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HomeMy WebLinkAbout082007 MinutesCity Council Meeting Minutes August 20, 2007 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Present were Mayor Haugen , Council ors Erickson, Hedberg, LeMair and Millar , City Manager Boyles, City Attorney Pace , Economic Development Director Snook, Public Works Dir ector/City Engineer Albrecht, A s- sis tant City Engineer Poppler , Civil Engineer Thongvanh , Parks and Fleet Supervisor Friedges , Planning Director Kansier, Communications Coordinator Peterson and Administrative As si s tant Green. PUBLIC FORUM The Public Forum is intended to afford the publi c an opportunity to address concerns to the City Council. The Public Forum will be no longer than 30 minutes in length. Speakers receive a m aximum of ten minutes; less if there are more than three speakers. Topics of di scussion are restricted to City gove rnmental to p ics rather than private or political agendas. Topics on the agenda may be addressed except those to p ics that are part of a public hearing or public information hearing. The City Council will not take formal a c tion on Public Forum presentation s. City Manager Boyles explained the concept of the public forum. Joe L eh r er approached the Council stating he is a d eveloper in Deerfield with property that is zoned I - 1 (i n dustrial) . Stated a company is interested in using one of the sites for a mini - storage business. Asked if the Council would support a l lowing such a use with a live - in manager. Kansier: Noted such use of the property would require an amendment to the text of the zoning requir e- ment s that do not cu r rently allow a residential use i n industrial zoning. LeMair : A sked if a purchase agreement could be written contingent upon the Council approving an amendment to the zoning ordinance. Believes mini - storage would be an ap propriate use for this area and considers it may be better to hav e a 24 - hour employee presence. Kansier: Replied that a basic difference between a 24 - hour business and residential is the type of activity that occurs. Noted that it would be a policy decision. Stated that m ini - storage is pe r mitted in the district , but that it is the residential use that is holding up the pro c ess. LeMair : Stated he is open to looking at the pros and cons. Hedberg : Asked if a P lanned Unit Development would be applicable in an I - 1 zone. Kansier: Replied this site is not large enough fo r a PUD and that it w ould be hard to prove benefit to the City. Believes it is m ore a p propriate to amend the ordinance. Hedberg: Stated he is open to exploring the implications based on this suggestion. Millar: Concurred he is willing to look at it and his d ecision would be based on the plan. Erickson: Asked if it would be an employee or the owner of the business that would be li v ing there. L ehrer : Replied it would be an employee and that typically no children were at such sites. Erickson: Stated he would look at it and hold questions until the plan is brought forth. Haugen: Noted that the C ouncil will not take action at this time, but has indicated willingness to look at the plan and review the ordinance. L ehrer : Commented that this kind of busines s would generate the least amount of activity for this kind of zoning. Stated it would be a c lean looking facility and have established hours of operation. Asked if an ordinance amen d ment would apply city - wide or just to this site. LeMair : Asked what kind of residential unit is planned. L ehrer : Replied it typically would be a couple similar to a Super 8 Motel with a live - in manager. 1 City Council Meeting Minutes August 20, 2007 Kansier : Stated that a 24 - hour business is permissible now, but not the residential use and that would r e- quire an ame ndment to the text. The amend ment would apply to all industrial districts, not just this lot or area so the amendment w ould have to be appropriate for all industrial di s tricts. Haugen: Clarified that if approved, such an amendment would open all I - 1 zoni ng for residential u s age. Kansier: Replied it could be written to limit to mini - storage usage and t hen it would apply to all mini - storage in industrial zones. L ehrer : Asked if the area could be reclassified Kansier: Replied it could not be administra tively approve d . Both a zoning amendment and a reclassific a- tion of zoning area would require a public pro c ess. Haugen: A cknowledge d the value of going through the process. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Millar: Requested that consideration of placement of previo us mayor ’s ph o tos in city hall be added to the agenda. Haugen: Requested addition of a report regarding a level 3 sexual predator offender; dialogue concerning future budget workshop and d i rection to staff. MOTION BY HEDBERG , SECONDED BY LEMAIR TO APPROV E THE AGENDA AS MODIFIED . VOTE: Ayes by Haugen, Erickson , Hedberg, LeMair and Millar . The motion carried. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES MOTION BY MILLAR , SECONDED BY LEMAIR T O APPROVE THE AUGUST 6 , 2007 , MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED . VOTE: Ayes by Hau gen, Erickson, Hedberg, LeMair and Millar. The motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA City Manager Boyles reviewed the items on the consent agenda. A. Consider Approval of Invoices to be Paid. B. Consider Approval of Treasurer’s Report. C. Consider Approval of Building Permit Report. D. Consider Approval of Animal Warden Report. E. Consider Approval of Fire Call Reports. F. Consider Approval of a Resolution Authorizing a Special Deer Hunt in Spring Lake Park. Councilor Millar requested removal of item 5 F, Consider Approval of a Resolution Authorizing a Special Deer Hunt in Spring Lake Park, from the consent agenda. MOTION BY MILLAR , SECONDED BY HEDBERG TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS MODIFIED . VOTE: Ayes by Haugen, Erickson, Hedberg, LeMair and Millar . The motion carried. Millar: A sked for clarification of why the hunt is proposed and the safety factors involved. Boyles: Reviewed the agenda r eport giving dates of the proposed hunt and explained that hunters are members of the Metro Bowhunters Reso urce Base. Explained that the hunt is mostly on County property, that the City ordinance does provide for the hunt, and culling the deer population aids in reduction of car/deer coll i sion s . 2 City Council Meeting Minutes August 20, 2007 LeMair : Commented about the number of coyotes in the area and ex pressed concern about the proximity of coyotes to neighbo r hoods. Believes the City should enact coyote control. MOTION BY MILLAR, SECONDED BY ERICKSON TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 07 - 150 AUTHORIZING A SPECIAL DEER HUNT IN SPRING LAKE PARK. VOTE: Ayes by Haug en, Erickson, Hedberg, LeMair and Millar. The motion carried. MOTION BY LEMAIR , SECONDED BY HEDBERG TO HAVE THE CITY MANAGER PREPARE A REPORT , BASED ON WHAT OTHER COMMUNITIES HAVE DONE , FOR OPTIONS TO CONTROL THE COYOTE PROBLEMS. VOTE: Ayes by Haugen, Erickson, Hedberg, LeMair and Millar. The motion carried. PRESENTATION Oath of Office – Adam Boser and Dan Olson Police Chief O’Rourke described the selection process for new officers that began in March . Intr o duced Officer Boser and Officer Olson , rel ated their education and experience and a dministered the oath of o f- fice to them . Mayor Haugen pr e sented badges to both officers . National Night Out City Manager Boyles commented on the Safe and Healthy Communities Element of the 2030 Vision and Strategic Plan and stated that National Night Out is a component of meeting that E lement. Officer O ’Hehir informed the Council of the origins of National Night Out and its purpose of heighten ing crime and drug abuse awareness. Stated that th is year about 20 neig hborhoods and several hundred people partic i- pated. Comments: Erickson: Commented that he attended several of the events and believes that neigh borhoods coming t o gether provide strength. LeMair : T hanked everyone who was hospitable to him at the events he attended. Hedberg: Agreed it was great to see the gathering for public safety purposes. National statistic is to have 10% of a community attend a National Night Out. Millar: Noted that it is important for neighbors to know neighbors and be willing to help each other. O’Hehir: Stated that a challenge for P rior Lake is that N ational Night Out often falls within Lakefront Days. Haugen: T hanked O’Hehir for her leadership and for the participation of the police and fire departments. Hoped that thro ugh additional marketing participation will increase . Noted there will be no conflict with Lakefront Days for the next two years. YMCA – Yvonne Anderson YMCA representative Anderson updated the Council on programs opening at Shepherd’s Path and d e- scribed the amenities that would be going into the YMCA building. She d isplayed a concept drawing of the facility and s poke of fundraising efforts stat ing that $300,000 is committed and another $1 million projected. Noted that providing this as a non - profit ser vice allows returns to go back to the community. Stated the YMCA hopes to begin building in spring 2008. Comments: Millar: Stated the YMCA will be a wonderful addition to the C ity and encouraged everyone to make a d o- nation to it . 3 City Council Meeting Minutes August 20, 2007 Hedberg: Stated h e doesn’t believe a private business could provide what the YMCA does with its strong values and range of services that go beyond that of a fitness organization. LeMair : Concurred with previous comments and looks forward to continuing to work with the Y MCA and see it come to fruition. Erickson: I mpressed with the development of the campus. Noted Safe H aven is having a grand opening in mid - S eptember. Asked how the YMCA’s daycare would compl e ment the S hep herd of the L ake ’s pr o- gram. Anderson: Replied th e infant and toddler need for licensed child care has not been met in Scott County and the YMCA seeks to provide a non - competitive, collaborative service. Haugen: S uggested the C ity could display promotional materials. PUBLIC HEARING No public hearings w ere conducted. OLD BUSINESS Consider Approval of a Resolution Approving Plans and Specifications and Authorizing Advertis e- ment for Bids for Ida Circle Street Sewer and Water Project. Civil Engineer Thongvanh reviewed the history of this project and the pu blic hearings that were co n- ducted . Noted that the Assessment Review Committee recommends that reconstruction of the street be assessed to the residents at 40%. E x plained the project timeline. Comments: Hedberg : Explained that the assessment review c ommittee recommend ed that the street and storm sewer components be separated for purposes of assessment to allow the a s sess m ent impact to be less for those who will not incur street reconstruction. Noted that staff recommend ed treating the street and stor m sewer assessment s the same as any other neighborhood in P rior Lake. Supports the recommendations. Haugen: Added that the consensus of the assessment review committee was that this method makes a positive ou t come for the residents of Ida Circle. LeMai r : Stated the recommendations a ppear to be good compromises that are fair and equitable. Will support. Erickson: Commented this recommendation conforms to his earlier opin i on and he will support it . Asked if this project will allow the water supply t o complete a loop resulting in improve d water quality. Poppler: Replied that it will eventually loop the system when it is extended down Hwy 13. MOTION BY LEMAIR, SECONDED BY ERICKSON TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 07 - 151 APPROVING THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATION S AND AUTHORIZING THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR IDA CIRCLE AND TRUNK HIGHWAY 13 IMPROVEMENT PROJECT #06 - 01 1 FOR THE CITY OF PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA. VOTE: Ayes by Haugen, Erickson, Hedberg, LeMair and Millar. The motion carried. Consider Approval of Rev ised Resolutions Relating to the Jeffers Pond Interpretive Center Building and Eight Acres of the Five Hawks Elementary School Outdoor Learning Center Property. City Manager Boyles explained that previous resolutions approved in July contained items that c oncer n ed to the Jeffers Foundation. Meetings with the Jeffers Foundation and School District represent a ti ve s were held and an agreement reached. Recommended approval of the revised resolutions that declar e the pr e- vious resolutions to be void. 4 City Council Meeting Minutes August 20, 2007 Comments : Erickson: N o questions . Millar: Stated this creates a win - win situation. Hedberg: Commented that the a bility to resolve issues of the Foundation and the S chool D istrict speaks to the value of the partnership with them . Stated he hopes the interpreti ve center will be operating in the next year or so. LeMair : Stated he is glad the details are resolved and the project moving forward. Haugen: Gladdened by the e ffective resolution and believes there is comfort on the part of all parties at this time. H opes the center will be in place by the time school starts in 2008. Pace: Noted that usually a motion would be made to reconsider the motion, but since the resolutions pr e- viously adopted were being readdressed and the vote on them was unanimous, she deter mined the prev i- ous motions could be considered null and void. MOTION BY HEDBERG, SECONDED BY MILLAR TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 07 - 152 AUTHORIZING THE JEFFERS FOUNDATION TO PREPARE A CONSERVATION EASEMENT FOR EXECUTION BY THE MAYOR AND CITY MANAGER OVER EIGHT ACRES OF PROPERTY OWNED BY THE CITY AT FIVE HAWKS. VOTE: Ayes by Haugen, Erickson, Hedberg, LeMair and Millar. The motion carried. MOTION BY HEDBERG, SECONDED BY MILLAR TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 07 - 153 AUTHORIZING THE STAFF TO PLACE $280,000 FROM THE GEN ERAL FUND RESERVE IN AN INTEREST EARNING ACCOUNT TO BE USED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE JEFFERS POND INTERPRETIVE CENTER BUILDING. VOTE: Ayes by Haugen, Erickson, Hedberg, LeMair and Millar. The motion carried. Haugen: T hanked the School District and Paul Oberg of the Jeffers Foundation for their cooperation in this step of carrying out Jeffer’s vision. Boyles: Stated the City has requested an owner’s representat ive proposal from Constructive Ideas ; Pi o- neer Engineering will survey the property and pu t together a preliminary site plan; and, Oberg has agreed to pay for su rvey and preliminary site plan through the funds that have been set aside. NEW BUSINESS Consider Approval of a Report Regarding the 2008 – 2012 Equipment Matrix. Parks and Fleet Superv isor Friedges reported on how the fleet and equipment matrix is structured . Spoke of equipment anal y sis, fuel monitoring and life expectancy efforts as well as the history of the matrix since 1998 when it was first incorporated into the Capital Improvemen t Program . Described the benefits it has given in providing equipment sized to meet the needs and incorpora ti n g the newest technol ogy a s well as providing a positive community image. Reviewed the recommendations of staff for exploring potential altern a ti ves to extend the life of the fleet. Comments: Hedberg: Stated the fleet is a big part of the City’s capital inves t ment. Believes the matrix demonstrates the City is m oving in the right direction and he will support the recommendations for exploring the altern a- tives. Stated the equipment is an important part of the infrastructure and a l lows the staff to do their job well. Agrees that quality equipment doing the jobs that the residents want done is a positive public i m age. LeMair : Thanked Friedges f or his insight into how the matrix operates. Believes this review was a good opportunity to exa m ine how to be more efficient. 5 City Council Meeting Minutes August 20, 2007 Erickson: complimented staff on extending the life of the vehicles and on consideration of p urchases for services that used to be outsourced such as a stump grinder. Asked about rental programs. Friedges: Replied it could be short - term rental for certain times of the year or projects , or long - term. Millar: Noted the report highlighted the work to exten d equi p ment life but that e nvironmental issues weren’t brought up. Suggested that money might be saved with environmentally conscious choices . Haugen: Commented that this report demonstrates commitment to the 2030 Vision’s Financial Manag e- ment Element to use financial resources to achieve maximum value. Concurred that quality equipment conveys community pride. MOTION BY MILLAR, SECONDED BY L EMAIR TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 07 - 154 ACCEPTING A REPORT RELATING TO THE CITY OF PRIOR LAKE’S VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT FLEET. VOTE: Ayes by Hau gen, Erickson, Hedberg, LeMair and Millar. The motion carried. Millar: Suggested the equipment matrix would be a good topic for Inside City Hall. Consider Approval of Ordinance Amendment to Section 704 Extending Watering Restrictions for a Period of Thirty Calendar Days to October 1 Each Year. Public Works Director Albrecht advised the Council that staff has contemplated extending watering r e- strictions for the past two years. Noted that the City has been proa c tive in enforcing water restrictions and uses restrictions to manage the water supply and keep an adequate amount in the towers. Explained the b aseline use amount has increased from last year to this year excee d ing six million gallons per day on more than one occasion. Recommended extending wa ter restrictions through the end of Se p tember each year. Comments: LeMair : Stated water is a valuable resource and anything to conserve it is good. Will support. Erickson: A gree d with extending the length of restrictions but has concerns with total outdoor usage ban and a sked how many citations were given for car washing. Albrecht: Replied there were few and typically sprinkler systems are enforced . Erickson: Believes that sprinkling is the problem but the ordinance forbids any outdoor use inclu ding a hand held hose for watering flower pots or washing cars . Believes ordinance should have sprinkling restri c- tions but allow common sense usage. Millar: A sked why the ordinance should be amended to include all years rather than just drought years. Al brecht: Replied there seems to be good buy - in from residents for existing restrictions that are in place each year . Believes it is h ard on residents when we are not consistent with enforcement. Millar: Suggested the restrictions could be in force until O ctober 1 each year unless notified differently by the City. Albrecht: Replied he does not want to make it complicated and it would be difficult to determine which year was wet enough. With restrictions to odd - even day usage , it is known how much will be used per day and can be manage d accordingly. Noted that if everyone water ed on the same day, staff does not know if the City would exceed the amount of water that can be generated in a day. Believes it w ould keep the o r- dinance effective if it is consi s te nt from year to year. Haugen: Quoted goal s and objectives from the 2030 V ision regarding protecting groundwater resources. Believes there should be a consistent plan and the City can conserve, educate and communicate about water resources whether it is a wet year or a dry year. Hedberg: Agreed c onservation is an important objective and favors extending the restrictions. Agree d with Erickson about modifying the ordinance to allow hand held hoses for some purposes. Haugen: Emphasized that these are r estrictions rather than watering bans. 6 City Council Meeting Minutes August 20, 2007 Erickson: Asked why the City does not establish a year - round water restriction system. Albrecht: Replied it is good to have flexibility for operations – it allows the City a chance to regulate and troubleshoot the systems rather than trying to sch edule such work on an odd - even schedule. City flushes h y drants in the spring and fall to manage that function around the ordinance restrictions. Erickson: Asked about the effect on commercial companies’ ability to b low out water spri n kling systems if restrictions were extended through September. Albrecht: October is when most of the maintenance is done on systems, deck - washing, etc. Haugen: Suggested proposed ordinance revisions be brought to a future meeting. M ayoral Photo Gallery Councilor Millar proposed that a space in City Hall be identified for hanging pictures of former Mayors. Hedberg: Replied he w ould support a motion directing the City Manager to evaluate how to do it and costs involved. LeMair : Agr eed . Erickson: Stated he would like to see how it would be presented and where. Noted there could also be an area for current staff ph o tos such as the City Manager and Councilmembers. Haugen: Concurred that a historic perspective makes sense. MOTI ON BY MILLAR , SECONDED BY LEMAIR TO DIRECT STAFF TO EXPLOR E THE IDEA OF HANGING A PICTORIAL EXHIBITION OF FORMER AND PRESENT MAYORS AS WELL AS A DECISION ABOUT THE BEST PLACE TO HANG THEM. VOTE: Ayes by Haugen, Erickson, Hedberg, LeMair and Millar. The m otion carried. Level 3 Predatory Sexual Offender Report City Manager Boyles stated that a L evel 3 sexual offender plann ed to move into the Prior Lake area and asked Police Chief O’Rourke to inform the Council of the status of the move. O’Rourke informed the Council of the process of community notification and a scheduled community meeting. Advised the Council of the arrest of the individual for alleged burglaries and that five jurisdictions are seeking him. Stated that an eviction hearing is scheduled for his landlord to evict him from the rental pro p erty in Prior Lake. Even though the individual is currently in jail, t he community meeting will be held for purposes of i n formation and education about sexual offenders. Department of Corrections will be at the meeting to talk about assig n- ment of persons to a threat level and communications requirements for each level. Comments: Hedberg: Stated that City staff responded promptly and appropriately. Believes that f rustrations of res i- dents had to do wi th the period of notification that State law provides. Asked for City Atto r ney comments about whether the City should adopt ordinance and whether it would provide additional pr o tections; whether it would be enforceable; and whether it would be legal. If so, such steps should be e x plored and if not, we should be clear about that to our residents. Haugen: Stated he would like to talk about the process to this point, the S tate statute, and the potential for moving forward. Millar: A sked what the State law is for how far in advance a city is to be notified when a L evel 3 offender is moving in. O’Rourke: Five days from the time the State receives notification. Millar: Noted that Prior Lake was given two days notification. Stated the City did a good job try ing to notify residents in a limited time span. 7 City Council Meeting Minutes August 20, 2007 Erickson: Commented that the current status of the offender is that he no longer has the job that would have brought him to the area. O’Rourke: Affirmed . LeMair : Stated it is fortunate that we are not deal ing with him in our community. Haugen: C omplimented the police department for its prompt follow through on the process and asked City Attorney Pace to talk about state statute. Pace: Replied there are 13 pages of statute, most of which consists of r egist ration requirements for the o f fender. It d oes not contain a restriction on residency. Stated she researched case law and discovered several states within the 8 Circuit Federal judicial district where the federal Court of Appeals upheld res i- th dency restri ctions imposed by the legislature and set out in state statute. Advised that the Minnesota legi s- lature had adopted a comprehensive statute, had the opportunity to restrict residency and chose not to do so. Pace also discussed a New Jersey Court of Appeal s decision where the state statute did not autho r ize residence restrictions but a city adopted an ordinance restricting location of residency. The Fe d eral Court of Appeals held the New Jersey city ordinance was unconstitutional. Recommend ed that Prior La ke not adopt residency restriction, but rather consider either adoption of a resolution asking the Legislature to a d- dress the subject ; or taking the issue to SCALE to have more jurisdictions join Prior Lake in passing resol u- tions stating we believe this is an issue that concerns our citizens. It is not unconstitutional to restrict res i- dency if the rational basis for doing so could be the welfare of chi l dren. LeMair : Stated he understand s discussions about legality , but would like to limit such an indivi dual from our community. Would support ordinance for residency restrictions and let someone cha l lenge us on it. Should not have to wait for a L evel 3 o f fender to move into town and wait for something to happen. Laws are meant to be challenged and change d. Erickson: Believes we s hould lobby the State to pass a law for r e strictions and that there is concern by our local representatives to look at alternatives for the State. Questions passing a law we cannot defend and spen d ing the fees attempting to. Millar: Stated it is not comforting to have an offender move into the neighborhood and understands r atio n- ale in as k ing the Council to restrict residency. Believes best way to go about it is to bring pressure on the State and bring about changes statewide . Hedberg: Stated the objectives are to protect children from sexual predators. State statutes that have restricted res i dency have been upheld. Agree d that action should be taken to lobby the State legislature to make the change. Haugen: Does no t want to compromise safety in our community. Spoke with Representative Beard about reentry of such individuals into society and s tudies say that L evel 3 offenders are most likely to repeat. B e- lieves the City s hould get SCALE involved and get all communi ties to concur on giving a message to the State legislature that current law is not effective. Would like to know if the other municipalities’ ord i nance has been stricken down. Believes t his Council can provide significant leadership through SCALE to pro vide direction to the State. Pace: Suggested that along with SCALE, she could approach city attorney associations and county atto r- neys c ould do the same. The City could also go through the League of Minnesota Cities. Believes the only way to be effect ive is to convince the legislature to change the law and the best avenue would be to bolster the ordinances of cities that have adopted ord i nance to restrict residency. LeMair : A sked if any of those ordinances are being challenged. Pace: Replied that s he is not aware of any challenges . LeMair : Stated he favors change from a State standpoint but that takes time and believes the City could adopt ordinance and then go through the process with the State also. Pace: Commented that experience shows that if trying to adopt ordinance and enforce it , it would not pr e- vail. LeMair : Replied that the worst case scenario would be that we would have to defend it. 8 City Council Meeting Minutes August 20, 2007 Haugen: A sked if the League of Minnesota Cities has taken a position . Suggested research on whether o ther city attorneys have a position, copies of the ordinances from other cities and conversation with the other cities in Scott County . Place it on the agenda at the next meeting. Pace: Stated she would also find out how many states restrict residency . Erickson: Commented that Prior Lake is larger than the other three cities that adopted ordinance and the largest city would be the one to be tested. Believes it would be better to go through SCALE and get a joint effort. Suggested showing support for the State to take action by passing a proclamation stating we would like the S tate to look into changing the law. Pace: Stated she will contact Annandale to learn if anything caused them to adopt the ord i nance. Millar: Stated he received e - mail fro m parents that chi l dren are upset and suggested police talk to kids to reassure them. MOTION BY HEDBERG , SECONDED BY MILLAR TO GAIN INFORMATION FROM ANNANDALE, TAYLORS FALLS, WYOMING, ATTORNEY GROUPS, SCOTT COUNTY JURISDICTIONS AND BRING INFORMATION T O THE NEXT MEETING TO CREAT E STRATEGY . VOTE: Ayes by Haugen, Erickson, Hedberg, LeMair and Millar. The motion carried. L eMair : Noted that he approved only because it is coming back to the next meeting. Haugen: A gree d it is time sensitive. MOTION BY HEDBERG, SECONDED BY ERICKSON TO MODIFY THE AGENDA TO PRESENT THE DOWNTOWN DESIGN GUIDELINES PRIOR TO THE 2008 BUDGET DISCUSSION. VOTE: Ayes by Haugen, Erickson, Hedberg, LeMair and Millar. The motion carried. Downtown Design Guidelines Economic Devel opment Director Snook introduced Tom Dobbs of Hay Dobbs, who has been working with the Economic Development Advisory C ommittee. Dobbs r e viewed the guideline recommendations. Comments: Millar: Clarified that these recommendations are building guideline s , but redevelopment would be market driv en and could be several years in the future. These g uidelines would be for those interested in such r e development. Will work on downtown parking as we move forward. Hedberg: E nvision s this as the shape of the dow ntown area in 20 - 25 years. Noted Dobbs relied on dow n- to w n guidelines of 2000, but Scott County envisions that CR 21 and Main Avenue will be non - functional for pedestria n traffic. Questioned if three to four story buildings would still be recommended if d ifferent circul a- tion patterns were considered. Dobbs: Replied that a multi - story building would not be wanted next to a single story house. Noted the guidelines are a living document and development patterns will shift as CR 21 and Main Avenue ch ange . Believes the interest in redevelopment will remain in the downtown area unless a decision is made to move downtown . Stated the p rimary focus needs to be on Main A venue until development pressures move it. LeMair : W ant s focus on not making it too expensiv e to come into the downtown. Favors a dding things to make it look nice but not to price out certain businesses. Dobbs: Stated developers will appreciate knowing what the guidelines are rather than submitting design after design and not being sure of wh at will be accepted. Even though there is desire to be price co n- scious, the City does not want to sell itself short. It has the core downtown that is a walkable scale and connects to a v e hicular system and services. Erickson: Stated he attended an AIA L ivable C ommunities seminar and saw similar things. States that Prior Lake has the challenge of CR 21 extending to Hwy 169 in 2010. Believes that in five years the two 9 City Council Meeting Minutes August 20, 2007 sides of downtown will segregate and he would like to see some ideas on how to get pe o ple from one side t o the other. Haugen: B elieves the Arcadia extension should have been included in these guidelines and there is a need to incorporate the whole expanded downtown to present to developers. Not sure that has been a c- complish ed in the gu idelines yet. Snook: Noted that some of those issues have been discussed at a staff level and advised the Council that even though Main Avenue is the easiest to redevelop right now, the guidelines will apply to the whole dow n town. Haugen: Agreed. Stat ed that the pictures bring the guidelines to life, but the maps do not and it would be good to include them . Dobbs: Commented that few cities can maintain two areas of energy , but the guidelines would be applic a- ble. Budget workshop Mayor Haugen announced that the preliminary 2008 budget was discussed at tonight’s workshop. Noted that the Council addresses only the City taxes and those taxes are less than a third of the pro p erty taxes levied against any resident. Announced that the Council will meet on T hursday, August 23, for a sp e cial budget workshop at 5:30 p.m. Asked staff to bring alterna tives for a $250,000 reduction in the pr o posed budget. If agreed upon, it would reduce the City portion of a resident’s property tax to a 3% increase. Hi s- torical ly, the a v erage increase of City taxes has been just less than 3% for the past five years. This does not deal with the County or school po r tion of the taxes. OTHER Community Ev ents Boyles: Announced that the community meeting at Crossroads Church at 7:30 p.m. on August 23, regar d- ing sexual predator offenders will be attended by at least three council members; and, as such, w ill const i- tute a special mee t ing. Erickson: Groundbreaking for Fire Station No. 2 will be Wednesday , August 22, 2007, at 9 a.m . Compl i- mented the SMS C on its Wacipi and moving the dancing to the ice arena during the bad weather. A c- knowledged d u ress of people in southern Minnesota due to the flooding. Hedberg: Announced that the g roundbreaking for water treatment facility will b e on Wednesday, Septe m- ber 12, at 9 a.m. ADJOURNMENT With no further comments from Council members, a motion to adjourn was made by LeMair and s e c onded E rickson . With all in favor, the meeting adjourned at 10:02 p.m. ____ _______________________________ ___________________________________ Frank Boyles, City Manager Charlotte Green, Administrative Asst. 10