HomeMy WebLinkAbout051997 Regular
7:00 p.m. - FORUM
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Date: May 19, 1997
1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Andren called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
Present were: Mayor Andren, Councilmembers Kedrowski, Mader, and Schenck,
City Manager Boyles, Assistant City Manager Tremere, City Attorney Pace,
Attorney Brokl, Attorney Merritt, Planning Director Rye, Planner Kansier,
Finance Director Teschner, Parks and Recreation Director Hokeness and
Recording Secretary Oden. Councilmember Greenfield was absent.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance and
welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Annexation
MOTION BY ANDREN SECOND BY KEDROWSKI TO AMEND THE Spring Lake
AGENDA TO INCLUDE AS THE LAST ITEM UNDER NEW BUSINESS
CONSIDERATION OF THE JOINT RESOLUTION PASSED BY THE SPRING
LAKE TOWNSHIP BOARD AND THREE PARTY AGREEMENT
PROPOSED BY SPRING LAKE, AND THE PROPERTY OWNERS AND
DEFER AGENDA ITEM 8B PINNACLE PARTNERS TO JUNE 16, 1997.
Upon a vote, ayes by Andren, Kedrowski, Mader, and Schenck, the motion
carried.
3. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES
A. Emergency Meeting April 30, 1997
MOTION BY SCHENCK SECOND BY KEDROWSKI TO APPROVE THE
MINUTES OF THE APRIL 30, 1997 EMERGENCY MEETING.
Upon a vote, ayes by Andren, Kedrowski, and Schenck, abstention Mader, the
motion carried.
B. Regular City Council Meeting May 5,1997
MOTION BY KEDROWSKI, SECOND BY SCHENCK TO APPROVE THE
MINUTES OF THE MAY 5, 1997 CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
16200 Eagler6reek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 4Lij7-4245
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Upon a vote, ayes by Andren, Kedrowski, and Schenck, abstention Mader, the
motion carried.
4. CONSENT AGENDA:
A. Consider Approval of Invoices to be Paid.
B. Consider Approval of Treasurer's Report.
C. Consider Approval of Resolution 97-XX Approving Prior Lake Optimist
Premise Permit Renewal for Lawful Gambling.
D. Consider Approval of Fire Call Report for April.
MOTION BY KEDROWSKI, SECOND BY SCHENCK TO APPROVE THE
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS A, B, C, D.
Upon a vote, ayes by Andren, Kedrowski, Mader, and Schenck, the motion
carried.
5. PRESENTATIONS:
A. None.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A.
Public Hearing - Continuation of Board of Review.
Board of Review
Continuation
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The Mayor went on to item 7 A so that the Public Hearings would not take place
until 8:00 p.m. in accordance with the public notice.
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The Mayor called the Public Hearing to order at 8:00 p.m. City Manager Boyles
reviewed the previous Board of Review Public Hearing. He said the assessor has
recommended changes in 32 of 38 properties. If the property owners still have
concerns, they can go to the County board.
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County Assessor Arnoldi said all of the changes were made in the Wilds that were
requested, because increase in values have not occurred. The 1995 assessment of
the Wilds was around 12 million, the 1996 assessment was 22.5 million in market
value. The 1997 assessment, with the reductions, considering the increase in
valuation of the golf course is at 24 million. In the parcels where there was a
recommendation of no change the property owners were recommended to appeal
to the County Board June 16 if they were still in disagreement with the assessor.
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. Councilmember Mader asked Mr. Arnoldi if he'd said that the appreciation had
not occurred and whether he meant depreciation.
. Mr. Arnoldi said yes.
. Councilmember Mader asked what LBT on his report represented.
. Mr. Arnoldi said Land Buildings and Total
. Councilmember Mader said if the price was realistic, if economy improves, the
property values could go back up.
. Mr. Arnoldi said this decrease was for one year.
. Councilmember Mader asked whether since this was one area the County
Assessor would look at it again to recapture tax value if the economy improves.
. Mr. Arnoldi said it would be addressed yearly.
. Councilmember Mader said with the assessment hearing, all the people with big
houses were getting breaks and others weren't, but he was glad of the
recommendation if they were going to look at it yearly.
MOTION BY ANDREN SECOND BY SCHENCK TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC
HEARING.
Upon a vote, ayes by Andren, Kedrowski, Mader, and Schenck, the motion
carried.
MOTION BY KEDROWSKI SECOND BY SCHENCK TO APPROVE THE
COUNTY ASSESSOR'S REPORT.
County
Assessor
Report
Upon a vote, ayes by Andren, Kedrowski, Mader, and Schenck, the motion
carried.
MOTION BY KEDROWSKI SECOND BY SCHECNK TO ACCEPT ALL
OTHER V ALUATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY WHICH PROPERTY
OWNERS DID NOT APPEAL.
Upon a vote, ayes by Andren, Kedrowski, Mader, and Schenck, the motion
carried.
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B. Public Hearing to Consider Approval of Ordinance 97-XX Approving the
Annexation of 230 Acres located in the North 1/2 of Section 12, Spring
Lake Township.
Annexation
. The Public Hearing for items 6B and 6C was deferred to June 2, 1997.
. City Manager Boyles introduced the item. He said the City Council
approved in concept the Annexation Task Force Report, which was
submitted to Township with a request that they conduct public
informational meetings and convey their position to the City. As a
separate but related action, property owners of the 230 acre and 31.25 acre
parcels using a different methodology for annexation which is provided for
under Minnesota Statutes, submitted a petition to the City Council
requesting to be annexed by ordinance. Therefore, the City must provide a
30 day notice to the general public to conduct a public hearing to consider
an ordinance which may result in annexation.
. After the annexation petition was received, notice put in the paper, and a
public hearing scheduled, there were a number of meetings involving
Township Board, residents and property owners. As a result of these
meetings, the township board adopted a resolution authorizing annexation
of the property and asked the Prior Lake City Council to adopt the same
resolution and continue the Public Hearing until June 2 to afford them the
opportunity to better prepare if the Public Hearing occurs.
. The Joint Resolution, if approved by the City Council, would approve the
annexation of the property through the Minnesota Municipal Board's 30
day review and comment process. If the Minnesota Municipal Board finds
everything to be in order, then the annexation would take place and the
method by ordinance would not have any standing. Consequently, it is
recommended that the Public Hearings be continued until June 2nd, at the
request of both the petitioner and the Township Board. The Joint
Resolution approving annexation has been added at the end of the agenda.
MOTION BY ANDREN SECOND BY KEDROWSKI TO CONTINUE
THE PUBLIC HEARING TO JUNE 2ND 1997.
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Councilmember Mader asked whether that means there would be no
decision on annexation this evening.
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Mayor Andren said no.
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. Councilmember Mader said no it does not mean that or no there would not
be.
. Mayor Andren said it does not mean that.
. Councilmember Mader said he was confused. He said if the Council
makes a decision to annex tonight and then continue the Public Hearing to
talk about annexation, what is he missing here?
. City Attorney Pace said the Public Hearing would be canceled if
alternative means of annexation were adopted by the Council, which is
what is on the agenda later to do it by Joint Resolution as opposed to by
ordinance.
Upon a vote, ayes by Andren, Kedrowski, Mader, and Schenck, the motion
carried.
C. Pubic Hearing to Consider Approval of Ordinance 97-XX Approving the Annexation
Annexation of 31.25 Acres located in the NE 1/4 of Section 12, Spring
Lake Township.
. Item 6B and 6C as a Public Hearing item were continued to June 2, 1997.
7. OLD BUSINESS:
A.
Consider Approval of Abbreviated Developers Agreement with
Frauenshuhfor Park Nicollet Clinic.
Frauenshuh Par
Nicollet Clinic
. City Manager Boyles introduced the item. He said the Council discussed at the
May 5 meeting the short form developers agreement between the City and
HealthSystems Minnesota. The issues of the soil contamination would not be an
issue until time of platting and is excluded from the agreement. The road issue
will be clarified by the Torrens process and is therefore also excluded from the
agenda.
MOTION BY KEDROWSKI SECOND BY SCHENCK TO ADOPT THE
DEVELOPERS AGREEMENT WITH HEALTHSYSTEMS MINNESOTA FOR
THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARK NICOLLET CLINIC.
Healthsystems
Minnesota
.
Councilmember Mader asked about road being open or closed, whether it is part
of the total issue.
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City Attorney Pace said it is not. The issue has been disconnected because the
property where Health Systems is building the clinic is subject to a Torrens
proceeding. In terms of the legal issue, development of the clinic site is two
separate issues. There is a judicial process underway where the City has been
named a party. She said the access will remain open in order to avoid any kind of
injunction. All parties will go through the Torrens proceeding. The court will
decide who owns property.
Councilmember Mader clarified that it does not conflict with actions on the
developers agreement. He asked with regard to contamination, if it is on the Park
Nicollet property because of leakage from EZ Stop.
City Attorney Pace said they will be required to clean up any contamination when
they put in utilities. There is a remote chance of contamination.
Councilmember Mader said there is a reference that HealthSystems Minnesota is
aware that the City would recommend against such provisions, which would give
them a waiver. He asked if the City had now changed its position on that.
City Attorney Pace said as originally drafted, the agreement included no language
on indemnification because they believed the issue was remote in time and not
germane to the preliminary agreement. At insistence of the attorneys representing
Health Systems Minnesota, the agreement that was presented to the Council
include that language. Although indemnification in the agreement is for the
Council to decide, it is the City Attorney's and the staff s recommendation against
including such language.
Councilmember Mader said so the action this evening is mute on the point of
liability for contamination.
City Attorney Pace said the agreement does not address issue of contamination.
Councilmember Mader asked whether when property is dedicated to the City, then
the City will be in a position to take action against EZ stop or negotiate with
Health Systems Minnesota for a waiver. He asked if there could be a situation
where the City would inherit the contamination problem without recourse. He
said he is looking for an assurance that the problem which is not on City property
does not put the City in a position that will create unlimited liability.
City Attorney Pace said that would not happen.
Councilmember Mader said he was comfortable with the agreement, then.
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. Mayor Andren called the question.
Upon a vote, ayes by Andren, Kedrowski, Mader, and Schenck, the motion
carried.
8.
NEW BUSINESS:
1998-2002 CIP,
Resolution 97-41
A. Consider Approval of Adoption of 1998-2002 Capital Improvement
Program (CIP) and Approval of Resolution 97-41 Authorizing Fund
Transfers to Establish Revolving Equipment Fund.
. City Manager Boyles introduced the item. He said the staff could give a
complete report on both items or a cursory report to the Council. He said
there were two items, one a motion and second to approve the CIP as
proposed or with amendments, and two, to adopt Resolution 97-41 which
would approve the establishment of an equipment revolving fund to
finance the City's over the road vehicular needs in the future.
MOTION BY KEDROWSKI SECOND BY SCHENCK TO ADOPT
THE 1998-2002 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
. Councilmember Mader asked if that included the equipment fund.
. Councilmember Kedrowski said that was the second item.
Upon a vote, ayes by Andren, Kedrowski, Mader, and Schenck, the motion
carried.
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Mayor Andren said the Council discussed the revolving equipment fund at
the workshop, but if Finance Director Teschner would give an abbreviated
presentation, those that were not in attendance at the workshop may
appreciate it.
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Finance Director Teschner presented the advantages of the equipment
matrix, which provides a regular replacement schedule, and the revolving
fund would be established as the funding mechanism. It provides a long
term replacement program which would be a permanent fixture. Staff has
proposed five financing sources for the equipment fund. Presently there is
$302,000 in a supplementary equipment fund. There is a 1996 surplus of
$250,000 to be allocated to the revolving fund. He is proposing a $200,000
general fund appropriation as well. A contribution of $250,000 sewer and
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51997.DOC
water fund would be needed. He said the City would need a supplemental
tax levy of $10,000 per year for next 12 years to continue to finance the
fund. He said this establishes a regular replacement schedule, reduction
on equipment maintenance costs, increased operational efficiency and
safety, and eliminates interest dollars spend on equipment certificate
financing. Currently the equipment trade-in value is worthless on most
equipment, because it is beyond its useful life. A positive community
image is another advantage. From a taxpayer standpoint, the City was
spending about $120,000 in interest dollars, which would be saved and put
back into the equipment fund. There would be reduced liability exposure
from outdated equipment. He gave the example of a box on a truck where
hinges were rusted, and it became detached from the truck. He showed
the equipment matrix.
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Councilmember Mader asked about the Equipment Certificate Financing.
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Finance Director Teschner said they had issued about $900,000 in
equipment certificates in the last 4-5 years. He said the certificates were
debt instruments. The City would issue bonds over a maximum of a 5
year period. The practice has been to issue debt over a four year period ,
and the City must pay interest on it. He said on $900,000 over last 5
years, the City is spending $1,020,000 to finance those pieces of
equipment. He said this would eliminate the debt financing and substitute
a revolving equipment fund.
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Councilmember Mader asked about the $308,000 in a building fund.
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Finance Director Teschner said it was in the equipment fund right now.
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Councilmember Mader said when he first became involved with the
Council, he asked about the equipment certificate, and he was given an
aggressive endorsement of the certificates. He said what has changed now
so that is no longer a good method.
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Finance Director Teschner said this method eliminates the interest
associated with a debt instrument.
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Councilmember Mader said a year ago, he was told equipment certificates
leveled out payments. Has something changed so it is not a good method.
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Finance Director Teschner said it is still a good method and levels out
debt. He said it is a timing thing, and the City would need to wait about
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51997.DOC
every 4 years to go into market to finance equipment needs. The City has
outgrown the stage when equipment certificates provide sufficient capital
to provide needed equipment.
. City Manager Boyles said the City is trying to look at the financing needs
in the future. He said of the 28 present pieces of Park Maintenance
equipment, 13 or almost 50% are past their replacement date. Public
Works equipment is similarly beyond its useful life span.
Resolution 97-4
MOTION BY SCHENCK SECOND BY KEDROWSKI TO APPROVE
RESOLUTION 97-41 AUTHORIZING FUND TRANSFERS TO
ESTABLISH A REVOLVING EQUIPMENT FUND.
Upon a vote, ayes by Andren, Kedrowski, Mader, and Schenck, the motion
carried.
B. Consider Resolution 97-XX Denying an Appeal by Pinnacle Partners of
the Planning Commission Denial of Variances to the Setback from the
Ordinary High Water Level (OHW), the Setback from the Top of a Bluff,
and Variance to Allow Construction within the Bluff Impact Zone for
Property Located at 15408 Red Oaks Road.
This item was deferred at the request of the petitioner to the June 16, 1997
City Council meeting.
Pinnacle Partners
C. Consider Approval of Resolution 97-42 Approving the Final Plat and Res 97-42-
Developer's Contract for Windstar Addition. Win ds tar
Addition
MOTION BY KEDROWSKI, SECOND BY SCHENCK TO APPROVE
RESOLUTION 97-42 APPROVING THE FINAL PLAT AND
DEVELOPER'S CONTRACT FOR WINDSTAR ADDITION.
Upon a vote, ayes by Andren, Kedrowski, Mader, and Schenck, the motion
carried.
D.
Consideration of the Joint Resolution Passed by the Spring Lake
Township Board and Three Party Agreement Proposed by Spring Lake
Township.
MAYOR ANDREN: The next item of business will be the item that we amended the
agenda for, and that is to consider the joint resolution 97XX and the three party
agreement regarding annexation.
Joint
Resolution
Spring Lake
Township
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51997.DOC
CITY MANAGER BOYLES: Mayor and members of the City Council, you are
correct. The item that is before you is actually four distinct and separate actions.
In the first place, you received the report from the Annexation Subcommittee
which indicated that the subject 260 acres should indeed be annexed to the City of
Prior Lake. That was one of two immediate recommendations. The other
immediate recommendation was the old Dunn parcel. The report also provides
financial information. I've tried to communicate that information based upon a
school or no school scenario. It seems to me that the first question is do you wish
to continue with the annexation of the 260 acres as was recommended by the
Annexation Task Force. If the answer to that question is yes, then the second
question is how to go about doing that. You have in your packet before you a
joint resolution. That resolution has been adopted by the Township Board at their
May 15 meeting, and that resolution would be the resolution that the City Council
would enter into should they decide to annex the parcel by the joint resolution
process as opposed to the ordinance process. The benefits of annexing the
property through the joint resolution process, is that all parties basically agree,
passively or actively in the process. And, accordingly, the Minnesota Municipal
Board only goes through the review and comment process which is generally a 30
day process. This is certainly faster than the ordinance process which could
require as much as a year. So, that is the second issue before you.
If you do choose to annex by joint resolution, then it would be appropriate, since
you've already continued the public hearing to June 2nd, it would be appropriate
for the Council to direct the staff to prepare the amendments in the
Comprehensive Plan which would effectuate this annexation and incorporate the
property within the City's MUSA boundaries in order that some of the extensions
can take place expeditiously. Those are the three actions before the Council. I
would be glad to explain those more thoroughly should you desire. And, by the
way, we did hand out a new agreement that should be before each of you. The
agreement is very similar to the previous agreement, but I think it provides for
some additional clarifications of some of the issues.
MAYOR ANDREN:
OK. Thank you. Councilmember Mader..?
COUNCILMEMBER MADER: Pardon?
MAYOR ANDREN: Councilmember Mader, do you have any comments or
questions?
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COUNCILMEMBERMADER: Yes I do. To me, I guess, annexation, it can be
a very emotional issue and a very divisive issue in a community, and I don't think
that its likely to think of annexation as a win win situation in terms of everybody
getting exactly what they want. But hopefully, whatever is done benefits the
majority of people and hopefully not at a high expense to others. There are some
critical annexation issues, at least from my perspective, and that has to do with
what's the financial implications both to those who are doing the annexing and
those being annexed. And, then also, what are the benefits to those who are being
annexed and those who are doing the annexing? And, while I'm not opposed to
this annexation, I'm not going to support it this evening in terms of a decision,
because there's a couple critical issues that at least in my mind haven't been
answered, particularly as it relates to financial. I believe City Manager mentioned
that the annexation report that was submitted to the Council was in February. I
think it was actually at the April 7th meeting that we received that report and then
sent it on to Spring Lake Township. And, that was an activity that had been
worked on and studied and debated and discussed, certainly lots of information in
the paper. Some public meetings, some less than public meetings, but a fairly
considerable time went in that. And when we received that report, there was a
financial analysis included directed to the City Council that basically said here's
going to be the benefits of annexation for the City of Prior Lake. In that analysis,
it indicated the assumption that that annexed area would have 700 homes, that that
was being used for the basis of the calculations, and I had some difficulty with
that and questioned that considerably because the total parcel is 260 to 270 acres.
As I understand it, there will be a 60 acre commercial and industrial development.
There is I believe about 40 acres of wetlands, and there is a potential for another
100 acres for a high school. So, when I did the mathematics, to me, that came out
to about 80 acres available for housing, and it is a little difficult for me to
understand 700 homes on 80 acres and to use the 700 homes as a basis for revenue
calculations. That discussion went on for some period of time, and I was assured
several times that, the 700 was a good number and that in fact without a high
school, it could be 900 homes, and that the lowest case scenario would be 500
homes with a high school. And so that an average of 700 was considered to be
conservative. I have to say I still had a problem with that, but that was the data. It
was also indicated in that analysis that during the first five years at least there
would be no tax revenue from the commercial and industrial development, and the
implication therefore that that would be totally supported with TIP funds. And
while I also am not unilaterally opposed to TIF financing, I think there has been
enough press both, well particularly at the state legislature, and so forth, as to how
these TIF programs don't always turn out to benefit the taxpayers as they are
supposed to. Now, that was April 7th.
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April 23rd, I went to the Spring Lake Township Public hearing to hear what was
going to be said there about this development, and here's what I heard. There
would be 28 single family homes built. That compares to 700 homes being used
for our analysis in Prior Lake. The representative for the developer indicated
there would be about 100,000 square feet of commercial and industrial, and that if
single family homes were deleted altogether, there might be as few as 200 and
certainly less than 400 homes. And he went on to say to the Spring Lake
Township people that they should clearly understand that there is no real
significant tax windfall or tax benefit. Now, all of this is a matter of public record.
And it was very frustrating to me that in Prior Lake what I was hearing is a very,
very optimistic of a large number of the type of tax benefit this would contribute
to the City. In Spring Lake Township, I am hearing exactly the opposite, and
incidentally, there were some of the same people at both meetings. And it left me
clearly with a problem of which of this data is valid? How do you make a decision
on something as critical and emotional as annexation when you are getting
numbers as different as the ones I have mentioned. I am not convinced that TIF
should be used to subsidize industrial development for what is basically virgin
property. We don't have to worry about blight. I don't think we are an area that is
grossly underemployed. It's property that's not even in the City at the present
time. To make our decision on the implications that as soon as that's annexed into
the City, we'll begin to spend taxpayer dollars to underwrite it with some sort of
hope and promise that it will come back in the future, but no definition of how
much that is, I frankly just can't support it. Now again, I'm not suggesting that I
think the annexation of this area is a bad idea, but I can not support it when I don't
understand what the real facts are."
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MAYOR ANDREN: Are those your comments, Councilmember Mader?
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COUNCILMEMBER MADER: Yes.
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MAYOR ANDREN: Councilmember Kedrowski?
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COUNCILMEMBER KEDROWSKI: In looking over the issue, I served on
the Annexation Task Force, so I have been all the way through the process. At our
meetings, we had the input of the township board supervisors. We have had some
input of this Council. I have heard nothing negative from the Citizens of Prior
Lake and those who live in Prior Lake. All I have heard is positive
encouragement, that this is something long overdue, that we should have
considered a long time ago. The only thing I have heard is that they appreciate
the fact that from our perspective, especially when the report was released, that
this is to be somewhat of a cooperative effort, that we weren't going to try to
shove it down somebody's throat and take the entire township, or anything like
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that. This was to be incremented, we were to go out there and sell this proposal
and with the property owners in this area here, it is 100% cooperation. Every
property owner we are considering tonight wants to be annexed and has agreed to
the proposition, and the Township Board has voted to approve the joint resolution.
As far as the annexation in terms of financial analysis one way or the other,
everything we talked about tonight is just projections. Any discussion in terms of
firm data or firm analysis on what is going to happen in this area in the future are
just projections. And, I mean, we could talk about this all night until the cows
come home, and assume that this area is going to develop one way or the other.
There will probably be developed a 60 acre industrial park. Whether they use tax
increment or not, that had not been brought up. That has not been an issue before
this Council. It will go to the EDA first, and it will come back to the Council. At
that time, they can petition us for that privilege. And with the history of Prior
Lake City Council and its use of tax increment in the past has been extremely
fiscally conservative in its approach and its manner. I don't believe the City's ever
gone out and built speculation buildings or speculated in terms of risky business
ventures. Everything that we have done has been fairly prudent and responsible.
We try to facilitate development, not to create it. And as far as the rest of the
property is concerned, whether or not it goes to the School District or not is a
moot point. These are private landowners, and they have the right to settle with a
School District if they choose to or not. That is their issue and that is their right to
do that. As far as the rest of the land in terms of development, whether it is single
family development or R-l, R-2, R-4, it really doesn't matter. Again, the property
owner has to present the Council with a plan or a plat of some type of
development. In this case, we are looking at virgin land as proposed and it is an
opportunity for a decision of whether to add substantial potential tax base at a
minimal cost to the City. I guess it is a taxpayer savings. We have willing
participants here, willing to come in on their own and a township that has agreed
to allow them to come in. I think we have no option but to support this
annexation.
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MAYOR ANDREN:
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Councilmember Schenck?
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COUNCILMEMBER SCHENCK: I think it first needs to be recognized that we
are responding to a petition. The petition is 100% supported. Second of all, the
facts and figures, everything presented to us is pure concept. That is what we need
to recognize, but first and foremost, we are responding to a petition.
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MAYOR ANDREN:
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The chair is in want of a motion.
COUNCILMEMBER KEDROWSKI: Madam Mayor
MAYOR ANDREN: Let's go down the line. Does the City of Prior Lake wish to
annex this parcel of land?
COUNCILMEMBER KEDROWSKI: I believe that we should annex this area
as presented in the annexation report. What area is this called?
CITY MANAGER BOYLES: Area 2.
COUNCILMEMBER KEDROWSKI: Area 2.
COUNCILMEMBER SCHENCK: If that is a motion, I'll second that.
MAYOR ANDREN: Motion is by Councilmember Kedrowski, second is by
Councilmember Schenck. Is there further discussion? I'll call the question.
COUNCILMEMBER MADER: Yes further discussion, please. Just a couple
brief points. I have heard the comment that those who own the property would
like to be annexed, and I understand that, since most of it's owned by a developer
who is going to have it developed, that makes sense and I have no criticism of
that, but I am not sure that that's meaningful criteria, because that property is part
of Spring Lake Township, and the perception I have had is that the vast majority
of people in Spring Lake Township are not in favor of allowing a part of their
community to be annexed. If I can draw an analogy, if we suddenly all heard
tomorrow that the Priordale mall area, the two or three owners of that area, were
prepared to sell it to the Dakota Community for expanding their operations, I
don't think anyone would be up here saying "Oh, they have the right to do that
and it's none of the rest of our business." The perception I have, and I would be
glad to have this corrected, but the perception I've had is that the vast majority of
people in Spring Lake Township do not want to have that parcel annexed into
Prior Lake, and I think they should have consideration. Secondly, and again,
please don't interpret that to mean that I am opposed to annexation, but that is
another issue. Secondly, with regard to reference of the school and that sort of
thing, I hope it will not be interpreted that I am opposed to a school up there.
What I am opposed to is the idea of proceeding with an annexation using some
financial data that I can't find is on solid ground, and to move along with a project
that implies, I've heard reference that there has been no discussion about TIP for
this at the City Council meeting. But as a matter of fact the report that was
prepared with a financial statement clearly spells out that TIF financing will be
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51997.DOC
utilized and at least five years into the program the City of Prior Lake will receive
basically no benefit because of that TIP financing. So, I don't want to leave the
impression that I have closed my mind on annexation, but based on what I've
seen, I can't in good conscience vote for it. That's all I have. Thank you.
MAYOR ANDREN: With all due regard to our neighbors in Spring Lake who
we certainly do respect as neighbors, our job at the Prior Lake City Council
meeting is to represent the best interests of the City of Prior Lake. The people that
live within the corporate limits and the people that pay taxes in their community. I
understand that there are a number of people in Spring Lake that don't wish their
portion to be annexed. But I think that this portion of land does meet a lot of goals
and objectives that the community of Prior Lake has told us that they wanted.
When this was first brought forward, it came forward in concept form. It met a
number of Prior Lake objectives. The first was that it met the Liveable
Communities objective. We are mandated by the Met Council to provide
affordable housing, and that was one of the components of the concept that was
brought in. The second item that it did was that Prior Lake has made a promise to
its residents to encourage, and in fact I believe it is in our mission statement and
it's also in our City Council goals and objectives, we have made a promise to the
people of the community that we will have robust business growth and we will
encourage business and industry to locate within our community. Now, years ago,
when we started doing this, the people of Prior Lake were told that the benefits of
this may not come to you tomorrow morning, but there will be benefits. It also
meets that goal. One of the other goals it meets, having a school site is between
the school and the business owners. The school site needs to have sewer and
water. We do not extend sewer and water without the purchase of the property
being within the City of Prior Lake. Now, that school is going to be for many
people in the area. It is not just for the residents of Prior Lake, so should the
School District choose to purchase and should the developer choose to sell to
them. It is going to be a benefit for all of us, Prior Lake will be providing sewer
and water to that, and we do not provide sewer and water without it being in the
corporate limits in Prior Lake.
Other things that should be looked to is that all of the financial statements on here
are generally all in concept. Our Finance Director is a wonderful person, and he is
extremely good, but he can't look fifteen years into the future either. He gives us
the benefit of his expertise from the many years of experience that he has. What I
recommend is that down the road the City of Prior Lake will have a very high
commercial valuation, and the impact in additional taxes with or without a school
is within the range of $250-$300,000 per year. That does come to Prior Lake and
it does offset costs. As far as TIF is concerned, that is determined by a Public
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Hearing. Prior Lake has very little property in TIF. I think we are supposed to be
at 2% by County policy and we are really quite below that. We have been very
prudent in the use of TIF because we do know how it affects the School District
and the County. But with TIF, a lot of people don't understand that this is a
development tool, and what it is is delayed gratification. That is the best term I
can use for it. What happens is if the City Council chose to annex this property,
the land that would possibly become commercial, we would receive all of the
current value in taxes from that land. The only thing we would not receive is the
increased value of buildings that go on that property. That money will be taken
and put back to support the infrastructure and things that are needed for that, so
that down the line, 10 years or whatever the terms of the TIF is, all of it goes back
on the tax roll. So people aren't losing something they had to begin with. If you
are getting a tax valuation of $1 ,000 and a building went on it for $500, it is the
$500 that would be used to promote and generate more infrastructure and more
business who seek to locate in Prior Lake. We do not lose the $1,000. If
annexation doesn't go through, we haven't lost anything to begin with, because
zero from zero is zero. We don't have the land, the people of Prior Lake have lost
nothing. But down the road they are going to get a considerable amount of money.
I do support the annexation. I do support the joint agreement. I do support the
three party agreement. So, with that, the chair is in want of a motion regarding...
.
COUNCILMEMBER MADER: Madam Mayor, Madam Mayor?
.
MAYOR ANDREN: I am sorry, the chair is in want of a motion.
.
COUNCILMEMBER KEDROWSKI: We already made a motion and the
question was called.
.
MAYOR ANDREN: I now call the question. All in favor say...
.
COUNCILMEMBER MADER: Further discussion?
.
MAYOR ANDREN: All in favor say aye.
.
Ayes by Andren, Kedrowski, and Schenck.
.
MAYOR ANDREN: Opposed?
.
COUNCILMEMBER MADER: No further discussion allowed?
.
MAYOR ANDREN: I'm sorry. I called the question. Councilmember, you had
two opportunities.
51997.DOC
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51997.DOC
FROM AUDIENCE: Point of order.
MAYOR ANDREN: I am sorry, this is not a public hearing. How do you vote,
Councilmember Mader?
COUNCILMEMBER MADER: I vote nay.
MAYOR ANDREN: Three ayes, one nay, Councilmember Mader. The chair is
in want of additional motion.
COUNCILMEMBER KEDROWSKI: I'll move we accept the joint resolution
as forwarded by staff between the City of Prior Lake and Spring Lake Township,
and Deerfield Development
MAYOR ANDREN: The motion is by Councilmember Kedrowski,
COUNCILMEMBER SCHENCK: I'll second it.
MAYOR ANDREN: Second Schenck. Further discussion? All those in favor, say
aye.
Ayes by Andren, Kedrowski, Schenck.
MAYOR ANDREN: All those opposed say nay...Did you vote nay,
Councilmember?
COUNCILMEMBER MADER: Nay. I would have liked to have said
something, Mayor, but since you so quickly went to the vote after you said
discussion, I guess it's pointless.
MAYOR ANDREN: Councilmember, you have had ample time to discuss this.
All of us have.
COUNCILMEMBER KEDROWSKI: I'd like to move we direct staff to
prepare an amendment to the comprehensive plan to move the City Boundaries to
include this area
MAYOR ANDREN: The motion is by Councilmember Kedrowski, second by
COUNCILMEMBER SCHENCK: I second it.
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51997.DOC
MAYOR ANDREN: All those in favor say aye.
ayes by Andren, Kedrowski, and Schenck.
MAYOR ANDREN: All those opposed say nay.
COUNCILMEMBER MADER: Nay.
MAYOR ANDREN: One nay, Mader.
CITY ATTORNEY: You need a motion to authorize execution of the third party
agreement.
MAYOR ANDREN: The chair will entertain a motion to authorize the execution
of the third party agreement.
COUNCILMEMBER KEDROWSKI: I'll move such a motion.
MAYOR ANDREN: The motion is by Councilmember Kedrowski.
COUNCILMEMBER SCHENCK: I'll second it.
MAYOR ANDREN: Second by Councilmember Schenck. Further discussion?
All in favor say aye.
Ayes by Andren, Kedrowski, and Schenck.
MAYOR ANDREN : All those opposed say nay.
COUNCILMEMBER MADER: Nay.
MAYOR ANDREN: The ayes have it. One nay, Councilmember Mader. Is there
anything further? One of the things that the attorney has told me is that in light of
the fact that the Spring Lake Township Board and the City of Prior Lake have
entered into these agreements, this can go straight to the Municipal Board. We
could continue the hearing but basically its a moot point since we have agreed.
So what we could do is move the reconsideration of the Public Hearing.
COUNCILMEMBER KEDROWSKI: I'll move for reconsideration.
MAYOR ANDREN: OK the motion to reconsider is made by Councilmember
Kedrowski.
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. COUNCILMEMBER SCHENCK: second.
. MAYOR ANDREN: Second is by Councilmember Schenck.
. SPECIAL COUNSEL TERRY MERRIT: Mayor and members of the Council,
I suggest for the benefit of the propertyowners that the Council delay dealing with
the reconsideration. The continuance should be honored until the June 2nd
meeting.
. COUNCILMEMBER KEDROWSKI: I withdraw the motion.
. COUNCILMEMBER SCHENCK: I withdraw the second.
. MAYOR ANDREN: It will be on the agenda June 2nd as a continued public
hearing.
1.
OTHER BUSINESS: There was no other business.
Sally Schmidt resign
2. ANNOUNCEMENTS/CORRESPONDENCE:
. City Manager Boyles reviewed the update. He said Sally Schmidt resigned the
EDA.. He mentioned a City web page could be considered.
. Councilmember Schenck said he was concerned with lot surveys required for
deck replacement.
. City Manager Boyles said the resolution provides that once in Shoreland District
or flood zone, a resident does need a survey. Otherwise, residents may document
their lot corners and setbacks in the field. The concern is the cost of the survey.
This is a common concern.
MOTION BY KEDROWSKI, SECOND BY SCHENCK TO DIRECT STAFF
TO SEE IF THERE IS A MORE EFFECTIVE WAY TO ACCOMPLISH THE
CITY'S POLICY ON DECK REPLACEMENT WITHOUT REQUIRING A
SURVEY.
Upon a vote, ayes by Andren, Kedrowski, Mader, and Schenck, the motion
carried.
YMCA grants
.
Councilmember Mader said he received something about grants to the YMCA and
asked if anyone knew about it.
51997.DOC
19
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Councilmember Kedrowski said Bumsville was soliciting contributions to make
the YMCA a regional south of the river project.
.
Councilmember Mader said he received a letter regarding incorporation of Spring
Lake Township.
.
Councilmember Schenck said he received the letter and it was from Ernie
Peacock.
.
City Attorney Pace said the City had not received anything.
3.
ADJOURNMENT
51997.DOC
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