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Home My Public Portal About05/17/06 Joint Mtg CCM177 JOINT MEETING OF THE MEDINA CITY COUNCIL, PLANNING COMMISSION AND PARK COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 17, 2006 The City Council, Planning Commission, and Park Commission of Medina, Minnesota met in joint special session on May 17, 2006 at 7:09 p.m. in the Medina Community Building. Acting Mayor Carolyn Smith presided. I. Call to Order: 7:09 p.m. Members present: City Council: Smith, Cavanaugh, Brinkman Planning Commission: Crosby, Verbick, Dickerson, Fortin, Jacobson, Johnson, Pederson. Parr Commission: Hughes, Bnter, Reid, Dykhoff, Linck, Thies Members absent: City Council: Workman, Weir Park Commission: Gregor Also present: City of Medina: City Administrator Chad Adams, Planner Rose Lorsung, Public Works Superintendent Joe Paumen, City Attorney Ron Batty, City Engineer Tom Kellogg, City Planning Consultant Sarah Schield, and City Office Assistant Dusty Finke. Trust for Public Land: Cordelia Pierson. Community Resources (CR) Planning: Jean Coleman II. Discussion of Open Space Planning City Administrator Adams and City Planner Lorsung introduced Cordelia Pierson from the non-profit Trust for Public Land (hereafter "TPL"). Pierson spoke of the mission of TPL ("Conserving Land for People") and their experience in Minnesota and throughout the United States. Pierson spoke of five main benefits of Conserving Land: 1) increased real estate value (and thus increased property tax base); 2) strengthened communities; 3) improved economy; 4) attractiveness to investment; and 5) improved personal and public health. Pierson described four ways in which TPL assists government units: 1) assist community is setting its own vision for open space; 2) assist with finance options; 3) assistance with real estate expertise; and 4) research and educational assistance. Pierson explained a number of nationwide and statewide trends regarding land preservation, including: water duality as the reason most voters support funding for conservation; 74% national success rate for conservation funding ballot measures (84% of those supported by TPL); the importance of specific plans and accountability measures 178 for conservation funding; and the most common range of conservation funding measures ($25-$35 per taxpayer). Pierson also explained the five critical steps to carry out if a community intends to undertake a ballot measure for conservation funding; 1) create coalitions; 2) conduct feasibility studies and planning; 3) test the public wiliness to pay for conservation; 4) concentrate on ballot language and legal necessities; and 5) campaign for success. Pierson advised that it takes twelve to eighteen months to effectively prepare for a referendum/special election that requests tax increases for particular open space initiatives. Pierson replied to a question regarding the top limit of what taxpayers are willing to pay. She stated that it really depends on many factors. Pierson replied to a question regarding how a city decides how to spend conservation funding once approved. Again, this varies with each city, but most have some sort of scoring process for suggested land, and most have a citizen review process. Pierson replied to a question regarding how farm land is conserved; that is, whether it is conserved as open space or whether the farming itself was supported. She replied that in Dakota County, for example, water quality is the main concern. In this instance, conservation finding was available to support the continuation of farming operations that were water quality -friendly. Pierson replied to a question regarding the cost a city accrues going through the referendum process. She replied that most cost is in the conservation/open space planning process, but that once a community completes this step, the cost of running a referendum are incidental. III. Introduction of Open Space Consultant Lorsung introduced Jean Coleman from CR Planning, Medina's Open Space Consultant. Coleman stressed the importance of involving the community in the Open Space planning process and spoke how the Open Space plan will set a framework for the City's Comprehensive Plan. Coleman stated that CR Planning will work towards the three areas of the RFP: education, planning, and implementation. Coleman also stated that three products will arise: Public engagement, determination of open space priorities, and ordinance change suggestions. 179 IV. Comprehensive Plan Discussion Lorsung discussed the work already completed that will assist in completing the Comprehensive Plan. The 2000-2020 Comp. Plan was done well, and the city will not need to reinvent the wheel, but rather enhance what it has already. The areas most likely to be expanded are related to open space, surface water, and transportation. Lorsung discussed Medina's Comprehensive Plan schedule. The main goals of 2006 will be education, and data gathering. By the end of 2006, the City will have completed a citywide survey and quantitative analysis, open space priorities will be appearing, and resident input will be gathered on land use within the city. With this schedule, Medina should be able to complete a draft Comprehensive Plan by the middle of 2007 so that it may be reviewed by school districts and neighboring municipalities. Staff responded to questions regarding Met Council required densities, and whether the Met Council might "pick off' Medina for higher density as it had other cities. Staff responded to questions about current density in Medina. At the time that Bridgewater was being studied, Medina was below the 3 units/acre requirement of the Met Council. Staff stated that the Bridgewater development and redevelopment in Uptown Hamel should be able to achieve the concentration needed. Thies moved, Bruer seconded: To schedule Special Meetings of the Park Commission to correspond with the Comprehensive Plan Open Houses on the. following dates. May 23, 2006; May 31, .2006; June 21, 2006; June 27, 2006; July 25, 2006; July 26, 2006; August 9. 2006; August 22, 2006: September 11, 2006: September 26, 2006; October 11, 2006; October 24, 2006. All meetings are scheduled for 7.•00 p.m. and held at the Community Building. Motion Passes Unanimously. Cavanaugh moved, Brinkman seconded: To schedule Special Meetings of the City Council to correspond with the Comprehensive Plan Open Houses on the following dates: May 23, 2006; May 31, 2006; June 21, 2006; June 27, 2006; July 25, 2006; July 26, 2006: August 9. 2006: August 22, 2006: September 11, 2006: September 26, 2006; October 11, 2006; October 24, 2006. All meetings are scheduled for 7: 00 p. m. and held at the Community Building. Motion Passes Unanimously Crosby moved, Verbick seconded: To schedule Special Meetings of the Planning Commission to correspond with the Comprehensive Plan Open Houses on the foll _owing dates: May 23, 2006; May 31, 2006; June 21, 2006; June 27, 2006; July 25, 2006; July 26, 2006; August 9, 2006: August 22, 2006, September 11, 2006; September 26. 2006; October 11, 2006; October 24, 2006. All meetings are scheduled for 7.•00 p.m. and held at the Community Building. Motion Passes Unanimously 180 ®pen Discussion: Adams made the following announcements: - June 7, 6:00 p.m. — The Medina Park Commission will take its annual park tour. - June 21 — The Medina Park Commission will hold a special meeting to discuss the proposed trail along CSAH 19 from CSAH 24 to Highway 55. Hennepin County is seeking Medina's approval by the end of the summer. - The City Council appointed members to the Citizen Advisory Committee for the Facilities Master Plan. An RFP has been issued for a consultant to assist with the process. Michael Pressman from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District announced that there will be a meeting on May 24, 2006 at Medina City Hall regarding a Conservation Program. The program allows the District to purchase land, create conservation easements, and then sell the land with the easements intact. V. Adjournment Cavanuagh moved, seconded by Brinkman to adjourn at 8: 36 p.m. Motion pa, sed unanimously Acting Mayor Attest: Chad M. Adams, City Administrator -Clerk