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2012-01-30 CC Minutes Joint �� lb��rtV1 � �. ������� 11 �� ����v�. ST. MICHAEL — ALBERTVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT 885 CITIES OF ALBERTVILLE AND ST. MICHAEL STMA SCHOOL BOARD ROOM —11350 — SO Street NE JANUARY 30, 2012 — JOINT SPECIAL MEETING The St. Michael-Albertville School Board met in a joint session with officials from the City of Albertville and City of St. Michael on Monday, January 30, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. at the Albertville City Ha1L STMA School Board Members present: Chairman Doug Birks; Board Members: Drew Scherber, Carol Steffens, Jeanne Holand, Gayle Weber, Jeff Lindquist and Superintendent James Behle. Absent: None City of Albertville Present: Council members Dan Wagner, Jillian Hendrickson, John Vetsch, Larry Sorenson and City Administrator Larry Kruse. Absent: Mayor Mark Meehan City of St. Michael Present: Mayor Jerry Zachman; Council members: Chris Schumm, Nadine Schoen, Kevin Kasel, Joe Ma�, City Administrator Bob Derus, and City Engineer Steve Bot. Absent: None Others present: Scott Berning and Tammy Tupper representing STMA Youth Hockey Association; Aaron Brom of the Crow River News. CALLED TO ORDER Albertville Acting Mayor John Vetsch opened the meeting with introductions. FYCC Superintendent James Behle reported that Sandy Greninger was not able to make the meeting and reported that the three entities were meeting regularly. Behle reported that FYCC recently funded $500 toward a suicide prevention program known as the Save Program, which focuses on mental health issues. Behle reported that FYCC has successfully implemented 19 programs which have made a positive impact on the community. Superintendent Behle then listed the 19 different programs and positive comments were voiced by others. UPDATE ON STMA SCHOOL FUNDING M:�Public Data\City Council\Council Minutes�2012 Minutes\City Council�lVl O1 30 2012 Joint Albertville school board.doc Cities of Albertville-St. Michael and School District 885 Joint Special Meeting Minutes - January 30, 2012 Page 2 of 3 City Administrator Kruse reported that the STMA Arena Board continues to refine the site layout plan. The STMA Arena site is a compact site and right now planning for adequate parking is one of the challenges facing the Board. The current arena has 120 parking stalls, and the expanded arena looks like it can accommodate about 150 stalls. The current plan meets the City of Albertville's parking requirements; however the site does not accommodate adequate parking for the larger events. The Board is exploring the viability and cost to expand parking to the south into the wetland. Another option being explored by Albertville is acquisition of the L&D property. The STMA Board would like to avoid purchasing additional land. Kruse reported that the Albertville City Engineer met with the Wright County Soil and Water representative and learned it will be difficult encroaching into the wetland for parking when other options are available. The City of Albertville reported they are updating the Master Plan of Central Park to see if there are any opportunities for additional parking and fire access there. Youth Hockey President Scott Berning presented an update on funding. He reported the group had completed 18 different fund raising activities for a total of $62,000. They are pursuing a gambling license for Neighbor's Eatery in hopes that will generate significant revenue. Berning reported the Association is healthy with 396 members, slightly down from last year. Berning was asked if there was a specific fund set up for the second sheet and he reported that no there was not, as Youth Hockey wanted to keep all their options open and insuring the kids had the safety equipment and pucks was still a priority for their Association. He said there had been discussions of a separate fund, and they will continue to discuss it. The three government entities discussed arena funding. Some suggested that the two cities should begin to budget money now, while others said it has been impossible to do this during the economic downturn. The group discussed the triggers that would lead to a decision to proceed with the second sheet. Both Albertville and St. Michael agreed that $600,000 to a$1,000,000 was the target, with cash needed up front to be used to phase into the full annual debt service. The consensus of the school and two cities was that lack of a common account and thermometer was hindering public awareness for the project. All would like to see some type of fund raising thermometer to advance the project. Berning said, Youth Hockey is close to bringing forward a plan to go forward with the expansion and asked for clarification if the STMA Arena Board was still open to a proposal. It was stated that they were, but that it would require cash up front and not promises. Kruse was asked to put "increased public awareness" on the next STMA agenda so the thermometer idea could be explored further. STMA SCHOOL FUNDING Superintendent Behle reviewed the joint school and city initiative to seek a more fair share of state funding far schools. The property rich school districts continue to get richer and the poor property school districts continue to get poorer. Behle thanked those that were able to attend the Buffalo community meeting with our legislators. There, everyone learned it is not a democrat or republican issue, but rather a geographical issue. Area legislators support additional funding, but that means taking it away from someone else. Behle reported the coalition of schools in the same Cities of Albertville-St. Michael and School District 885 Joint Special Meeting Minutes - January 30, 2012 Page 3 of 3 funding situation have considered a lawsuit as the state constitution requires "equal" opportunity for education regardless where you live. He suggested people could go to House File 536 to learn more about school funding. City Administrator Bob Derus stated communities that receive high funding and low tax rates are growing while others are not, citing differences in the Maple Grove school district. Derus emphasized it is an important issue for cities to make sure funding is equitable. All agreed that helping the school achieve a more equitable allocation of state money is an effort they support. JOINT PARTNERSHIPS St. Michael City Engineer Bot referred to a long list of cooperative efforts and collaborations between the School and two cities. Bot stated that the Council's/Boards and Staff support and are empowered to partner and cooperate. This includes the following: Cooperative Partnerships — Hockey Board/Arena, FYCC, JPWB, Library, Senior Center, Fire Dept — Mutual Aid; Facility Sharing and Volunteer Associations/Organization Support — Hockey, Soccer, Baseball, Lacrosse, Tennis, FYCC, Seniors, JBWB, Public Meetings, Speaking in Classrooms, Community Garden; Building Projects Cooperation- High School/Fieldstone - St. Michael (Land, Road, Grading, Maintenance) Albertville (Sewer, Storm Water); Voting; Traffic/ Pedestrian Safety Issues — STME and both Middle Schools — work with principals and city engineers; Maintenance issue cooperation — Trails/Sidewalk plowing, STME-snow/ice help, High School-slope mowing, City Sludge — school land permitted; Equipment Sharing — Jet/Vac Truck — sewer lines, Air compressor — irrigation lines, Loaders/Tandems — Snow and Dirt Work; Staffing Resources Sharing and Communication — Inspections/Engineering/Maintenance and Safety Training. Bot said the entities involved should be proud of this history of cooperation and celebrate it! April 2012 and July 2012 are the next months with five Monday's and staff was directed to coordinate the next meeting, which would fall on Monday, Apri130 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Attest: Larry Kruse, ertville City Administrator/Clerk (recording secretary)