1995-02-21MINUTES - COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING - FEBRUARY 21, 1995
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM. Members present: Mayor Bob Polston,
Councilmembers Hanus, Jensen and Ahrens. Absent and excused: Jessen. Also
present: City Manager, Ed Shukle; Building Official, Jon Sutherland; Parks Director,
Jim Fackler; Mike Looby, Director of Community Education and Services; Bert
Haglund, TSP/EOS Architects; Doc Meier, Senior Citizens Representative to
Community Center Task Force; Peter Meyer, Park and Open Space Commission and
citizen representative to Community Center Task Force and Tom Casey, Parks and
Open Space Commissioner.
City Manager Ed Shukle introduced Mike Looby and Bert Haglund to discuss the
findings and recommendations of the Westonka Community Center Task Force
regarding the existing community center. Looby presented the concept of a new
community center that would replace the existing community center. He indicated
that the school board had established a task force: "The purpose of this committee
shall be to determine the best use of the Westonka Community Center and the wisest
expenditure of funds to provide for the required code upgrades, necessary
maintenance and desired building modifications to meet school district and community
needs." The task force was made up of persons representing the school district, the
Hockey Association, cities of Mound and Minnetrista, the Westonka Senior Center,
Westonka Community Action Network and other interested citizens. The task force
reviewed and evaluated the existing community center and came up with different
options that could be pursued. Upon review of these options, the task force
recommended an option which included the demolition of the entire Westonka
Community Center Building and the construction of a new community center building
at the existing site. The existing Pond Arena would remain and be incorporated into
a new community center facility. The facility would serve both the existing and new
programs with a number of uses that were recreationally oriented. This option was
reviewed by the school district board in early January of this year, and the school
board's direction was to conduct a community survey which would determine the
public support within the school district and area cities for such a community center
facility. Should the survey indicate that there is little interest and support in such a
facility, then the next option to be pursued would be to demolish a portion of the
existing 1939 building and implement fire safety accessibility and maintenance
improvements in the remainder of the existing building. It would also require
remodeling to relocate existing programs from the 1939 building. It was emphasized
by Loob¥ and Haglund of TSP/EOS Architecture that the task force had evaluated the
facility that currently exists and whether the $1.9 million ought to be spent on
bringing this building up to fire safety and accessibility codes. The task force, by an
1 1 to 1 vote recommended that this was not a realistic option to pursue. Hence, the
MINUTES - COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING - FEBRUARY 21, 1995
new community center option became the number one option with the demolition of
a portion of the existing 1939 building becoming a second option. Looby emphasized
the need for a community survey and asked the City Council to spend up to $1500
for participation in the community survey. The City Council expressed an interest in
developing the survey with the task force and others working with Decision
Resources, Inc. Ltd., who is the professional research firm that would do the actual
survey. Also discussed were financing options with regard to option number one.
The City Council indicated that they would like to tour the existing facility and
arrangements were going to be made with Mr. Looby with regard to taking tours of
the facility prior to the next regular council meeting. This item will appear on the
February 28, 1995 agenda as a request from the task force to have the City Council
agree to spend up to $1500 to participate in the community survey.
Ed Shukle, City Manager, Jim Fackler, Parks Director and Jori Sutherland, Building
Official, reviewed the Public Lands Permit process for structures that are located on
public lands and/or commons. The City Manager explained that over the last two
years the City of Mound has taken an aggressive approach to dealing with
obstructions on public lands. He emphasized that we require permits and that permits
expire and then are up for renewal. In some instances, the City Council has directed
that obstructions be removed from the public lands and/or commons. Fackler
reviewed the various ordinances, City Code and resolutions that have dealt with the
authority and responsibility of the City in administering a Public Lands Permit process.
He also reviewed the structures and encroachments that have been inventoried by
staff on the public lands and discussed the various methods by which the staff
evaluates the structures and encroachments on these public lands. Sutherland also
discussed the application of the Uniform Building Code as it applied to new stairways
being proposed on the public lands. The decision flow chart was also reviewed in
terms of how structures fit within the flow chart and whether they should be allowed
or not allowed. Also discussed were recently approved permits and permits upcoming
to be approved by the Council. The City Manager summarized the City's role and
responsibility with regard to the Public Land Permit process and requested that if there
were to be changes in the way that staff deals with this process, that now is a good
time to look at the process and discuss any changes that might be made.
Councilmember Mark Hanus asked to discuss his proposal with regard to not only the
Public Lands Permit process, but also the overall program of the Commons Docks. He
made two suggestions: 1) Place a moratorium on the adoption of any new policies
or procedures relating to the Commons or Dock programs until the City Council can
determine if it wishes to apply current policies or adopt changes. Also a moratorium
on the current proactive commons inventory activities by staff would be in order until
the Council determines if the current method is desired. 2) Form a task force to
address both programs and make recommendations either to maintain the current
MINUTES - COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING - FEBRUARY 21, 1995
programs or to offer potential changes. The City Council agreed not to go back and
try to change the process that has been in place with regard to previous applications.
However, they did ask that the discussion with regard to a moratorium be placed on
the March 14, 1955 agenda for discussion, In the meantime, any applications that
are currently in process will be dealt with under the existing process. Any applications
that come prior to March 14th will be put on hold until there is a decision with regard
to putting a moratorium on the Public Lands Permit process. With regard to the task
force, the Council agreed that further discussion is necessary and that the Council
discuss this matter at its next Committee of the Whole meeting; specifically, to deal
with the creation of a task force as to membership, staffing, etc., as well as giving a
clear cut direction to such a task force as it pertains to image, useability and use of
the public lands and/or commons.
The issue of ice skating rinks and the other current issues before the Parks and Open
Space Commission was briefly discussed. The City Manager indicated that Carolyn
Schmidt, Chair of the Parks and Open Space Commission had expressed an interest
in discussing the ice skating rinks and other current issues with the City Council. Ms.
Schmidt, however, had called late Tuesday afternoon and indicated that she would be
unable to attend and perhaps one other member of the commission could attend and
discuss this matter with the Council. City Manager briefly explained that due to the
public interest in ice skating rinks; specifically, at Mound Bay Park there had been
some interest by the Commission to establish a permanent ice skating rink at that
location. The Commission has had a number of discussions with regard to this matter
and believes that there ought to be money budgeted for this purpose in future years.
A rink such as the one in Wayzata has been discussed with having a permanent
warming house facility, toilets, etc. City Manager explained that if the Commission
felt that strongly about a permanent type of ice skating rink, that they should develop
a plan and have a comprehensive look at existing city property that could
accommodate such a rink besides the lake area at Mound Bay Park. There had been
some concerns from staff as it relates to maintenance, security, etc., relating to the
Mound Bay Park lake area. Also concerns were expressed about what could be made
as improvements to the Depot that would possibly prohibit a permanent warming
house facility, due to certain ordinances and restrictions. Therefore, a comprehensive
look needs to be taken at all of the existing city park property and/or school district
property where such a facility might work to the overall city parks and recreation
program. The City Council suggested that a survey through the city newsletter be
conducted to determine the public's interest and what they would like to see with
regard to outdoor skating rinks. The survey idea will be pursued with the Parks and
Open Space Commission. No other comments were made by Peter Meyer or Tom
Casey, who were present, from the Parks and Open Space Commission.
Iol
MINUTES - COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING - FEBRUARY 21, 1995
Proposed guidelines for planting on commons and public lands was put on hold due
to the discussion with regard to the moratorium and the task force relating to Public
Lands and/or Commons.
City Manager Ed Shukle requested that the Council discuss a site for the annual spring
clean up day which is scheduled for Saturday, April 29, 1995. He explained that the
City has now moved the public works materials from the Lost Lake property and the
Lost Lake property is now open for development pursuant to the Mound Visions
Program. He explained that the public's perception is that this site is now going to be
used for commercial and/or park use and that perhaps we should look for a different
site. Other sites mentioned were the parking lot along Auditor's Road, and the area
behind the old Mound Bank. He cautioned, however, that both sites were limited in
size compared to the Lost Lake area and probably would not accommodate all of the
things that have been collected on the clean up day. The City Council discussed the
matter and agreed that the Lost Lake site could be used on a temporary basis only
with the understanding that the material collected would have to be removed right
after the clean up day ended. Also discussed were possible compost sites within the
City of Mound and Minnetrista. The city manager explained that the public works
storage facility at Minnetrista that is now being jointly shared by Mound and
Minnetrista, is limited in size for the use as a public works storage facility and a
compost area. This matter was discussed and the city manager, was asked to
continue to pursue the issue working with Minnetrista on an appropriate site.
Goal setting was continued until the next C.O.W. meeting.
Other business discussed was the idea of bringing back the crosswalk at the House
of Moy and taking a look at the existing crosswalk at the Pond Arena. This matter
was presented by Mayor Bob Polston. He presented a document entitled, "Pedestrian
Crosswalks in Downtown Mound, Minnesota" which had been prepared by Michael
Durrell, an individual who has been interested in the re-instatement of the former
crosswalk at the House of Moy. The Council discussed the matter in detail and at first
glance Mayor Polston had recommended that the issue be brought to the February 28,
1995 agenda. Councilmember Jensen indicated that she will be absent from that
meeting. Councilmember Jessen will also be absent and won't be returning from
vacation until the Committee of the Whole meeting in April. Jensen explained that
this matter received a great deal of attention, study, etc., and if the topic is going to
be reopened for discussion, it should be discussed before a full Counci. After
considerable discussion regarding when it should be on a regular meeting agenda, the
Council consensus was to bring the matter for discussion to the March 14, 1995
regular meeting. Mayor Polston asked that the city manager prepare a resolution for
that meeting to ask Hennepin County to reinstate the crosswalk near the House of
/02.
MINUTES - COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING - FEBRUARY 21, 1995
Moy Restaurant, approximately 10 - 20 feet easterly from where it existed previously,
and also to have the County look at the number of crossings per day at the Pond
Arena crosswalk. The city manager was asked to make copies of pertinent
information from the city's crosswalk file which could be added to the material that
was presented by Mayor Polston. {Please note that Mayor Polston contacted the city
manager on Wednesday, February 22, 1995 and indicated that perhaps this matter
ought to be placed on the agenda where all five councilmembers would be present.
If this is the case, the Council could have it on the April 25, 1995 regular meeting
agenda. It is scheduled for the March 14th meeting and the City Council may or may
not discuss it at that time based upon Mayor Polston's call to the city manager on
February 22nd.} There being no other business, it was noted that the next Committee
of the Whole meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21, 1995, at 7:30 pm.
Upon motion by Jensen, seconded by Ahrens, and carried unanimously, the meeting
was adjourned at 11:40 PM.
_j~ectfully submitted,
Ed S~
City Manager
ES:Is
Io3