11-27-06 PC Minutes
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Regular Meeting of the
Golden Valley Planning Commission
November 27, 2006
A regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held at the Golden Valley City Hall,
Council Conference Room, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota, on
Monday, November 27,2006. Chair Keysser called the meeting to order at 7 pm.
Those present were Planning Commissioners Cera, Eck, Keysser, Kluchka, McCarty,
Schmidgall and Waldhauser. Also present was Director of Planning and Development
Mark Grimes, Director of Finance Sue Virnig, Director of Public Works Jeannine Clancy
and Administrative Assistant Lisa Wittman.
I. Approval of Minutes
November 13, 2006 Planning Commission Meeting
MOVED by Waldhauser, seconded by Kluchka and motion carried unanimously to
approve the above minutes as submitted.
II. Presentation of Capital Improvement Program 2007-2011 - Sue Virnig, City
Finance Director
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Sue Virnig, Finance Director, explained that the Planning Commission reviews the Capital
Improvement Program (CIP) because of its relationship to the Comprehensive Plan. She
stated that there is different financing used for each section of theCIP. The equipment
replacement and streets use bond issues and municipal state aid to help finance
replacements and improvements. The park improvement fund and the building fund
receive transfers from the general fund. Brookview Golf Course, sanitary sewer and storm
sewer are the enterprise funds and are funded with user fees from the golf course and the
City's utility bills.
Virnig stated that the plan is to have the Planning Commission review the CIP. It will then
go onto the City Council for review and final approval in December. She added that after
the CIP is approved it will be posted on the City's web site.
Keysser asked about the City's bond rating. Virnig said the City bond rating is AA1, which
is the second highest rating.
Keysser asked what economic development tools the City has available given its level of
debt. Virnig stated that tax increment financing may be used and there are also some
housing funds available.
Keysser asked 'if there is a policy against using tax increment financing. Virnig said no
and stated that a tax increment district was just recently set up in North Wirth. Grimes
added that the City Council did pass a policy in 2004 that outlined how tax increment can
be used.
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Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
November 27, 2006
Page 2
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Eck asked if there were changes made at the state level that made tax increment less
attractive..Virnig said there are stricter guidelines now than in the past and that is why the
City has to look at each request as they come forward.
Eck referred to the golf course fund on page 9 and asked about the working capital
provided by Qperations category. Virnig explained that working capital provided by
operations means current assets minus current liabilities. Eck asked about the future
compared to the current year. Virnig stated that they look at projected capital over the
years and explained that there were some one time expenditures this year. She added
that the golf course transfers approximately $250,000 annually to the City's general fund.
Kluchka asked about how specific projects make it into the Capital Improvement Program.
Virnig explained that staff puts together needs, the City Council reviews the funding, the
City Manager reviews the projects with staff, the Planning Commission reviews it and
then the City Council reviews it and adopts it. Kluchka asked how citizen input is
obtained. He said that from a communications perspective it would be good to explain
how the priorities are aligned with the money.
Jeannine Clancy, Director of Public Works, explained the City has done a great deal of
citizen participation regarding the projects that are in the CIP. She discussed several of
the projects that had a lot of public participation such as the ADA upgrades, sidewalks
and drainage improvements.
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Keysser asked if the performance center at Brookview is included in the CIP. Virnig said
the financing for the performance center depends on contributions.
Kluchka asked if improvements involved in large projects are paid for by the developer or
if they are negotiated between the developer and the City. Grimes said it is determined on
a case-by-case basis.
Kluchka asked if staff foresees any kind of budget impact for the 1-394 Corridor
developments. Grimes said it is a little premature to plan for the street system in the 1-394
Corridor area.
Eck asked about the water contract with the City of Minneapolis. Virnig stated that the
rates are known through 2008 and the City has a five-year renewal on its current contract.
Kluchka asked about the communication plan for the CIP. Grimes said the CIP will be on
the web site and will be written about in the newsletter. Kluchka said it would be nice to tie
the CIP back to Envision.
MOVED by Schmidgall, seconded by Eck and motion carried unanimously to recommend
approval of the 2007-2011 Capital Improvement Program as it is consistent with the
Comprehensive Plan.
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Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
November 27, 2006
Page 3
III.
Discussion Regarding In-fill Housing Issues
Keysser stated that he would like to have a more in-depth discussion regarding in-fill
housing issues at the December 11 Planning Commission meeting. He asked that any
information be sent to the Commissioners before their meeting on December 11.
IV. - Reports on Meetings of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, City
Council, Board of Zoning Appeals and other Meetings
Waldhauser stated that she attended the November 21 City Council meeting at which the
Council decided to table Colonnade's PUD Amendment request. Cera asked if a new
preliminary plan would come back to the Planning Commission for review. Grimes said
no.
V. Other Business
Rescheduling or Canceling the December 25, 2006 Regular Planning Commission
Meeting
The Commissioners decided to cancel the December 25, 2006 Planning Commission
meeting. .
VI. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 pm.