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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 Study Session Minutes 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. Study Session Minutes 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. Study Session Minutes 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