which would be Counci/ Work Session May 11, 2005 -5- built by Designed Cabinets and retained by the City. As part of the agreement the City will remove the fuel storage tanks. The closing has been rescheduled for June 3rd Council members felt this is a win/win situation for the City and Designed Cabinets. • This item will be p/aced on the May 16, 2005 Council agenda for consideration. ITEM NO. 7. - ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 7:00 PM. Respectfully submitted, `i'~ udit R. Hawkins, Deputy Clerk • r~ L