HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 04-11-1994 SpecialMINUTES
COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
APRIL 11, 1994
A special meeting study session of the Plymouth City was called to order by Mayor
Tierney at 9:15 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on April 11,
1994.
PRESENT: Mayor Tierney, Councilmembers Edson, Lymangood, Helliwell,
Granath, and Morrison.
ABSENT: Councilmember Anderson
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant City Manager Lueckert, Park
Director Blank, Finance Director Hahn, Public Works Director
Moore, and City Clerk Rauenhorst
FUTURE STUDY SESSION
Mayor Tierney suggested that the City Council select a time to discuss City
Council goals and objectives and develop a work program. She suggested the
meeting be held on a Saturday morning for 2-3 hours.
Following discussion, staff was instructed to contact Councilmembers and to
schedule a council study session for either April 30 or May 7 based on the best
attendance.
DISCUSS POSSIBLE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY WITH SCHOOL
DISTRICT 284 FOR FUTURE PLAYFIELD SITE
City Manager Johnson requested that the City Council discuss whether they are
interested in pursuing land acquisition for a future playfield near the School
District 284 proposed new high school site. If the Council is interested in
proceeding with the project, he recommended that they review the proposed joint
powers agreement with School District 284. He introduced Walter Graff from the
City Attorney's office. He stated that Mr. Graff has been working with the school
district's attorney on drafting the proposed joint powers agreement.
Councilmember Helliwell stated she has concerns of whether this type ofjoint
City -School District acquisition and/or facility sharing occurs in other
communities. She noted that the City of Maple Grove owns approximately 5 acres
for park purposes at the Maple Grove Junior High site, but this proposed
acquisition of 50 to 80 acres is a much more significant project.
Council Study Session
April 11, 1994
Page 2
Park Director Blank stated that the City of Maple Grove also works with the
Osseo School District in developing recreation facilities built on school district
property. He also noted examples of cooperative arrangements between the cities
of Eden Prairie and Eagan with their respective school districts. He believed that
the City of Eagan owns 60 acres adjacent to their high school site.
Councilmember Edson suggested that staff address the benefits of proceeding with
this land acquisition at this time. He asked which facilities might be shared with
the school district that otherwise may be duplicated if a high school and playfield
were located in different areas.
Park Director Blank stated that some of the facilities that could be shared include
parking, tennis courts, outdoor skating rinks, and playfields. The existing junior
high and high school facilities are scheduled for all -day and evening usage with
school programming from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., school district extra curricular
activities from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and City scheduled events from 6:00 p.m. to
10:00 P.M.
Chris Slack, 2355 Weston Lane asked if it is a concern that the school district
could heavily schedule the proposed facilities so that there would be no time for
the City to use them.
Director Blank stated that in this proposal, the City would own and operate its
own facilities.
Councilmember Edson stated that Mr. Slack's comments are a legitimate concern,
and he hopes that the joint powers agreement will clearly delineate the ownership
and control of facilities. He added that it would be of benefit to the City to
continue to move forward to include indoor facilities sharing with the school
district as well.
Councilmember Lymangood thanked staff for providing information on the
proposed land acquisition, as well as the park portion of the proposed capital
improvements program. He was disappointed that the information was not
available earlier. He stated the Council should consider whether land prices are
going to remain stable or increase and whether the City needs more ball fields. He
personally believes the answers to both these questions are "yes", and in general he
supports the philosophy ofjoint facilities between governmental entities. He
believes that a substantial capital savings could be achieved but would like to know
how the savings breaks down by entity and how much savings the City could hope
to achieve. He also has a number of concerns regarding the proposed joint powers
agreement.
Council Study Session
April 11, 1994
Page 3
Councilmember Lymangood reviewed information provided by staff. He noted
there is currently a total of about 23 ballfields. Five of those fields are at Zachary
Playfield, but provide one half of all games played. He asked if it may be possible
to work with other agencies to upgrade existing fields or add fields to other
available sites. He again stated that he has serious concerns about the proposed
joint powers agreement and is particularly concerned that Attorney Barnard has
not reviewed the proposed joint powers agreement.
Mayor Tierney stated that approximately three years ago the City Council decided
not to proceed with acquisition of 14.39 acres adjacent to Zachary Playfield at a
total net price of $424,500. She stated that the majority of the City Council felt
that land was too expensive, and staff was directed to attempt to locate an
alternative site, possibly outside the MUSA. She stated that the demand for land
in the northwest area of Plymouth will continue to increase, and she believes that
the City should proceed with the purchase now in order to achieve a reasonable
land price. If all of the land acquired is not needed later, a portion could be sold.
Councilmember Helliwell stated that a playfield will be needed in this area of the
city and she is in favor of purchasing the land at this time. She is still
uncomfortable with the concept of joint usage of facilities with the school district.
She does not want the City to unfairly benefit one school district over another.
Councilmember Edson stated the City has done this with other school districts that
have facilities in the city. These are also public facilities that can be used by all
residents, regardless in which school district they reside. It is his goal in this
process that the City should receive more benefit by working with the school
district than if the City had acted alone. He also believes there is a benefit to the
City of having a school district share in the cost of acquisition of open space and
that should be addressed now rather than leaving the issue to the site planning
stage.
Councilmember Lymangood stated he would like to see the specific potential
savings for the City by participating in a joint land acquisition with the school
district.
Manager Johnson stated this is very difficult to do when no plans for the sites have
been developed.
Councilmember Granath stated that the City Council needs some preliminary
information on savings in order to justify this joint acquisition.
Manager Johnson stated that the City selected this site before the school district
identified it for a proposed location of the new high school. He believes the City
should proceed with the purchase whether or not any sharing of facilities occurs.
Council Study Session
April 11, 1994
Page 4
He stated that if the Council reasonably believes that the land will hold its value,
there is nothing to lose by moving ahead with acquisition.
Councilmember Edson stated that the Council also needs to determine whether
there are any alternatives that could meet the demand for field space. He believes
that some things could be pursued with the athletic associations, but over time
there will be no way to provide adequate facilities without additional land
acquisition for another playfield. He stated that if the City can achieve savings
through the process, that will be even a greater benefit. He stated the Council's
alternative is to determine that no additional facilities are needed and to no longer
consider joint land acquisition with the school district.
Councilmember Lymangood stated that he would like to see justification that the
additional facilities are needed today. He would also like to know what other
options staff has checked in order to provide adequate facilities.
Park Director Blank stated staff is making "stopgap" measures now to provide
adequate facilities. He stated that fields have been added at Zachary Elementary
School, Pilgrim Elementary School, West Medicine Lake Community Club,
Birchview School, and Greenwood School in order to meet the growing demand
for ballfields. He stated staff has tried to pursue all alternatives, but when the
future growth of the City is considered, adequate facilities cannot be provided
without acquiring additional land.
Mayor Tierney stated that efficiencies that may be able to be attained through a
joint school district -city venture can be addressed at a future time. She believes
the City should proceed with the land acquisition now because she doesn't believe
the growing population demands can be met without additional land acquisition.
Park Director Blank stated that this site location is also a geographic
consideration. There is currently no playfield west of I-494 and north of 24th
Avenue to serve residents of this area.
In response to questions from Councilmember Edson, Director Blank stated that
the ballfields recently constructed on public and semi-public property are only for
use by very young children. They cannot serve older elementary or adult softball.
He stated that in the last three years the number of adult softball teams has
dropped from 210 teams to 185 teams because the City has taken away fields from
the adult program and provided them for the youth program.
Councilmember Morrison stated that staff has described the shortage of ballfields
within the City. She asked if the situation is similar for surrounding communities.
Director Blank stated that ballfields are full in all surrounding communities.
Council Study Session
April 11, 1994
Page 5
MOTION was made by Councilmember Lymangood, seconded by Councilmember
Granath, to adopt a statement of intent that the City should proceed with
acquisition of property for a playfield site near the new high school site with the
following 5 contingencies:
1. That staff determine that current alternatives are not available in terms of
meeting the supply of fields and demand for their use;
2. That examples of preliminary estimates of cost savings of proceeding with
this acquisition are provided;
3. That the Council receives a staff estimate as to the number and type of
fields that will be provided;
4. That this is a priority to develop; and
5. That concerns about the joint powers agreement are resolved.
Councilmember Granath asked if the school district would be willing to sell the
City land following their acquisition without a written joint powers agreement.
Manager Johnson stated this could be pursued.
Councilmember Edson questioned the purpose of having a joint powers agreement
at this time. He believes the joint powers agreement could be considered later with
respect to development of the site.
Manager Johnson stated there is a need for preliminary joint planning in order to
determine how the total acreage should be split between the school district and
City, and to preserve the possibility of sharing facilities in the future. However, a
much simpler agreement may be possible.
Councilmember Morrison stated it is her understanding that the net effect of the
proposed joint powers agreement is that the City/school district agrees to
subdivide the land as they may later agree, and the City/school district agrees to
share facilities as they may later agree.
Councilmember Helliwell stated that she would like to proceed with purchase of
the property without a joint powers agreement at this time.
Councilmember Morrison asked about the benefit of having a joint powers
agreement.
Public Works Director Moore responded that the school district is very interested
in obtaining City concurrence that this is a good site for a high school. He stated
the school district will need City approval for roads, utilities, and site planning in
order to construct a high school. In addition, the school district wants assurance
that the City will construct a grade separated crossing on Peony Lane.
Council Study Session
April 11, 1994
Page 6
Manager Johnson stated that the staff is still working on the proposed joint powers
agreement, and two changes are recommended to the draft agreement. He
suggested that the agreement should provide that if and when the City puts any
money down, the City would immediately get the same equity interest in the land.
The agreement should also provide that the City will jointly select an architect with
the school district.
The City Council reviewed the proposed joint powers agreement. Councilmember
Lymangood suggested several changes to the agreement with which the Council
concurred. Staff members and Attorney Graff noted the changes desired by
Councilmembers to incorporate into the draft agreement.
Manager Johnson suggested the Council table this item so that staff can continue
to negotiate the joint powers agreement with the school district.
The City Council directed staff to continue negotiating a proposed joint powers
agreement that would be in a simple form, and would only go through the land
acquisition and preliminary planning process.
Motion was made by Mayor Tierney, seconded by Councilmember Morrison, to
table the main motion to the regular council meeting of April 18.
Motion carried, six ayes.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 p.m.
Cit Clerk