09-12-2018 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 12, 2018 Becky Meyer, Director of AFSA, stated that she has been with AFSA for 17 years and developed the school's site in Vadnais Heights. She explained that their current high school only has one driveway access, so having two here will be even better. She noted there have been comments about the lack of green space on this site. She showed a photo of small raised gardens next to their building where green space was created where someone would not think there is any. Ms. Meyer noted that students only attend school 171 days per year with limited staff at the school over the summer. She explained that they have trained their parents and have no stacking or parking issues on Vadnais Boulevard. She stated that they can do things to make sure the parents and students are good neighbors. She explained that they contract for snow removal which is done before 7:00 a.m. and they know they may have to remove snow from the site. She stated that she would hate to remove trees from the west side given the nature of their curriculum, and they are willing to add or replace trees if necessary, but will do whatever is asked. She stated that it is not a problem if they cannot keep the vans there overnight. She explained they may have enough students now to warrant an extended - day program. McGraw asked if there is a regular physical education program where the kids would be outside. Ms. Meyer stated that they have a recess time, which would run over about a two hour time frame with at most 100 students out at a time, but likely less. McGraw asked if they could put something up to protect the cars on the north side property from balls that bounce out of the play area. Fischer asked what grades would be in this location. Ms. Meyer stated that they are now approved for Pre -K through Grade 12, but this location would only be Pre -K through 8th grade, but they would not start the Pre -K level right away. Fischer asked if phy-ed was offered. Ms. Meyer stated that they follow all regular state school guidelines and are required to have a phy-ed program, and would bus the kids to the high school gyro once a week. McGraw asked what the plan is for the play area. Ms. Meyer stated that they will leave it blacktop at first until the full site plan is established, and then will likely add some grass, but still leave some blacktop for games. Mr. Biagini stated that he talked to the property owner on the north side of this property and they are very supportive, as is owner of the adult daycare on the south side. He noted that the existing sheds could be removed which would add about eight more parking spaces. Fischer asked what the plans would be for after-hours events when parking would become an issue. Ms. Meyer stated that they have been renting Hill Murray School since they do not have an auditorium. She stated that their science fair has gotten too large so they do it in shifts to accommodate parking and judges. She noted that they hold their larger events at other 7