2006 10-16 CC PACKET - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

MINUTES GEM LAKE CITY COUNCIL JOINT MEETING WITH WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 18 SEPTEMBER 2006 The meeting was called to order at 8:05 p.m. Present: Gem Lake Mayor: Paul Emeott; Gem Lake City Council Members: Richard Bosak, Tom Rasmussen and Hutch Schilling; Gem Lake City Clerk: Fritz Magnuson; Gem Lake Planning Commission Member and Architect: Craig Rafferty; Gem Lake Resident: Mark Sweet. White Bear Township Town Board Members: Bob Weisenburger, Dick Sand and Bill Mample; White Bear Township Town Clerk: Bill Short; Attorney for Gem Lake and White Bear Township: Patrick Kelly. Kelly announced that this joint meeting between the Gem Lake City Council and the White Bear Township Board is taking place to discuss the possibility of a proposal for a joint facility that will be referred to as "Heritage Hall". He explained that he is both the City Attorney for Gem Lake and the Town Attorney for White Bear Township, and that his direction from the City of Gem Lake and White Bear Township is to come up with some type of format for this unique situation because Gem Lake and White Bear Township are breaking new ground in this area. He explained that the land is owned by White Bear Township and the building, which is proposed to be constructed by Gem Lake, will be primarily used for the City of Gem Lake. He reported that there are legal considerations for Gem Lake, such as public hearings which must be held in the city. Kelly reiterated that his position as City Attorney and Township Attorney, is to listen to negotiations, and that at this point in time there will be discussion only. He stated that the two communities will try to determine a format to undertake the joint venture, noting that today's discussion is not set in stone, but only to get input. He stated that both Gem Lake and the Township have similar objectives for their citizens, and that tonight's meeting is a huge step that could be monitored by other political subdivisions to show a meeting of minds to better serve the taxpayers. Short explained that the initial conversations about the benefits of a joint facility started a few years ago. He stated that the Township acquired the property a year ago through the Township's Economic Development Program, realizing that it could be sold for economic development purposes or serve as a site for a new building that could benefit both communities. He explained that Craig Rafferty, Fritz Magnuson, Bill Mample, and himself comprise a committee that has been pursuing this joint endeavor, and that they have been meeting since last winter. Short noted that Rafferty has been very helpful with the project, which is now at a point now where the program has been presented in a printed concept. Short reported that White Bear Township would like to tie this project in with the relocation and renovation of the Town Hall, which is proposed to be relocated to the Township administrative campus on Hammond Road. He stated that the Town's Economic Development Authority and the Town Board have concluded that they would like the Township to have completed the relocation and renovation of the Town Hall to coincide with May 11, 2006, the Township's sesquicentennial date. Short stated that he has been working with Magnuson and Rafferty on that timeline. He noted that the projects need to be coordinated, because when the Town Hall is moved, there will be a need to provide a new poling place for that precinct, and that the proposed joint facility will serve that purpose. Short also noted that the proposed building has been identified as providing space for Town organizations to meet. He explained that the Township does not expect to need the joint facility for its day-to-day operations. Short reported that he was recently approached by Ramsey County Undersheriff Altendorfer to discuss the possibility of adding a patrol sub -station to the proposed building. Short explained that the Ramsey County Sheriff s Department provides law enforcement services to both Gem Lake and White Bear Township, as well as the nearby communities of North Oaks and Vadnais Heights. Short reiterated that the purpose of tonight's meeting is for the Township and the City of Gem Lake to see how many things can be agreed upon for a Joint Powers Agreement, and for guidance on how to proceed. Magnuson stated that he would like two additional points discussed. He explained that it is anticipated that during the time that the Town Hall is being moved and renovated, that the new building will already be occupied and that the Town will have a new home there, and that in addition to being City of Gem Lake's meeting place, it will also be the Town's meeting place for the 6 - 8 months during the Town Hall transition process. Magnuson stated that in addition to being approached by Undersheriff Altendorfer about an interest in a substation at the new joint facility, he has also been approached by the White Bear Lake Conservation District regarding their interest in having an office in the building. He noted that the Undersheriff has stated that he senses they would not need a great deal of space in the building. Page 1 of 5