2015-03-03_PR Comm Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ftegular City Council Meeting Monday, November 17, 2014 Page 4 Mayor Roe noted, from his discussions and outreach from neighboring mayors, the need for joint efforts to address this regional problem, and apologized to those mayors for not following tip on the issue.. Mayor Roe suggested that the Commis- sion and/or staff look at the issue further, and suggested some of tic partnering should involve Ramsey County as well. Community Center Chair Holt asked for City Council direction on whether or not to pursue this issue in 2014/2015, as the Commission had kept it on the back burner for a long time, even though it was part of discussions and the whole process during the Park Re- newal Program and bonding consideration. Chair Holt advised that limited in- formation was available, but sougbt direction from the City Council on whether they wanted more information or updates on the existing information, or no action at all by the Commission. Councilmember McGehee stated that personally, she would say no, because the opportunity was missed when the bonding and cannnunity survey went through; with the result of six gathering spots or 'buildings, only supported by 6% of the residents surveyed, with a considerable amount of public money already spent, and the decision already made on *how it would be spent. Councilmember McGe- hee stated that she favored a community center first, but the choice was not made that way. Chair Holt clarified that the Commission did not consider the gathering places to serve the same purpose as a community center, with the public's vision consisting of a much larger structure to serve multiple functions. Councilmember McGehee opined that the public had not supported upgraded buildings to replace wan-ning houses, and not six buildings supported by Only 6% of the populace. Until she observed how the Parks Renewal Program buildings were used and funded for maintenance, she was not interested in pursuing other buildings. Councilmember Laliberte opined that it was always good to collect updated in- forrnation to assist in ongoing decision making over the short- and long-term, and supported a limited amount of Commission time to be spent on the issue. Coun- cilmember Laliberte spoke in support of updated information on the Shoreview Community Center and recent improvernents they undertook and their justifica- tion of those improvements and associated costs; improvernents on the New Brighton Community Center, if any; and any recent information available from the City of Maplewood's facility. Councilmember Lalibeite expressed tier inter- est in observing how the new Park Renewal Program buildings would be utilized over the next year, and therefore, thought the earliest need for updated infor- mation by the City Council would be in 2016.