Minutes - Council - 10/25/2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7.07: Consider Work Order for Sunwood Drive Roundabout Streetscape Design Community Development Director Gladhill reviewed the staff report and recommendation of the Public Works Committee to move forward with the design services and approve the proposal from WSB. Mayor Strommen asked what the scope of the design would entail. Community Development Director Gladhill stated that the scope includes the corridor but noted that the scope could be revised to just focus on the inner circle. He stated that staff would not want the inner circle to look different than the broader corridor. Councilmember Riley commented that the Public Works Committee had a vote of 2-1, noting that he was the dissenting vote. He believed the cost of $12,000 for the scope of work was far too much for the project. He stated that lights and sidewalks are already included in streetscape. He stated that this is just grass and adding something to that now would be premature. He stated that there haven't been any comments that adding something would help to sell the land. He stated that sometimes landscape companies provide a free design in the attempt that you will hire them. He stated that if the billing rate for example is $200 per hour, the cost would then entail 60 hours of work for this landscape design. Councilmember Williams stated that this might be an example of a small element of the overall development that is trying to evolve outside of the broader understanding and context of The COR and therefore would not support this. Councilmember Shryock stated that in the past the inner circle was discussed as a possible location for an art piece. She believed that this aspect should wait until further development occurs. She stated that when the City gets to that point she would want to look for a partnership with Anoka Ramsey Community College to design something or look for a more unique approach. She stated that there have been discussions regarding identity planning and that has not yet been identified, therefore she would like to wait as this is a primary entrance into The COR. Councilmember Johns stated that she was not shocked at the cost as she is a key believer of developing a plan and determining options in order to be able to capitalize on an opportunity when it presents itself. She agreed with Councilmember Shryock regarding the identity piece and wanted to ensure that the City does it right. She conceded that perhaps timing is off for this action. She stated that she does not want to low ball the project in attempt to save money. Mayor Strommen stated that this came forward in a past worksession where the Council suggested that this item be fast tracked but noted that the Council is perhaps no longer in that space as the discussions have continued regarding market and a revisioning of The COR. Councilmember Kuzma stated that the roundabout is a gateway into the City and the Public Works Committee wanted something in the roundabout to welcome people into the City. He acknowledged that the timing is not right and would agree holding off until after the meeting on City Council / October 25, 2016 Page 13 of 15