Minutes - Council - 08/22/2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Strommen, Councilmembers Johns, Williams, Kuzma, LeTourneau, Riley, and Shryock. Voting No: None. 7.04: Consider Adoption of Resolution #17-08-205 Granting Final Plat and Development Agreement for Anoka Hennepin 2"d Addition; Case of Anoka Hennepin School District Community Development Director Gladhill reviewed the staff report and recommendation to approve of the Plat. He noted that this is a Minor Plat (with three or less lots and no public infrastructure at this time) and therefore the request was not reviewed by the Planning Commission. He noted that the Commission will review all future steps in the review process. Chuck Holden, Anoka Hennepin School District, stated that they have great plans for Ramsey noting that it is an exciting time. He stated that part of the global referendum going to the voters in November is a new school in Ramsey which would be a sister school to Oxbow Elementary and Rum River Elementary which are two-story schools. He provided a mockup of the new school which would align the entrance to 170th Street. He stated that the site would be about 34 acres in size and could house 1,000 students with 42 classrooms. He reviewed the two-story design and explained that the two-story concept would allow pods of grade levels around the gym, media center and cafeteria while still providing additional classroom space on the upper level. He stated that they spoke with staff at Oxbow and Rum River in order to obtain tips on what works and does not work in the layout and design. He noted that the two-story design works well and would be an attractive building and site. He stated that they are looking to do the same thing in Blaine on Lever Street as the population in that city is increasing even more quickly than Ramsey. He stated that if approved and if the referendum is approved they would bid the project this winter and begin construction in the spring with the intent to open in the 2019/2020 school year. He noted that the intent with the referendum would also be to remodel Anoka High School. He stated that the use of portable classrooms is a safety risk as they require children to walk outside in all types of weather. He noted that they would intend to remove the portable classrooms at Anoka High School and Anoka Middle School. He noted that the referendum would also support remodel of other facilities including libraries to meet the demand of the current time. He stated that the tax impact for the entire referendum is about $11 per month for the average home price in the School District at $200,000. Councilmember Riley stated that this looks great and asked if this would keep all the Ramsey kids in Ramsey. Mr. Holden confirmed that would be the intent, to cut down the population at Ramsey Elementary and allow growth for both locations. He noted that middle school students would still attend Anoka Middle School with upgrades to those classrooms as well. Councilmember LeTourneau asked for information on the rumor that he has heard that Ramsey Elementary is at capacity and is not allowing additional enrollment. City Council/August 22,2017 Page 7 of 15