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City Council Minutes Page 7 <br /> February 8,2018 <br /> ----------------------------- <br /> Councilmember Wagner stated it wasn't enough and not soon enough. <br /> Councilmember Olsen stated the ballfields are an option to locate at Lions Park <br /> based on the Lions vote at their meeting. He stated Council can do what it needs to <br /> with Lions Park Center and take it off the tax rolls. He stated a student athlete's time <br /> is of the essence so it makes sense to keep the arena at its current location. He stated <br /> the drive from the high school to Lake Orono Park doesn't make sense. He stated <br /> his focus is the student athlete. He stated he likes Eden Prairie's model of having the <br /> activity center nestled with the school campus. He stated he is in favor of the current <br /> arena project. <br /> Mayor Dietz stated if the arena project is for the student athlete then why the city <br /> should pay for it versus the schools. He stated he needs more reasons to spend $25 <br /> million for an arena. <br /> Councilmember Wagner stated she is supportive of kids and it's the number one <br /> reason why she supports doing something here. She stated driving across town was <br /> discussed by the task force but it was noted road improvements will make it easier. <br /> She stated this wouldn't derail her from looking at another location noting other kids <br /> have to drive for their activities all the time. <br /> Councilmember Olsen requested to enter Dave Williams email to the record. He <br /> noted the city bought a used arena facility and maintained it on cheap. <br /> Mayor Dietz stated he takes offense to the comment about the arena being built on <br /> the cheap noting although they installed a used ice plant it lasted for 20 years and the <br /> city got its money's worth. He stated when the arena was built Council was told it <br /> would generate revenue because surrounding hockey groups would use the facility <br /> but this turned out not to be true because everyone started building arenas and <br /> received grants funding for them. <br /> Councilmember Wagner stated before making a motion to go back to referendum <br /> she would like to see Council lead the charge to revisit this matter. She stated if she is <br /> spending$24 million she would rather see a larger project to make a bigger <br /> difference. <br /> Mayor Dietz clarified if Councilmember Wagner wanted to revisit the project first <br /> before deciding if a referendum is needed. <br /> Councilmember Wagner stated the city should do a referendum. <br /> Moved by Councilmember Wagner to revisit putting the community center <br /> option back to referendum. <br /> Mayor Dietz questioned if Council wanted to call this a community center because <br /> it's not really its intent. <br /> UREJ <br />