1999-06-01MINUTES . COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING - JUNE 1, 1999
Thc meeting was callcd to ordcr at 7:30 P.M. Mcmbcrs prcscnt wcrc Mayor Pat Meisel,
Councilmcmbers Hanus, AMens, Brown, and Weycker. Also present: Acting City Manager
Fran Clark; Jim and Deb Funk, Cindy and Tom Notch, and Cindy Palm, representatives to the
Westonka Community Center Task Force; and John Cameron, City Engineer.
Mayor Pat Meisel introduced the group representing the Westonka Community Center Task
Force. The group passed out a hand out of what their "dream" Community Center would
have. They explained that at, er taking a survey of many Mound residents and in talking to
citizens who attended previous meetings, they found there was a need for the Community
Center to have more than just a large gymnasium for youth activities. They presented a plan
for a building that would be 147,600 square feet. The cost for the new facility would be
approximately $16.2 million dollars. The group stated they had gone to several other
community centers and studied the various ways these centers have been funded. Jim Funk
presented a synopsis of what Was requested to be included in the Community Center. The
ideal was four gymnasiums, a walking/running track, a racquetball court, senior citizen/youth
center, fitness center, wrestling room, swim area/water park, meeting rooms, concession area,
a 40,000 sq. t~. ice arena and a 24,000 sq. f~. theater. Councilmember Brown suggested that
instead of trying to have the building contain everything they were proposing, by not putting
in the ice arena and theater in ri~,ht away, ~t would allow 64,000 sq. t~. of the building not
being finished off, which would b~a saving~ of apProximately $7 million. They could later
take the profits from the center to build the theater and ice arena just as Chaska did. It was
also suggested they combine some rooms' to f~icilitate more than one activity such as the
wrestling room could also be used for aerobics. Councilmember Hanus stated he was
unaware that the Chaska Community Center was making any money. Deb Funk explained
that according to their stat sheet, the operating fund is done with the user fees. Deb Funk
stated they hoped the center w6uid be a 'money maker which would pay the operating
expenses. Jim Funk stated there. Were.~ several key areas which are high revenue generators,
such as the swimming pool/water park, and fitness center. There was a discussion of the
location of the Community Center and that the ice center need not necessarily be in the same
building. It was brought up that ice arenas are not just used in the winter, but year around
as is the Bloomington Ice Center. There was a discussion of the need of more ice time in the
Westonka area because of the growth of girls hockey, the potential of figure skating clubs and
Orono no longer needing to purchase as much ice time at the Pond Ice Center with their new
facility. Jim Funk explained the time line th, eir group was following, which set the opening
of the building to be in the area 0f August, 2001. The group agreed that this was a very
aggressive time line but the idea of a center has been talked about for years and it's time to
do something more than just talk. He did acknowledge they did not have a building site to
accomplish their goals as of yet, but again, they were looking for ideas of where they should
put the building and who was will!~ng to stand behind the project. Jim Funk stated that maybe
o e of the best ways to accomplish t,his expeditiously is to pass a bond referendum along with
corporate sponsorships, business/pm'tner grants, and donations. Jim Funk stated there are
already people tnterested tn making donations. Councdmember Brown suggested gotng to
a large company'such as the Carlson Foundation and requesting a large donation, i.e. $2
MINUTES - COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING - JUNE 1, 1999
million and by doing so, have their name on the building. Tom Notch added that if you go
to any large university, you would see many buildings named after people who had given large
donations. He also said that Steve Smith told their group there may be some State money
next year for the project. Tom Notch stated they are aware of the need that citizens be well
informed about their vision of the Community Center and the costs thereof. Some ways they
are planning to do this is through the newspapers, yard signs; speaking to various city
governments, state officials, civic organizations, private businesses, and the school district;
and handing out flyers at the Mound City Days parade, showing people that "Together We
Can Make It Happen." Tom Notch again reiterated to the council they were looking for
advice in how to proceed so this may actually come to fruition. Councilmember Brown
strongly recommended they be honest and up front with the citizens on the cost of not only
the building but also the operating costs of the facility as how they will benefit in having the
Community Center. Councilmember Hanus suggested they trim down their wish list but keep
the revenue generating areas. He suggested they continue to speak with the school district
and other cities, but believes it would be very difficult to expand outside of Mound with a
joint project. He also acknowledge that by doing this project with Mound only, they would
probably have to scale down their project a great deal. There was a discussion of how the
Community Center would be paid for if Mound was the only city involved in this venture.
Mayor Pat Meisel stated that with a 20 year, $10 million bond, it would cost a household with
a $100,000 home, $132 each year. For a $15 million/20 year bond, it would cost each
household $198 a year. It would cost $320 for residents with an estimated market value of
$200,000 for a $10 million bond and $481 for a.$15 million bond. The question was raised
what the user fee should be and if residents outside of Mound should pay a larger user
amount. Councilmember Brown suggested that everyone who pays a water bill could receive
a discount card to all activities. Councilmember Hanus stated Hopkins does not charge more
to people from outside their area because they want to generate revenue from as many people
as possible. The community theater is their anchor. The City contributed the land and
continue to contribute approximately $30,000 for maintenance. Everything was paid for
through private donations, anclior: donations, etc. It was also stated that with a new
Community Center in Mound, along with the proposed upgrade of the Lost Lake Area, the
market value of homes will go uP~ Which is another benefit to consider. Councilmember Leah
Weycker stated she thought the Water park/wave pool is a good revenue generator. She
stated that Bunker Hill's wave pool is always booked. Admission is approximately $5 to get
in and there is another $2 fee to rent a tube for two hours. Every two hours, the pool is
cleared and all tubes are returned. Water slides and a kiddy pool would also generate money.
The general consensus from the Council was the group is headed in the right direction, they
should minimize the players, phase in some of the areas, decide which site to build on, and be
up front with the citizens on the costs.
Mayor Pat Meisel brought up the"water problem Kevin Beigler at 2820 Halstead Lane has
been having since 1995. Beigler had brought in a video tape for Mayor Pat Meisel, Former
City Manager Ed Shukle, and City Engineer John Cameron to view last April, which showed
the rain of May 1995. City Engineer John'Cameron had previously looked at the property
but at, er viewing the tape, went back to the residence a second time. A letter was passed out
from the City Engineer which h~ wrote following his second investigation into the water
damage at 2820 Halstead Lane and the sir~k holes on the property. A map showing the
I
location of the sewer drains and residences in the problem area was also passed out. The City
Engineer explained that following the rain in 1995, Mr. Beigler filed a claim against the City's
insurance company. The insurance company did an investigation and later denied the claim.
The initial problem was caused by debris in the inlet which caused the water to build up real
fast which then ran into the patio door, down the stairs to the lower level, which is 4 feet
below the patio door. The house in question is on Lot 4 Block 7. The City Engineer stated
he colored yellow where the storm sewer system is, showing the top of the map being east.
The inlet is approximately halfway back on the property, picking up drainage going west to
the street where there are two catch basins in the street. It then goes between Lots 8 and 9,
discharging into the wetlands. He explained that up by Westedge Blvd. there are two catch
basins with a lead that empties into the ravine. Part of the problem is that when the
Wooderest area was built, there were no curbs or gutters, just a culvert across from where
the catch basins are now. All of Westwood Circle drains down into the culvert as well as
some of Evergreen and some of the school property. The City Engineer does not know
exactly if this runs all the way down to the catch basin. The west curb line goes around the
comer of Pine down to the catch basins on Pine Road. Some of the grade on Pine is 8% and
some of Halstead is at 4% and 5~. "Prior t~ ~We'stwood being built up, there wasn't as much
mn-offgetting to the ravine to b~:PiCked uP by the present storm sewer. Storm gutters were
put in in the 1980's, with the eatrh basins On Halstead being built about 1975. Prior to the
100 year rain in 1995, there wereno drainage problems reported but Mr. Beigler has had
water drainage problems ever since. The City Engineer explained that there is a gully
between the inlet on Beigier's property and the catch basins on Westedge which is full of
trees, brush, leaves, grass clippings and who knows what else. All this drains down and clogs
the inlet. When a new buyer bought Lot 11, he opened it up, found it had been used as a
dump, so he covered it all back up and let it go back to taxes. The County then tried to have
it released back to the City but we don't want it so the property is sitting in limbo. It is not
sure if the dump was only on Lot 11. In watching the video showing the sinkholes on
Beigler's property, the water was running in the holes as fast as it was going in the storm
sewer. The City Engineer doesn't know where this water is going, but it has a free flow to
someplace. Councilmember Brown, suggested putting dye into the water to trace the water
flow. The City Engineer believes these sink holes are possibly at the edge of the dump and
were probably created from void~ in the ~°und from the dump. A discussion followed on
which process was the best way tO find out. where this water is going. The City Engineer
stated he felt one solution to the~ l~roblern is to fill up these sink holes and seal the top,
however, if there are large cavities in the dump, this could create other sink holes. He
recommended the storm sewer be replaced with a larger pipe and to extend it all the way back
up to Westedge Blvd. This will eliminate the gully and the washing out problems it causes.
He stated there should be another catch basin added on the west side of Westedge, as one
catch basin cannot take all the drainage that comes down Westedge Blvd. The City Engineer
stated there still needs to be an opening catch basin type structure where the inlet is right now,
because this is the lowest area. He suggested a section of the street be taken out and the
catch basins be rebuilt and lOwered So when a large rainstorm does occur, the water can get
through the street, down the other side before flooding the basement of Beigier's property.
New curbs can be put in with the new street. The City Engineer stated another problem is
that instead of this gully following the lot lines from Westedge down to the inlet, it actually
goes across the back of Lots 1 and 2. The basement on that house is higher than the one on
MI]qUTES - COMIVffITEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ~ JUNE 1, 1999
Beigler's so it does not have any flood problems, but garbage runs through the lot from the
gnHy washing out. The City Engineer stated we will need temporary easements to get back
to where the work can be done. Another problem is that there is a large drop from Halstead
to the wetlands where it goes between lots 8 and 9 and there are two huge trees that are over
the easement line and two in the front yard of the lot. There is a 20 foot wide area, including
the wetlands, which the City owns, but the owner of lot 9 built a huge retaining wall back
there, which goes right through the 20 feet the City owns. Therefore, a machine cannot get
back there as the wall is approximately 6 or 7 feet high. Councilmember Brown suggested
the owner should have to take the wall down, since it was built illegally. Another suggestion
was to take the trees out but most of them are on Lot 8, not 9. There was a discussion of
possible different ways to get at the easement without taking out the wall or trees. The City
Engineer stated that the only real solution to all of this is to take the trees out so we can get
this pipe out and lay a new one. He suggested we sit down with the effected home owners
to discuss the problem with them. The question was brought up as to why the City was
responsible for this problem if the insurance company denied all responsibility. Mayor Meisel
stated we need to go back to the insurance company and find out exactly why this was denied
by them and try to get them back involved. Mayor Meisel stated the insurance company may
not have had all the information.! We need to check with John Dean regarding the damage
this problem has caused to Beigl~r's property. Mayor Meisel stated we do need to address
this problem and solve it. The foundation 0fBeigler's property is crumbling and so it needs
to be taken care of it. We also need to realize that by acknowledging this problem and doing
repairs we may cause problems in another portion of Woodcrest. The cost factor was
discussed and possible solutions, such as selling bonds and assessing homeowners. The
problem with that is again it goes back to the City being at least partially at fault because the
curbs on the streets were built too high. Mayor Meisel will get together with Gino Businaro
to discuss the financial portion of making the repairs, as well as the insurance company.
Other business discussed was a letter from Liquor Store Manger Joel Krumm. He is
requesting an adjustment in his wages. Mayor Meisel stated she needs to talk with Gino
Businaro regarding if he got a check for 1 1~2 to 2%. Councilmember Ahrens stated she will
check with Edina to see what they do for their municipal liquor store employees. $oelKrumm
will be notified that the council is working On his request. The request will be dealt with in
an Executive Session for contract' negotiatibns. There was a discussion of the excellent job
he has done and the general conserlsus was that something does need to be done for him.
There was also a discussion of the need to look at all the City employees' wages, past loss of
benefits and a compensation for'a merit program. Acting City Manager Fran Clark and Police
ChiefLen Harrell are looking into a merit program.
Mayor Meisel handed out samples of artwork done for the Mound City Days button for 1999.
After a discussion, it was decided to have a white background, blue boat, and black lettering.
A decision was not made as to Which design to go' with, suggesting "Mound" have larger
lettering on the top with the "On Lake Minnetonka" lettering staying the same. Councilman
Brown stated that we are now referring to our City as Mound on Lake Minnetonka instead
of just calling us Mound. Mayor Meisel will have the artwork redone. Acting Manager Fran
Clark mentioned the possibility of getting a City pin, using this same logo.
Mayor Meisel stated that the City: seems to be c°mpliant in regards to the Y2K, according to
Finance Director Gino Businaro. He will probably be at our next COW meeting with updates
regarding Y2K. Mayor Meisel stated that all staffdepartment heads should come to the City
Hall on January 1st to turn everything on, making sure everything is working.
There was a discussion as to the reason why the operator leR that was operating the camera
system during the last Council Meeting and when we would get a new one. There was no
other business, it was noted that the next Committee of the Whole meeting is scheduled for
July 6, 1999, at 7:30 P.M.
Bob Brown made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Hanus and carried
unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 P.M.
Attest: Francene C. Clark
Acting City Manager
Mayor Pat Meisel