Part 2 of 2
* Public Open comment Time continued
* Arlene Fried of Bryn Mawr:
[Regarding the superintendent search which was originally not on the agenda for tonight's meeting, but now has been added.]
"This matter is important and it deserves close public scrutiny. The public wants and needs to be kept informed of the search progress.
On behalf of other interested citizens, I am asking the following questions:
1. In what specific publications and websites have the ads for superintendent been placed?
2. Have you received any applications so far and, if so, how many? [roughly 10 says Andrea Sims of the Oldani Group]
3. On what date will the public be invited to question the finalists?
Thank you for your prompt response."
Pres. Olson refers her to Asst. Super. Siggelkow for answers.
* Back to Petitions and Communications
Berry Graves encourages attendance at the annual Peace Ball, and wonders how a no smoking outdoors in the parks law would be enforced.
* Reports from Officers gets SKIPPED [Gurban once again does not report.]
Items from standing committees all get passed without discussion except item 7.2 from Admin & Fin, an authorization to accept bids from St. Croix Recreation Company, Inc to build skate parks at Armatage, Creekview and Elliot Parks:
* 7.2 - Young has a number of questions. Berry Graves asks why the first park to request a skate park years ago is not on this list of 3 parks being approved for construction bids. President Olson says that park is "next." Berry Graves thinks that $50/hour for meeting with the community is too high. She has also heard there might be a conflict of interest in that the significant other of a staff person works at the company which has the bid.
7.2 PASSES.
* Unfinished Business
Items 8.1 and 8.2 pass.
* 8.3 - That the board authorize the capital project appropriation of $350,000 for the [added] renovation of the headquarters building and the moving expenses associated with relocating the park police operations... The board further authorizes the finance manager to process a LOAN of $350,000 from either the self-insurance fund or the tax fund balance as appropriately determined at year end.
Mason remarks that she will not be voting yes because a complete estimate, etc. was not done. Mason reiterates the issue is not about the police department, but about proper process. She says "any project worth moving forward with can withstand public scrutiny."
Berry Graves is concerned about this much money coming out of the self insurance fund. What is the balance?
Erwin supports the project but the original motion at the last meeting, which he himself made, was to move forward but to get better estimates before approval. He needs to know those estimates before he can vote.
Hauser asks if exact dollar amounts can be gotten.
Assistant Superintendent Judd Rietkerk circumlocutes about how all estimates and bids are subject to change orders, contingencies, etc., essentially saying no number is ever exact. He has some rough guesses that he just got from a contractor this morning [why so late in the game?]: framing and finishing, $125,000[?], HVAC, etc. $117,000[?], electrical $55,000 and IT/phones $35,000 for a total of $342,000 and thus $350,000 is a good ball park figure.
Young is also concerned about the income [lost] from the lease on the same area, and remarks that they have not yet discussed the funds.
Berry Graves withdraws her motion.
Olson is about to move on without 8.3 passing.
Dziedzic makes motion to pass 8.3 It dies for lack of a second.
The half a dozen or so Park Police officers who showed up for this moment, start to file out and Dziedzic blurts out to them "thank you for coming officers" to which a few respond, interrupting the meeting that Olson is trying to conduct.
* 8.4, that the board authorize staff to execute a letter of intent on the 201 Building [the building at Ft. Snelling which was to be the location of the failed "The Fort" sports complex which has not payed its contractors, and who as a result have filed $1.7 to $2.0 million in liens against the Park Board] and/or adjoining property.
8.4 is moved for discussion.
Berry Graves wants to know if one of the groups that Siggelkow described as being interested would come to the board and make a presentation. Siggelkow says no, neither group knows if a project is viable at that location. [so why the letter of intent?]
8.4 passes.
** Meeting ADJOURNS at 6:40PM **
Several people from the audience remark aloud "what about the superintendent's report." Olson [I believe, in the post meeting hubbub] says something to the effect it was an oversight, but it's too late, they're adjourned.
Chris Johnson - Fulton
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