02-06-06 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Concurrent City Council/Richfield
School Board Worksession
February 6, 2006
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 5:32 p.m.
Council Members
Present: Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; Sue Sandahl; Fred Wroge;
and Bill Kilian.
City Staff Present: Steven Devich, City Manager; Bruce Palmborg, Community
Development Director; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Brad
Sveum, Fire Services Director; Jim Topitzhofer, Recreation Services
Director; Bill Fillmore, Liquor Operations Director; Dan Scott, Public
Safety Director; Pam Dmytrenko, Assistant to the City Manager; and
Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
School Board
Members Present: Nancy Rowley; David Lamberger; Todd Nollenberger; Marc Jenkins
(arrived at 5:26 p.m.); and Sandy Belkengren.
School Staff Present: Dr. Barbara Devlin; and Jim Bradley.
Item #1
All members introduced themselves and their respective role(s) in the Richfield
City/School community.
Todd Nollenberger, School Board Chair, made preliminary remarks, including the key
purposes for the Worksession. The sale of the Lincoln Hills school is closed and the school
has capital funds available for improvements at their other facilities. The school wanted to
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February 6, 2006
brainstorm with the City regarding facilities in the community and possible endeavors together.
The school does have aging swimming pools that need renovation.
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer explained he participated in the school's task
force studying facilities. The Community Services Commission reviewed the concept of a joint
Community Center with the school district and suggested a community survey be conducted to
consider the components and location for the facility.
Marlene Evenson, DLR Group, reviewed the physical structures and floor plans for a
joint use facility connected to a school (Le. Lake Crystal) or a self-standing joint use facility on
city property (Le. Seymour Aquatic and Athletic Complex).
Mr. Nollenberger explained the task force envisioned a facility attached to the high
school with additional classrooms or meeting rooms, operations offices, and possible running
track.
Nancy Rowley, School Board member, said Central School is not currently used as a
school site and it would be very expensive to bring the building up to code so it raised the
question of what to do.
Ms. Evenson said the Central School site could be considered for demolition and used
as additional parking.
Council Member Sandahl said the City needs banquet facilities.
Jim Bradley, Business Manager, stated a limitation to having banquet facilities would be
the sale of liquor on public property.
Mr. Nollenberger questioned how that limitation would be affected by a joint City/School
facility.
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer stated liquor on City property can be permitted
because most larger cities have made provisions for these sales.
Barbara Devlin, School Superintendent, stated liquor sales on school property are
prohibited so the City may wish to have their attorney review this issue.
Mr. Bradley reviewed ownership and operational considerations and options, including a
facility owned and operated by the City or owned and operated by the School District. The
emphasis tonight is a facility on owned and operated by the School because sites and funding
capital are available. This is a real opportunity for partnership with this option. The owned and
operated facility by City provides a school lease levy capability to generate funds.
Marc Jenkins arrived.
Mr. Bradley said a joint powers agreement should be prepared including specific
responsibilities.
Council Member Wroge questioned if the two pools would still be repaired if a new
facility were built on School property.
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February 6, 2006
Mr. Bradley explained that one of the two pools would need to be repaired. A priority
would be the pool at the Middle School because the swimming program is part of the physical
education curriculum.
Mr. Nollenberger stated there is no clear vision yet. The school's intent tonight is to see
if the City Council has an interest to joining the school in a study for a new joint facility.
Council Member Wroge questioned a facility being built without a referendum going to
residents since the school just did two referendums that did go to residents.
Dr. Devlin said the School Board would like to know if the City is interested in exploring
this project. If so, then a timetable and structure for a study should be set. The repair of the
two pools could be delayed pending the outcome of the study.
Council Member Kilian expressed support to partner to build something better because
a greater public could be served, versus a school facility serving only students.
Mr. Nollenberger said they were envisioning a facility with two pools - one for
competition and the other one for the public.
Council Member Wroge said the timing is terrible for this type of project because the
City has other projects needing funding. The money from the Lincoln Hills sale could be used
to make improvements without an additional burden on taxpayers.
Mr. Nollenberger said the repairs could be done but there is a possibility of a grander
project if the City and School District work together. He suggested the new City Hall could be
incorporated into the vision.
Dr. Devlin stated that if the City is interested in pursuing this endeavor in the future, the
Middle School pool could be repaired and the high school pool repair could be delayed.
Council Member Kilian agreed there are many projects before the City but many, new
opportunities present themselves. A review needs to be made to determine if there would be a
large enough increase in people using a joint facility if the City partnered with the school.
Mr. Nollenberger stated that to make that determination a community survey should be
conducted.
Dr. Devlin said if the pool is not adjacent to a school facility, the busing of students
cannot be afforded.
Council Member Wroge stated that if a facility is on school property, it must be open day
and night in order for the community to accept this project.
David Lamberger, School Board member, said if only the pool repair is done, there
would be no increased use. If community use is included, the users will increase.
Mr. Nollenberger added the vision is viewed as selling Richfield; the school needs an
increase in families.
Marc Jenkins, School Board member, asked the City Council if they were hearing
comments from constituents regarding a Community Center or better access to recreation
facilities.
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February 6, 2006
Council Member Wroge said he has not heard anything regarding a new Community
Center since the last one was defeated. He added facilities should be as good as possible for
the students.
Council Member Rosenberg said she hears that more meeting space is needed, as well
as banquet facilities. She added that the previous attempts at a new Community Center was
defeated because it came out of a difficult time with extenuating circumstances. The
community may find a new Community Center more acceptable now.
Council Member Sandahl stated she liked the comments regarding selling Richfield and
making a better facility. It makes good sense to partner and work on a project that benefit both
the City and School District. She added, she heard comments that the previous Community
Center effort was defeated because it needed to be more centrally located.
Dr. Devlin said the City may wish to consider banquet facilities as part of the new City
Hall.
Mayor Kirsch said two governmental agencies should try to be on the same page and
review different options.
Council Member Kilian said this project could be a start to working together resulting in
a better result and spending less money.
Mr. Nollenberger asked about sharing garage space in the proposed new City
maintenance facility.
Public Works Director Eastling explained the new garage site is tight on space. There
wouldn't be room for storage of school equipment.
Council Member Sandahl suggested there might be space at Taft Park.
Council Member Wroge suggested that Lifetime Fitness or Bally's might be willing to be
part of an agreement.
Ms. Rowley said a review of public/private partnerships could be reviewed.
The City Council consensus was to proceed with establishing a committee to conduct a
study of a potential joint City/School District facility.
Mr. Nollenberger suggested City Manager Devich and Dr. Devlin work together to form
the committee.
Council Member Wroge said the taxpayers need to be considered because they've
approved a school referendum twice, and an end run around them should not occur because it
may jeopardize a future bond referendum.
Mr. Nollenberger said the community would not be jeopardized.
Ms. Rowley said the Lincoln Hills funds are the taxpayers and there is a hope to partner
to make the most of it.
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February 6, 2006
Dr. Devlin clarified the lease levy mentioned by Mr. Bradley could be an option to
generate funds for a City-owned facility. There is no authority to exceed the amount of the sale
of Lincoln Hills.
City Manager Devich stated the City's goal is to conduct a survey so the school may join
in with respect to this project.
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:08 p.m.
Date Approved: February 28. 2006
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