1997-08-20August 20, 1997
MINUTES-JOINT CITY COUNCIL'S OF MOUND AND MINNETRISTA AND THE
WESTONKA SCHOOL BOARD-AUGUST 20, 1997
The meeting began about 7:15 p.m. at Mound City Hall. M'embers Present: Mayor Ed
Gale, Minnetrista; Councilmembers Dolores Jeanetta, Ron Kline and Cheryl Fischer, Minnetrista;
Mayor Bob Polston, Mound; Councilmember Leah Weycker, Mound; Westonka School Board:
Bill Pinegar, Bill Hultgren, Bob Bittle and Bruce Charon. Others Present: Mark Thiede,
TSP/EOS; Dr. Para Myers, Superintendent of Schools; Ed Shukle, City Manager; and Sue Weibel.
Mark Thiede, TSP/EOS completed his presentation that had begun at about 6:30 p.m. regarding the
design and cost estimate for the renovation of the community center. This was done for those new
to the project and he answered questions from those present about the design and estimate.
Introductions were then made and then City Manager Ed Shukle was asked to review the process of
the survey to be conducted by Decision Resources, Inc. Shukle indicated that the survey had been
approved by the cities of Minnetrista and Mound and by the School Board. He ordered the survey
to be initiated and it will be conducted within the next 2-3 weeks. The results of the survey will be
available the week of September 15.
Discussion focused on the definition of "positive" as it relates to the outcome of the survey. It
seemed to be the consensus that less than 50% was not going to be acceptable to several of the
councilpersons present. Also discussed was the timing of the referendum should one be conducted.
It was the consensus to tentatively schedule the referendum for December 4, 1997.
Issues related to who conducts the referendum, ownership of the property, operating expenses and
other issues were discussed. School District members indicated that they would be supportive of
the School District conducting the referendum. Ownership focused on the need for a joint powers
agreement among the two cities and the school district. Operating expenses fell into that discussion
as well and other issues related to stormwater management, parking, wetlands, etc.
Further research needs to be done in order to draft a question for a referendum ballot, entity that
would issue the bonds, management ofthe project, joint powers agreement, etc. It was the consensus
that staff from the school district and the two cities work together on developing the framework and
reporting back to the three entities at the next meeting. It seemed to be the consensus that an actual
joint powers agreement should be drafted after the survey results are in and before a referendum is
conducted.
Alternatives, should the survey be negative, or if the survey is positive and the referendum is
negative were briefly discussed but no consensus was reached. These topics will need to be covered
in more detail at a later date.
The next meeting of the two city councils' and school board was scheduled for Thursday, September
18, 1997, 7:00 p.m., Minnetrista City Hall.
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August 20, 1997
Minutes of the Joint City Council Meeting, Minnetrista and Mound, Westonka School Board
August 20, 1997
Page 2
The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
~hukle
City Manager
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