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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-06-18 Minutes UPDATED Approved: CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CIVIC SITE TASK FORCE MEETING SEPTEMBER 6, 2018 6:00 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Vice Chair Mitchell called to order the Civic Site Task Force meeting at 6:00 p.m. Present: Vice Chair Arlene Mitchell, Members Paul Beggin, David Radziej, Clayton Zimmerman, and Alternate Rich Straumann Absent: Chair James Lambeth, Members John Van Valkenburg, Dan Erickson, Brenda O’Meara, Miriam Ward and Craig Wilson Also present: City Administrator Dave Perrault; Sarah Knoll, City Council Liaisons Brenda Holden and Fran Holmes 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – SEPTEMBER 6, 2018 Vice Chair Mitchell stated the agenda will stand as published. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. July 31, 2018 – Civic Site Task Force Minutes Commissioner Beggin moved, seconded by Commissioner Radziej, to approve the July 31, 2018, Civic Site Task Force Meeting Minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 3. NEW BUSINESS/UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Comments from PTRC Member Beggin provided the Task Force with an update from the PTRC. He commented on the recreation programs that were administered by the City and noted separate programs are run by the school district. He explained the school district provides more of the educational classes while the City sponsors the recreational activities. He commented on the three new parks within TCAAP and noted the location of the walking/biking trails. He reviewed the meeting space available that CIVIC SITE TASK FORCE – SEPTEMBER 6, 2018 2 was owned by Arden Hills and noted the other space that could be leased from the Mounds View School District. He commented additional space was needed in order to provide senior and adult classes being requested by the community. Ms. Knoll commented on the senior programs the City piggy-backed with Shoreview to provide. Mr. Beggin discussed how the TCAAP site would be a natural draw for hiking and outdoor recreation. He stated the Civic Site could focus on this for its future programming. He described an expo center that was located at the National Sports Center and stated this space would be a good model for the City to consider as it was extremely flexible. Mr. Zimmerman stated a space for seniors would be valuable, along with teaching space for seniors to teach youth. He indicated this would provide for great community building in Arden Hills. Councilmember Holden commented on the splash pad that was being constructed by the City of Mounds View. The Task Force thanked Mr. Beggin for his thorough report. B. HGA Presentation Jennifer McMaster, HGA, discussed some preliminary design options for the Civic Site with the Task Force and noted Victor Pichati and Glen Waguespack from HGA would also be presenting the Task Force with information on the site. Victor Pichati, HGA, commented on the Brookview Community Center in Golden Valley, noting he assisted with this project. He discussed a comprehensive space analysis for the Civic Site with the group. He commented further on preliminary plans for the Civic Site and highlighted the proposed programs for this building. Councilmember Holden stated she was not interested in the Civic Site having a coffee shop or restaurant as she felt this may take away from the surrounding retail and commercial areas. Mr. Pichati commented that seniors in the community currently gather at McDonald’s for coffee and explained some sort of food service should be considered to draw the community to the meeting space. Mr. Zimmerman questioned what the City spent on rental space on a yearly basis. Ms. Knoll estimated this to be $10,000+ per year. Councilmember Holmes stated she would be speaking with a local caterer to see if there was a need in the community for event space. Mr. Waguespack reviewed a list of areas that could be located within the Civic Site and described Options A, B and C with the Task Force, noting the corresponding parking needs. CIVIC SITE TASK FORCE – SEPTEMBER 6, 2018 3 Mr. Pichati encouraged the Task Force to consider how the space could be utilized for intergenerational uses, for youth, seniors, arts, etc. Councilmember Holden asked if a combination of Options B and C could be created. Mr. Waguespack stated this could be done. Mr. Zimmerman questioned if operating costs for the various options had been investigated. Mr. Waguespack reported he had not investigated this. Ms. Knoll commented on the value of having more gym space in Arden Hills for adult and youth programming, especially for basketball. Councilmember Holden noted the space should meet City zoning requirements. Vice Chair Mitchell commented Option C could use more general use space, or noted the walls would need to be able to be partitioned. She summarized that the Task Force was interested in gym space with moveable walls and flexible flooring options. She noted the coffee shop space could be reduced in size. Councilmember Holmes stated she liked the idea of a dedicated art room. Mr. Beggin indicated this would be a unique feature that was not being offered by surrounding community centers. Councilmember Holden commented on how the parking needs for the site would change of special events were held at the Civic Site. Mr. Waguespack explained not all parking may be accommodated onsite and shared parking may have to be provided by the surrounding commercial district. Mr. Zimmerman stated he supported a horseshoe shaped building and noted this would be inviting given the surrounding views. Mr. Waguespack indicated he would proceed with a hybrid of Options B and C for the Task Force. He commented he would report back to the group with a hybrid with program and parking options. Councilmember Holmes questioned if the group should have a better understanding on the Civic Site costs prior to holding an Open House. Mr. Waguespack stated he could come back with pricing options for the hybrid, as well as having pricing for the project being completed in phases. He explained the City would want to work with outside consultants to better understand operating costs for the space. CIVIC SITE TASK FORCE – SEPTEMBER 6, 2018 4 Councilmember Holmes supported the hybrid option going before the City Council prior to the matter going to an Open House. City Administrator Perrault stated a joint meeting with the City Council could be held in September and an Open House could be then be held in October or November. Mr. Waguespack supported a joint meeting being held with the City Council in September in order to keep this project moving forward. Vice Chair Mitchell directed staff to invite the City Council to attend the September 25th Task Force meeting. The Task Force suggested the Open House meeting for the Civic Site be held the week of October 30th. Mr. Waguespack thanked the Task Force for all of their input and stated he looked forward to meeting with this group again at the end of September. 4. TASK FORCE MEMBER COMMENTS None. ADJOURN Vice Chair Mitchell adjourned the Civic Site Task Force meeting at 8:15 p.m.