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1997-08 CSCRICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION Tuesday, August 12, 1997 MEMBERS PRESENT: Auchstetter, Dietl, Erlander, Gilhousen, Krohn, Scaglia, Schaefer OTHERS PRESENT: Council Member Rosenberg; Administrative Services Director Devich; Recreation Services Director Blank; Public Works Director Eastling; Operations Coordinator Hughes; staff member Hjortaas MEMBERS ABSENT: Anondson (ex), Loweth, Ulmer (ex) MINUTES The meeting was called to order by Chair Gilhousen at 7:45 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. This is a joint meeting with the Planning Commission. Gilhousen thanked both commissions for attending and asked everyone to introduce themselves. Mike Eastling gave a brief explanation of the planning of the proposed maintenance facility. He distributed a Public Works Maintenance Facility newsletter and space program summary. He explained the history of the current garage, that was built in 1963 at 7700 Pillsbury that served staff well. Ideas for a new facility began in 1987 because of inadequate space for the Sewer, Water, Streets, Parks and Engineering Departments. In 1992 it was necessary to put an opening through this building to accommodate the four lane 77th Street Project. The Lampert Lumber Site was then purchased to office the Engineering, Water and Sewer Departments. The City hired the consulting firm of SEH in 1997 to begin the concept design of a facility for the Water Plant Site. The objective is to begin construction of this site in 1998. The first concept the consultant and staff came up with was for 81,000 square feet at a cost of around $6,441,000. This included everything on everyone’s wish list. The second concept was the bottom end of the scale with 52,000 square feet at a cost of around $4,218,000. This would have eliminated many items. It was decided not to under build. The third concept was taken to the City Council and seemed to be a compromise with 69,000 square feet and cost around $5,252,000. Council asked staff to reevaluate what the needs are and to plan for more than the immediate future. Community Services Advisory Commission Meeting August 12, 1997 Page 2 The fourth concept is 78,000 square feet at a cost of around $5,600,000. It includes many of the options the City Council requested and is the plan Eastling would like the Commissions approve. There were questions on the mezzanine regarding the entrance and the possibility of stairs. If stairs were built an elevator would also need to be installed for ADA standards. One part of it would house very large trucks and machinery and the other would be for central supply or items used once or twice a year such as voting machines. There was mixed discussion on the wellness room. Roger Gordon, Planning Commission, went on record saying it is a way of life and stress reliever. Studies have proven it develops a more productive employee and insurance companies concur it is good for the physical and mental being of personnel. There was also a question on safety in the park to which Eastling commented safety is a number one priority and there would be fences between the areas the public would have access to and anything being stored out of the building. Safety on entrances and exits to the facility was discussed. It was explained that there are two areas to exit and enter, one near the Water Plant and the other on 64th and Portland. There could be a traffic signal installed on 64th Street and Eastling is sensitive to neighborhood opinions. If a signal is installed it could be paid for by a State Aid Gas Tax. Devich explained some of the financing. There is $1.2 million from the sale of the current buildings, $1 million could be transferred from utilities fund, $750 has been set aside from the hole in the building as a result of the 77th Street Project and $1.5 million from the 301 capital reserve fund. Funds could be borrowed from liquor profits, utilities and bonding by revenue sources. The lifetime expectancy of a building made with quality materials and workmanship is 30 years or more. The Community Services Advisory Commission meeting was called to order by Chair Gilhousen in the Council Chambers at City Hall following the maintenance facility presentation. Auchstetter moved to approve the minutes of the meeting of June 10 with the correction Rosenberg was in attendance and Stokes was absent. Second by Dietl. Motion Carried. Action Items 76th Street East of I-35W Study: Eastling distributed a study session letter on the final report on the 76th Street downsizing study. It explains how the six member task force Community Services Advisory Commission Meeting August 12, 1997 Page 3 was formed as a Council directive to prepare recommendations on the possibility of reducing 76th Street east of I-35W. This report outlined both negative and positive comments from the public. He also showed a map of the city outlining a bike path and the Soo line, mentioning 76th Street could serve as a good connection. Most traffic from 76th Street is now on 77th Street. This project could be part of a Capital Improvement Program primarily funded by State Gas Tax. Eastling distributed a list of projects in the 1996-2000 MSA budget that included previously approved projects, new proposals and other candidate projects. There was discussion on whether the Commission need vote to approve the concept since 76th Street could last ten years. With competing dollars, is this project where they need to be spent. Although the neighbors are happy with less traffic they have mixed opinions on what needs to be done with the street. Staff is looking for a motion to guide what happens on various parts of 76th Street when opportunities arise for other improvements. Motion by Denise Schaefer to recommend to City Council that they accept the concept and put it through the normal CIP process. Second by Auchstetter. Motion carried. Community Center charges of 50(: A fee of 50( per person is presently being charged when seniors use the Day Center at the Community Center to play 500, bridge or darts. The Inter-Council recommended this fee and an additional fee of 25( for coffee with no additional charge for one refill. If seniors are unable to pay the fee, they have been asked to see Lil Hipp and the fee has been waived. The Inter-Council feels the fee should be continued at the Community Center since all other groups are required to pay, i.e., exercise groups and dance programs. Motion by Gilhousen to support the Inter-Council’s recommendation to charge 50( per participant and 25( for coffee with one refill at the Community Center. Second by Erlander. Motion Carried. Committee Reports MRPA: No Report Planning Commission: No Report Community Services Advisory Commission Meeting August 12, 1997 Page 4 FOWL: The preparations for the FOWL Ball Golf Klassic are underway for September 20, 1997 on the Par 3 at Rich Acres Golf Course. Tickets are available at Wood Lake Nature Center for $25 each or $100 for a four-some or five-some. Dietl asked for a team of four or five players to represent the Community Services Commission, the parent organization to FOWL. Volunteers are also needed to make this event a success. 76th Street Study East of I-35W: This information was covered by Eastling. Master Park Plan Sub Committee: This group has not met and is waiting for the results of the City Wide survey to make a recommendation. Scaglia has developed and sent out a project work sheet with information gathered from department presentations with areas for comments and how committee members feel on individual issues. Staff Reports Enterprise Funds: Devich reported there has been an increase at the Golf Course of over $85,000 from 1996. Mini Golf reported 3,400 rounds over the month of July in 1996 and 11,000 thus far over 1996. Bids for the dasher boards are in and footings have been laid for Hat Trick Hockey. Recreation Services: The FOWL Board voted to recommend to the Community Services Commission that a sound wall be installed on I-35W when the additional lanes are built. It will help eliminate some of the pollution from the freeway, add to the ambiance of the Nature Center and will help keep deer out. There was a meeting of residents regarding the sound wall and they could have new ideas. Sheridan Park is on schedule but not without problems. The path around the park was designed to be eight feet. Two neighbors have requested a six foot path behind their homes. This will require bringing in another machine or cutting the eight foot path in their area to six feet. If this is done, the maintenance people will be unable to plow the path for year round use. The recent rain has also put much of the park under water but Blank has been working with the engineering and maintenance departments and it is felt when the park is completed the areas affected will be built high enough not to present a problem. The park will have sufficient storm water capacity to increase pre-development protection of the neighbors. Adjournment Motion by Auchstetter, second by Erlander to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.