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City Council Minutes Page 5 <br /> August 7,2017 <br /> ----------------------------- <br /> Moved by Councilmember Wagner and seconded by Councilmember <br /> Westgaard to adopt Resolution 17-42 encouraging the people of Elk River to <br /> attend the grand opening of the Minnesota State Capitol. Motion carried 5-0. <br /> 7. Public Hearings <br /> There were no public hearings. <br /> 8.1. Ice Arena Architectural Services <br /> Mr. Portner presented the staff report. <br /> Council noted,prior to the referendum,they had discussed what next steps would be <br /> necessary,if the referendum failed, due to the need to fix failing city buildings having <br /> reached their lifespan. <br /> Councilmember Olsen questioned the status of Lions Park Center. <br /> Mr. Portner stated the plan would be to add some community space to the arena <br /> facility. He stated it would replace the community space of Lions Park Center. He <br /> noted Lions Park Center is also in need of repairs. He stated the new footprint of the <br /> arena will take out the girls' softball field, so it will be moved to Lion John Weicht <br /> Park with an additional field constructed for ease of programming. <br /> Mayor Dietz expressed the following: <br /> ■ During discussions,prior to the referendum,repair costs to the arena were <br /> estimated at approximately$12-15 million. Current data shows the arena <br /> would now cost about$21 million,plus $3.5 million if the activity center is <br /> revamped or$1.75 million if it is moved to the YMCA. <br /> ■ He would consider another referendum. <br /> ■ This is a huge impact to tax payers. <br /> ■ Receiving comments from the public about youth hockey's contribution. <br /> ■ Receiving comments about other sources of revenue available to pay for the <br /> arena. Why should all residents have to pay for a hockey arena? <br /> ■ New arena concepts don't illustrate community space. <br /> ■ Where is the city at with the YMCA regarding the activity center? <br /> Mr. Portner discussed the three options originally proposed by the task force for <br /> repairing city buildings. <br /> a) Construction of a new multipurpose facility referendum projected to cost <br /> $30 - $33.5 million. <br /> b) Improvements to existing facilities consistent with stakeholder expectations <br /> were projected to $23 - $32 million <br /> c) The last option included basic repairs and improvements to keep the existing <br /> buildings functioning projected to be about$10 million <br /> UREJ <br />