City Council - Workshop Meetings

City Council Workshop Meeting Cherry Conference Room April 24, 2024 7:15 p.m. or immediately following the Regular City Council Meeting This City Council Workshop meeting is taking place virtually and at Woodbury City Hall in the Cherry Conference Room. Members of the public may attend the meeting in person and may also join the meeting using a computer, tablet or smartphone and accessing the virtual meeting link at woodburymn.gov/VirtualMeetings Watch the Live Meeting Public comments will be accepted during the meeting both in person and virtually. Virtual questions should be submitted via the online Q&A feature within the virtual meeting link. Questions regarding the meeting will be also taken between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 651-714-3524 or at council@woodburymn.gov. Questions received after 4:30 p.m. will be responded to in the next three to seven business days. Please note that all agenda times are estimates. Workshop Agenda 7:15 p.m. 1. 2024 Local Option Sales Tax Referendum for the Public Safety 24-124 Campus 8:45 p.m. 2. Administrator Comments and Updates1 8:50 p.m. 3. Mayor and City Council Comments and Commission Liaison Updates1 8:55 p.m. 4. Adjournment 1 Items under comments and updates are intended to be informational or of brief inquiry. More substantial discussion of matters under comments and updates should be scheduled for a future agenda. The City of Woodbury is subject to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by public entities. The City is committed to full implementation of the Act to our services, programs, and activities. Information regarding the provision of the Americans with Disabilities Act is available from the City Administrator's office at (651) 714-3523. Auxiliary aids for disabled persons are available upon request at least 72 hours in advance of an event. Please call the ADA Coordinator, Clinton P. Gridley, at (651) 714-3523 (TDD (651) 714-3568)) to make arrangements.  1 City of Woodbury, Minnesota Office of City Administrator Council Workshop Letter 24-124 April 24, 2024 To: The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council From: Clinton P. Gridley, City Administrator Subject: 2024 Local Option Sales Tax Referendum for the Public Safety Campus Summary Since 2018, our capital planning had identified the need to plan for and finance the next expansion of the Public Safety Building. The project planning was anticipated to follow execution of the Central Park project, which slide back a number of years due to many factors. Accordingly, more recent CIP’s projected the design work to beginning in 2024 with the estimated cost to be determined afterward based on the design results and council direction. At that time, property tax supported general obligation bonds were anticipated to be the primary funding source. However, during the 2022 state legislative session, a couple of suburban cities were uniquely granted the opportunity to seek voter approval for a local option sales tax (LOST). Previously, that ability had been reserved for just the Twin Cities and select out-state regional cities. In November 2022, suburban city LOST referenda largely met with voter approval, including our neighbor Oakdale. Afterward, toward the end of the year and into the new year 2023, there was increasing chatter that St. Paul, Rochester and some other cities might seek LOST referenda authority. In spite of our focus on the water and Central Park projects and associated legislative initiatives, sensing a unique opportunity to request hard-to-get LOST referenda authority, staff prepared the necessary regional impact analysis report 1, conferred with our financial advisor on the estimated sales tax yield over 20 years and presented a detailed resolution 2 the end of January to request legislative authorization to hold a LOST referendum The City Council adopted that resolution, which in turn our state legislators, lobbyist and staff pursued through the winter and spring of 2023. Shortly after the adoption of the LOST resolution, staff engaged the U of M Extension to perform a detailed LOST Analysis. By May 2023, our legislative delegation had successfully had our LOST opportunity included with other city requests in this regard, just ahead of a LOST mortarium that was imposed by the lawmakers. In July 2023, we held a workshop primer on the 2024 LOST referendum process. The University of Minnesota Extension study to estimate the proportion of sales proceeds attributed to both Woodbury residents and non-residents was presented at the October workshop, and professional services to perform the project concept 1 Local option sales taxes can only be used for “regionally significant” capital projects. State law limits these projects to “a single building or structure, including associated infrastructure needed to safely access or use the building or structure . . . 2 The city council must first adopt a resolution proposing the tax. The resolution must include the proposed tax rate, documentation of the “regional significance” of each project to be funded, the amount to be raised with the tax, and the estimated length of time the tax will be needed Council Workshop Letter 24-124 January 24, 2024 Page 2 design and cost estimating, and development of a referendum communication program, were authorized. The first workshop in January featured the first draft of the ballot language and further financial analysis by our Financial Advisor Ehlers comparing the property tax versus LOST impact on residents for the project. Importantly, the City was able to successfully negotiate and have approved an acquisition agreement for the Washington County Service Center, essential to the Public Safety Campus design project. Since then, detailed work by our staff, selected architect and construction manager have been underway in preparation for the April 24, 2024 workshop. For this meeting, staff will present: 1. Updated draft ballot question 2. Phase I concept plan architectural report, including site constraints, campus improvements, and early financial estimates 3. Community engagement power point (in packet) Recommendation Staff recommends Council review the attached materials and provide: 1. Authorization to prepare the final 2024 ballot language and to proceed to a council meeting for consideration of referendum final ballot language. 2. Authorization to proceed with a budget adjustment to the Capital Improvement Fund in the amount of $700,000 to expedite commencing with phase 2 of the project schematic and design development professional services. The balance of the professional services (soft costs) will be a part of the 2025 budget. 3. Feedback on the three concept plans. 4. The attached community engagement power point is to “inform”, no presentation is planned. Ballot Language for the November 5, 2024 Referendum Ballot language is statute driven and must be approved by the City Council. Based on feedback from the January Council Workshop, the City Attorney has developed a memo with updated ballot language that is attached to this letter. The primary changes were to shorten the overall language, and to include the word ‘terminate’ to clearly identify the end of the tax The City Council must approve ballot language no later than June 2024. Recommended ballot language for the authorization of a sales tax to fund the public safety campus project is as follows: Council Workshop Letter 24-124 January 24, 2024 Page 3 SALES AND USE TAX FOR PUBLIC SAFETY CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS Shall the City of Woodbury impose a temporary one-half of one percent (0.5%) sales tax for up to 20 years or up to $50 million in revenues plus the cost of issuing and interest on financing bonds, to renovate existing facilities and construct an expanded Public Safety Department campus? By voting "yes," you are voting to increase the sales tax in Woodbury to pay to construct modernized and expanded facilities for Woodbury’s Public Safety (EMS, Fire, and Police) Department campus. If the voters approve this question, then the City will be authorized to impose a one-half of one percent (0.5%) sales and use tax increase for a maximum of 20 years unless terminated sooner if the City Council determines all costs have been paid. Public Safety Campus Concept Plans On October 11, 2023, Council authorized a professional services agreement with Wold Architects and Engineers (Wold) to develop a scoping and needs study to help support the proposed Public Safety Campus Improvements. As the Scoping and Needs study was developed, Wold Architects worked collaboratively with staff to provide engagement opportunities for all Public Safety staff to provide input. Wold asked all Public Safety staff to complete a survey focusing on the current state of the facility and what features would be in the ideal facility. Additionally, Wold held in- person focus group sessions with staff for an opportunity to share more in-depth, division specific information. On January 24, 2024, Council gave feedback for staff to continue working with Wold to develop a scoping and needs study to help support the redevelopment and expansion of the Public Safety Campus with an intent to stay within the $50 million of base local option sales tax funding authorized by the legislature in 2023, and additional concepts that look at a longer-term build- out scenarios. In addition, at that time the City entered into an agreement with Kraus-Anderson for a facility condition assessment of the Public Safety building to identify all deferred maintenance items, develop cost estimates to repair or replace those items over a 10-year horizon, provide overall recommendations to staff for capital planning, and develop a comprehensive and detailed report. In addition, a project management team (PMT) was formed in late 2023 for the Scoping & Needs Study, that consisted of staff from Administration, Community Development, Public Safety (Police & Fire/EMS), and Engineering. This PMT met several times each month to provide a balanced approach and recommendations to move forward based on dissemination of data and recommendations from Wold and the many iterations of preliminary concept layouts that attempted to meet the objectives of the City. Based on the results of the facility condition assessment, areas of concern include exterior enclosures (windows, garage doors, facade repairs), roofing, interior (light renovations for carpet, paint, ceiling tiles, etc.), heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC), and electrical (switchgear, mechanical controls, generator, transfer switches). If the City was to “do nothing”, the estimated costs of deferred maintenance in the next Capital Improvement Plan would be approximately $3.3M over the next 5 years and $7.7M over the next 10 years in present day dollars. Council Workshop Letter 24-124 January 24, 2024 Page 4 Staff has carefully reviewed and evaluated each concept and distilled the options to three viable alternatives for Council consideration. The key findings developed through the project development process include: • Site safety– safe, secure, and efficient parking circulation and fire hall relocation to the south signal • Flexible planning for long-term growth – it was important to develop a concept that would build for a capacity of at least 20 years due to the difficulty of managing future expansions on the long linear parcel. • Focus on function and operations – a majority of the proposed expansion is related to operational space needs for fleet, apparatus bays, and evidence storage (78%). A more efficient office layout and consistent office/cubicle sizing will help limit expansion needs. • Continue to keep both Police and Fire/EMS operations under one facility - for operational efficiency, building cost savings, and access to the facility. • Incorporate sustainability elements - based on City policies, resident survey results, and the ongoing Environmental Strategic Initiative. • The recently acquired Washington County License Center property was affirmed to be a critical - due to site constraints, for construction phasing, stormwater treatment needs, and parking circulation. • Time is of the essence – With a 2023 statutorily fixed sales tax contribution amount, project bidding timing is material to the successful LOST financing of the project. Significant capital cost inflation escalation continues unabated, and expediting project bidding timing is a high priority to reduce inflation risk. Public Safety Concept Site Plan(s) Staff carefully considered and evaluated many alternatives and variations of those alternatives to refine 3 options that are feasible to move forward into the design stage. The three recommended alternatives for Council consideration to be presented at the April 24, 2024, Council Workshop, are as follows: Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Description: Designed to fit the 20 +/- year design life 2050 design for full available funding, based on current build-out based on consistent with population and capital current population and previous expansion cost inflation capital cost inflation time horizons of 15 projections projections years +/- Estimated $55.25 million $58 - $61 million $64 - $67 million Cost: Council Workshop Letter 24-124 January 24, 2024 Page 5 Sources of • $50 million LOST • Option 1 + • Option 1 + Revenue • $2 million CIF (for • $2.25 – $5.25 • $8.25 – $11.25 advanced “soft million property tax million property tax costs”) financed bond financed bond • $1 million bond interest earnings • $1.75 million misc. rebates/grants • $300,000 storm • $100,000 MSA • $100,000 Parks & Trails Pros: • Within the current • Addresses all • Allows for proposed budget deferred fulfillment of MICD • Addresses many, maintenance concepts but not all, deferred concerns • Addresses all maintenance items • Combined and deferred • Renovated spaces expanded fleet maintenance will meet current garage spaces concerns codes and standards • Brings the entire • Bring the building • More efficient site building and site to and site to up to circulation up to current codes current codes and • Expanded garage and standards standards fleet spaces • Efficient site • Efficient site • Sustainability circulation circulation guidelines will be • Meets sustainability • Meet sustainability met to the extent guidelines guidelines practical • Efficient • Provides full build • Site security programming of out for police and spaces fire space needs • Includes • Site security needs Decontamination met Bay • Site security Cons: • Additional • Does not meet full • Exceeds original decontamination buildout of City estimated budget systems/space will • Limited options for limit ability to add future expansion other needed spaces • Exceeds original • Separate fleet estimated budget garage spaces • Limited capacity to • Inefficient fulfill MICD programming concepts • Limited options for future expansion Council Workshop Letter 24-124 January 24, 2024 Page 6 • Limited upgrades to existing infrastructure • Does not meet full buildout of City • No capacity to fulfill MICD concepts Project Timing and 2024 Budget Adjustment Krause Anderson, the City’s design and construction administration professional consulting services has evaluated the design timeline of the project relative to the impact of construction inflation. The anticipated time to develop a project of this scope and magnitude is approximately 16 to 18 months. The earliest recommended construction start date if design started in early 2025 per plan, would be spring of 2027. However, if staff started phase 2 of the design development process in May/June of 2024, an earlier bidding process could be accomplished. Thereby a financial impact of construction inflation can be reduced by an estimated $1.8 to $2 million. The estimated early costs in 2024 for schematic design is approximately $700,000. A budget adjustment in 2024 is necessary to significantly reduce the overall costs by advancing construction to 2026. Next Steps Based on Council input, staff and the consultant will finalize the concept plan site layout, the final scoping & needs study report, and 3 final renderings for communication and distribution to the public. Concurrently, staff will be developing a request for proposal for the schematic design, design development, construction documents, and construction administration for the project. Council will consider authorizing a budget adjustment in the amount of $700,000 and execution of a consultant in late May or early June. Staff will develop schematic design for the Public Safety Campus Improvements for the remainder of 2024 with regular updates as needed. Communications and Community Engagement Update Staff and consultants created a robust Communications and Community Engagement Plan to inform residents of the need for the Public Safety Campus renovations as well as to share the facts and data on the impact of the proposed Local Option Sales Tax funding for the Public Safety Campus Project. Outreach efforts began in March of 2024 and will continue through the election in November of 2024. The Plan, delivered in collaboration with Public Safety staff, is essential to sharing pertinent information with the community in advance of the referendum. The city is beginning the plan by telling the story of the need for a new and improved Public Safety campus in our growing community and the benefits the new facility will have on the emergency services the city provides. The stories will also highlight the importance of creating a Public Safety space welcoming to all community members when they visit. As time goes on, the city will be able to augment the stories with visuals developed of the Public Safety Campus Project and will begin to talk more about the funding options available to pay for the Project. A top priority is to connect with community groups, non-profits, the Woodbury Chamber of Commerce, and retail and economic development agencies. Knowing city staff are often the front line for the distribution of information to the public, we focused our engagement efforts internally first by conducting an online presentation in March as part of our “Woodbury Learns” Council Workshop Letter 24-124 January 24, 2024 Page 7 staff training series. This presentation was recorded and placed on our intranet with the goal of reducing misinformation or information gaps for city staff. Our Public Safety department leaders will play a pivotal role in connecting, engaging, and educating both organizations and residents within the community. The Plan encompasses a range of activities, including presentations at community organization meetings, informational booths at community events, website updates, social media outreach, video presentations, direct mailings, newsletter articles, and other innovative outreach methods. The external engagement effort was kicked off at last month’s State of the City address. In addition, staff attended the Woodbury Community Expo with handouts and Public Safety staff delivered the first presentation to the Multicultural Advisory Committee (MAC). The city is committed to adhering to the principles of the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) Spectrum of Public Participation and will apply the "empower" category and are confident the Plan will help the community make informed decisions regarding the Local Option Sales Tax vote in 2024. Staff will continue to keep the city Council informed of our progress and welcome any feedback or suggestions you may have as we move forward. Fiscal Implications For fiscal year 2024, authorization to proceed with a budget adjustment to the Capital Improvement Fund in the amount of $700,000 to expedite commencing with phase 2 of the project schematic development professional services. The balance of the professional services (soft costs) will be a part of the 2025 budget. Future fiscal implications continue to be determined and communicated to the Council as more information becomes available. Necessary scoping and needs study expenditures have been included in the proposed 2024 Budget and authorized per 2023 Budget amendments. If approved by voters, the sales tax would accrue $51,500,000o over 20 years, which includes bond issuance costs. Staff added a number of opportunities to close the Option 1 funding gap between the Local Option Sales Tax funding and the overall estimated costs of the project including estimated investment earnings on the general obligation bonds ($1M), Capital Improvement Funds ($2M), various rebates and grants ($1.75M), Municipal State Aid Roadways Fund ($100,000), Parks & Trails ($100,000) and Stormwater Utility Funds ($300K) for a total of $55,250,000. Pursuing options 2 and 3 will necessitate additional bonding supported by property taxes Governance Mode • Fiduciary - Stewardship of tangible assets, oversees operations and ensures efficient and appropriate use of resources, legal compliance, and fiscal accountability. Policy/Laws Minnesota State Statute §297A.99 Local Sales Taxes Minnesota State Statute §645.021 Special Laws Minnesota Rules 8250,1810, Subd 3 – Format of Ballots for Optical Scan Systems Minnesota State Statute Chapter 203B, 204C, 205 – Minnesota Election Laws Council Workshop Letter 24-124 January 24, 2024 Page 8 Public Process Completed: January 2023 – Council Meeting – Requesting Authorization from State Legislature to hold a Sales Tax Referendum May 2023 – MN Legislature approval of Woodbury referendum for Local Option Sales Tax June 2023 – Council Workshop: Local Option Sales Tx Primer October 2023 – Adopted resolution to accept legislative authorization. November 2023 –Community Engagement activities began. January 2024 – Council Workshop; 2024 Local Option Sales Tax Referendum for the Public Safety Campus Future: May 2024 – Approve Ballot Language by resolution and set election terms. September 2024 – Absentee Voting begins. October 2024 – Notice of Election published. November 5, 2024 – General Election November/December 2024 – Approve ordinance imposing the new tax. Background The Public Safety building located at the corner of Valley Creek Road and Radio Drive no longer meets the needs of the growing department and community. In 2023, the State of Minnesota authorized the city to pursue a local option sales tax for the Public Safety Campus project. The City Council acted and accepted the authorization to move forward with the November 2024 Referendum. If approved by the voters, a local option sales tax would go into effect in April 2025. Based on feedback from the January Council Workshop, Wold Architects continued working with staff to complete the scoping and needs study and developed a concept plan. The primary needs identified include safe exiting and entering for Fire and EMS, current building insufficiency, and addition of future officers and equipment due to community growth. In addition, staff has continued working diligently to create a robust Communication and Community Engagement Plan, and the City Attorney has developed a memo with updated ballot language. The Public Safety Campus project will result in benefits to both the residents and businesses of the City of Woodbury and to regional nonresident visitors and businesses. Funding the project with a local sales tax will more closely distribute the cost of the project to the users of the facilities. Written By: Jason Posel, Public Safety Director Kevin Sandstrom, City Attorney Christina Benson, Assistant City Attorney Chris Hartzell, Engineering Director Shelly Schafer, Community Relations Manager Annie Coyle, Assistant to the City Administrator Approved through: Clinton P. Gridley, City Administrator Attachments: 1. Memo from the City Attorney – Updated Ballot Language 2. Community Engagement PowerPoint  ECKBERG LAMMERS MEMO To: Woodbury City Council & Staff From: Kevin Sandstrom, City Attorney and Christina Benson, Assistant City Attorney Date: April 24, 2024 Re: Ballot Language – Local Option Sales Tax This memo is in supplementation of the City Attorney’s prior memo of December 28, 2023 regarding referendum ballot language issues, and accounts for input provided by the City Council on ballot language amendments as suggested at the January 24, 2024 Council workshop. Workshop feedback from the Council focused on the desire for a shorter, more concise ballot language. Suggested Revised Language: SALES AND USE TAX FOR PUBLIC SAFETY CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS Shall the City of Woodbury impose a temporary one-half of one percent (0.5%) sales tax for up to 20 years or up to $50 million in revenues plus the cost of issuing and interest on financing bonds, to renovate existing facilities and construct an expanded Public Safety Department campus? By voting "yes," you are voting to increase the sales tax in Woodbury to pay to construct modernized and expanded facilities for Woodbury’s Public Safety (EMS, Fire, and Police) Department campus. If the voters approve this question, then the City will be authorized to impose a one-half of one percent (0.5%) sales and use tax increase for a maximum of 20 years unless terminated sooner if the City Council determines all costs have been paid. Recent Past Ballot Examples from Other Cities Detroit Lakes: 1. IMPOSITION OF SALES TAX FOR POLICE FACILITY Shall the City of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota be authorized to impose a temporary sales and use tax of one-half of one percent for a period of approximately ten years or until approximately $6,700,000 plus an amount equal to interest and the costs of issuing any bonds is raised, to finance all of a portion of the costs of construction of the new Detroit Lakes Police Department Facility to be located in the City; provided that such tax shall terminated sooner if the City Council determines that all such costs have been paid? West St. Paul 1. WEST ST. PAUL SALES AND USE TAX Shall the City of West St. Paul, Minnesota be authorized to impose a sales and use tax of one- half of one percent (.5%) to finance the cost of city street improvements, and utility infrastructure? St. Cloud 1. SALES AND USE TAX FOR THE MUNICIPAL ATHLETIC COMPLEX In the City of St. Cloud, shall the proceeds of one-half of one percent sales and use tax be collected for a period of five years to fund up to $21,100,000 of improvements and renovations to the Municipal Athletic Complex? Bloomington: 1. SALES AND USE TAX FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER Shall the City of Bloomington impose a one-half of one percent (0.5%) sales and use tax for up to 20 years for $100 million plus the cost of interest and of issuing the bonds, to build a new Community Health and Wellness Center? By voting "yes" on this question you are voting to increase the sales tax in Bloomington to pay for a new building and related updates that provides wellness and recreational activities and that replaces the existing Creekside Community Center and Public Health buildings. If one, two, or all three questions are approved by the voters, the City is only authorized to impose a single one-half of one percent (0.5%) sales and use tax increase for a maximum of 20 years or until enough sales tax revenue has been raised to pay for the costs of the voter-approved projects. a. Yes – 56% b. No – 43% 2. SALES AND USE TAX FOR BLOOMINGTON ICE GARDEN IMPROVEMENTS Shall the City of Bloomington impose a one-half of one percent (0.5%) sales and use tax for up to 20 years for $35 million plus the cost of interest and of issuing the bonds for improvements to the Bloomington Ice Garden ("BIG")? By voting "yes" on this question you are voting to increase the sales tax in Bloomington to pay for costs related to and improvements of mechanical, refrigeration, and roof systems, accessibility for people with disabilities, new locker rooms, ice sheets, training area, and spectator and concession spaces. If one, two, or all three questions are approved by the voters, the City is only authorized to impose a single one-half of one percent (0.5%) sales and use tax increase for a maximum of 20 years or until enough sales tax revenue has been raised to pay for the costs of the voter-approved projects. a. Yes – 53% b. No – 47% 3. SALES AND USE TAX FOR NINE MILE CREEK CORRIDOR RENEWAL Shall the City of Bloomington impose a one-half of one percent (0.5%) sales and use tax for up to 20 years for $20 million plus the cost of interest and of issuing the bonds for new construction and restoration of the Nine Mile Creek Corridor, including Moir and Central Parks? By voting "yes" on this question you are voting to increase the sales tax in Bloomington to pay for improvements including wetland and Nine Mile Creek restoration, new trails, boardwalks, and bridges, accessibility for people with disabilities, and new restrooms, park shelter, playground, 2 and other facilities. If one, two, or all three questions are approved by the voters, the City is only authorized to impose a single one-half of one percent (0.5%) sales and use tax increase for a maximum of 20 years or until enough sales tax revenue has been raised to pay for the costs of the voter-approved projects. a. Yes – 53% b. No – 47% Rochester: 1. EXTENSION OF SALES AND USE TAX Shall the City of Rochester be authorized to (a) extend the existing sales and use tax of one-half of one percent (0.50%) for approximately 24 years or until approximately $205,000,000 plus an amount equal to interest and the costs of the issuance of any bonds is collected, and (b) issue its general obligation bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $205,000,000, plus the cost of issuing the bonds, to finance any or all of the following: A. An economic vitality fund and expenses eligible to be paid from the fund, in an amount not to exceed $50,000,000; and B. Street reconstruction in an amount not to exceed $50,000,000; and C. Flood control and water quality, excluding the removal of the MN00515 dam, in an amount not to exceed $40,000,000; and D. A sports and recreation complex, in an amount not to exceed $65,000,000? a. Yes – 53% b. No – 46% Mounds View: CONSIDERING SALES TAX FOR EXPANSION OF COMMUNITY CENTER Shall the City of Mounds View be authorized to (a) impose a temporary sales and use tax to finance all or a portion of the cost of constructing an expansion to the existing community center and creation of a regional amateur sports and recreational facility, in an amount equal to one and one-half of one percent (1.5%) for a period of twenty (20) years or until $16,500,000 plus the costs of collecting and administering the tax and the costs of issuing any bonds including interest is collected, provided that such tax shall terminate sooner if the City Council determines that all such costs have been paid, and (b) issue its general obligation bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $16,500,000, plus the cost of issuing the bonds? a. No – 65% b. Yes – 35% 3 PUBLIC SAFETY BACKGROUND • Built in 1975​ as Municipal Building and Fire Station • Remodeled three times • Moved to a full-time fire department • Currently houses 145 public safety professionals 65 vehicles • Next planned update will begin 2025/2026 2  SERVICE WE’RE PROUD OF! 57,000+ Calls in Past Year 215 Programs Provided Specialized Mental Health Staff 3 MORE THAN STATISTICS: Helping Real People, Deal with Challenging Situations and Making a Difference 4  Public Safety Campus Project Continue to Critical Time Time to Invest Provide Important to Enhance in Safety Services as we Facilities Together Grow 5  WHY? Public Safety Campus Project OUR SAFETY IS YOUR SAFETY Emergency Vehicles on Radio Dr Fire Station Bay Ventilation Police Security Exposure 7 N FUTURE GROWTH 8 CHALLENGES MAKING DUE • Overcrowded Offices and Storage Spaces • Privacy Concerns • Makeshift Overnight Areas and Decompression Rooms 9  OPPORTUNITIES THOUGHTFUL DESIGN • The building has had multiple e xpansions and renovations in a piece meal fashion. • This project would allow for a full redesign, including the Washington County site, for better efficiency and flow. 10 PUBLIC SAFETY IS TOP PRIORITY Residents rate safety as a top priority. We want to deliver! 11 WHY NOW? Public Safety Campus Project PROACTIVE PLANNING ✓ Capital Improvement Plan ✓ Conceptual Planning ✓ U of M Extension Study ✓ Ehlers Financial Study 13 OPTIMAL TIMING WASHINGTON COUNTY SERVICE CENTER • City can acquire in 2025 • Can repurpose along with renovations to existing building • Create an integrated campus 14 PROJECT PROGRESS PROJECT COST APPROXIMATELY $50M ✓ Preliminary Concepts and Design ✓ Washington County Service Center Acquisition ✓ Construction and Commissioning 15  CAN START PROJECT NEXT YEAR SEE BENEFITS BY 2028 Greater Safe Exits Better Secure Areas & Connection to During Service and Better Personal Community Emergencies Response Safety 16 PROACTIVE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY City did their homework. Time to take the next step! 17  HOW? Consideration of Local Option Sales Tax LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX USERS PAY FOR THE SERVICES • Everyone contributes to the services they use • Non-residents and visitors help pay (Woodbury is a major shopping hub) 19 LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX A NICKEL FOR EVERY $10 SPENT • 0.5% sales tax equates to five cents on every $10 purchase • Notable sales tax exemptions include clothing, groceries, diapers, and medicines. 20 LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX SALES TAX TIMEFRAME If yes vote, Sunsets in 20 years or when sales tax project funds are collected, begins after whichever comes first. April 2025 Can ONLY be used for Public Safety Campus Project 21 Active Sales Taxes in MN 60+ MN COMMUNITIES/ COUNTIES WITH LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX 0.25-1.5% SALES TAX 22 LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX VOTING INFORMATION • Early voting by mail or in person Sept 20-Nov 4 • Advanced registration for Election Day on Oct 15 • Election Day is November 5 23 OUR SHARED INVESTMENT IN SAFETY Everyone that uses the services, pays for the services. Voting is November 5! 24 WHAT’S NEXT Public Safety Campus Project TIMELINE 26