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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP January 30, 2002 - CITY of ANDOVER SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL/SPORTS COMPLEX TASK FORCE MEETING JANUARY 30, 2002 1. Call to Order - 7:00 pm 2. Presentation to City Council 3. Other Business 4. Adjourn - C 8-' ì'Lt. c.k Q...v lll-u..-tttv¡ ;¡ -10 -09- CITY of ANDOVER Special City Council/Sports Complex Task Force Meeting January 30, 2002 Minutes A special joint meeting of the Andover City Council and Sports Complex Task Force was called to order by Mayor Mike Gamache at 7:00 pm, Wednesday, January 30,2002 at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers Present: Don Jacobson, Mike Knight, Ken Orttel, Julie Trude Task Force Members Present: Frank Kellogg·, Gary Shibrowski, Dave Blackstad, Valerie Holthus, Mark Hedin, Tony Howard, Dean Daninger, Kathe Runge Also Present: City Administrator, John Erar Finance Director, Jim Dickinson Others Mayor Gamache explained that the purpose of the meeting is for the Task Force to make a presentation to the council. Public comments will not be accepted; however, comment cards are available for the public to fill out if they have questions or comments. They should be completed and left for the appropriate staff to answer. Mayor Gamache stated that this is just the first step in receiving information from the Task Force. Motion by Jacobson, seconded by Trude to approve the agenda. . Motion carried unanimously. Frank Kellogg, Chair of the Task Force, explained that the Task Force was created to devise a plan to develop an infrastructure for community activities. He also mentioned that members of the Task Force not present tonight are Roger Okerman and Steve Freitag. The goals and objectives of the task force were to prepare a recommendation regarding community need and justification for construction of a multi-purpose community facility, identify uses for the facility, develop preliminary cost estimates, identify potential facility construction assistance, identify appropriate public financing mechanisms, identify reliable external agency funding and resource commitments and to review and/or recommend potential locations for the facility. Mr. Kellogg noted that an informal Special City Council/Sports Complex Task Force Meeting January 30, 2002 - Minutes Page 2 survey was conducted at the Andover Fun Fest and recently 400 households were surveyed of which 73% favored a community center Gary Shibrowski noted that their vision was to have a community complex strategically located, readily accessible to all groups in a safe and supervised environment, designed to provide a wide range of recreational, athletic and community based learning programs. The survey that was done by Decision Resources showed that favored components of a center were a fieldhouse/gym- nasium, indoor pool/aquatic center, ice arena, and a fitness/exercise/weight room. The survey indicated taxpayer support for approximately $42.00 per household for annual levy before property tax adjustments from the state. Mr. Shibrowski noted that the task force is recommending a 111,000 square foot facility with the following uses: 1) fieldhouse/gymnasium; 2) indoor pool/aquatics center; 3) ice arena with seating capacity for 800 spectators; 4) community meeting rooms; 5) concession and commons area; and 6) community-wide programming. Mr. Shibrowski reviewed the construction/operational management approaches for the new facility, noting that the task force met with companies that specialize in these types of facilities. Mark Ruff, Ehlers and Associates noted that under current law there are three options for financing such a facility: 1) Lease revenue bond; 2) GO bonds; 3) utilize a non-profit organization that would own the facility and do the fund raising. He explained that the lease revenue bond would involve an annual appropriation pledge by the council and that there are higher costs associated with this type of financing. The GO bonds have lower up front costs and lower interest rates. This would, however, require voter approval. With the non-profit organization scenario the city's obligation would be limited. The interest rate on this type of financing would be higher. Mr. Shibrowski reviewed the proposed project budget noting that the field house would cost approximately $3,200,000, the ice arena would be $3,100,000, the indoor pool would be $2,200,000, the parking lot/entrance would be $500,000 and there would be a contingency fund of $900,000. The task force evaluated revenue sources noting the following: community/private fundraising, City Financing/operational support, school district programming, community associations, advertisement revenue, concessions/athletic store and a third party management/cooperative arrangement such as the YMCA, Lifetime Fitness or another organization. Mr. Kellogg explained that the task force evaluated four sites: Andover City Hall, Sunshine Park, the WDE site and Bunker Hills Park. The City Hall site is being Special City Council/Sports Complex Task Force Meeting January 20, 2002 - Minutes Page 3 recommended because of the close proximity to the schools allowing for generation of revenue, the city already owns the property, access off of Hanson Boulevard and Crosstown Boulevard, and on-site facility security associated with being adjacent to City Hall. Mr. Kellogg thanked the task force members for their commitment to the project. Tony Howard reviewed the blueprints for the structure noting that there would be 4 locker rooms in the ice arena, two offices for the managers of the facility, a skate sharpening room and a room for the game officials. There would be a multi-purpose room for fitness. The lobby has a ticket area. The field house ceiling would be 36 to 38 feet high. Mark Hedin explained that the swimming pool would be 104' x 110' with 4 lanes and a very long slide. - Allen Saterbak, Saterbak & Associates, noted that his company has been involved with fund raising for over 100 years, having been involved in community fund raising for libraries, community centers, etc. His colleagues just completed a project in Sioux Center, Iowa for a 9.8 million dollar community recreation center. If contracted for this project they would first do a feasibility study to determine the potential for fund raising in the area. Their campaign process takes about one year to complete. The feasibility study is charged on a flat fee with the total cost being approximately $20,000 plus expenses. Jeff Hensel, Greystone Construction, noted that his company has been involved in the construction and design of ice arenas for 12 years. They have worked with Eagan and Shakopee for the construction of their community centers. They also worked with the City of Blaine as a design-build contractor for their second sheet of ice. They stayed within 1 % of the budget for that facility. Council member Jacobson asked Mr. Kellogg if the task force has talked to the school district about what their commitment would be because of the budget crises. Mr. Kellogg explained that they have had contact with the school district. The junior class of the new high school will open with junior varsity and varsity sports along with a girls' program. They are already trying to find ice time for the 2002 season. Council member Jacobson asked what the yearly operating costs would be for the facility. Jim Dickinson, Finance Director, noted that it is too premature to make any estimates. Council member Jacobson stated that the only way this is going to be built is by using G.O. bonds and asked what that will do to our debt limit. Special City Council/Sports Complex Task Force Meeting January 30, 2002 - Minutes Page 4 Mark Ruff, Ehlers and Associates explained that the city has a debt limit only for debt that is supported by taxes. This would not affect the ability to do utility or street improvements; however it could affect the city's ability to bond for park improvements. Council member Jacobson asked if the entire task force is in favor of the City Hall site. Dave Blackstad stated that he is not in favor of the site as he would prefer the WDE site and his second choice would have been Sunshine Park. Council member Orttel felt that the big issue is how to finance the facility. Mayor Gamache noted that there will be another workshop to discuss this issue and in the future public meetings will be held. Motion by Trude, seconded by Orttel to accept the Sports Complex Task Force report. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gamache thanked the task force for their hard work, Mr. Kellogg for chairing the task force and Mr. Dickinson and Mr. Erar for their work. Motion by Jacobson, seconded by Orttel to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 9:21 pm. Respectfully submitted, U d./¿ Vicki Volk City Clerk