Minutes - Public Works Committee - 11/15/2005

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Acquisition of landfill property Advantages: 1. Insignificant loss to tax revenue. 2. Site backs up to the landfill. 3. Residential property separation. 4. Allows for the redevelopment the current PW site. (More tax generating property) 5. Future expansion opportunities. 6. Located on a State Aid route (Sunwood Drive) Disadvantages: 1. MPCA controlledland Assistant Public Works Director Olson noted there has been discussion about a number of possible uses for the MPCA land. One was a golf course and the other is the potential for commercial/industrial land along the north side of Sunwood Drive. There is a net of 63.3 acres of land on this site, and even less than half of that acreage would be adequate space for the future needs of Public Works. Assistant Public Works Director Olson stated the current site is adequately sized for immediate operations and staff feels that there will be enough land for the next few years. However, there will continue to be space needs issues relative to the equipment storage and employment base as our population continues to grow. Staff feels that the Public Works Department should continue to follow the same path that was initiated last year by providing solutions to these issues that can be transferred to our "permanent" site. Staff would also recommend that a consultant should be hired before any "permanent" structures are built to help with space needs planning. Staff does not feel that this should be done next year due to budget concerns; however, they do feel that it should be done within the next 2-3 years. He advised staff feels that the advantages for the landfill property option far outweigh the disadvantages and therefore recommends moving forward with discussions with the MPCA to further explore the possibilities of this option. Acting Chairperson Cook stated he agrees with staff's observations on the first two sites. He inquired if there are other alternatives if the landfill property cannot be acquired. Assistant Public Works Director Olson replied staff has not looked at other sites. Other alternatives could continue to be explored if an agreement cannot be reached with the MPCA. Public Works Director Kapler advised them also needs to be consideration of timing with the acquisition, as it would make sense not to put a lot of capital monies into the current site. Mayor Gamec stated it would be interesting to know a rough plan of the size of buildings and the layout. He noted there are a lot of wetlands on the MPCA site and there could be a need for wetland mitigation. Acting Chairperson Cook suggested a multi-use facility could be utilized on the site to serve the Park and Recreation Department and the Public Works Department. Public Works Committee / November 15, 2005 Page 8 of 11