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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 03-01-1993 SpecialMINUTES JOINT MEETING WITH SCHOOL DISTRICT 279 MARCH 19 1993 A special meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Bergman at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Conference Room of the City Center, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., on March 1, 1993. COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Bergman, Councilmembers Edson, Tierney, and Vasiliou ABSENT: Councilmember Helliwell SCHOOL DISTRICT 279 PRESENT: Supt. Dr. Marl Ramsey, Board Members Patience Gall, Adrian Olson, Clair Coughlin, and Lynda Forbes STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Community Development Director Dillerud, Public Works Director Moore, Public Safety Director Gerdes, Park Director Blank, Finance Director Hahn, and City Clerk Rauenhorst City Manager Johnson stated the purpose of the meeting is for the City Council to conduct a joint study session with representatives of Independent School District 279. Conununity Development Director Dillerud reported on development anticipated in 1993 in the I.S.D. 279 area of Plymouth. He stated a portion of the district in Plymouth lies outside of the Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA). The City of Plymouth has no immediate plan to petition the Metropolitan Council to extend the MUSA, as the City has an estimated five years of developable area left. Although the area outside of the MUSA would be served for sanitary sewer by the Elm Creek Interceptor, there is a possibility that the City could bring in a small portion outside of the MUSA to be served by the existing sewer system to the south. He reported that 1992 was a record year for building activity in Plymouth, with 573 new single family home and 214 multiple family home building permits issued. The two areas remaining for future significant development within I.S.D. 279 are the Harrison Hills Ponds area and the Bass Creek Business Park. Dr. Ramsey asked if it is the City's position that the majority of the area outside of the MUSA will not be developed until the Elm Creek Interceptor is constructed. He also suggested that the City discuss this issue with other cities in the Elm Creek district. Director Dillerud stated only a relatively small area could be brought inside the MUSA and served by sewer to the south. The City meets regularly with the other cities in the Elm Creek district, and Public Works Director Moore has been working with the Metropolitan Wastewater Corrunission on Elm Creek Interceptor Sewer studies. Joint Council/I.S.D. 279 Meeting March 1, 1993 Page 2 Dr. Ramsey stated it is his concern that if cities continue to bring small parcels of land inside the MIJSA and find alternate sewer service, ultimately there may not be sufficient remaining land to warrant the extension of the Elm Creek Interceptor. Public Safety Director Gerdes reported on the status of the DARE Program, specifically at Sunny Hollow School. He stated the new DARE Training Card Program has been a great success and likely will be copied by other cities in the state. Dr. Ramsey reported that the recent I. S.D. 279 bond referendum passed by a three to one margin. This is the sixth referendum in the last seven years. The money will primarily be used for a high school facility to be located on Fernbrook Lane. The design phase will be completed this fall, with bids and construction following. Occupancy is expected for the fall of 1996. Discussion was held on the design of the building. Councilmember Vasiliou asked how many students attend I.S.D. 279 through open enrollment. She also complimented the district on the education materials used for the referendum. Dr. Ramsey responded there are several hundred; however, there is a balance between the students lost and gained. He stated that most of the I.S.D. 279 buildings are closed to open enrollment. If a building is at 95 percent of capacity, open enrollment is not allowed for that building. Only about six buildings currently have open enrollment. Dr. Ramsey stated the education materials for the referendum were developed with the use of the district's "key communicator group", which consists of about 700 people. The materials were developed based on the questions and concerns the group had. Board Member Forbes stated the key communicator group is very important for the District to understand the views of its residents, as two-thirds of the people who live in the district do not have children. Board Member Olson stated the referendum money will not be used solely for the new high school. Broad-based remodeling projects are included in schools throughout the district. Councilmember Vasiliou asked if future demographic shifts are considered during the design of a new school. For example, does the school design for a possible future use if demographic changes should not warrant the building to be used for a school at some time in the future. Dr. Ramsey stated it is anticipated that the new schools will be needed as schools for many years in the future based on the predicted birth rate. If there was a decline, the schools located in commercial areas would be the first to be released. Joint Council/I.S.D. 279 Meeting March 1, 1993 Page 3 Board Member Gall stated many of the schools that are closing were constructed at a time of much larger family sizes. Therefore, the drop in birth rate has significantly affected those districts. The I.S.D. 279 schools are newer and were built based on smaller family sizes. Discussion was held on shared recreational opportunities between I.S.D. 279 and the eight cities located in the district. Park Director Blank reported that Plymouth does not currently have an active recreation program at Sunny Hollow. Several months ago, City staff requested use of the building in the events for programs. The school indicated there was not space available. Dr. Ramsey stated that New Hope and Maple Grove offer some programs at the school. One problem has been transportation to return children to Plymouth following an after school program. Mayor Bergman stated the Council receives requests for a public swimming pool and suggested that joint publicity could be done to notify residents of the open swim hours available. This would provide a service to residents and possibly increase revenue for the district from user fees. Dr. Ramsey stated the district has four pools. He stated the City of Maple Grove currently has a policy of charging more for non-residents. He stated the pools are designed for community use, as are the oversized gyms. City Manager Johnson suggested that the City and I.S.D. 279 exchange meeting minutes to be kept apprised of activities. A brief discussion was held on the status of the lawsuit brought by I. S.D. 279 and other districts related to equality of funding. Dr. Ramsey stated the case is now in the Supreme Court. Board Member Gall suggested that the City may wish to consider establishing a "key communicator" group for the City. She stated the district's group started with a small number of concerned parents and increased to neighborhood activities. It has been a good tool for the district to get information from residents and is not expensive. The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m. City Clerk