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. . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - MARCH 29, 1999 14 Mayor Probst noted that the Minnesota National Guard has done a number joint facilities throughout the State and suggested looking into seeing how they have handled them. Mr. Post pointed out that the City of Montieello has a eommunity eenter that the Minnesota National Guard leases on weekends. Councilmember Aplikowski expressed her concern of how long the City could postpone the construction of a new Public Works facility. She agreed that a joint facility would be bigger and better, but the City needs to know when it will happen. Mr. Mertensotto indicated that the projeet could be accomplished quiekly ifit where a standalone facility. Couneilmember Larson asked, if the Council is interested in pursuing the joint facility, where should the initiative come from, the County or the City. Mayor Probst stated that it is still the City's choice. He noted that the City has not actively pursued this project because there have been too many other issues to deal with. Mayor Probst stated that ifajoint facility is what the City wants, and the City wants to take the lead position, the City should initiate something very soon. If the City waits for the County to move forward, the County will most likely want to take the lead. Councilmember Larson stated, ifthe joint facility is a top priority for 1999, as indicated at the retreat, and there is an opportunity to move forward with the project, the City should do so. Mayor Probst stated this project would be a good opportunity for a Task Force. He indicated that there is the opportunity to move forward and the City should make it clear that it does want to take the lead. Councilmember Aplikowski stated that Staff should move forward with gathering more information. Mayor Probst asked the Councilmembers ifthey wished to take formal action with regard to these diseussions. Councilmember Larson noted it would be difficult, as it is not known what approach to take. Mayor Probst suggested Staff could present a formal action item at the next City Council meeting and, in the mean time, a Task Force could be formed. Couneilmember Aplikowski noted that part of a Task Foree has already been formed and would only need to be added to. Mr. Fritsinger asked if the aetion the Couneil is looking for is more specific to making contacts within the County and proceeding with discussions through the Task Force, or is it also towards initiating the process of determining space needs. Mayor Probst stated that one could not be done without the other.