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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/17/1994CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota March 17, 1994 Minutes of the special meeting of the City Council of Apple Valley, Dakota County, Minnesota, held March 17th, 1994, at 7:00 o'clock p.m. at Apple Valley City Hall. PRESENT: Mayor Branning; Councilmembers Erickson, Goodwin, Humphrey, and Sterling. ABSENT: None. City staff members present were_.' City Administrator Melena, City Clerk Mueller, City Attorney Sheldon, City Engineer Gordon, Finance Dtrecto= Ballenger, Personnel Director Boland, Police Gaptain Erickson, Community Development Director Gretz, Parks & Recreation Director Johnson, City Planner Kelley, Public Works Director Miranowski, and Arena Manager Ptetig. Mayor Branning called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Mr. Johnson reviewed research on a proposal to construct a secon~ 2ND SHEET OF sheet of ice attached to the existing Sports Arena at Apple Valley ICE PROPOSAL High School. The School District is willing to consider allowin§ the construction on its property. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee considered the issue at its March 15, 1994, meeting and recommended supporting it. He reviewed revenue and expense projections for construction and operation. These indicate a City contribution of approximately $85,000 per year would be needed to operate ~nd maintain the facility. Mr. Melena said the City contribution is based on a conservative revenue estimate~ He showed comparisons with revenue projected at three percent and five percent growth rates over seven years. Councilmember Sterling asked if the School District would pay for using the second sheet of ice? Mr. Melena said it would. Councilmember Goodwin said revenue projections are based on ice rental rates of $110.00 per hour.!, Ron Berry, 15731 Hannover Path, representing the Apple Valley Hockey Association (AVHA), reported on results of a survey of its members. They were asked if they would be willing to pay more for additional ice time. The response rate was 86 percent and of that, 95 percent would support the cost. Me also commented on hours of ice time available in other cities' programs and said the increased hours with a new arena would still be less t~an Bloomington has now for example. Councilmember Humphrey commented on City subsidies for other sports and Park programs and supporting an arena is not out of line in comparison. Couneilmember Goodwin agreed and commented on the percent of user fees that support an arena compared to athletic fields. MOTION: of Goodwin, seconded by Humphrey, to proceed with construe- OLYMPIC ICE tion of a second sheet of Olympic size ice adjoining the CONSTRUCTION existing Sports Arena at Apple Valley High School. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota March 17, 1994 Page 2 Councilmember Sterling asked if this will be a year around sheet of ice? Mr. Johnson said preliminary plans are for a slightly longer season than the current arena, but not all year. Councilmember Goodwin said the Olympic size would also allow use for baseball practice and soccer. Bernie Dusich, Vice President of Apple Valley Hockey Association, commented on expanding programs in need of ice time, such as ringette and girls' hockey. He said the Association has been working on this project for at least three years and conducted fund raisers for it. He presented a check for $100,000 to the Mayor as the Association's contribution toward the arena Mayor Branning said timing for the project is right. Land is available, interest rates are favorable, and operations are in place to make it work. Bonds on the current arena will be paid off and the City can continue funding an expansion with minimal additional cost to taxpayers. He asked when the second sheet of could be ready? Mr. Johnson said an 11 to 12 month building period is expected. Vote was taken on the motion. Ayes - 5 - Nays - 0. MOTION: OLYMPIC ICE of Goodwin, seconded by Sterling, approving a project budget of $2,350,000 ($2,250,000 from the City and $100,000 from AVHA) for construction of a second sheet ice, with operational costs to be included in annual budgets; directing Staff to pursue revenue bond financing for it and dialogue with the School District on the site; and directing Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderltk & Associates to prepare plans. Mayor Branning asked if it could be completed by February of 19957 Jim Maland, of Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik & Associates, said it could be constructed in a 7 to 8 month time period. Allowing for plan preparation time, a Spring 1995 schedule could be met. Councilmember Goodwin said if it is open by April 1st, a spring soccer program could be held and revenue collection begun. Mr. Matand said they have done preliminary sketches and have a layout that will work on the site, but other design features will need to be determined. They could be back to the Gouncll in two months with plans for bidding. Vote was taken on the motion. Ayes - 5 - Nays - O. Bob Bro, of AppliedGraphics, was present and demonstrated his proposed interactive multimedia public information system. It uses a touch screen monitor, installed in kiosks, and could be available 24 hours a day for residents and visitors to access information. APPLIEDGRAPHI~ DEMONSTRATION Councilmember Humphrey asked if the system could work on an interactive basis, such as allowing people to sign up for Parks & Recreation programs? Mr. Bro said if it were networked via a modem it could be connected to City facilities. CITY OF APPLE VAI3.~Y Dakota County, Minnesota March 17, 1994 Page 3 Councilmember Humphrey asked if Mr. Bro has contacted the MVTA about using the system for information and possibly selling bus tickets? Mr. Bro said he will be talking with them next week. MOTION: of Humphrey, seconded by Branning, accepting the proposal of AppliedGraphics, dated August 25, 1993, to install three interactive multimedia public information systems, at a cost of $54,600, subject to cooperation with other governmental entities to make the systems as broad-based as possible. Councilmember Erickson said it is a good product, but he doesn't see the value for the City at this time. Councilmember Humphrey said he would like the ability to purchase tickets for other activities added into the system which is not part of the proposal now. Councilmember Erickson said he would like information on that cost and projected revenue from other agencies using the systems before purchasing them. INFORMATION SYSTEM INSTALLATION Councilmember Goodwin said he would like to see other agencies sharing in the cost of purchasing the systems, such as the Zoo and MVTA. It has potential, but he does not want to frontend it or duplicate efforts of other agencies. Mayor Branning said the Council has had information on this proposal for some time and a previous demonstration. It should make a decision now. Cost sharing was not discussed previously. Councilmember Goodwin said he is disappointed other agencies haven't been contacted before this time, but would like that information. MOTION: of Sterling, seconded by Erickson, amending the foregoing motion by making it subject to receiving information on the Zoo's and M~ITA's participation and tabling it until April 14, 1994. Ayes - 4 - Nays - 1 (Branning).- TABLE MOTION Mayor Branning suggested Mr. Bro contact the County about participation also. MOTION: of Humphrey, seconded by Erickson, to adjourn. Ayes - 5 - Nays - 0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 o'clock p.m.