CCWS 08-17-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION ~ August 17. 1998 5 . Mr. Fritsinger requested that the Council needed, over the next two - three weeks, to further discuss the cost of the new City Hall facility. Mr. Fritsinger stated that Council had concurred with space issues when the design process was initiated, but that the design, as proposed, represented an additional $300,000 in necessary funding, all of which was not related to the building size, and needed refined COW1cil diseussion of some major issues. Mr. Fritsinger also stated the discussion should include whether or not the Council wished to move forward with a j oint maintenance facility. Further discussion included; other options for leasing space in commercial development within the Gateway Business District, including space to lease within the proposed new City Hall, and the design elements of the proposed building as opposed to a strictly functional building; Fire Department budget ramifications, future Fire Board control of expenses, term of eontraet, ISO insurance ratings, and TCAAP fire services. Further discussion included the need to look outside the General Fund levy to fund the TCAAP Phase II study; use of staff and outside eonsuItants as previously approved by COW1cilmembers; the extent of the Phase II plarming for TCAAP and the need to discuss the entire aereage, not just small components; . Mayor Probst observed that the first piece of work completed was to stay in front oftlle utilization process and manage the gross level of development. Mayor Probst stated that the Phase II portion would be how that development translates into infrastructure needs, roadways, and whether or not there is sufficient tax base to justifY the City's involvement without existing residents subsidizing development; that it needed to be a net plus, or the fence needed to stay up with the City walking away and eventual retrocession to other jurisdictions; and the possible pursuit of political options. Mr. Fritsinger stated that, if the City wasn't going to see a substantial amount of acreage come out of federal ownership, there may not be a need to pursue it further. Discussion continued as to how aggressive the City wanted to be, considering the budget implications, in expending additional staff and funding sources, beyond that which had already been eommitted with Mr. Ringwald's dedieated hours and a $300,000 commitment by the City for outside consulting sources, with Councilmember Malone reminding staff and Council to consider separate discussions regarding the proposed new City Hall and land excessing. Councilmember Aplikowski expressed her concerns regarding the advisability of pursuing the TCAAP development, and the amoW1t of staff time, and funding, already expended, with no guarantees. Mayor Probst reiterated the need to pursue the type of analysis and evaluation regarding whether . or not we want to pursue various issues at TCAAP, citing tllat of the existing water system as an example.