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04-05-2004 CC MIN - SPECIALI~IEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT LIONS PARK CENTER MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2004 Members Present: Members Absent: Staff Present: Also Present: Mayor Kllnzing, Councilrnembers Dietz, Kuester, Tveite, and Motin None City Administrator Pat Klaers, Director of Planning Michele McPherson, Recreation Manager Michele Bergh and Recording Secretary Debbie Huebner Sherbume County Sheriff Brace Anderson, County Administrator Brian Bensen, County Attorney Kathleen Heaney, Sherbume County Jail Coordinator Pat Cart, County Commissioner Ame Engstrom and County Commissioner Terry Nagorski Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Klinzing. Consider 4/5/2004 Agenda MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. It was noted that George Larson of Elk River Bowl was present to discuss the alcohol and cigarette citations his business received. This item will be placed on the April 12th City Council agenda and the deadline to pay the fines extended until April 14, 2004. Public Informational Meeting - Sherbume County Justice Center Expansion, Case No. SP 04-02 Sherbume County Administrator Brian Bensen introduced Randy Lindeman and Carey Everson of KKE Architects. Mr. Benson noted that Mr. Lindeman has worked on the County facility since 1992. Mr. Lindeman stated that design work began for the project in February 2003. He reviewed the sketches of the proposed addition and provided comment on the following: · There will be no windows in the jail cells facing the residential neighborhood; natural lighting will be provided from clerestory windows. · The project includes remodeling of the medical facility. · An elevator will be constructed to provided additional security. · The intake area will be remodeled. · The remodeling will provide more oppommity for segregation of cells. · The day room will be an open room that can be monitored more easily. City Council Minutes April 5, 2004 An administrative office area will be added on the west side of the existing facility. · The existing storage building will be torn down and replaced. · A firing range and training facility will be located underneath the new jail addition. · The firing range will be completely separate from the jail facility. · Page 2 The parking area and drive aisle located on the south end of the facility has been revised so that a variance is no longer required. The plumbing chase system will provide easier maintenance. Mr. Lindeman explained the function of the indoor-outdoor recreation area and multi-use room in the new jail facility. He also noted that the slope calculations for the detention pond have been resubmitted per the City Engineer's recommendations. Mr. Lindeman reviewed the parking calculations, noting that 582 spaces will be provided and that this exceeds the City's requirements. Councilmember Kuester asked how the noise and fumes from the gun range would be handled. Mr. Lindeman explained that a noise consultant was hired and that extensive research and design was completed. He stated that there will be no noise heard outside the building. Mr. Lindeman explained that the facility will be completely air conditioned and that all air entering will be filtered and all air being exhausted will be filtered to remove any lead particles and fumes. He explained that the ceiling will have an elaborate sound proofing system. Mr. Lindeman stated that the Huber facility has been designed to be isolated from the rest of the jail facility and can only be accessed through a Sally port (double door system). The jail cells will house medium or medium-high security inmates. He explained that that the new facility will mainly be used to house Huber inmates, but that the two sides of the facility can be used to administratively segregate inmates for other purposes. Director of Planning Michele McPherson reviewed issues regarding setbacks, parking, landscaping, screening, lighting, grading, drainage, and utilities. She noted that the landscaping plan does not accurately reflect what exists on the site and asked that the County provide an asbuilt landscaping plan. Ms. McPherson also asked that a lighting plan also be provided which shows the foot-candles of the existing and proposed lighting. Commissioner Dietz asked how tall the existing evergreens were which were planted along the outside of the fence. Ms. McPherson stated that she estimates the trees are 8 - 10 feet tall. Sherburne County Sheriff Brace Anderson stated that the need for the on-site training facility is the driving force behind the project. He stated that the proposed jail facility will improve what they currendy have and make it more efficient. He noted that the maintenance facility will house the infrastructure for the entire County facility, as well as maintenance vehicles and equipment for the Sentence-to-Serve program. Councilmember Motin asked how much noise the maintenance facility would generate. Mr. Lindeman explained that most all of the infrastructure will be located internally, but that the water-cooled chiller will be enclosed in metal housing and surrounded by building on all four sides. Councilmember Kuester asked if the existing maintenance building will be removed. Sheriff Anderson stated yes. Commissioner Kuester asked for clarification on the visitation hours City Council Minutes Page 3 April 5, 2004 and number of visitors. Sheriff Anderson stated that the hours are 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. He estimated that there are approximately 15 visitors per day. He noted that the visitors park on the west side of the building in the parking area nearest to the building. Councilmember Tveite asked if there would be fencing around the detention pond. Sheriff Anderson stated no, noting that there is some water in the pond in the spring but is usually dry the rest of year unless there is a heavy rain. Director of Planning McPherson stated that fencing is not required with the 4-1 slopes and that there will be a "bench" in the middle of the side slope of the pond so that if a person did get into the pond, they would be able to get to a place where they could stand up in the middle. A resident asked if a child would be able to get out. Ms. McPherson stated that the slope is designed to allow a child or adult to crawl out of the detention pond. Steve Stewart, 18291 Ogden Street, expressed his concern for the bright outdoor lighting on the existing facility. Mr. Lindeman stated that he will provide a lighting plan to the City, but that the lighting is necessary for surveillance in order to provide public safety. Mr. Stewart asked how far the addition will extend to the south. Carey Everson, KKE Architects, stated that the new addition will extend 157 feet to the south. Mr. Stewart expressed his concern that there will now be traffic around the building to the south, and currently there is very little. He stated that he did not feel there was anything the City could do about their concerns, since they have determined that the expansion is a permitted use. Mayor Klinzing stated that the County is in attendance so that they may listen to the concerns of the residents. Bill Herzog, Sandpiper Estates resident, asked when the County approved the project. County Administrator Bensen stated that he believed the County Board approved the project in January 2003. Mr. Herzog asked for clarification on two incidents that occurred; one involving a juvenile that escaped, and the accidental release of a federal prisoner. Sheriff Anderson explained the circumstances surrounding the two incidents. He noted that numerous safety precautions have been implemented after each of the two situations. A resident expressed her concern for statements that were printed in the Elk River Star News regarding whether or not a conditional use permit was required for the proposed project. She stated that if the County is allowed to go ahead with this project, future projects will also be allowed without a public hearing. She asked why the slats in the fence do not go all the way down the County's property line. The resident stated that approximately one-half of the trees planted by the County have since died. She suggested that the County plant another row of trees between the fence and the walking path. Director of Planning McPherson stated that the City cannot require the County to install slats in the fence and additional plantings for property outside of their site. If the County decides to develop their property to the south, additional conditions could be required at that time. She stated that the County could also chose to be proactive and start planting along the south property now. Councilmember Tveite asked if the County could expand on the property to the south. Ms. McPherson stated that a conditional use permit would be reqtdred. Mr. Lindeman discussed the communications between City staff, KKE and the County regarding whether or not a conditional use permit was required for this project. Mr. City Council Minutes Page 4 April 5, 2004 Lindeman cited dates of communications with Planning staff, and a pre-design meeting with Lead Building Inspector Terry Zajac, prior to submitting the proposal to the County Board. Councilmember Dietz asked if the design would have changed if a conditional use permit was required at that time. Mr. Lindeman stated no, but that extra costs were expended due to delays in the design process and construction process. City Administrator Pat Klaers stated that the December meeting referenced with Lead Building Inspector Terry Zajac had to do with the structure of the building, not the design of the site. Mayor Klinzing explained that requests which meet the ordinance do not typically come to the City Council's attention and are handled administratively by staff. In this instance, the Council determined that the expansion of the jail was outside of their intent of what was permitted. She stated that the Council's intent was to allow an oppommity for public comment and that the County Attorney and County Sheriff were present to hear what the public has to say and that they are interested in working with the residents. A resident expressed her frustration that there was the also confusion over whether or not a conditional use permit is required when the last jail expansion occurred. A resident stated that they were told by Sheriff Anderson at that time that there would be no more expansion of the jail while he was in office. Sheriff Anderson stated that no one can predict the future and that there is a need to provide a training facility for law enforcement, and in mm to provide public safety, especially in light of the Homeland Security requirements. Steve Stewart stated that he is aware that cooling towers are noisy and asked how many cooling towers would be constructed in the maintenance facility. Ms. Everson stated that there would be one cooling tower initially, but that as existing equipment deteriorated, a second tower would likely be added in the future. She explained the location of the cooling tower. Mr. Stewart stated that he lek the City should never have approved the Sandpiper Estates plat in the first place, but that they now must make the best of the situation. He asked that the County do something about the lighting, as it currently lights up his entire home. A resident asked why more cells are needed and if the County is adding these cells to make money. Sheriff Anderson stated that this facility is being constructed to enhance and improve what they already have. He noted that housing of inmates is a huge expense to the taxpayers and that the monies received for the existing facility help to offset that expense. 4. Lions Park Center Improvements The City Council and staff toured the Lions Park Center at this time. Director of Planning McPherson reviewed the costs for the two options to remodel Lions Park Center. MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER TO APPROVE THE LIONS PARK CENTER REMODELING PROJECT AS FOLLOWS: City Council Minutes Apdl 5, 2004 $30,000 - REMODELING AND REPAIRS 5,750 - USED FURNITURE 5,000 - COMPUTERS AND PHONES FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $41,000. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Klinzing adjourned the meeting of the Elk River City Council at 8:50 p.m. Page 5 Debbie Huebner Recording Secretary