1997-06-17MINUTES-COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE-JUNE 17,.1997
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Members Present: Mayor Bob Polston.
Councilmembers: Andrea Ahrens, Mark Hanus, Liz Jensen and Leah Weycker. Also
Present: Don Twombly, Commercial Realty, Minneapolis representing Perry M. Plal;~ha,
President, Northern Hospitality, Inc., Brainerd, MN; Bruce Chamberlain, Economic Development
Coordinator; Gino Businaro, Finance Director; John Cameron, City Engineer; and Ed Shukle, City
Manager.
Lost Lake Inn
Ed Shukle, City Manager, introduced Don Twombly representing Northern Hospitality, Inc.,
regarding the proposed Lost Lake Inn. Mr. Twombly works with Northern Hospitality, Inc., who
is a franchise holder of Country Suites by Carlson and Americlnn. Northern Hospitality is interested
in locating a Country Suites by Carlson on the Lost Lake site.
Mr. Twombly discussed Northern Hospitality's background and experience in operating these types
of lodging facilities. He stated that typically Northern signs an exclusive rights agreement with the
city to do a project like this. He further indicated that after the agreement is signed, feasibility and
market studies are performed to see if the project is justifiable. He estimated that a feasibility study
would cost around $50,000 and is typically shared between Northern and the city they are working
with on the project.
The consensus of the Council was to have Northern send to the City a copy of an exclusive rights
agreement that Northern has used on another project. Upon receipt of that example, the City Council
will discuss a possible agreement with Northern to pursue the Lost Lake Inn project.
Central Business District (CBD) Parking Program
Bruce Chamberlain, Economic Development Coordinator, presented a report on the CBD parking
program. His report included some options to look at for parking in the downtown area into the
future which could include more municipally owned parking in the form of a municipal ramp.
The City Council discussed the report and what to do in the short term while the redevelopment of
downtown is occurring. After several attempts to reach a short-term solution, it was the consensus
to assess the CBD for the period beginning July 1, 1996 and ending June 30, 1997 in the same way
as they were assessed for the period beginning July 1, 1995 and ending June 30, 1996. Beginning
July 1, 1997 and ending June 30, 1998, the CBD will be assessed as follows:
Parking providers (currently paid lease payments from the CBD program) will receive their
credits paid to them by the City of Mound through its General Fund and not from the non-
providers. Non-providers will only be responsible for paying their normal assessment for
snowplowing services. As of 11:59 p.m., June 30, 1998, the CBD parking program will terminate
and will no longer be in existence. In addition, current zoning requirements for parking will be
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June 17, 1997
Page 2
discontinued through an amendment to the zoning ordinance.
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City staff will schedule a meeting with CBD property owners and business owners to presehTthis
decision and will also discuss the long-term parking issues of the downtown area. A formal
resolution will be adopted by the City Council regarding the above at an upcoming regular meeting.
Lost Lake Improvement Pro_iect Update
Brace Chamberlain presented a brief report. Regarding the status of the project, it is moving forward
but delays have occurred due to permitting issues. The DNR permit is under review and a letter of
intent to proceed is forthcoming. Corps of Engineers permit is delayed due to flood conditions in
the Red River Valley. MCWD permit is approved subject to certain conditions as previously stated.
The schedule is that the dredge will be completed by this fall. Chamberlain and John (~ameron, City
Engineer have done some preliminary work on the plans. Disposal of dredge spoils is another issue
unresolved since earlier plans have fallen through. It is estimated that 20,000 cubic yards of material
needs to be hauled to a site yet to be determined.
The subject of developers was discussed. Council consensus was to work with Laurent/Parks of
Wayzata on building retail, office and housing along the new Auditor's Road.
Auditor's Road Improvement Project Update
Ed Shulde and John Cameron reported on the status of this project. Shukle and Cameron discussed
the current status, traffic analysis, demolition plan for the various buildings and schedule. Cameron
indicated that Hennepin County Department of Transportation has delayed approving the plans
primarily because of the uncertainty of future traffic flow through this area and through the proposed
relocation of County Road 15. Hence, a traffic consultant was hired by the City to do an analysis
indicating traffic forecasts into the next century. This information will hopefully satisfy the County.
Issues relating to Municipal State Aid (MSA) monies were also discussed. Currently, there is nearly
$114,000 left in the City of Mound's construction account for the project. Under MSA rules, tike
City can request an advance on future allotments of MSA funds and would need to do this in order
to proceed at this point in time. Cameron indicated that he will know exactly how much money
there is available from MSA by next week so that the City can make application and continue to
proceed with the project.
Relocation of the Post Office was discussed. Staff asked the Council if they were comfortable with
the Meisel site in downtown Mound for the new post office. The consensus was that they were
comfortable and they directed staffto work with the Meisel's and the Postal Service on making this
become a reality.
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Committee of the Whole Minutes
June 17, 1997
Page 3
Report from Meeting held with Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (M(~WD)
Ed Shukle reported on the results of a meeting held with MCWD last week pertaining to Rule B and
a possible agreement relating to separate developers projects currently on hold or anticipated projects
that may come about in the future. He indicated that John Dean, City Attorney will be drafting an
agreement in cooperation with Louis Smith, attorney for MCWD that could be presented for
approval at the June 24, 1997 regular meeting.
Also discussed at the MCWD meeting was the issue of lighted buoys in the turnaround area of the
Lost Lake canal.
MCWD Stormwater Management Task Force
Ed Shukle indicated that he had been contacted by the City of Minnetonka regarding a pre-meeting
to the meeting ora newly established task force of the MCWD. Mayor Polston was asked to attend
this pre-meeting since he is the appointed member to represent Mound on this task force.
Steering Committee-MCWD Issues
Ed Shukle reported that he had also been contacted by the City of Minnetonka regarding the need
for a steering committee of cities within the MCWD to begin meeting to discuss administrative
issues relating to management and financial issues of the MCWD. Shukle indicated his interest in
serving on this steering committee and the City Council was in agreement that Shukle should serve.
Stormwater Management Utility_ Fund
Ed Shukle reviewed briefly with the Council sample ordinances from the cities of Shorewood,
Robbinsdale and Richfield regarding a stormwater management utility. He asked them to review
these ordinances and they could be discussed at a future COW meeting.
Proposed Improvements to Veteran's Park
Ed Shukle indicated that the proposed improvements had been reviewed with the Park and Open
Space Commission at their last meeting. The POSC was in basic agreement with the improvements
and agreed that staff should proceed in requesting contributions from the American Legion and VFW
for the cost of the improvements.
Kevin Sorbo Dedication
Ed Shukle reported that staff and Mayor Polston had been meeting to prepare for this event which
will be held on Saturday, August 23, 1997 from 10 a.m. until 12:00 Noon at Langdon Park which
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June 17, 1997
Page 4
will be renamed Sorbo Park. Shukle highlighted some of the activities planned and indicate4t that
a neighborhood meeting was scheduled for Thursday, June 26, 1997, 7:30 p.m., City Hall to d~cuss
the plans and any concerns that the neighborhood might have regarding this event.
Review of Draft Sump Pump Letter
Ed Shulde presented a draft of a letter pursuant to the Council's request. It was reviewed and some
minor changes were suggested. This letter will be sent out to property owners in Section 1 who have
not responded to previous mailings regarding sump pump inspections.
Update on Joint Committee Activities Regarding Westonka Community_ Center Renovation
Ed Shukle reported on the latest activities of the committee. He stated that a cost estimate will be
prepared and completed by next week. The next committee meeting is scheduled for July 1 at
Mound City Hall. The cost estimate will be reviewed at that time and the committee will decide on
how they wish to proceed. Shukle reported on other issues that the committee discussed at its last
meeting including the need for a professional survey, referendum election, ownership issues, project
manager, etc.
Status of G-Will Liquors Application for Off-Sale Liquor Store in Spring Park
Ed Shukle indicated that the application for a license is being reconsidered by the City Council of
Spring Park. Rademacher Companies, which owns G-Will, provided some additional economic
information to the Spring Park Council at a recent meeting. The Council approved a license subject
to a number of conditions including a guarantee by G-Will that they will pay taxes on an estimated
$800,000 valued property and should the value decrease below $800,000, G-will must guarantee
the taxes by paying Spring Park the difference between $800,000 and whatever the value becomes.
They also directed that a legal opinion be given by the City Attorney as to the validity of the motion
and that the item would be back on the Council agenda once the opinion had been received.
Other Business
Councilmember Hanus brought up some issues from the Planning Commission. They were as
follows:
Truth in Zoning
Tax Increment Financing
CBD Parking
The Planning Commission would like to pursue Truth in Zoning as a part of a Truth in Housing
ordinance. The majority of the Council does not wish to pursue this matter.
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June 17, 1997
Page 5
The Planning Commission believes they should have more of a role in the discussions regarding the
use of Tax Increment Financing as it pertains to downtown Mound. The Council:~asked
Councilmember Hanus to ask the Planning Commission what role do they think they should be
playing?
The Planning Commission believes they should be involved in CBD parking discussions. Mayor
Polston apologized and indicated that the matter probably should have been brought to the Planning
Commission for input.
It was noted that there will not be a Committee of the Whole Meeting in July and the next COW
meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 19, 1997, 7:30 p.m.
Upon motion by Weycker, seconded by Ahrens and carried unanimously, the meeting~as adjourned
at 11:15 p.m.
]ctfully subm. itted,
Ed thukl~
City Manager