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<br />I <br />I ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - SEPTEMBER 30. 1996 15 <br />t' Mayor Probst asked if the guarantee of 2,080 hours includes all hours taken by the hockey <br /> association, City, and sports center to other parties. Mr. Pritsinger explained there is still some <br />I work to be done in the master agreement on how that will work and the concern of the city <br /> managers is the need to assure that hours purchased by a new user are spread evenly among all <br /> four rinks. It was noted that if Arden Hill's Youth Hockey Association or high school requests <br />I ice, then those hours will be allotted to Arden Hill's rink. <br /> Jerry Pilla, City Attorney, clarified the Council is being asked to approve a concept with the <br />I understanding that all final documents will come back for formal approval. So, the entire <br /> package will be presented again prior to the Council signing-off. <br />I Mayor Probst asked if the agreements address the scenario if the facility is as successful as being <br /> suggested that profits would be returned to the participants. Mr. Pritsinger explained this is not <br /> initially the case but discussions have been held to set aside profits for use towards additional <br />I improvements or to be returned to cities on a prorata basis. <br /> Councilmember Aplikowski asked why Brooklyn Park decided to decline. Mr. Pritsinger <br />I advised their city manager indicated the Council decided to construct its own rink because of a <br /> convenience factor and because a number of their users did not want to drive to Blaine. <br /> Therefore, Brooklyn Park believed it would be more appropriate to add a second sheet to its <br />.. current sheet. A second issue related to financing, the ability to rent ice at a rate to meet debt <br /> service, and that the Brooklyn Park Council did not feel it was appropriate to become involve <br />I with a facility located in Blaine. <br /> Mayor Probst stated this has not been an easy issue to determine but in conversations over the <br />I past several months his questions have been satisfactorily answered. He stated he wanted to see <br /> a demonstration of need for such an ice facility and from what has been indicated, he believes <br /> there is need for additional ice and economy of scale available in the proposal for four sheets. <br />I Mayor Probst noted that residents in Ramsey County are fortunate that cities have not had to <br /> operate hockey facilities but it seems clear from recent actions that Ramsey County is not able to <br /> continue expansion of its operation to meet projected needs. This became evident when Ramsey <br />I County approved support of $1 million for the St. Paul arena and $500,000 to this project. <br /> Mayor Probst noted that this proposal affords the City access to ice for its youth which the City <br /> cannot afford to do on its own. He pointed out that the City supports other sport activities and <br />I provides facilities for fields, but other than providing outdoor ice, the City is not in a position to <br /> do much else. <br />I Mayor Probst noted that the City does not want to own or operate such a facility on its own and <br /> this proposal allows the opportunity to provide a facility to meet that need. He agreed there is <br />I financial risk but believes there is reasonable protection with the escrow account as proposed so <br /> he will support the resolution. <br />" Councilmember Keirn stated she agrees with Mayor Probst's comments. <br />I <br />