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2004-02-19 CC Minutes SpecialST. MICHAEL-ALBERTVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT 885 CITIES OF ALBERTVILLE AND ST. MICHAEL February 19, 2004 JOINT SPECIAL MEETING Representatives from the St. Michael -Albertville School Board, the City of Albertville and the City of St. Michael met in a joint meeting on Thursday, February 19, 2004, at 6:00 p.m. in the Boardroom at the High School. Present: For St. Michael -Albertville School District: Chairperson Bob Helgeson (left at 7:10 p.m.), Clerk Gayle Weber, and Director Carol Steffens. For the City of Albertville: Mayor Don Peterson, Council Members Tom Fay, Ron Klecker, LeRoy Berning (arrived at 6:25 p.m.), and City Administrator Larry Kruse. For the City of St. Michael: Mayor Wayne Kessler, Council Members Thomas Hagerty, Joe Hagerty, Drew Scherber and Cindy Weston, City Administrator Bob Derus and City Clerk Carol Beall. Also present were Gregg Voss, Albertville citizen and involved with YMCA; and Ron Shealer, St. Michael citizen and employee of Great Northern Bank. Chairperson Helgeson opened the meeting, and turned it over to St. Michael City Administrator Derus. YMCA in the AREA Administrator Bob Derus explained this is the opportune time to get a YMCA somewhere in this area. Albertville and St. Michael's competition is Rogers. He said the only way to guarantee the best shot for Albertville or St Michael is if the two communities and school district get together behind it. The first step is to define a site, which is needed for the market analysis. The two City Administrators (Larry and Bob) met with the marketing rep last week and then drafted potential site selection criteria. Derus said they would like suggestions from this group as well. The selection criteria that had been identified were briefly discussed. For example, it would be a fairly active use, which you might not want in a quiet neighborhood. Since it is probably a tax-exempt organization, so St. Michael generally would not want it to be located in their prime industrial area. It is an unwritten policy not to put tax-exempt in commercial/industrial areas. A good site would be closer to the centers of the two communities --a site that has that synergy or collaboration potential. Following are the suggested YMCA Site Selection Criteria, which had been identified: ✓ Land Use (Compatible with neighborhood) ✓ Availability/Cost of Site (Affordable) ✓ Potential Collaboration (Schools, Churches, City, Library, Other) ✓ Tax Base Issues ✓ Accessibility for Both Cities ✓ Transportation (accessible) Derus then asked if there were other issues that should be identified. Mayor Peterson said a YMCA does not need to be located next to a freeway or large major roadway. The marketing consultant indicated anywhere good land is available would work. One question posed might be --would you be willing to be a member of a YMCA if it was no more than five minutes of both downtowns or perhaps within'/2 mile of the high school? Some issues relating to finances and use of tax funds were very briefly mentioned, as finances would be an issue once a site was determined. School Board Chair Helgeson asked what the impetus was for seeking a YMCA. It was explained that both communities want a Community Center, which would be very expensive for both towns. With YMCA, after the initial financing involved with getting it built, they take over operations and ST. MICHAEL-ALBERTVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT 885 Cities of Albertville and St. Michael — Joint Meeting February 19, 2004 - Page 2 staffing. Helgeson then asked what the interest would be in this area. Interests will be identified through the $24,000 market analysis, the costs of which are being shared by the three cities and the YMCA. The first step is to identify a potential site. The school district is not being asked for any money; although it is possible a good site could be land already owned by the district. Fitness, programs for children and adults, and childcare are just some of the things YMCA can be involved with. As the communities grow, new needs may be identified. It is important to get the community leaders behind the push for a YMCA. In discussion relating to a map board with several potential sites identified, an Albertville Councilmember said with regard to the earlier statement that a very visible site is not needed; he felt it would not hurt to have it set some place where you can see it. The question was asked whether it was expected the Rogers community would use it. It would be expected that surrounding areas would use the facility. There is membership revenue and program development from surrounding areas. Some present were not familiar with YMCA and its programs. Gregg Voss gave a little history. One of the things he said was that 51% of the members are women, but it is not to be confused with YWCA. Basically a local YMCA can be anything the community would want it to be. Voss said there are programs from womb to tomb, and what one particular YMCA might offer is largely determined by the needs in the community. They do not want to duplicate what is already available through Community Ed or other established programs. It was stated that Monticello has a beautiful facility, but the City is putting in $650,000 to $700,000 a year in operations. It was again stated the study would determine a lot of things. There was some discussion on the expected life of a facility. It was stated there is usually some kind of a pro forma budget to make sure the facility is feasible. Models are done to minimize going out of business. A few of the older Y's have closed over the years. Voss also discussed the potential for endorsement dollars. He said that a YMCA in this area would be part of the Twin Cities YMCA —the Minneapolis Association, so would be located within 30 miles of top-notch resources for training. Council Member Joe Hagerty said Buffalo looked at a facility about four years ago and had a referendum, which did not pass. Ron Shealer said he has been in this community three years, having moved from Appleton, Wisconsin. He said he has been around YMCA's since he was in school, and in his experience, having facilities only ten miles apart was not uncommon. Gregg Voss again said being a branch is a significant deal for resources and help. He said no one is turned away. Scholarships are awarded for people who do not have the money. Shealer also said he was on the Financial Board of Directors where he came from. He said they do not ask for operations money from the city or school district. They are self -supported. Other discussion concerned comparability of fees and what is covered. A member is a member of all Y's across the country and other countries. Voss also provided a fact sheet for information. The support study will test whether residents would support coming to a YMCA, looking at a five -mile circle around the area. St. Michael Albertville people might be asked if they would be willing to go to Rogers. (6:25 p.m. LeRoy Berning in). The goal was to get back by next Wednesday to the market rep with a description of a site. The size being targeted would be seven to 20 acres. The market study will compare to tell what the community wants and the size needed. It could be a traditional Y, but it could be something different. Some of the group had looked at the Coon Rapids Y, which is 60,000 square feet on approximately seven acres. There was discussion on what Community Ed offers and what might be added. A later step would involve brainstorming and focus groups. A brief description of the sites identified on the board is as follows, with several comments. Note that the group added Site C2. ST. MICHAEL-ALBERTVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT 885 Cities of Albertville and St. Michael — Joint Meeting February 19, 2004 - Page 3 A. New site school purchased — 93 acres on the west side of St. Michael. No services now, and not real convenient for Albertville. B. Land owned by the school district near the existing Elementary School. — Would be good for the schools, with good access and accessibility. C. Commercial area on CR19 (now owned by Moen-Leuer Across from the high school — probably not affordable. C2 LeRoy Berning asked about east of the water plant between the church and water plant. It was thought Doug Psysk presently owns the piece. D. South of high school — Eicher property — right on the border of the two cities, presently guided residential. Access from 19 would be a challenge. E. Town Center — Potential for relationship to the schools is good. F. North side of 50t' Street in St. Michael's guided commercial/industrial area. G. 7-1/2 acres on the south side of middle school property with quite a grade drop. There was a lot of additional discussion on the various potential sites listed above. Carol Steffens asked if you would not want it closer to businesses, and whether down by Super America would work. In an ideal world, close to business might be good, but convenience to schools is being sought here. A site near Super America would be a long way from Albertville, and it is also located in the Elk River School District. Such things as parking, access, being within '/2 mile of either downtown, being within a two -minute drive or within walking distance of schools (more particularly the high school), and other possible considerations, were discussed. It was felt Sites A, B and F could perhaps be eliminated, leaving C, C2, D, E and G. Some felt an obstacle to site E in Town Center might be a feeling from Albertville residents that this was part of St. Michael's Town Center. Possible drawbacks to Site G with the steep grade were discussed. It was suggested building into the hill might work. Access for Site D could be problematic. (7:10 p.m. Helgeson left) Voss said one part of the program that is critical is youth programs. He also pointed out the YMCA is the largest childcare provider in the country. Gyms and a teen center for youth would probably be desirable. It was asked if jobs would be added to the community. Jobs would be added. One item that had been taken off the questionnaire in deference to the school was day care; however, it was suggested that be added back in, because the school cannot provide for all requested and has a waiting list. This group was to come up with as specific as possible a site description for the market study, but not identify a specific site. It was suggested stating "in the neighborhood of STMA High School." Two descriptives suggested were to be within walking distance of the high school, or within a two - minute drive. Voss said in talking to many newcomers within the circle of people he comes in contact with at sports events or other community activities, he believes Site E, not only would work, but would be desirable. He said people generally do not care about which City it is identified with as long as the community gets one in the general area. He felt C2 also looked like a good site. A local Y would be expected to also draw from Otsego, Hanover and Monticello Township, as well as Rogers. The group was basically in agreement with giving the site location for the market study as being in the neighborhood of STMA High School —within walking distance or within a two -minute drive. HOCKEY ARENA — Locker Room Addition ST. MICHAEL-ALBERTVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT 885 Cities of Albertville and St. Michael — Joint Meeting February 19, 2004 - Page 4 The support of the Cities of Albertville and St. Michael for a locker room addition to the Hockey Arena was scheduled to be discussed; however, no representatives of the Hockey Association were present to answer questions. Albertville Mayor Peterson briefly discussed his understanding of the plan for two new locker rooms and the request for each City to commit to $100,000. He said it sounds like Albertville could be willing to do it. Albertville Councilman LeRoy Berning said he needs questions answered. He said it sounds like how they started when they wanted backing from the Cities and then ended up needing more and not meeting their expectations for fund raising. Would the cities be left holding the bag again? Apparently some of those considering donated labor and materials, such as Manor Concrete, were looking for a full commitment from cities before they would sign their letters of agreement. The money from advertising in the locker rooms was also mentioned. There was brief discussion on several ideas or options. Timing was unknown as well. The consensus was, since hockey board or association representatives were not present to answer questions, this group would adjourn. FUTURE MEETINGS: A future meeting of the School District and two City Councils is scheduled for Monday, March 29, 2004, at 6 p.m. in the Board Room at the High School. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Recording Secretary/St. Michael City Clerk