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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7A Westwood Elem. Imp Project AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: SUBJECT: DATE: INTRODUCTION: DISCUSSION: STAFF AGENDA REPORT ;~NK BOYLES, CITY MANAGE~l \ CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RESOLUTIO 96-62 WAIVING PARK SUPPORT FEES FOR INDEPEN~ SCHOOL DISTRICT #719 FOR THE WESTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. JUNE 3,1996 At its April 1, 1996 meeting the City Council heard a request by School Board Chairperson Renee Clark and School Board Member Mike Autenriech to waive a portion of the approximately $27,000 in building permit related fees associated with this Improvement Project. This agenda item addresses that request. Subsequent to the school district's request, a special joint meeting was conducted between the City Councils of Savage and Prior Lake, together with the school board. While researching this request we learned that: 1. Virtually all cities in the metropolitan area charge public schools, parochial schools, churches and the like, fees to pay for the cost of infrastructure improvements. 2. The only fee waived by some cities is the Park Dedication or support fee. 3. Savage's fees are very similar to Prior Lake's in type and amount. 4. Savage has charged all fees to the Burnsville School District and intends to do the same with the Prior Lake District, with the possible exception of Park Support. During the course of that meeting the City Council discussed the fact that all fees charged are based upon the impact which new buildings have upon the city's cost for developing infrastructure to serve the city at "build-out." The only means of collecting these costs is through individual building permits to all parties, whether publicly or privately funded. At the meeting individual councilmembers discussed the possibility of waiving the $3,400 Park Support Fee for this project. The waiver is AG60603A.DOC 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER specific to this project because each request should be evaluated on a case by case basis because to assess the level of impact on the city's park system. I have drafted a resolution for the Council's consideration which would waive the Park Support Fee for this project because Westwood School does provide park amenities which are available for use to the entire community. At the joint meeting, school board members expressed support for the City Council's proposed Park Support Fee waiver. I have heard nothing since the meeting which suggests a school district change in position. I expect one or more school board members to be present at the Council meeting. ISSUES: The waiver of any fee, including the Park Support Fee, diminishes the resources available to the city to construct the streets, sewer, water, storm sewer and park infrastructure required to meet our needs at build-out. This is particularly true of the Park Support Fee which typically has been insufficient to build the new parks and playfields the community's population requires. To the extent that the school district maintains the same quantity and quality of park land associated with Westwood School, including day to day maintenance, and allows the general public to use such facilities after typical school hours it would be appropriate to waive the $3,400 Park Support Fee for this particular project. ALTERNATIVES: The Council has the following alternatives: 1. Adopt Resolution 96-62 authorizing the waiver of Park Support Fees in the amount of $3,400 for the Westwood Improvement Project. 2. Adopt an amended resolution. 3. Take no action. RECOMMENDATION: Alternative #1. The school board has indicated support for the proposed action. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The Capital Parks Fund will receive $3,400 less than it would without the waiver. ACTION REQUIRED: Motion and second to adopt Resolution 96-62. Attachment AG60603A.DOC "'T'. MOTION BY: WHEREAS, WHEREAS, WHEREAS, WHEREAS, WHEREAS, WHEREAS, WHEREAS, WHEREAS, RESOLUTION 96-62 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PARTIAL FEE WAIVER FOR ESTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT SECOND BY: Independent School District 719 has undertaken an Improvement Project which will add additional square footage to Westwood Elementary School; and said project will increase the student capacity of the school; and the City of Prior Lake, consistent with its previous practices, City Ordinances and State Statutes, would typically charge $3,400 for Park Support Fees in conjunction with this project; and the Westwood Elementary School site contains two ball fields and four hard surface court areas including play equipment and substantial acreage dedicated to park purposes as shown on the 1996 Westwood Improvement Project Plans; and the School District has and will regularly maintain this area including play equipment, facilities and open fields; and the area is available for use by the general public during non-school hours; and the School District and City wish to cooperate with one another in an effort to further education, provide for infrastructure needed by the City at buildout and provide needed park and recreational facilities; and the City and school board have conducted two joint meetings for the purpose of discussing the school board's request for a fee waiver. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA, that it hereby waives the $3,400 Park Support Fee for the Westwood School Improvement Project because of the park land and amenities currently provided at the school as shown on the 1996 Improvement Plans with the explicit understanding that the School District will continue to maintain this amount of land and amenities in perpetuity which will continue to be available for use by the general public outside of the normal school day. RES9662.DOC 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Passed and adopted this 3rd day of June, 1996. Andren Greenfield Kedrowski Mader Schenck { Seal} RES9662.DOC YES Andren Greenfield Kedrowski Mader Schenck NO City Manager City of Prior Lake