2014-12-02_PR Comm Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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DRAFT Regular City Council Meeting Monday, November 17, 2014 Page 5 1 Councilmember Willmus noted that a Community Center was specifically and 2 separately identified in and throughout the Parks Master Plan process and sup- 3 ported by the public for continue discussion and consideration. Councilmember 4 Willmus noted that past discussions had been primarily limited to potential part- 5 nership with Roseville Area Schools, and suggested such a partnership could still 6 be pursued, whether through land, space, or simply the long tradition of working 7 cooperatively (e.g. gymnastics center). Councilmember Willmus expressed his 8 curiosity seeing how the new park buildings would fulfill the need and role for 9 gathering spaces, and should prove an interesting component to the overall picture 10 as they came on line. In monitoring that, and what was learned from the Cities of 11 Shoreview and Maplewood, and their operating deficits, Councilmember Willmus 12 opined that the public’s comfort level could then be further determined. Coun- 13 cilmember Willmus opined that, just like community centers in other cities, the 14 need to determine the public’s willingness to expend dollars for such a facility 15 was something that needed consideration, but cautioned that he was not yet ready 16 to rush out and state that the City of Roseville had to have a community center. 17 18 Councilmember Etten agreed that a combined effort by the City and School Dis- 19 trict could prove beneficial for both parties, as well as the community; even 20 though it meant there were more people involved who had to come to an agree- 21 ment and work out the details, such as where and when, which should be possible 22 with leaders working together as a whole. Councilmember Etten noted that this 23 type of facility was substantially different than those being constructed in area 24 parks, and as residents had recently asked him, there remained a need for a facility 25 to meet the needs from little children to the elderly. While in agreement with 26 many of the comments made by his colleagues, Councilmember Etten opined that 27 he was not ready to jump into the pool yet. 28 29 With recent financial obligations undertaken by the City with Park Renewal Pro- 30 gram improvements and bonding, as well as utility and infrastructure improve- 31 ment upgrades and costs, Mayor Roe opined that right now he had little interest in 32 adding anything additional for taxpayers right now. However, Mayor Roe noted 33 the continuing comments he heard from residents about the things we still don’t 34 have in the community from the standpoint of a community center, and therefore, 35 it seemed a reasonable approach was to determine a timeframe when such a facili- 36 ty would and could make sense (e.g., if a local sales tax option was considered). 37 Mayor Roe suggested options, including how to adjust timing, should all be part 38 of the process; and to him, it seemed it was important to have key things in place 39 before moving forward, including the actual steps in the process, who to talk to, 40 and when those preliminary conversations should occur. Mayor Roe suggested 41 that the Commission move from the initial interested expressed by the community 42 in the Park Master Plan process as a starting point, including areas of interest in 43 such a facility, and then seek further feedback from the community to determine 44 their current level of support in pursuing a community center. Mayor Roe noted 45 the many different concepts for a community center, but also noted the need for a