1997-10-23MINUTES-JOINT CITY COUNCILS' OF MINNETRISTA AND MOUND AND THE
WESTONKA SCHOOL BOARD-OCTOBER 23, 1997
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 a.m., at Mound City Hall. Members Present:
City of Mound: Mayor Bob Polston and Councilmembers Jensen and Weycker; Ed Shukle,
City Manager. City of Minnetrista: Mayor Ed Gale. Westonka School
Board: Chair Bill Pinegar and Dr. Pam Myers, Superintendent of Schools. Others: Kristin Dodge
Narjes and Bert Haglund.
Mayor Ed Gale began with an explanation of events that took place at the Minnetrista City Council
meeting on Monday evening, October 20, 1997. He explained that two actions were taken: (1)
Withdraw participation in the joint committee and (2) Rescind a previous resolution to support the
referendum. In other words, Minnetrista is no longer a participant in the Westonka Community
Center Renovation project. Gale stated that there was a lack of support among the Minnetrista City
Council for the project for several reasons including that the facility is not located in Minnetrista,
uncertainties with regard to financing the project from both a capital and operating expense
standpoint.
Gale indicated that the vote was unanimous. Other members of the committee questioned why
Minnetrista took this action at this time and not earlier. Concerns regarding the upcoming
referendum, ballot printing, legal notices, informational brochure and a variety of expenses that have
been incurred, were discussed. Members were "appalled" and offended by Minnetrista's actions.
Discussion focused on what to do i.e., cancel the referendum, pursue it with the City of Mound and
the Westonka School Board only, etc. After some discussion, it was agreed that the School Board
Chair talk to the other School Board members to find out how they felt about it and whether they
would be willing to work with Mound only on the project. Pinegar is to get back to Ed Shukle by
Friday, October 24 with an answer so that if the school board is amenable to this revised
arrangement, new ballots can be printed in time for the election.
Another meeting was scheduled of this committee for Wednesday, October 29, 1997, 7:30 p.m.,
Westonka Community Center regarding joint powers discussion and preparation for the
informational meetings that have been previously scheduled.
There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 a.m.
City Manager