HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWkspMin 3-2-16Falcon Heights City Council Workshop
City Hall
2077 W Larpenteur Ave.
6:30 p.m.
MINUTES
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
1) Curtiss Field Recommendations
• Call to order — 6:30. Mayor Lindstrom
General discussion on history or Curtiss Field going back to 2014. Council members
discussed results from survey/open houses. Sack Thongvanh provided a brief history
of parks planning and updates from 2013 -current. Council asked general questions
regarding recent progression of Curtiss Field. City Administrator moved on to discuss
results from surveys and open houses. He explained the process of how the
commission solicited desires of residents.
City Administrator Sack Thongvanh moved on to discuss the top priorities provided
through the survey results. They include a park building, greenspace, beautifying the
park, and providing amenities for all ages. Council discussed utilizing parks as
destinations rather than utilizing all amenities at all parks. Council asked general
questions regarding what primary uses would be for a new building. Staff explained
it would primarily be used for programming, rentals and special events.
City Administrator Sack Thongvanh explained staff is looking for direction from
council for next steps. The letter of recommendation included multiple priorities to
consider. Without discussing specific options or costs, the city administrator
explained funding options including tax abatement. Tax abatement is a mechanism
that `captures' property taxes and allocates to specific funds.
This can be redirected to parks specific funds. The city can bond for parks
improvements and equipment, but not for a building. A bond could be placed on an
election. Council members asked how the message would be shared with residents
and were concerned that raising taxes without a clear message would be undesirable.
Ultimately, bonding can be done with or without a ballot. Council expressed concern
with bonding on individual projects (parks) as opposed to all long term bonding
projects (street improvements, reclaim, etc...)
• City Administrator Sack Thongvanh discussed that ongoing strategic planning
includes long term budget planning. Council will need to establish priorities for staff.
• Council members expressed understanding that staff is looking for direction for next
steps. This can be cost related info... more
• Council expressed concern with a building as it might limit greenspace at the park.
• General discussion on long range planning with the budget including streets, parks,
and capital purchases.
• City Administrator Sack Thongvanh explained that once council gives direction to
staff, council can consider estimates and prioritize options going forward.
• Discussion on building including plumbing and what type of access the public would
have to bathrooms.
• Council asked whether we receive complaints about activities at Curtiss Field at
night. Council expressed that it is well patrolled by SAPD.
• Council expressed it would be beneficial to have costs associated with the
recommendations. Having a more tangible set of recommendations makes
considerations easier to understand.
• Council suggested that there could be a range of facilities (size, amenities, how it
general functions...)
• Council expressed needing more data to consider more priorities.
• Council expressed interest in hearing costs associated with desires recommended by
the Parks Commission.
• Council also expressed interest in community organizations becoming a part of
planning including landscaping.
• Staff will respond to requests to find costs associated with recommendations; staff
will move forward on better understanding all costs associated with short term
projects including completing sidewalks and exploring landscaping options.
t—Z—ICIIA�-
Dated
this 2nd day of March, 2016
Sack Thongv, CityAdministrator