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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-02-1995 CMW COUNCII?MANAGER WORKSHOP OF THE CTI'Y OF MAPLEWOOD 5:00 p.m., Monday, October 2, 1995 Maplewood Room, City Hall NIINi7TES A. CALL TO ORDER The Cottncil/Managertyorkshop of the Maplewood City Council was held in the Maplewood Room, City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Acting Mayor Carlson at 5:00 p.m. B. ROLL CALL Mayor Gary Bastian Present (Arrived at 5:03 p.m.) Councihnember Sherry Allenspach Present Councilmember Dale Carlson Present Councilmember Marv Koppen Present Councilmember George Rossbach Present Others Present: City Manager Michael McGuire Assistant City Manager Craig Dawson , Pazks & Recreation Director Bnice Anderson Community Center Manager Tom Eastman C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councihnember Allenspach moved that the agenda be amended to i) add Item Il Pre-Agenda Meetines. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Rossbach and was approved. Ayes; All Mayor Bastian arrived.. D. OPEN SPACE 1. General Uudate McGuire reviewed the status of the open space acquisition process. Approximately $1.2 million remained of the $5.0 million funding approved by referendum. Four properties were yet to be acquired. • Kuslich property: a 14.5-acre site which will cost approximately $250,000. The exact acreage is being determined and closing should occur in two months. • Tri-District School property: an easement of approximately seven acres will be dedicated to the City at no cost. • Gilbert property: Mr. Gilbert is asking $500,000-550,000; an appraisal for the City indicates a value of no more than $350,000. This property is no longer being pursued. • Kayser property: Due to personal circumstances, Mr. Kayser is not actively negotiating with the City at this time. 2. Conservation Easement Councilmembers discussed the proposal by the Strobels, 2380 Oakridge Drive, to dedicate a conservation easement to the City for their property at 2381 Hillwood Drive. Councihnembers concurred that there was not sufficient public benefit to accept the easement. Council directed staffto send a letter to the Strobels indicating that the City would be declining. their offer. It also directed staffto draft guidelines for accepting conservation easements: Criteria to be considered could include accessibility to the public, proximity or linkage to other open spaces, location, size, and habitat characteristics. 3. Grandview Addition McGuire presented a proposal from representatives of the owner of the Grandview Addition property north of Carver Avenue: The 13.33-acre parcel under consideration was being offered for $120,000, or about $9,000/acre. This property rated relatively high in the acquisition rankings. An adjoining 15.23-acre pazcel may be available for approximately $200,000, or $13,000/acre. An adjacent 4.60-acre pazcel may also have some difficulties to develop. Councihnembers chose not to reactivate the Open Space Committee regarding comment on acquisition of these properties; it will consider such proposals on a case-by-case basis. Council directed staffto pursue negotiations on acquisition of all or part of these three properties. E. COMMUNITY CENTER UPDATE 1. General UQdate/Financial Anderson highlighted the financial status of the Community Center through August 31, 1995. The projected yeaz-end deficit is $51,000. Greater-than-anticipated expenses have occurred in: 1) Building maintenance--especially in the locker rooms and pools; 2) Utilities--there was no historical experience on which to base estimates; and 3) Labor costs--running 25 to 40 percent greater than anticipated due to labor rates and a labor shortage. Start-up costs for the Community Center incurred in 1995 will not recur in 1996, and thus will improve financial performance next year. The Community Center currently has sold 3200 member packages, thus serving 8,000-9,000 individuals. 65 percent of these packages will be up for renewal in November 1995. The Center is highly utilized, and there is a large number of advance bookings for certain facilities in the - building. Anderson related the progress of mazketing plans designed to retain and attract customers. Discussion occurred azound resident and non-resident fees. Proposed fees would increase the gap between these users. Non-resident membership fees currently account for less than 20 percent of all member fees. There appeazs to be little need to expand to a third indoor gym of the Community Center as gyms will become available at Carver and Edgerton community centers in November 1995. 2 Proposed Fee Structure for 1996 Anderson presented fees proposed for 1996. Under daily fees, a new category would be added for a family rate. Changes in annual fees, which would apply to new memberships sold after January 1, 1996, would increase I S to 30 percent, with the greater increases occurring for non- residents. Membership would include access to Carver and Edgerton community centers. Staff does not expect price resistance from these proposed increases. It is hoped to min;mi~e any changes which may be needed in 1997: Councilmembers concurred with the proposed fee structure. 3. Carver/EdPerton Updates Facilities at these auxiliary community centers are expected to be available by November 1, 1995. Staff should be available azound January 1, 1996. Daily fees will be the same for residents and non-residents, as they will be used by non-residents who reside within these schools' districts. F. EMPLOYEE/COMMISSION APPRECIATION NIGHT The event will occur on Wednesday, October 18, beginning at 6:00 p:m. at the Community Center. Some facilities at the Center will be reserved for City use. $5,000 has been budgeted for this event. A major expense will be T-shirts to be presented to Council, commission, and staff members. G. MAPLEWOOD ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE McGuire referred to a memo from the Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Committee that was critical of the City Hall portion of the open house held in May 1995. Historically, the City Hall open house piggy-backed on that of the Police Department: Several councilmembers believed most visitors didn't know the entire building was open. They agreed that the open house should continue to be held; the City Hall component will need tobe better publicized, and made more fun and interesting in the future. Councihnembers were reminded of the Community Center open house from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, October 15. Councilmembers were to cut cake at 5:00 p.m. H. FIItE DEPARTMENT UPDATE McGuire indicated that over 20 applications had been received for the Fire Chief position: The interview process would begin next week. The position should be Slled by January 1, 1996. L OTHER BUSINESS 1. Pre-Agenda Meetings Allenspach indicated she would be unable to attend these meetings through December 14, 1995. Even though only two or three councilmembers would be attending these meetings during this time, it was decided to continue holding them. J. FUTURE TOPICS ...were not discussed. K. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:27 p.m.