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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-08-05 CC MIN Special Meeting' ate TNF {IRTN {IF CF BF ■IRR E { {{R CITY COUNCIL MEETING August 5, 2010 SPECIAL MEETING 7:30 A.M. Mayor Harycki called the meeting to order at 7:35 a.m. Present: Councilmembers Cook, Gag, Polehna, Roush and Mayor Harycki Staff present: City Administrator Hansen City Attorney Magnuson Community Development Director Turnblad Finance Director Harrison Fire Chief Glaser City Clerk Ward OTHER BUSINESS Discussion on possible purchase of land for armory /fire station Community Development Director Turnblad reviewed past efforts to secure a site for a new armory and parameters for a stand -alone armory and an armory in conjunction with a new fire station. He stated that there are about three sites that fit the parameters for a fire station /armory and that the initial cost estimate for those properties was between $1 million and $2 million. He reviewed the potential cost savings for a shared site — share workout facilities, locker rooms, classroom and auditorium, and kitchen /dining facilities -- and that the potential cost savings more than offset the cost of the land. He said there are other potential savings including such items as site grading, extension of utilities, site security, HVAC, etc. that have not been included in the dollar amount as those savings are really unknowns at this time. Finance Director Harrison reviewed the tax impact for the issuance of bonds to purchase the property in question providing three different scenarios depending on the terms of the bonds. She said the tax impact on a $300,000 home ranges from $11.10 to $14.10 per year, depending on the term of the bonds. Councilmember Cook clarified that this relates to the purchase of the land only, not the cost of construction of a new fire station. Fire Chief Glaser reviewed the 2005 fire services study which provided three different deployment options — two two - station models and a single- station model. Based on the growth of the City and movement to the west, the consultants recommended that if the City stays with the single- station deployment model, a new City Council Meeting — Special August 5, 2010 centrally - located station should be located in close proximity to the Myrtle Street/Deerpath corridor in order to provide reasonable response times to all locations in the City. He stated that for a two - station model the recommendation was to place another station at the far west side of the City. He briefly highlighted the cost differences in the one- and two - station deployment models, noting that the study indicated the operational costs for a two - station model would be over $500,000 more annually than a single- station model. He also noted that if a new centrally - located station were to be built, the existing station at City Hall could be re- used for other City purposes. Councilmember Cook asked about the distance between the existing station and new proposed site and the difference in response time. Chief Glaser said the sites are about a mile apart, which equates to about a minute in response time. Councilmember Cook referred to the types of calls, as listed in the 2005 study, and the small percentage of actual fire calls; Chief Glaser said that is a nationwide trend. Councilmember Cook expressed concern about pulling a new fire station farther away from a high - call /high- density area and water rescues. Chief Glaser said the City must decide on what level of service it wants to provide, noting that two stations and more staff obviously results in faster response times. He stated that the City has to determine what it can afford and how best to provide the service. Councilmember Cook questioned the relevance of the 2005 study based on projections when the economy was still in a period of rapid growth, versus the current economic conditions; Chief Glaser said he thought the study was still valid as the boundaries of the City were known. On a question by Councilmember Cook, Chief Glaser said he thought the site in question is one of the better available sites; anything farther west would not be preferable for a single- station mode. He stated that he felt the cost- benefit would be tremendous if the station is co- located with the National Guard. Chief Glaser noted that in last year's federal grant application, the cost of a new station at the Deerpath /Jaycee field site was estimated at $4.483 million, and the potential savings listed in the National Guard's latest proposal for shared facilities, 9,000 square feet, is $1.8 million. Councilmember Cook asked whether purchasing the site would represent a commitment to build a new station or whether the Guard would be constructing its facility with the shared facilities in a holding pattern. Mr. Turnblad stated the National Guard has indicated the agreement with the City could be written to meet its needs, including an open -ended commitment to build the potentially shared -use facilities. Councilmember Polehna asked about the impact of the site in question on the City's fire rating. Chief Glaser said he thought it would improve the rating, due to the improved ability to get within 1.5 miles of most of the structures and hydrants in the Page 2of8 City Council Meeting — Special August 5, 2010 City; he also referred to the improved time for response of the ladder truck. Chief Glaser spoke of reasons other than response time for the need for a new station, including lack of space and east/west, north /south access. Councilmember Polehna questioned north /south access from the new site, specifically how to get to the Cub /Target area without going through residential neighborhoods. Councilmember Roush asked if there would be automatic controls for the intersections; Chief Glaser said that would a decision to be made later in the process. Councilmember Gag asked if there were key dates for the Guards' design planning for the City to made decisions whether to include certain features, such as a swimming pool. Mr. Turnblad stated the Guard would like to occupy a new armory in spring of 2015, with about a year set aside to work with the host city regarding preferred design features. Councilmember Gag suggested it would be in the City's best interest its priorities regarding facilities decided upon by next year. Mayor Harycki suggested he saw this action as simply putting an X on the map for a possible future fire station, not a commitment to build a new station in 3 or 5 years. Councilmember Cook said she thought there already was an X on the map — the Jaycee site. There was discussion of the problems with the Jaycee site, with Chief Glaser suggesting that site will remain available due to the costs associated with making it a buildable site. Councilmember Polehna stated he was the Council representative that worked on that issue and the cost of just doing the footings and cleanup was $2 million. Chief Glaser provided a map and response times of the current station location, as well as map and response times for a station located at Maryknoll and Myrtle; he stated a centrally located single station greatly improves overall response time to the greater good of the community. In response to Councilmember Polehna's question about a route to the Cub/Target area from the proposed site, Chief Glaser showed proposed routes and noted that currently the department has to go through neighborhoods in responding to calls due to the layout of the City. Councilmember Polehna suggested that in the future, he would need to be convinced on the one - station model, referring to Lake Elmo which currently has two stations and is manned by volunteers; he also questioned the need for the fire department to respond to every call. Chief Glaser noted that currently the department utilizes a tiered response, with the department only responding to life - threatening calls as determined by the 911 operator; he reiterated these are level of service issues that the Council needs to determine. Page 3of8 City Council Meeting — Special August 5, 2010 Councilmember Roush asked about the noise impact on the neighborhoods adjacent to the proposed site. Chief Glaser explained the response procedures for the various types of calls, noting that the department is aware of noise issues. Councilmember Cook suggested perhaps the discussion should be focused on the armory at this point and questioned whether the armory has even partnered with an essential service such as a fire department. It was noted that there has been a partnership with a City police department. Mayor Harycki said he is looking at this as the National Guard providing a vehicle to deliver some cost savings in the construction of a future fire station. He stated that he believes the City has identified a methodology to save future tax dollars in the construction of a fire hall by co- locating with the National Guard and perhaps a future option of providing a space for a community center. Mayor Harycki said the discussion is about future options. Councilmember Cook noted this would be taking 18 -acres off the tax rolls and that she wants to make sure the City is actually getting something for that, that it balances out in the end, noting that at this moment everything is "potential" and "maybe." She expressed a concern about taking on more debt in the current budget situation and she questioned the actual economic benefit to the City of having an armory located here. She stated the people she has spoken with are not very supportive of this proposal, and she suggested there should be more gathering of public opinion. Councilmember Cook also suggested there if there is money available in the budget, it should be spent on the City's infrastructure; she also noted that a new armory represents citizen tax dollars, even if it is federal money. Councilmember Gag asked about the disposition of the old armory and the possibility of the site returning to the tax rolls if purchased by a private entity, noting that this Council had decided City ownership was not a preferred option. Mr. Turnblad explained the procedure for the federal government disposing of excess property, with the City having the right of first refusal. Mr. Turnblad noted that if the new armory goes to a new host city, the existing armory will stay in operation as the MP unit. Councilmember Polehna asked if the City was bound to give the Guard the entire 18 acres of the site in question or whether the City could retain the excess acres and perhaps sell it. City Attorney Magnuson noted there are three houses on the property, which might have a logical subdivision potential. Councilmember Roush asked if the purchase of this site would still provide the potential for Neal Avenue to go through to Myrtle Street; Mr. Turnblad noted the new Comprehensive Plan does not provide for the extension of Neal Avenue. He asked if there would be access to a new facility from both Myrtle and Boutwell; Mr. Turnblad said he did not know that at this time, but that would be optimal for fire service. Councilmember Gag spoke to the priorities of the Council as discussed during its annual retreat sessions, saying he has always considered a new bridge as the No. 1 Page 4 of 8 City Council Meeting — Special August 5, 2010 priority, followed by the levee wall, and fire station as No. 3. He said the wild card has always been the armory. Mr. Hansen noted an armory has been in the 5 -year CIP since before his arrival. Councilmember Gag spoke of the importance of looking out for the City into the future and that he thought a fire hall would be very important to the City. He said he thought this was an opportunity for future councils to determine what is best for the City. Mayor Harycki agreed that this is not about today; it's about reserving the X on the map for the future, not just a fire hall but perhaps a community center or pool. Councilmember Roush asked about plans for the land next to the Recreation Center, previously thought of as a possible armory site and whether that land could to sold to offset the purchase of the new site in question; Mr. Turnblad said the City is now in possession of the deed for that land. City Attorney Magnuson noted the City has committed that land to the Hockey Association which has expended over $100,000 for the outdoor ice skating rink. It was noted that the agreement with the Hockey Association does provide an option for the City to terminate the agreement; it was estimated that property is valued at about $800,000. Councilmember Roush asked about the skate park; Mr. Magnuson explained the He asked about the possibility of utilizing loan to offset this purchase. possible sale of the City property by the process for disposing of City -owned land. the skate park area property as a bridge Mayor Harycki noted, as Councilmember Polehna pointed out, there is excess property around the site in question that could possibly be sold to offset some of the costs in the future. There was discussion of structure of the bond to allow for early retirement. Councilmember Roush said the possibility of such land sales to offset the purchase of this site is what makes it palatable for him. Councilmember Cook asked why the City doesn't budget over a period of years for a large expenditure. City Administrator Hansen explained the Capital Improvement Process relating to setting aside money for large purchases, however the last few years the City has been under budget constraints, but that the City does try to do what it can to set aside money for capital purchases. He stated that he read a report that if there are not fundamental changes every city in the state could be bankrupt by 2015. He stated that the function of the 5 -year CIP is to budget over a number of years and that the City does it to the extent that they can. Councilmember Cook expressed concern about spending money for the purchase of this site at a time when it is estimated nearly every city in the state could be bankrupt in five years. Page 5 of 8 City Council Meeting — Special August 5, 2010 Councilmember Polehna spoke of the need to look to the future and that this provides options to meet the needs of the residents in the future. There was discussion of the proposed purchase agreement, and it was noted that if the price or any of the terms were to change, the agreement would have to come back to the Council. Councilmember Polehna said he would like to see something included that the National Guard provides the City with a guarantee in writing that this will happen. Councilmember Cook spoke of the need for public input on this matter; Councilmember Gag said he would welcome public input/hearings, but spoke of the difficulty of such a purchase when a City is involved. Councilmember Roush said he was in favor of this primarily because of the fire station issue, and that he is not convinced the National Guard being located here will have positive economic impact on the City, with the exception of the economic advantage of co- locating. Motion by Mayor Harycki, seconded by Councilmember Roush to authorize the City Attorney to present the purchase agreement to the seller. Motion passed 4 -1, with Councilmember Cook voting no. Discussion on sidewalk policy Community Development Director Turnblad reviewed the chronology of discussion and actions on the issue of private use of public sidewalks in the downtown area. He noted that over time, the City has become more restrictive and more specific in its regulations of such use. He said the policy that evolved is that if something is an amenity, such as a bench, rather than a commercial venture that does not interfere with pedestrian use or pose a public safety concern the use was allowed. Mayor Harycki noted the issue is on the agenda because there was an enforcement issue regarding an establishment that was selling merchandise on the public sidewalks; it was noted this was not the first occurrence involving this particular establishment. Mr. Turnblad noted enforcement of non — safety issues are by complaint only, and many times when one complaint is investigated, it leads to other complaints. Mr. Turnblad said staff would continue to administer the current policy if that is what the Council desires. Mayor Harycki noted the IBA is going to try to step up voluntary compliance with the City's policy. Page 6 of 8 City Council Meeting — Special August 5, 2010 Councilmember Polehna said he heard the same thing -- that the Chamber would enforce the sandwich board policy -- but that doesn't seem to be working. Councilmember Cook said she sees a distinction between decorative features outside of some establishments and a flagrant violation such as the one in question. Councilmember Gag suggested enforcing issues related to sandwich boards and benches is not a good use of staff time. Mr. Turnblad said staff would continue the current policy of investigating upon complaint and if the complaint regards an amenity that is not blocking pedestrian use no further action will be taken. Bridge Coalition Mayor Harycki said the effort is continuing at trying to form a coalition of all the governmental entities, chambers, and businesses concerned with the new bridge issue. He said the intent of the coalition is to speak as one public voice on the issue. He said there might be a point at which the City might have to consider expending $1,000 42,000 to get some of the initial legal work done for the coalition. Mayor Harycki said more information might be known for the budget hearings. He noted that National Park Service's solicitor general is meeting with the judge regarding the Section 7 issue, so something should be forthcoming from the judge regarding the lawsuit. Councilmember Polehna suggested that City Administrator Hansen and Public Works Director Sanders should be involved in the coalition discussions. COUNCIL REQUEST ITEMS Councilmember Roush said if the purchase agreement regarding the armory /fire station site goes forward, it is his intention to go forward with proposing a sell -off of the southern portion of property by the Recreation Center to help offset the purchase cost and to relocate the skateboard park. He also said he would debrief the Council on the recent FEMA meeting he attended with Chiefs Glaser and Gannaway. Chief Glaser said the problems with the emergency sirens has been located and fixed. Councilmember Cook asked about the status of the noise issue with the City Hall rooftop mechanicals. City Administrator Hansen said the unit has been wrapped and the decibel levels lowered but not to the level of his expectations. Page 7 of 8 City Council Meeting — Special ADJOURNMENT August 5, 2010 Motion by Councilmember Gag, seconded by Councilmember Rou oved to adjourn at 9:45 a.m. All in favor. ATTEST: Ken Haf cki, Mayor Diane F. Ward, City Clerk Page 8 of 8