2014-12-02_PR Comm Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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DRAFT Regular City Council Meeting Monday, November 17, 2014 Page 6 1 realistic and specific discussion on costs for those components as they related to 2 the overall costs, and making a determination on exactly what a community center 3 concept is desired. After those discussions, Mayor Roe suggested plans be put in 4 place and a generic structure to guide a future process, so when important deci- 5 sions need to be made, the information is available and they are Roseville specif- 6 ic. 7 8 In response to the comments of Councilmember Willmus, Councilmember 9 Laliberte requested market data for Roseville, as well as surrounding communities 10 with community centers having private clubs or facilities, a better understanding 11 of the negative and/or positive impacts and competition from of those private fa- 12 cilities, and a better understanding of operating deficits in community-owned fa- 13 cilities, including competing choices. 14 15 As a long-time supporter of a community center providing facilities to serve the 16 entire population year-round, Councilmember McGehee reiterated her support of 17 a community center. Councilmember McGehee advised that she had contacted 18 the City of Shoreview’s Finance Department, and they informed her that the City 19 planned an annual deficit, setting aside 25% funding, in order to keep community 20 center fees within the reach of the entire community, even though they realized 21 they were subsidizing the operation from their tax levy to do so, but considered it 22 differently than an operating deficit. When a serious community center discus- 23 sion came forward, Councilmember McGhee opined that it would be nice to have 24 that type of format for a pricing structure; and while a market survey was fine, a 25 community center was not intended as a fitness center, but very different, and 26 should not be considered to be competitive with those private businesses. 27 28 Commissioner Stoner duly noted the various information being requested by the 29 City Council, and also the consistency in requests for updated information on oth- 30 er community centers, recent improvements, and updated financial data, and tim- 31 ing for the Commission to gather that information during 2015. 32 33 Chair Holt advised that he was considering the information gathering toward the 34 end of 2015, allowing information to be provided after Roseville facilities are in 35 use and then having more factual information available next fall to present to the 36 City Council. 37 38 Mayor Roe emphasized again the need for community input, similar to the listen- 39 ing sessions for the Master Plan process, besides factual and financial infor- 40 mation, perhaps even with a small, statistically valid survey offering various 41 choices or components for a community center. Mayor Roe also emphasized the 42 need for putting a plan in place, with steps, to get there. 43 44 Councilmember McGehee stated that she found that financing between the 45 Maplewood and Shoreview community centers were very different; with the City