Date: March 23, 2009
Location: Suamico Village Hall
Purpose: To collect information from the community regarding the design and development of a “Municipal Services Center” at the intersection of Wood Lane and Velp Avenue.
Attendance: Approximately 35 residents (the village sent 800 households an invitation to the meeting), village trustees and Village of Suamico staff
Introduction
Beth Sheedy, Village President, welcomed everyone and introduced everyone to the project. Beth gave an overview of the process and outlined efforts the Village has made over the past several years to address space issues and growing services. The current vision is to create a Municipal Services Center that provides easy access and excellent service to the residents and other stakeholders of the village. The plan will develop as community input is gathered and funding is available.
During the introduction, some residents in attendance expressed concern regarding the use of this site for a municipal center and the price the village paid for the property in relation to the assessed value. Key questions asked include:
Why was this site chosen versus the other sites identified in the facilities study?
The Village did try to negotiate with other property owners for the sites identified in the study. However, none of the property owners were willing sellers. The Village also approached owner of another property, not identified in the study, however an agreement on price could not be reached. When Velp and Wood site went on the market, the Board of Trustees held several meetings to negotiate and discuss the property. The site was ultimately chosen because it met the criteria regarding size, proximity (to service the population of the village) and budget.
Why was the purchase price so much greater then the assessed value?
Assessed value does not represent market value or selling price. The final accepted price was appropriate for the intended use.
Why didn’t we hear of the purchase and intent until now?
The purchase was completed in fall of 2008. The village newsletter has highlighted the status of the facility needs and acquisition several times. All approvals and change of zoning and use have followed State and Village rules for notification, public comment and approval.
Why can’t the current facilities be expanded to address space issues?
The current public works facilities and sites cannot address the growing needs of the Village of Suamico. Through the space studies it was determined that a new facility must be built to consolidate much of public works operations. The location of the current village hall site in relation to the new Bay Harbor Elementary School and access to main thoroughfares is less than ideal.
The Board is currently reviewing the options regarding an upgrade and addition to the existing Village Hall versus the construction of a new facility on the proposed site.
Following the discussion on these issues, Beth Sheedy introduced Dan Roarty of Dimension IV to overview the remainder of the evening the current status of the project.
Progress Report
Dan overviewed the current purposes planned for the proposed site (over the next several years):
Somewhere Else
Yard Waste
Fire Station
Phase I
Public Works Offices
Public Works Vehicle Storage
Public Works Maintenance Shop
Police Offices
Salt Shed
To be determined
Board Room/ Court Room
Municipal Court Offices
Park and Recreation Offices
Engineering Offices
General Administration Offices (Finance, planning, administration)
Dimension IV has been analyzing how each department functions and interconnects. Dan gave an overview on how these funtions may relate to the site in terms of space required. Once that was complete, Dan introduced Ken Saiki, landscape architect on the project to review site considerations, constraints, and specific areas that need to addressed.
Site Elements 
Ken highlighted the key site elements that impact the design of the site. They include:
-Existing Neighborhood
-Location of the potentially Historic Homestead
-Pond
-Wetlands
-Traffic and Pedestrian Access points
Community Concerns
Once the project was reviewed by the design team and community leaders, the residents in attendance commented on concerns regarding the project. These concerns and comments included:
-Traffic Flow
o Velp is already busy, we don’t want more traffic, especially truck traffic
o Wood Lane is the best option for truck traffic
o Round-a-bout may not be good here
-No vehicle traffic on Vince Lane, but ok for pedestrian traffic
-Solution must address security on site (especially police, municipal)
-Cost of total site development
o It is in a residential area which may decrease property values
o Make sure to buffer village operations from adjacent residents
-Many in attendance did not see this location (Wood and Velp Ave.) as their first choice for a Municipal Services Center (should not be in residential area, especially the public works)
-Stormwater management needs to be considered
-Include public amenities:
o Pathways, walking areas
o Neighborhood park (swings, maybe even tennis courts)
o “Natural” landscaping
-Keep public works operations away from residential (and towards southwest corner)
-Don’t allow light pollution
o Keep dark sky
o No significant light “bleed” to adjacent properties
-Respect the natural elements of the site especially the steep slope
-Limit noise coming from site
-Utilize buffering to maintain natural appeal and protect surrounding properties
o Especially on North edge of the site (Magy Lane)
o On all sides, if possible
o Enhance tree line along West
o Berm the property to hide the buildings from residential view
o Utilize pond
-Be sure to plan for future growth
o For building(s)
o For site (possibly acquire the property to the west for future)
-Maintain the historic Vickery Homestead
The community discussed these concerns. Through a prioritization exercise determined the following as the most important issues to address if the Municipal Services Building is located at Wood and Velp Avenue:
-Buffering (7)
-Maintain the historic Vickery homestead (4)
-Don’t allow light pollution (4)
-Protect the property values of surrounding lots (4)
-Address traffic flow (4)
-Add amenities to the site (3)
-Plan for future growth (1)
-Limit Noise (1)
With this information the Design Team will finalize the general site layout for a Municipal Services Center at the Corner of Velp and Wood. The design will be presented and discussed at the next public meeting, Monday, April 27, 2009.
