HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 02-26-2002 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
February 26, 2002
A Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at 5:30
p.m. in the Public Safety Training Room, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on February 26; 2002.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney, Councilmembers Hewitt, Black, Harstad, Johnson,
Slavik, and Stein.
ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant City Manager Ahrens, Police Chief
Gerdes, Finance Director Hahn, Park and Recreation Director Blank, Ice Center Manager Abel,
Community Development Director Hurlburt, Public Works Director Faulkner, and City Clerk
Paulson.
Parking at LifeTime Fitness/Ice Center
Park and Recreation Director Blank reported on the request of Bahram Akradi, President of
JLifeTime Fitness, for the City to consider constructing additional parking spaces for the Ice
Center and LifeTime Fitness during the 2002 construction season. He stated the Council
reviewed a parking feasibility study in 2001 that contained various options. No decision was
made at that time, as the Council desired to evaluate the new on -street parking on Plymouth
Boulevard. He noted that in previous years, there have been many complaints over the perceived
shortage of parking. However, there have been very few complaints this year, which could be
due to the unseasonable weather, rentals at the Ice Center, and the additional on -street parking.
Mr. Akradi discussed the options contained in the 2001 parking feasibility study. He requested
support for Option G, which would extend the parking lots at City Hall to the parking lots at
LifeTime Fitness and the Ice Center. This could require the removal of up to 20 large trees
greater than eight inches). He noted that with the removal of those trees, the vast majority of the
trees and the overall canopy and nature of the boulevard would remain the same. He offered to
pay for the replacement of those trees. He stated during the past few years, their membership has
complained about the lack of available parking at the facility. However, they have become more
patient since there has been parking added to the side of the building as well as on -street parking
on Plymouth Boulevard.
Councilmember Harstad asked if the center's membership has increased. Mr. Akradi replied no
but the club is continuously being utilized. He stated the front entrance is the only public
entrance to their facility. He indicted that the parking in the rear of the facility is the most highly
unused as people strive to park in front of the facility.
Mayor Tierney asked if the scenario is usually empty parking spaces behind the building while
people are scrambling to find parking spots in the front of the facility. Mr. Abel replied yes. He
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Special Meeting of February 26, 2002
Page 2 of 3
stated the majority of the time there are parking spaces in the rear of the building except when
there are large hockey tournaments which occur approximately four times a year. He stated their
peak season for the usage of the Ice Center is identical to LifeTime's.
Councilmember Stein asked if a back entrance could be utilized for LifeTime Fitness. Mr.
Akradi replied this would be very labor intensive to operate, and it would be difficult to change
the natural habit of individuals desiring to park in the front of the building. He spoke again of
Option G. He suggested that the Council and staff do a walk through of the area to really
determine how many trees would need to be removed.
Councilmember Harstad stated he is concerned about Option G as there could be additional
stress on the remaining trees during and after construction.
Councilmember Johnson noted that the Carlson development could yield approximately 30
parking spaces which would be directly across the street from LifeTime Fitness. She stated she
does not support removing the trees as contained in Option G. She stated this is a very vital part
of the amphitheater park.
Mayor Tierney commented she is not convinced that the trees could strategically be removed
while still maintaining the "woodsy" look for the amphitheater.
Councilmember Black stated she wouldn't support removing the trees.
Councilmember Stein stated the City is in the process of constructing a beautiful facility for the
amphitheater, and by removing the trees, there wouldn't be the same type of appearance and feel
for the area.
Councilmember Hewitt stated there is only a few hours of the day where is there a peak usage of
the facilities; therefore, she couldn't justify removing the trees. She asked what other types of
improvements are projected for LifeTime Fitness. Mr. Akradi replied they would be remodeling
the school district's existing locker rooms. They have discussed a children's splash pool behind
the facility. In addition, they have discussed parking in the rear of the building for employees.
Employees would then utilize a card entry system to the rear entrance. He acknowledged that.
the employees park in the front of the building when they have been instructed to park in the rear
of the building.
Councilmember Johnson stressed the need for the employees to park in the rear of the building as
that would save approximately 50 to 60 parking spaces in the front. She reiterated there could
also be additional parking solutions with future adjacent developments, i.e. the Carlson
development.
Councilmember Slavik stated she doesn't support Option G.
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Special Meeting of February 26, 2002
Page 3 of 3
Motion was made by Councilmember Stein, and seconded by Councilmember Hewitt, to pursue
Options C and E as contained in the 2002 parking feasibility study.
Motion was made by Councilmember Johnson, and seconded by Councilmember Black, to
amend the main motion to remove item Option C and replace it with Option C 1. With all
members voting in favor, the motion carried.
The Council voted on the amended main motion and with all members voting in favor, the
motion carried.
Mr. Akradi commented that these options would be a good temporary solution.
The Council discussed with Mr. Akradi a few minor concerns or repairs that should be made to
the facility.
Set Future Study Session Topics
Councilmembers Johnson, Black, and Stein added to the pending Study Session list the topic of a
creating a business commission.
Motion was made by Councilmember Slavik, and seconded by Councilmember Stein, to not
schedule any Sessions this evening. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
Mayor Tierney declared the meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
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andra R. Paulson, City Clerk