1997-03-18MINUTE§ - COMMITTEg O1~ TIlE ~ItOLI~ MgI~TINC - MAItCIt la, 199'/
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Mayor Polston; Councilmembers:
Ahrens, Hanus and Weycker. Absent and excused: Jensen. Also Present: Bruce Chamberlain,
Economic Development Coordinator; Ed Shukle, City Manager; and the following interested
persons: Mark Goldberg, Bev Botko and Marilyn Byrnes.
Interviews with Potential Developers - Mound Visions Project
Shukle explained that the City Council had asked at the February 18, 1997 Committee of the Whole
meeting to have the two interested developers in the Mound Visions project visit with the City
Council in person regarding their qualifications and interest in the redevelopment of downtown
Mound. Each developer would be given ½ hour to present their qualifications and why they were
interested in the project.
Shukle introduced Chris Moam and John Laurent, Laurent/Parks Development, Wayzata. Mr.
Moarn gave an overview of experiences in development in other communities and Mr. Laurent
talked specifically about the project underway in the City of Wayzata. Laurent addressed questions
from the Council on that particular project and the Council asked questions about Laurent/Parks'
ideas and concepts for the Mound Visions project. Laurent/Parks proposed retail/office for the area
along the new Auditor's Road and also talked about how important it was to incorporate
development along County Road 110 as part of the redevelopment scheme. The Council thanked
Mr. Moam and Mr. Laurent for their presentation and City Manager Ed Shukle indicated that he
would be in contact with them regarding the Council's interest at a later date.
Shukle then introduced the development team from Dunbar Development Corporation. Jim Winkels,
Amcon Development, presented an overview of work experiences as part of the Dunbar team. Bob
Van Slyke, Senior Housing Parmers, was then introduced. Mr. Van Slyke discussed the housing
aspect of a retail/housing project. He discussed his work experience in this regard and types of
development projects that Senior Housing Parmers and Dunbar have collaborated on together. Frank
Dunbar, President, Dunbar Development Corporation arrived at discussed his company's interest
in the redevelopment of downtown Mound. He discussed a retail/housing project currently
underway in Shakopee and his company's involvement in that project. He also covered the Laurel
Village project, which he was responsible for, in downtown Minneapolis. The Council thanked
Dunbar for their presentation and City Manager Ed Shukle indicated that he would be in contact with
them regarding the Council's interest at a later date.
Updates on Lost Lake Improvement Project and Auditor's Road Improvement ProjeO
Ed Shukle and Bruce Chamberlain updated the Council on what the status is of each of these
projects. Permits from DNR and the Army Corps of Engineers are in process. Sites for disposal of
the dredge spoils have been located. Testing for PCB's has been completed by Braunlntertec and
the City is awaiting the results.
Committee of the Whole Minutes
March 18, 1997
Page 2
Also discussed was the opportunity for the development of the Lost Lake Inn. A letter of interest
was presented from Northern Hospitality, Inc., of Brainerd, Minnesota regarding their interest in
locating a Country Suites by Carlson on the Lost Lake site. Northern Hospitality, Inc., would
purchase the franchise rights from Carlson and would own and manage the facility. The Council was
excited about this possibility but is hesitant to commit to an exclusive rights agreement, (Northern
Hospitality has requested this), until the decision on a senior center is resolved (Lost Lake site has
been selected as a possible location for a new senior center). Until this matter is resolved, the
Council wants to delay any decisions regarding an exclusive rights agreement.
Westonka Community_ Center/Senior Center Update
Mayor Polston indicated that he has asked for a public meeting of the Westonka School Board and
the City of Mound regarding the future of the existing community center at Lynwood Blvd. and
Commerce Blvd. Polston wants to get the issues "out on the table" regarding this matter and to
discuss what can be done to save the existing center through renovation. Several dates were
discussed and Polston was going to contact the Chair of the School Board to arrange the meeting.
Review of Recommendation from Commons Task Force Re: Commons Encroachment Policy
Mark Goldberg, Chair of the Commons Task Force and a member of the newly created Docks and
Commons Advisory Commission was present along with Bev Botko and Marilyn Bymes who were
also members of the Task Force and are members of the Park and Open Space Commission to
discuss this proposed policy.
The Council had questions relating to the language under some of the provisions of the proposed
policy and what was being proposed:
3.
4.
5.
Buildings or structures on commons and building code issues regarding these
structures.
"Maintenance" of encroaching structures relative to the Shoreland Management
Ordinance.
Legal issues and the need for a legal review to be performed by the City Attorney.
Flow chart and the proposed changes to it--health, safety and welfare issues with
regard to existing structures.
Structures and whether they were "water oriented" or other types of structures on the
commons.
It was the consensus of the Council that these issues be discussed in more detail by the Dock and
Commons Advisory Commission who then can provide their recommendations back to the City
Council at a later date.
Committee of the Whole Minutes
March 18, 1997
Page 3
MCTO Proposal Re: Circulator/Dial-a-Ride Service
City Manager Ed Shukle presented a request from Metropolitan Council Transit Operations (MCTO)
regarding their interest in starting up a dial-a-ride service which would replace some of the mid-day
routes currently running in the City of Mound. A mini-bus would be available through dial-a-ride
for passengers in certain areas of the City which would take them to downtown Mound to link up
with a standard MCTO bus for travel outside of the area. MCTO made a request to have an area
along Lynwood Blvd. near the Commerce Place Shopping Center for this link-up to occur. City staff
recommended that the stop location be on Lynwood Blvd. near the Bickman property rather than
right at the Commerce Place Shopping Center. This would work better since there is a great deal
of traffic congestion in the Commerce Blvd./Lynwood Blvd. area. The City Council will take formal
action in this regard at their next regular meeting.
Proposed City_ Council Chamber Usage by Westonka Public Schools
Ed Shukle presented a draft agreement between the City of Mound and Westonka Public Schools
regarding the School District's request for use of the City Council Chambers, on a permanent basis,
for school board meetings. The City Council took the matter under advisement.
Westonka Intervention
Ed Shukle indicated that this item was placed on the agenda pursuant to the Council's request
following the CDBG public hearing held February 25, 1997. The City Manager was asked to
research other agencies who might serve these types of needs in the western Hennepin County area.
Other Business
There being no further business, it was noted that the next meeting of the Committee of the Whole
is scheduled for Tuesday, April 15, 1997, 7:30 p.m., Mound City Hall.
Upon motion by Polston, seconded by Weycker and carried unanimously, the meeting was adjourned
at 10:40 p.m.
City Manager
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