HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 04-25-1994 SpecialMINUTES
COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
APRIL 25, 1994
A special study session joint meeting of the Plymouth City Council and the District 284
School Board was called to order by Mayor Tierney at 6:10 p.m. in the Training Room
of the Public Safety Building, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., on April 25, 1994.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney; Councihnembers Anderson, Morrison,
Lymangood, Helliwell, Granath, and Edson.
BOARD PRESENT: Chairperson Casmey; Vice Chairperson Jamrogiewicz;
Boardmembers Parks, Gleason, Landry, Ahmann, Murphy
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant Manager Lueckert, Public
Works Director Moore, Public Safety Director Gerdes, Park Director Blank, Finance
Director Hahn, Community Development Director Hurlburt, Attorney Walter Graff
from the firm of Best and Flanagan, City Clerk Rauenhorst, School District Director of
Finance and Business Vogt, School District Attorney Steilen, School Supt. Landswerk.
ALSO PRESENT: Tom Anderson representing the City of Medina
Introductions were done and Mayor Tierney announced that the purposes of the
meeting are to have the Council and School Board exchange information on the status
of the land acquisition and the planning for future school and park development,
determine the general interest and intent of both parties to proceed with land acquisition
and joint site planning efforts, and to discuss any other subjects of mutual interest. No
decisions or approvals are requested of either body at this meeting.
VIDEO OF THE SITE
Park Director Blank showed a videotape of the area proposed to be acquired for
a possible future school and park development.
LAND ACQUISITION STATUS
Supt. Landswerk introduced School District Attorney Steilen. Attorney Steilen
explained the title examination work has been completed, and the title is clear.
There are two electric cable easements on the site. The location has been
reviewed with the architect, and the easements should not interfere with any of
the proposed improvements. He does not anticipate any title problems in the
closing process. The soil testing report was received on April 20 and discloses
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April 25, 1994
Page 2
no material problems. Six steel barrel drums containing solvent were found on
the site, and testing of the contents and the soil under the drums is underway.
The preliminary testing shows no problems.
Attorney Steilen stated the City and School District have worked to develop a
mutually acceptable joint powers agreement.
SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT PLANS
Supt. Landswerk explained that the school board has identified a need for an
additional secondary school. The district will near 10,000 students by the year
2000. The board has determined that a new high school will be built, and the
existing junior highs converted to middle schools. The new high school would
hold 3,000 to 3,300 students. It is unknown whether it will contain grades 10-
12 or grades 9-12. He stated the firm of Decision Resources is currently
conducting a survey on issues relating to the new school, and the results will be
shared with the school board on April 29.
Supt. Landswerk stated that some type of new secondary school for District 284
is inevitable. On April 29, the board will make the decision on the bond issue
referendum. He stated the school district has worked with Park Director Blank
for many years to share facilities and avoid duplication. The school district
would need 75 to 80 acres of the potential site for the school development.
In response to questions by Councihnember Helliwell, Supt. Landswerk stated a
60-65 million bond issue is proposed to go to the voters on June 7.
Tom Anderson, representing the City of Medina, stated there are several other
cities in School District 284 in addition to Plymouth. He asked if residents of
other communities will have access to the facilities if a joint School
District/City land acquisition and/or development is done.
Director Blank stated these facilities would like be utilized like other existing
facilities. The recreation areas are used by school physical education classes
during the school day and after school by groups for extracurricular activities.
At other times there would be general public use of the site through recreation
programs offered through the City. He said there should be nothing to preclude
district students from using the district facilities. He stated the City's proposed
plan is to move the adult softball from the Zachary fields to the new site. This
will help the youth program. The City staff and park board will meet with the
seven major athletic associations to discuss this plan prior to development of a
master long-range plan for the City/School District use of the site.
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April 25, 1994
Page 3
Boardmember Landry asked if the City anticipates preservation of the wooded
area.
Director Blank stated yes. He believes the wooded area is an asset and would
be preserved as open space for the City and as an outdoor educational facility
for the school district.
JOINT SITE PLANNING
Manager Johnson said the City has reviewed several drafts of the proposed joint
powers agreement. The City Council has decided to move ahead with the
acquisition with six conditions. The Council will consider the final joint powers
agreement on May 2. The City and School District have already saved some
time in the process by using unified purchase of the land. He stated the City
and District may discuss joint development of roads and utilities for the site, and
perhaps shared parking. There may be future possibilities for sharing outdoor
and indoor space. He said the first step in the process is development of a site
plan. This will help determine where facilities could be located.
In response to a resident question, Supt. Landswerk stated there are eight trains
per day near this site, six of which are during school hours. The District is
concerned about safety, and one of the items in the joint powers agreement is
construction of a grade separation at the Peony Lane intersection.
Councihnember Anderson asked about the preliminary results of the survey. He
also asked how the levy would be affected.
Supt. Landswerk said there has been some concerns expressed about the
potential size of the new high school and number of students.
Business Director Vogt stated that the impact of a $64 million levy on a
200,000 home would be about $275 per year; on a $100,000 home -
108/year; on a $125,000 home - $150/year; and on a $150,000 home -
192/year. The average value of a home in the District is $148,000.
Councilmember Anderson stated many Ward 1 residents are interested in
sharing facilities, including gyms.
Supt. Landswerk stated that needed facilities can be identified through the joint
powers agreement for use by the District during school hours and by the City
after school hours. He believes there are many facilities that can be shared to
maximize tax dollars, including some indoor facilities.
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April 25, 1994
Page 4
A resident asked how much construction of a grade separation will cost and who
will pay for it.
Supt. Landswerk stated the City will be responsible for construction.
Manager Johnson stated the estimated cost for construction of the bridge is
850,000. The City has State Aid funds that would help reimburse the cost to
the City over a period of years. It is not anticipated under the existing City
policies that the cost would be levied through special assessments.
Councihnember Morrison asked about the property surrounding the site.
Director Blank described the surrounding areas and said all abutting property is
outside the MUSA. He believes an advantage of this site is that homes will not
be built adjacent to the school or park property. Over the next 12-24 months,
the City will be developing a Land Use Guide Plan for this area.
A resident asked if assessments would be levied to pay for the needed
improvements to the site.
Public Works Director Moore responded that all of the benefiting properties in
this area within the MUSA could be assessed for improvements. No decision or
estimate has yet been made. The City Council would consider assessments
following the improvements.
BIRCHVIEW SCHOOL
Boardmember Gleason asked about improvements proposed in the Birchview
School area.
Manager Johnson replied that a petition requesting improvements was presented
to the City from parents and teachers from Birchview School. The City Council
has added the project to the 1995 Street Reconstruction Program. The project
could not be done in 1994 because it could not be completed before the start of
the school year in the fall.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
City'Clerk