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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 09-28-1998 SpecialAdopted Minutes Special Council Meeting September 28,1998 A special meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., on September 28, 1998. Council Present: Mayor Tierney; Councilmembers Preus (absent from 8:00 p.m. to 8:40 p.m.), Spigner, Black, Bildsoe, Wold, and Johnson. Absent: None. Staff Present: City Manager Johnson, Assistant City Manager Lueckert, Community Development Director Hurlburt, Public Works Director Moore, Police Lieutenant Ward, Park and Recreation Director Blank, Architect Del Erickson, and City Clerk Ahrens. Mayor Tierney said that the subject of the meeting is the location of the proposed activity center/field house project. She said that this meeting was called following receipt of a petition signed by 1,100 people. The petition stated, "I am opposed to the construction of the activity center on park land as currently planned." She said the issue for discussion at this meeting is not whether to build the project, but rather to discuss the location of the project. She suggested that the discussion be focused on two questions -- What is the best location for the activity center? What is the best location for the field house? Mayor Tierney discussed procedures for the meeting. City Manager Johnson said the activity center would be multipurpose with approximately 18,000 square feet of finished space and 12,000 square feet of unfinished space. The facility is proposed as a permanent building which would house senior programs, fine arts programs, indoor city recreational programs, and meeting space. The field house would be inflated about six months during the year and would provide space for indoor soccer, indoor walking and running track, and other sports activities. The activity center and field house facilities would connect on a site in Plymouth Creek Park along 3e Avenue. Park Director Blank explained the history of Plymouth Creek Park and he park system plan for the City of Plymouth. Plymouth Creek Park was previously known as Central Park, and is in the geographic center of the community. The initial plans for the park were proposed in 1972, and included a sports center. A referendum passed in 1980 to build six community playfields, and the master plan for this park was approved in 1983. The plan was amended in the late 1980's and the 21 -acre area currently under consideration was proposed for a sliding hill, tennis complex, and theme playground. In November 1984 a large park dedication was received which added area to the park. Director Blank said the City selected the 34th Avenue site in Plymouth Creek Park for the activity center and field house due to several factors: the site is centrally located in the Adopted City Council Minutes Special Council Meeting September 28, 1998 Page 2 City; the site is City -owned; it has a four -lane road as primary access; there will likely be a signalized intersection at Fernbrook Lane and 34' Avenue and a possible signalized intersection at 34`' Avenue and Plymouth Boulevard; the site is on high ground without need for soil correction; it would require low tree removal; the property was purchased for recreational purposes; and 21 -acres of property is large enough to accommodate the proposed facility with expansion capabilities. Park Director Blank said that several alternative sites were considered by the Activity Center Subcommittee. An alternate site on the south side of LifeTime Fitness was rejected due to parking problems, fire code concerns, significant tree removal, and limited expansion options. A second alternate site located midway between LifeTime Fitness and City Hall was rejected due to the large loss of trees and the affect on the amphitheater. The privately -owned land next to the library was also considered, but would have added significant cost to the project and the property would have been removed from the property tax rolls. The Wayzata High School site was rejected because it was not owned by the City, it is not centrally located, and the City would be managing a remote facility. Director Blank showed photographs of the site within Plymouth Creek Park, as well as plans for the activity center and the field house. Community Development Director Hurlburt reviewed five alternative sites that were studied prior to this meeting -- Plymouth Creek Park soccer fields, Ess property, Wayzata High School, Armstrong High School, and West Lutheran High School. She said that seven additional sites were analyzed (Parkers Lake Playfield, Zachary Playfield, Bass Lake Playfield, Plymouth Middle School Ridgemount Playfield, Oakwood Playfield, and Wayzata Central Middle School), but were determined not to be as feasible as the previous five alternatives. She said the sites were evaluated on the factors of land ownership, cost, size, distance from center of the City, site impacts, neighborhood impacts, and community impacts. Director Hurlburt reviewed each of the five alternative sites. The Plymouth Creek Park soccer field area would have no impact on the natural area or tree removal and there is some advantage of the central location. There would be greater neighborhood impacts due to the proximity to single family homes, an added cost estimated at $535,000, and the loss of two existing soccer fields. The second alternative site is the Ess property which is undeveloped City land. It is somewhat centrally located, but distant from the City Center. It is comparable to the 34d' Avenue site with respect to tree removal, with additional loss of natural area. The added cost is estimated at $405,000. The field house would be about 300 feet from the nearest residence. Councilmember Bildsoe questioned the time frame on the construction of the Ess property playfield. Park Director Blank said the playfield development is not in the Adopted City Council Minutes Special Council Meeting September 28, 1998 Page 3 current five-year capital improvement program. The cost for the development of the four fields was previously estimated at $800,000. Councilmember Black recalled that there was the possibility of a nature center on the Ess site. Community Development Director Hurlburt said the City owns about 60 acres at this location which includes a large wetland and woodland area. The activity center could overlook the wetland, but the field house could inhibit the location of the interpretive center. Councilmember Bildsoe asked about the additional cost estimated for the site. Assistant Manager Lueckert said the extra estimated cost is for the cost of grading the site, road improvements, and replacement of the ballfield. Councilmember Preus asked if the cost impact takes into consideration what would be done with the site in Plymouth Creek Park if a field house is not located on that site. Assistant Manager Lueckert responded that the costs reflected in the report are net costs which recognize the savings of not developing the 34`h Avenue site. Councilmember Johnson noted that the Ess property would not have fiber optic and phone link capability with City Hall. This may be an additional cost. Director Hurlburt said that a fourth alternative site is at Wayzata High School. The site is not owned by the City and it is not centrally located. The City would also face the issue of management of a remote facility. There are no homes located within 1,000 feet of the site, and there would be minimal site preparation. Councilmember Preus asked how the cost impact for the Wayzata High School site was determined. Assistant Manager Lueckert responded that the additional design and construction cost for this site would be only $20,000 and the replacement of one soccer field would cost 255,000, for a total cost of $275,000. Councilmember Preus said that the soccer field may or may not be replaced and the replacement field could possibly be built on the 34' Avenue site if the field house were built elsewhere. Councilmember Wold asked whether it has been determined that a soccer field could be built on the 34`h Avenue site if the field house were not constructed there. Adopted City Council Minutes Special Council Meeting September 28, 1998 Page 4 Assistant Manager Lueckert said that has not been determined. No alternative uses for the 34th Avenue site have been considered in the cost impacts. Community Development Director Hurlburt reviewed the fifth alternative site at Armstrong High School. This site is not owned by the City and it is not centrally located. It would result in management of a remote facility and there would be more neighborhood impacts than the 34th Avenue site. There would be an added cost impact of 425,000 because the site was not previously prepared for the possibility of this use. She said the sixth alternative site is at West Lutheran High School. The site is too small for a field house and additional land would be required. The site is located in the geographic center of the City and the private school is not interested in hosting this facility. It would have a high neighborhood impact and an added cost estimated at $555,000. Park Director Blank presented the staff recommendation to confirm the 34t' Avenue site for the Activity Center and Field House projects. He said the best alternative to the 341h Avenue site is the Ess property. Councilmember Johnson asked if any of the cost impacts of an alternative location would affect the bond referendum and preclude the City from proceeding with the project. City Manager Johnson said it appears that the project is currently at budget. Therefore, any added cost would have to be found from another funding source. In response to a question from Councilmember Bildsoe, Assistant Manager Lueckert said that it could cost an estimated $160,000 to $175,00 to build the road and retaining wall for the Ess property access. Councilmember Johnson asked if the Ess property's proximity to the wetlands could lead to soil problems. Director Hurlburt said that several of the sites could have soil problems. Councilmember Wold asked if the alternative site comparisons addressed marketability of the sites. Director Blank responded no. Mayor Tierney added that the additional continued operating expenses for a building remote from the activity center were also not considered. Adopted City Council Minutes Special Council Meeting September 28, 1998 Page 5 Park Director Blank said that one manager is proposed for both facilities. If a remote location is selected, staff would have to reconsider that proposal. Tom Resick, 15160 38`b Avenue North, represented a group of citizens opposed to the field house being constructed in Plymouth Creek Park. He said that many residents were unaware of the planning meetings for the activity center and field house and of the referendum which passed by only 55 votes. He said that the issue may not have received the scrutiny that a question on the November ballot would have received. The ballot question authorized the Council to issue bonds; it did not specify the location. He said that the position of residents opposed to the field house is to maintain the functional and visual integrity of Plymouth Creek Park. The group is not opposed to the project, but is opposed to the location. They have accepted that the Activity Center will be in the park, but the dome is unacceptable in that location. He believed that the staff presentation was biased. Mr. Resick noted that a petition submitted earlier contained signatures from 1,100 people who said "no" to the Plymouth Creek Park location for the project. In response to a question by Mayor Tierney, Mr. Resick clarified that although the petition opposing the project refers to the activity center, petitioners actually oppose the field house. Bruce Raines, 14125 37' Avenue North, said this area borders School Districts 281 and 284. He questioned whether there is an extra cost for the Wayzata High School alternative location because the soccer field may not have to be replaced and the land in the City Center area is valuable. He believes that the City would be taking value away from the park if a field house is constructed. Mr. Raines said that placement of the field house at Wayzata High School would be more convenient to District 284, but would still be accessible to all four school districts. He said the citizen group believes that Wayzata High School is the appropriate location for the field house due to minimal impact on the environment and adequate roadways, less traffic impact in the City Center area, less impact on the residences, and opportunity cost and retention of the value of the site on 34`'' Avenue. He said that the Wayzata High School site would allow for future growth. The Plymouth Creek Park aesthetics could be retained, and the residential property values in the area would not be diminished. He asked that the Council consider the environment and avoid waste and inefficiency by considering the Wayzata High School site for the field house. In response to a question from Mayor Tierney, Mr. Raines said that there is not a great deal of opposition to construction of the activity center in Plymouth Creek Park. The major opposition is to the location of the field house. Adopted City Council Minutes Special Council Meeting September 28, 1998 Page 6 Jo Maas, 4355 Weston Lane, spoke in support of the alternative Ess property site for the field house. She said this site is planned for recreational development and is ideal for a dome field house. The property abuts a business and has access from a four -lane roadway. Ms. Moss said that she uses Plymouth Creek Park every day. Most petition signers indicated that they were unaware of the May referendum and wanted to keep the park in its natural habitat. She said that a field house in a park is an eyesore, and the natural habitat in Plymouth Creek Park would be destroyed if a field house is built on the proposed site. Bruce Johnson, 3715 Ximines Lane, and Athletic Director at Armstrong High School, submitted a petition with over 1,000 signatures supporting the Plymouth Creek Park site on 34`h Avenue. He said that the City attempted to inform residents about the project through the March, April, and May Plymouth News, as well as a four-page newsletter delivered to all homes in Plymouth regarding the referendum. He said the information pieces identified the proposed site for the project as Plymouth Creek Park on 34`x' Avenue. Mr. Johnson said in a democracy, people have the opportunity to choose not to be involved. The people who voted on the issue in the May referendum voted on the plan and the proposed location. Although it may be legally true that the location was not specified in the ballot question, the voters believed they were going to get a field house and activity center built in a timely manner for the price quoted, and with the facility built on the site indicated in the brochures. He believes it is ludicrous to consider a site that removes the field house from the center of the community. Plymouth is divided by four school districts and an interstate highway, and this centrally -located facility will maintain unity in the City. Mayor Tierney said that a similar petition has been submitted by the Plymouth Rockers. The petitions read, "We, the undersigned, respectfully request that the Plymouth City Council construct the activity center and field house at the 34`' Avenue Plymouth Creek Park central site as approved by the voters at a special election on May 19, 1998." Councilmember Johnson said she has received many phone calls on this issue from residents in School District 281. She asked Bruce Johnson if the issue is whether the field house needs to be on this specific site or at a school neutral site. Bruce Johnson said that the real issue is probably a school neutral site, but there are also important issues of cost and timeliness of completing the project that result in support of the 34`'' Avenue site. Don Anderson, 417 N. Union Terrace, represented the Plymouth Park and Recreation Advisory Commission. He said that the Commission discussed the location issue on September 10, and a motion was unanimously adopted to affirm the original proposed Adopted City Council Minutes Special Council Meeting September 28, 1998 Page 7 location for the project in Plymouth Creek Park along 34' Avenue. He said the voter turnout was low, but a majority of the voters supported the project. He is unaware of any body that has reversed the result of a vote due to low voter turnout. Jim Fox, 12355 46`h Avenue North, said he has lived in Plymouth for 22 years. He supported the proposed site on 34f'' Avenue. He believes the issues were thoroughly considered and there was substantial publicity on the proposed site and on the referendum. Mr. Fox supports the site because it is in the center of the City and will allow opportunities for young and old community members to intermix. The site is city - owned and has close proximity to other city facilities. He said the project was sold to the public on the basis of this location and the citizens voted in favor of this site. It would be unfair at this point for the Council to change the location of the facility. Marc Friedman, 4055 Quaker Lane, said he is a student at Armstrong High School. He supported the site on 34" Avenue because it is equal driving distance between the high schools. He noted that if the field house were located at a high school site, students at that high school would have better access to the facility. Cameron Guthrie, 3949 Orchid Lane, said that he was unaware of the May referendum or the special mailing of the referendum brochure. Because he did not vote in the referendum, he feels that he can't protest the vote outcome or the location. Mr. Guthrie said that he moved here several years ago because of the open area, and the real estate agent said this was a City park that would never be developed. He learned tonight of the existence of a master plan for the park. He believes that the definition of a "city park" does not include a dome field house, activity center, LifeTime Fitness facility, or ice center. Some residents highly value natural and virgin land, and he suggested that a referendum should be used to establish the remainder of Plymouth Creek Park as building -free. Councilmember Johnson explained that the City held a referendum in 1995 to acquire 100 acres of open space in the community. Councilmember Black said that the City Council will be considering the development of northwest Plymouth in October and encouraged residents to become involved, as this issue has many environmental elements. Tom Lindberg, 3860 Glacier Place, said he views the activity center and field house as another improvement to the park. He believes the petition opposing the project may have been misleading, and he questioned some of the practices used in collecting signatures. In response to Council questions, Mr. Lindberg said that he could not remember the exact Adopted City Council Minutes Special Council Meeting September 28, 1998 Page 8 information provided, but recalled the sign "Save Our Park." He also had the impression that the City was going to ruin the park. Jo Maas explained that she placed petitions and information at three locations in Plymouth Creek Park. She included a letter with her name and phone number, a letter from Tom Resick that appeared in the Sun Sailor, and the petition. She went to the park every day to change the papers and tried to ensure that people understood why they were soliciting signatures for the petition. In response to a question from Councilmember Spigner, Ms. Moss said she did not have available a copy of the information provided with the petition. Tom Moriarty, 2745 Garland Lane, represented 600 Plymouth soccer players in the Wayzata Soccer Club. He said that soccer players travel to various locations to play soccer and the location of a facility anywhere in Plymouth would be welcome. He said the seniors and fine arts groups also need a facility and supported the proposed location on 34`h Avenue. He believed that his vote in the May referendum counted and encouraged the Council to proceed with the project. He said that the soccer club could submit an additional petition with over 1,100 signatures supporting the facility in the proposed location. Daryll Phelps, 3845 Orchid Lane, expressed no concerns with the activity center, but questioned the field house dome in this location due to the nature of the area and the wetlands. He said it is a pretty area to walk and he would like to see added trails in the park. Mr. Phelps said that he was sorry that the issue was presented to the voters in May rather than in November. He questioned whether 300 parking spaces is adequate for the facility considering the difficult parking situation at Life Time Fitness and the ice center. Jean W. Scheu, 1170 North Evergreen Lane, said she has lived here for 35 years and has seen much development of the City in that time. She said that every person who moves to Plymouth helps destroy the natural landscape. There were 18,000 people in Plymouth in 1968 and the environment could not remain the same with a growth in population to over 60,000 people. She views the proposed facilities as assets to Plymouth Creek Park. Dani Steele, 14835 38`' Avenue, said she has attended every planning meeting on the proposed facilities. She was disheartened that so few people were involved in the planning process, and she did not feel that the City Council heard the voice of the public throughout the process. She asked that the Council carefully consider the alternative sites. Kathy Thompson, 16010 40' Avenue North, said she is a member of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission and is representing the Plymouth Youth Baseball Adopted City Council Minutes Special Council Meeting September 28, 1998 Page 9 Association. She said the Association did a great deal of advertising to its members about the proposed facilities and location. The Baseball Association did not favor a school for the site of the field house. She said that if a school is selected for the field house site, that school would get the use of the field house during the day and citizenry would not. She voted in the referendum and wants her vote to be honored. Lee Tomlinson, 4020 Orleans Lane, represented the Plymouth Rockers. The Plymouth Rockers began in 1991 with 6 members and now has over 60 members. He said the Rockers receive many requests to sing, but have no place to practice. The Rockers support the activity center and would like to see it completed as soon as possible. He has lived in the community for 30 years and has seen community buildings constructed in Maple Grove, Crystal, Brooklyn Center, etc., and Plymouth is far behind. He said there could be a petition submitted following every vote on an issue, and he encouraged the Council to proceed with a project that the voters approved. Jerry Tongen, 10930 38`x' Avenue North, said that youth sports associations in the community have 3,000 to 4,000 youth who will use the field house facility. These programs are not associated with the high schools; therefore, a central location is a significant issue. He supported the result of the referendum and encouraged the Council to proceed with the project. He also supported the proposal for inclusion of an indoor walking/running track in the field house. Henry Willegalle, 1525 Juneau Lane North, member of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission, represented the Plymouth Seniors. He said the referendum included a site, a plan, and a cost, and the project should move forward. He said the seniors support the proposed project in order to have a common meeting place and a multipurpose facility is needed for various reasons. Mark Adamson, 12355 45"` Place North, represented the Wings Soccer Club, a nonprofit, youth recreational and traveling soccer club that has existed for 20 years. He said that with youth soccer becoming a year around sport, more facilities are needed to meet the demand. The Soccer Club understands that many organizations will want to use the facility and that a central location will result in the most optimum use and financial success. The Wings Soccer Club supports the field house and activity center in the proposed location. Councilmember Johnson asked whether the Club supports the specific proposed site or any central site. Mr. Adamson said the Club supports the 34t' Avenue site, but they were unaware of all of the alternative sites. Adopted City Council Minutes Special Council Meeting September 28, 1998 Page 10 Brandon Anderson, 3815 Orchid Lane, said he moved across the street from Plymouth Creek Park two years ago because of the wilderness setting. He favors the field house and activity center project, but opposes the location of the field house in Plymouth Creek Park. He believes the literature sent out prior to the vote was biased because it did not address alternative sites. Mr. Anderson does not believe that the activity center would disrupt the natural beauty of the park, but residents in his homeowner association opposed the field house dome due to aesthetics and diminished property values. He said the value of the land at the currently proposed site should be considered, and the Wayzata High School site would be cheaper because a joint venture could be arranged with the school to share maintenance and parking. This would also eliminate added parking in his neighborhood. He said that the petition submitted to the City in support of the park is from individuals who do not have as great an interest because they do not live near the park. Claudia Freund, 14820 32"d Avenue North, said that she did vote and was involved in the process. She will be saddened if the field house is constructed in Plymouth Creek Park. She has no objection to the activity center, but opposes a dome in this location. Rod Hillstrom, 12510 25`'' Avenue North, said he is a board member of the Plymouth Soccer Association which represents over 2,500 soccer players. He said that members drive all over the metro area to play soccer, and more soccer facilities are needed in Plymouth. The field house is one element to fill that need, and he supports the central location for the project. Les Matthews, 15155 39th Avenue North, said he has lived adjacent to the north side of Plymouth Creek Park since 1985. He understands development and progress but is disturbed that all of the development has occurred in one specific area. He uses Plymouth Creek Park every day and said that about two-thirds of the time the soccer fields are not utilized. He believes that the Wayzata High School site is the best site from a financial and future opportunity perspective. Kent Schmid, 14110 34`'' Avenue North, said that the natural state of Plymouth Creek Park is an attractive feature. He supports construction of the activity center in the center of the community but believes that the field house should be built in an athletic environment. He did not recall that the alternative sites were included in the City's publicity on the project. Mr. Schmid believes that a field house would be an asset to the community, but moving the facility to Wayzata High School would be only an added travel time of three miles. Although the seniors and soccer community were involved in getting support for the referendum, it passed by only 55 votes. Adopted City Council Minutes Special Council Meeting September 28, 1998 Page 11 Kevin Whitaker, 3345 Niagara Lane, said that neighborhood impact is critical in considering the site location. He noted that there are significant differences in the number of households that are within 1,000 feet proximity of the site. Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Spigner, to affirm the location for the activity center and the field house as Plymouth Creek Park along 34'' Avenue. Councilmember Black said that she has supported wildlife issues for 20 years, but this site is second or third generation. Other than birds, any wildlife on the site will be isolated from the rest of the population and this is not genetically positive. She believes that northwest Plymouth presents an opportunity for protecting wildlife in the City. Councilmember Black stated that she has heard many individuals say "not in my backyard" on this issue. If the project is moved elsewhere, the same comments would be made by other residents. She said the Council needs to make a decision based on the best site for use by all residents of Plymouth. A project cost of $7.6 million has been established which includes the cost of the property. The referendum was conducted in May in order to take advantage of low interest rates. She said that 380 people reside within 1,000 feet of the proposed site, and those residents will have the advantage of being within walking distance of the site. Councilmember Spigner served on the Activity Center Subcommittee and said she supports the proposed 34`'' Avenue site. She said that the low voter turnout is not a reason to change the site. It doesn't matter how low the turnout was, the voters decided the issue. She said there was also a low voter turnout in the September Primary election, but the outcome was not changed. She agreed that the City Center land is valuable and surrounding residents should be happy that a city facility is proposed on the site, rather than a business. Councilmember Wold said that as Chairperson of the Activity Center Subcommittee, he listened to input throughout the planning process. Each meeting of the Subcommittee was publicly noticed, and he often reported on the issue at regular Council meetings. He said the voters decided the issue through the referendum, and he believes that the proposed site is the best location for the entire Plymouth community. Councilmember Bildsoe said he did not serve on the Subcommittee, but believes that one of the most important things the Council has done during his tenure was to place this question on the ballot. He believes that it is a valid option to place the field house at Wayzata High School, but trust was placed in the City Council to fulfill the result of the referendum vote. He believes that the decision on the project and location was made by the residents on May 19 whether or not they voted. Adopted City Council Minutes Special Council Meeting September 28, 1998 Page 12 Councilmember Johnson said she served on the Subcommittee for a year and studied various sites for the activity center and field house. She wants to honor the result of the May referendum and noted that if the vote had gone 55 votes against the project, the citizens would not expect the Council to proceed. She said it is important that the Council listen to citizens' viewpoints on the issue and perhaps a couple of the alternative sites had merit. If the soccer associations or schools had indicated that they preferred a neutral site such as the Ess property, she would have considered that alternative. Councilmember Preus said he will vote against the motion. He said this issue is difficult because it is complicated and involves so many controversies. He is unsure of which site to select and is not ready to decide tonight. Councilmember Preus said he is certain that the Subcommittee conducted all meetings openly and properly, but he believes the Council made a mistake in May. Although the Council took extra time to consider the exact language in the newsletter and there were good reasons for conducting the election in May, the process still was not right. He believes that many positive comments have been made at this meeting which may be addressed during review of the architectural plans. He also hopes that the Charter Commission considers the issue of voter turnout so that future referendums are conducted at general elections. Mayor Tierney thanked residents for attending the meeting and signing petitions on the issue. She said the Council was disappointed and shocked at the low voter turnout in the May referendum. The referendum vote was site specific, cost specific, and plan specific, and the vote of the public should be honored. She added that a Subcommittee meeting notice was sent to 180 residents abutting the proposed site and only seven people attended the meeting. Mayor Tierney believes that adequate notice of the project was done. She previously suggested the concept of the City accepting donation of an alternative site, but no one did so. Motion carried: Spigner, Black, Bildsoe, Wold, Johnson, and Tierney ayes; Preus nay. The meeting was adjourned at 10:24 p.m. L'durii Ahrens City Clerk