02-08-2018 CCM SPECIAL - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes February 8, 2018 Page 3 Mr. Portner stated language could be added to allow these additional improvements but Council will need to identify a timeline, project details, and costs. Councilmember Wagner stated her goal is to change public perception that they aren't heard. She stated she heard many options from the public about what they want and a majority wishes the previous referendum had passed. She stated she wants to make sure the entire Council is on the same page before moving forward and all options have been exhausted. She feels this isn't the right plan and the single multipurpose facility is needed in this community. She stated the original referendum benefitted a much larger percentage of people when comparing the costs between the two options. She stated the first plan looked at economic impacts and the ability for growth on the west side of the city noting the vacant land in the area business and homeowners would want to be apart of. Councilmember Wagner stated the location of the arena plan makes sense for the school district and is easy for kids to access. She stated the done (fieldhouse) is the additional right thing to do but has concerns for the amount of funding expected to be spent on this project when the only clear way to pay for it is a property tax levy. She stated she feels like Council is of the consensus to go for a sales tax referendum and the bond payment would be covered but only if the sales tax passes. She questioned if the Council is willing to use these numbers knowing all the other projects on the horizon and if the sales tax referendum doesn't pass it will go on a property tax levy. She asked if this location and funding are the right way to go. She questioned if an economic impact study might help determine what an investment of this type means to a city. Mr. Portner stated there may be a study through DEED. He cited the new Prairie View Elementary in Otsego where, according to the superintendent, the new school resulted in the return of 500 students who had open enrolled outside the district, likely because people moved because they see the value. He noted how his examples showed there is an economic boost with having new facilities. He further mentioned past history in Elk River when the district was changing the boundaries for Twin Lakes Elementary and the concerns with moving to an older school. Councilmember Wagner agreed there is value when a city invests in itself. She stated when people look at communities they look at what is new and shiny. She stated she is against moving softball to Oak Knoll Park and the field house becoming a third sheet of ice in the future. She stated these two pieces hold her up. Mayor Dietz stated there are only two choices for financing; property tax and sales tax. He stated this will go to property tax if the referendum fails. Councilmember Wagner asked the mayor if he is okay with this. Mayor Dietz stated he has never been okay with it going on property taxes so it is why he is proposing the sales tax. RI1EREI I► MATURE