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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 06-16-1997 SpecialMinutes Special Council Meeting June 16, 1997 A special meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at 6:00 p.m. in the Public Safety Training Room, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., on June 16, 1997. COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney; Councilmembers Preus, Wold, Spigner, Bildsoe, Johnson, and Black. ABSENT: None. SCHOOL DISTRICT 284 OFFICIALS: Chairperson Jamrogiewicz; Directors Baufield, Parks, Schutz, Gleason, and Rye; Superintendent Beilfuss. CITY STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant Manager Lueckert, Community Development Director Hurlburt, Public Works Director Moore, Public Safety Director Gerdes, Finance Director Hahn, Park Director Blank, and City Clerk Ahrens. Review of Current Joint Projects City Manager Johnson reported on the status of current joint School District 284 and City of Plymouth projects: Ice Arena, LifeTime Fitness, Elm Creek playfield, Peony Bridge, High School gyms, and swimming program. Superintendent Beilfuss noted that any one of these accomplishments would be viewed as a significant joint project. The City and School District 284 have enjoyed a cooperative relationship and the details of these projects may be of interest on a national level. Director Gleason asked if individuals who are not members of LifeTime Fitness will have access to the outdoor pool. Park Director Blank responded that a resident can swim anytime on a daily pass. There is no distinction in the passes between the indoor and outdoor pools. The current contract with LifeTime states that when the LifeTime membership reaches 10,000, they are required to supply a public summer pool pass commensurate with other public pools. LifeTime membership is currently at about 5,000 members. It is the City's goal to have summer pool passes available by next summer. In response to a question by Superintendent Beilfuss, Park Director Blank said that the current need for pools for providing swimming lessons has been met. Councilmember Preus suggested that it would be useful to calculate the amount of money that has been saved due to the joint nature of these various projects. Special Council Meeting June 16, 1997 Page 2 Opening of New High School Superintendent Beilfuss thanked the City for its cooperation with the new high school which is slated to open on September 8. He said the City has been receptive to a phased -in occupancy for the new high school so that furnishings can be moved in. The City has also pledged to supply enough field staff to do the inspections in a timely manner. He said that the project is at a critical point for September occupancy, and the City's help is appreciated. Community Development Director Hurlburt said that City staff has been able to meet the inspection deadlines to date. The contractor has been very cooperative and the construction meetings have worked well. Possible Activity Center City Manager Johnson explained that the City is discussing the possibility of constructing an Activity Center. The proposed Center would house senior citizen activities and City recreational programs, as well as provide a space for community rental. Lifetime Fitness has expressed interest in moving their corporate offices to this building, and there has been preliminary discussions about using the site for a Family Resource Center. Superintendent Beilf iss said the District is experiencing a 2'/2 to 3'/2 percent population increase each year and is rapidly outgrowing the Merrimac building. The District is looking for a location for a Family Resource Center, and other health, welfare, and family services could be provided by other agencies in the same location. Mayor Tierney explained the history of this issue with the Communities in Collaboration Council. Director Parks added that collaboration of efforts to help families is seen as the wave of the future. Councilmember Black questioned whether the City should be involved in a Family Resource Center which would offer services typically handled by the County or the private sector. Superintendent Beilfuss explained that Hennepin County has a desire to decentralize services. Director Parks said that collaboration helps to reduce duplication of services. Councilmember Wold explained that he serves as Chairperson of the Activity Center Subcommittee. The Subcommittee is recommending that a portion of the facility be rented out in order to generate revenue to support the overall project. He asked if the school district would be interested in renting a portion of the Activity Center space for use as a Family Resource Center. Superintendent Beilfuss said the District may be looking for space to lease or own. Director Baufleld said the existing Latchkey program does not meet the needs of district residents. Special Council Meeting June 16, 1997 Page 3 The District is interested in finding a central location with adequate space for Family Resource services. In response to a question by Director Rye, Councilmember Wold said that the Activity Center Subcommittee will likely be recommending that a referendum be held on the Activity Center. Director Rye said that whether or not the School District is involved in a project in this location, he believes that the Family Resource Center is a great concept. Councilmember Preus clarified that no decisions have been made by the City to move forward with the Activity Center project and further research is underway. Director Parks asked if the City has given any consideration to a teen center. Mayor Tierney responded that while specified activities for teens do attract youth, teen centers have not been successful elsewhere. Park Director Blank cautioned that traffic and parking issues relating to the site will need to be studied and assessed before the project proceeds. Possible Field House Project City Manager Johnson said that discussions were previously held to consider a joint School District 284/City project of a field house at the new high school site. He said it would be beneficial to have a field house in a location central to the community. The City is investigating the concept of constructing a field house on 34``' Avenue near the City Hall. Councilmember Wold said that the field house would be wholly owned by the City, but the school district may have interest in renting the facility. Director Baufield said that a field house would take some of the pressure off of the gym space in the district. Councilmember Spigner said that she supports having a field house centrally located in Plymouth, and it would be advantageous to have it associated with the entire City, rather than one school district in the City. Future Management of existing activity fields on school property Superintendent Beilfuss said that Community Education Director Brandl will be contacting Park Director Blank to discuss issues of maintenance, irrigation, and scheduling of existing activity fields on school property. Director Baufield said that maintenance of these fields is a concern to the school district. Director Rye added that the long-term preservation of the fields needs to be considered, rather than a philosophy of getting in as many games as possible. Special Council Meeting June 16, 1997 Page 4 Park Director Blank said that the end users and parent organizations also need to be engaged in this discussion. Educating Children about Local Government Councilmember Johnson distributed information about ways that the City can build assets in youth. She is interested in planning a program for youth to learn about local government. Northwest Plymouth Planning Process Manager Johnson said that the City has about 3,000 acres outside of the urban service area which the City is required to plan through land use guiding by the end of 1998. Several meetings have been held with property owners and interested residents. Various growth scenarios will be considered. Director Baufeld said the impact on school district demographics will be dramatic, and the school district is interested in participating in the planning process. Other Issues A brief discussion was held on the need for skateboard parks and areas for in-line skating. Councilmember Wold suggested that this may be another area for collaboration. Mayor Tierney suggested that another joint meeting could be held to continue discussions. Chairperson Jamrogiewicz extended an invitation for the City Council to meet with the School Board, possibly in mid August. The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. o 2 atlx — Laurie Ahrens City Clerk