City Council Work Session

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES Tuesday, September 06, 2022 at 5:30 PM Baxter City Hall, 13190 Memorywood Drive, Baxter, MN “A Growing Community” CALL TO ORDER Mayor Olson called the work session to order at 5:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Darrel Olson and Council Members Connie Lyscio, Zach Tabatt, John Ward and Mark Cross were present. City Administrator Brad Chapulis, Assistant City Administrator Kelly Steele, Community Development Director Josh Doty, Finance Director Jeremy Vacinek, Police Chief Jim Exsted, IT/GIS Director Todd DeBoer, Assistant Finance Director Brenda Brooks were present. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Review of the Mississippi River Overlook Masterplan Stewart Crosby, SRF Consulting Group, presented the Mississippi River Overlook Masterplan to the council. The plan was developed with public input to enhance the public use of 880 acres of city-owned open space in southwest Baxter. The city received the land through a combination of land donation and various acquisitions through grant funding from state and federal agencies. A project advisory committee was formed and met several times this year to develop a master plan of the property. Over the planning effort, two final master plan concepts have emerged as feasible options for the long-term viability of the park. Both final concepts incorporate the most popular recreation and habitat preservation goals, improved access to the river and recreation, increased educational opportunities, specifically programmed recreation along Mapleton Road, and designation of a portion of the property to a potential outtake partner. The primary difference between the two concepts are related to the size and the boundary characteristics of the outtake land an city owned land. Option A designates approximately 550 acres of the land west of Pike Creek, including all of Island Lake, as a possible outtake area. Approximately 30 acres of land along Mapleton Road would be preserved for specific recreational activities. The Camp Ripley Veterans State Trail would meander through the perimeter of the property. Option B designates a small future outtake area of 250 acres in the northwest region of the property. The Future Camp Ripley Veterans State Trail would be aligned within the powerline corridor. Under both options, the original 60 acres of the Mississippi Overlook Park is the hub of recreation access and natural educational opportunities. Under Option A, the parking lot and building would be located farther from the river, while Option B shows those elements on the flat terrace closer to the Mississippi River. Option A reduces the drawbacks of siting the facilities within an existing clearing that requires less utility infrastructure, but park users must travel farther to see the river. Option B prioritizes the proximity to the river but comes with drawbacks that include tree clearing and additional expense to extend water and sanitary facilities. Both options preserve 30 acres along Mapleton Road for potential city park facilities. 9/6/2022 City Council Work Session Minutes Page 2 Under each option the city preserves a corridor that may be used in the future for a public road. Both options identify potential parcels for future acquisition. These areas have been identified based on their potential to improve connectivity of the park. The project advisory committee identified Option A as the preferred master plan. The project could be divided into three phases to allow for better management of the large project scope. The estimated cost for phase one is $6,013,000; phase two is $1,370,000; and phase three is $852,000. The council discussed the history of acquiring the property and if an outtake partner should be considered for the property or if the property should be held by the city for future open space needs. Community Development Director Doty explained tonight was to introduce the council to the plan and to determine if there is a consensus regarding the master plan. The council will be asked to accept the master plan at a future date. City Administrator Chapulis explained the plan is only a vision and is competing against other projects for funding. The council discussed the need to have a solid understanding of the project cost. Staff will schedule the mater plan for discussion at a future work session. 2. 2023 Governmental Funds Budget Discussion City Administrator Chapulis explained the proposed budget is approximately an 11% increase from 2022. The council discussed various budget cuts including delaying a squad car purchase, not contribution to the annual 4th of July event, reducing mowing, and delaying the purchase of public works vehicles. Finance Director Vacinek explained additional tower lease revenues can be considered and payment to Crow Wing County for the Camp Vanasek property could come from park dedication fees. These two items would lower the levy from 11.8% to 11.2%. Council Member Cross did not support using park dedication fees for payment to Crow Wing County for Camp Vanasek. The proposed levy increase does not include increased property valuations. The council will review the proposed budget on September 20, 2022. ADJOURN MOTION by Council Member Cross, seconded by Council Member Lyscio to adjourn at 6:47 p.m. Motion unanimously carried. Approved by: Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ Darrel Olson Kelly Steele Mayor Assistant City Administrator 9/6/2022 City Council Work Session Minutes Page 3