City Council Work Session

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 6:30 PM Baxter City Hall, 13190 Memorywood Drive, Baxter, MN “A Growing Community” CALL TO ORDER Mayor Olson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Darrel Olson and Council Members Connie Lyscio, Zach Tabatt, Jeff Phillips, and Mark Cross were present. City Administrator Brad Chapulis, Assistant City Administrator Kelly Steele, Police Chief Jim Exsted, Assistant Police Chief Matt Maier, Public Works Director Trevor Walter, Finance Director Jeremy Vacinek, and Community Development Director Josh Doty were present. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Camping World Site Redevelopment Traffic Impact Study Findings (Essentia Health) Justin Anibas, with SEH, presented the findings of the traffic study for the former Camping World site. The traffic study looked at six intersections for the proposed redevelopment of the former camping world site. Essentia Health is proposing to redevelop the site for a medical clinic with urgent care and a drive through pharmacy. Essentia Health is proposing to use 67,980 square feet of the 110,460 square foot building. The remaining space will be left vacant with room for future growth and expansion. The proposed medical clinic will generate an estimated 2,560 daily trips. With the future expansion of the clinic, it is estimated to generate 4,150 trips per day. The ongoing MnDOT studies of the TH 371 Nisswa to Baxter corridor study, the TH 210-/371 interchange study, and the TH 371 and Excelsior Road area design recommendations were considered for the traffic study. Five scenarios for the MnDOT studies were analyzed. With the Design Road access to TH 371 open, a majority of the clinic trips would use Design Road to access the site. With the Design Road access to TH 371 closed, vehicles would need to reroute to either Excelsior Road or Clearwater Road to access the commercial areas on either side of TH 371. Medical clinic trips would also have to use Excelsior Road or Clearwater Road to access Edgewood Drive and the proposed medical clinic site. Under all scenarios, each intersection operates at LOS D or better and each approach operates at LOS E or better. No roadway or intersection improvements are needed to the existing network to accommodate the proposed medical clinic. If Design Road is closed, some of the turn lane lengths at the TH 371/Excelsior Road signal will likely need to be increased. The council did not have any questions. 11/19/2024 City Council Work Session Minutes Page 2 City Administrator Chapulis explained the traffic study has been provided to MnDOT. 2. 2025 Governmental Funds Budget Update Finance Director Vacinek provided an update on the 2025 Governmental Funds Budget and 2025 proposed property tax and its impact. The preliminary property tax levy is used for the truth in taxation hearing to be held on December 2nd at 6 p.m. Overall the levy from 2024 is a 5.5% increase. As requested at previous council meeting, the preliminary budget was reduced by $10,000 to arrive at 50.085%. The reductions were $6,500 to park maintenance professional services, $3,300 to employee health and dental premiums, and $200 to utilities services. The 2025 total preliminary levy is $9,383,800. Finance Director Vacinek summarized how the city portion of the levy would impact various valued residential and small commercial/industrial properties. The council will review the budget on December 3rd. ADJOURN MOTION by Council Member Tabatt, seconded by Council Member Phillips to adjourn at 6:52 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Approved by: Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ Darrel Olson Kelly Steele Mayor Assistant City Administrator