Minutes - Planning Commission - 09/05/2006 - Work Session & Jt w Plann

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Mayor Gamec inquired if the proposed public works position will be able to fluctuate with parks and streets employees. Fire Chief Kapler replied there will be the ability to fluctuate the positions, but the emphasis will be on utilities. The Utilities Department is currently a team of two, and utilities are growing every year. Councilmember Elvig stressed the need to keep a close watch on the growth of personnel with the downturn in the economy. He stressed the importance of remaining versatile and keeping the ability to shrink personnel if necessary. City Administrator Norman indicated staff could not determine how to include the purchase of the Boike property in the 2007 general fund budget. Staff will make another attempt at determining a creative way to fund this purchase. Consensus of the Council was to direct staff to bring forward Option B for Council approval of the 2007 recommended budget and levy. The work session was recessed at 7:05 and reconvened at 7:10 p.m. 4) Ramsey Crossings Concept Plan; Joint Session with Planning Commission Community Development Director Trudgeon reviewed that the City is in exclusive negotiations with the Robert Muir Company (RMC) as the developer of the Ramsey Crossings project. The project is now being refined. The tentative schedule after tonight will be to proceed to preliminary plat for consideration by the Planning Commission in November. The expectation is that the approvals will continue into December and possibly into January. Following the approval period there will be individual final site plans with tenants of the project, with the project scheduled to begin in July of 2007. Ramsey Crossings will be a large format retail center, and is expected to be a high quality project. Tom Palmquist, RMC, provided a presentation on the Ramsey Crossings Concept Plan, as follows: approximately 648,000 square feet, including a discount merchandise and grocer, an electronics store, a junior department store, and a home improvement store. Mr. Palmquist indicated this is a fluid process; RMC is continually getting feedback and input from their end users. It is anticipated a submittal will be made in approximately the next 30 days. Kathy Anderson, Architectural Consortium LLC, provided an overview of the Robert Muir Design Criteria Manual. She explained a lot of flexibility is needed with the design of the project and there will be changes made. The guidelines with this project will be similar to other RMC projects, but will incorporate elements tying it in as an extension of Ramsey Town Center. The extension of Sunwood Drive is important, with smaller shops on the edge forming an urban character. Landscaping will include a grand boulevard typical in RMC projects, which will wind through the development and include extensive landscaping and omamentallight fixtures. There City Council Work Session I September 5, 2006 Page 8 of 10