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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-23-07 WS Minutes City of Lakeville City Council Work Session Monday, Apri123, 200 @ 5:0o p.m. Marion Conference Room, Lakeville City Hall In attendance: Mayor Holly Dahl and Council Members David Luick, Laurie Rieb, Wendy Wulff, and Mark Bellows. Also in attendance: City Administrator Steve Mielke, Assistant to City Administrator Brian Anderson, Parks and Rec. Director Steve Michaud, Finance Director Dennis Feller, Economic Development Director Dave Olson, and Springsted Representatives: David MacGillivray, Chairman, and Nick Dragisich, Executive VP. i. Economic Impact Study • Mr. Olson presented to the City Council a proposed study that will result in the development of a fiscal impact tool to be used in estimating both the costs and benefits of different types of future residential and commercial/industrial development in Lakeville. The completion of this study originated from a goal of the 2005-0~ Strategic Plan for Economic Development asking staff to monitor development and advise the City Council to ensure a balanced tax base and a manageable rate of growth. The identified outcome for this goal was the completion and approval of a study to determine the minimum market value of a residential housing unit that generates sufficient City property taxes to pay for the City services required by that unit. The Economic Development Commission (EDC) reviewed this goal again several months ago and has recommended that the study should be broader in scope and suggests that all types of development be analyzed. It was the consensus of the EDC that the study and fiscal impact tool results should be able to be used for a generic analysis of costs associated with City services as well as the revenues generated by different development types and this be able to be used as a tool for land use planning purposes. Mr. MacGillivray and Mr. Dragisich presented a power point presentation to the City Council outlining the objective, process, outcomes, and several financial components associated with the fiscal impact tool. City Council inquired about the timeframe that it would take for the City to receive this product. Mr. MacGillivray stated that it would take about i6 weeks to complete once the City authorizes Springsted to proceed. City Council then inquired how interactive this fiscal impact tool. would be for staff to use. Mr. MacGillivray stated that it would be a user friendly • program as it used Excel software and many portions of the program are color coded for easier use. In addition, the program will compute 20+ year projections and include methods for . estimating net present value of annual cash flows ofer the planning period. Staff did state that they have not used the program and have not contacted any of the references but plan on doing so this week. Staff restated that this program will be extremely beneficial for land use planning purposes in calculating variables in many different types of developments throughout the City. The Council supported the project but wanted staff to check references. Staff stated that they will then finalize the scope of work and agreement with Springsted for the completion of this study and bring it forward for Council's consideration at an upcoming City Council meeting. 2. Historical Society -Memorial to Nich Mahowald Mr. Michaud informed the City Council that the Lakeville Historical Society has requested the City Council consider authorizing the installation of a bronze plaque to honor Lakeville's first police chief, Nicholas Mahowald. Mr. Mahowald was a City employee for 45 years and, besides being Lakeville's first police officer and police chief, was involved in numerous capacities for the City. Review of existing policy that governs park naming and other types of memorials indicates this proposal meets the established criteria. The plaque will be just under the i5o square inch maximum size, be made of bronze, and is proposed to be displayed in Pioneer Plaza. Pioneer Plaza was dedicated to recognize special pioneers of Lakeville. The plaque would be displayed on a metal stand. The bronze plaque and metal display will be ioo% funded by private donations. A copy of the memorial policy is attached for you. City Council had no questions but strongly supported the request and directed staff to bring forth a resolution for consideration at an upcoming City Council meeting. 3. Historical Society -Interpretive Markers Mr. Michaud informed the City Council that the Lakeville Historical Society has requested City Council consider the placement of historic narrative plaques at historic sites throughout the Lakeville community. The first proposed installation is to memorialize the historical significance of the Weichselbaum resort on Lake Marion. The Weichselbaum resort was the first resort built on Lake Marion and existed between the years of i8~o-1946. The proposed historic plaque is proposed to be located on the actual site of the resort. The plaque will be located along an existing eight-foot bike trail and on public right of way between Jaquard and Jasmine on the south side of 205 Street, facing Lake Marion. The Historical Society wishes to install additional historic narrative plaques at sites such as Antlers .Park and the historic bank building in downtown Lakeville. The Historical Society proposes to pay for all expenses associated with the plaques. The Historical Society wishes to install the Weichselbaum Historic Location plaques first and then others as funding becomes available. The plaque will be an acrylic type product with color similar to the interpretive signs typically displayed at state or national parks. City Council supported the request so long as the ownership and maintenance remains with the Historical Society. Mr. Michaud insured that it would and that he would bring forth a resolution for consideration at an upcoming Council Meeting. 4. No Smoking in the Parks Proposal Mr. Michaud informed the City Council that in December 2006, members of the Lakeville SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), representatives of Dakota County Public Health, and advisors from the school district presented information about the health hazards of secondhand smoking. The group has presented information to staff concerning a statewide movement of cities adopting policies and some ordinances, banning the use of tobacco in parks and public spaces. P<~ge~ of ~ . As of the last Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Committee meeting, nearly ioo cities in Minnesota had adopted some type of regulation or policy addressing tobacco use in parks. Regulations ranged from a few cities adopting actual ordinances banning smoking with misdemeanor penalties to cities establishing policies or park rules banning smoking in parks and public places. Many of the policies in place are using a voluntary compliance regulation with no penalties. Some cities have established policies that request volunteer compliance where and when children are present at park facilities, such as athletic complexes and/or playgrounds. Following several meetings, including one special meeting to discuss the topic, the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Committee have recommended three options for City Council to consider: i. A steadfast ordinance: An ordinance that would prohibit all tobacco use on all publicly-owned facilities, including penalties associated with a misdemeanor offense. 2. A policy approach: A policy that would emphasize a voluntary compliance rule, but strongly emphasizes no tobacco use where children and youth are present. Signs would be posted at high use facilities. 3. A "wait and see" approach: Until the state legislature has completed its deliberation of a state-wide ban, the City of Lakeville would take a wait and see stance. Committee members suggested the state initiative is completely different and would not affect the park smoking issue. . Of the three options, the Committee recommended the softer policy approach for cone-year trial period with the possibility of enacting a stronger ordinance, if deemed appropriate. Furthermore, the Committee in their recommendation emphasized the importance of prohibiting tobacco use in the presence of children at all public facilities. Council Member Bellows stated that he would support either the ordinance model or the do nothing approach, but did not like an unenforceable policy. Council Member Luick inquired how many City parks overlap with school district parks where "no tobacco" signs already exist. Mr. Luick felt it would be good to remain consistent where park boundaries abut each other. Mr. Michaud stated that he knows of three parks that abut and would research if any others do. Council Member Wulff stated that there have not been anv known incidents where smokers have refused to move away from anyone who might be bothered by smoke. She also felt that it would be an overreach of the Council's power to prohibit something that isn't otherwise illegal, and has not cause any problems. Council Member Wulff stated that while school athletic facilities are for children, the Citesfacilities are for all residents. and smokers should not be made to feel unwelcome as we want all of our residents to use the arks stem. Council Member Luick inquired about the response received from Eagan and Savage regarding their ordinance and park signage. Was it effective or didn't it provide the impact as expected? In addition, it may be beneficial to wait to see if the State passes any no smoking legislation as currently being discussed this session. Mr. Michaud stated that he would bring back research on the number of parks that abut with schools and the effectiveness of both Eagan and Savage's no smoking program and bring them back after the State's legislative session. • F'~ge 3 of 5 . 5. Membership Consideration on LAAC Advisory Board Mr. Michaud informed the City Council that the Lakeville Area Arts Center Advisory Board was initially established with nine representatives, eight from different organizations and one alternate. The reason was to assemble awell-rounded committee during the initial growth years of the Arts Center. After five years of operations, LAAC is well established, offering a wide variety of art programs, concerts, and theater productions. During a recent effort to fill vacant positions on the committee, staff learned that certain groups, such as the Art Guild and the Lakeville Performing Arts, no longer existed. This development has caused a void in representation from these groups as established by the current City resolution. Staff has also found it difficult to secure candidates from existing designated organizations. Upon recommendation by City Council and administration, .staff has prepared a revised resolution that eliminates all designated organizations and recommends board membership be opened to the general public, using Lakeville residency as a base criterion. In review of this change with existing committee members, they recommended there be an effort to fill the vacancies with residents who match the efforts and vision of the Lakeville Area Arts Center.. Also, to keep the committee functioning for the past several months, Council appointed two new members who did not represent designated organizations. The LAAC Board discussed board membership criteria at their April 12, 200 meeting and unanimously recommended changing the membership criteria. City Council had no questions but strongly supported the recommendation and directed staff to bring forth the recommendation for consideration at an upcoming City Council meeting. 6. Lakeville Arenas Facility Use Policy Mr. Feller informed the City Council that the Facility Use Policy was presented at a public forum on March 26. All youth athletic groups, ISD i94 Athletic Directors and community organizations, were provided a copy of the proposed policy in advance of the meeting and were invited to attend. In attendance at the meeting were representatives of the Lakeville Hockey Association, Apple Valley Hockey Association and an ISD i94 Board member. At the conclusion of the meeting, the attendees were invited to submit written comments regarding the proposed Facility Use Policy. The only response received to date is from Tim Shaw, past President of the LHA and are outlined in the packet memo. Mr. Feller then described the ice allocation policy in detail and stated that it is as fair and equitable as the City could make it. City Council acknowledged the complexities of constructing such a policy and supported the Lakeville Arenas Facility Use Policy as presented by Mr. Feller. They directed Mr. Feller to bring forth the policy at an upcoming City Council meeting for consideration. ~. Cool Cities Campaign Mr. Mielke informed the City Council that he and Mayor Dahl were approached by Lakeville resident Harley Horseager asking the City to consider adopting into the "Cool Cities" campaign. The Cool cities campaign is an effort spearheaded by the Sierra Club asking communities across the United States to help solve global warming. Cool Cities are those that have made a commitment to stopping global warming by signing the US Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement. The Cool Cities campaign helps cities turn their commitments into action by pushing for smart energy solutions. • In Dakota County, the cities of Burnsville, Apple Valley, and Eagan have all either, as community or as Mayors, signed onto the program. Given the fact that Lakeville has an active T~age 4 cif ~~ • resident interested in pursuing this issue, Mr. Mielke and the Mayor requested the City Council's input regarding Cool Cities. The City Council stated that the City actively seeks to be responsible environmental stewards. ., .. _. ., be more effective to put efforts toward educating residents on the measures that the Cit~is taking to conserve energy and protect the environment. 8. Strategic Plan - 200 ist Quarter Report Status Review Mr. Anderson presented to the City Council the 200 lsc Quarter Strategic Plan Report and stated that the majority of the goals have been achieved. The goals and outcomes remaining to be completed tend to be larger projects as outlined in the packet memo. Mr. Mielke stated that he would bring back ideas for an August City Council Retreat. City Council commended staff on their hard work and directed staff to bring forth ideas for an August retreat. 9. Other Business a) Illegal Gun Initiative Mayor Dahl asked the City Council for their input on a handout regarding a Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition. The City Council stated that they strongly support the prevention of gun violence, but did not support joining this coalition, because the data the coalition seeks to access was not intended nor designed for valid statistical comparison. b) Transportation Finance Discussion . Mayor Dahl inquired if the City Council felt it would be beneficial to invite Lakeville's state representatives to a work session for a meeting regarding transportation finance. The Mayor stressed the fact that nothing has been accomplished recently to assist the Lakeville residents with transportation finance alternatives and felt that initiating a conversation with our representatives may help find alternatives the City and the Representatives may be able to jointly support. City Council felt that being a catalyst in this arena would be a good idea and directed staff to schedule a meeting for midsummer. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, ~~~~~~~~ Brian J. Anderson Assistant to City Administrator • Page 5 of ~;