02-05-2018 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Minutes Page 3 February 5, 2018 7. Public Hearings There were no public hearings. 8.1 Reconsider Recreation Facility Referendum Ms. Wagner stated she would like to pause on the current arena project. She stated she would be making a motion against the bond sale, the next item on the agenda. She stated one of her goals as Councilmember was to change public perception of citizens that their voice is not heard and the Council does what it wants to do. She stated this is why she volunteered to be on the original facilities task force, which ultimately recommended a multipurpose facility to create efficiencies and expand city services for already owned city buildings. She stated after hundreds of hours of work she felt the multipurpose facility was the best use of tax dollars to fix ailing buildings that wouldn't consider our future service level needs or bring any additional economic prosperity to the city. She noted this led to a failed referendum which has brought us to where we are today with Plan B, the arena project. Councilmember Wagner stated she takes responsibility for voting for Plan B even though she always felt the original multipurpose facility, along with the other improvements, was the right thing to do for the community. She stated after discussions with many people who supported the differing plans she feels there is need for Council to step back and have a thorough discussion to make sure Plan B is truly the right answer. Councilmember Wagner stated she would like staff to prepare a preliminary draft 2019-2020 budget to show how bond service payment would affect the overall budget and subsequent levy. She stated she was very uncomfortable with capital expenses and future needs during the last budget cycle and she feels Council hasn't done an adequate job looking at the big picture and how it affects taxpayers. Councilmember Wagner feels past process has created a loss of public trust: the very thing she hoped to restore. She stated the city needs to do a better job at disseminating information to the community. She further stated the public needs to do their part. She stated typing and spreading false information and making harmful, slanderous accusations is quite reckless. She stated Council meetings and city hall are open to the public and the Council is here to serve the community, not keep secrets. Councilmember Wagner reiterated she would like to take a few days to think about the project options. Councilmember Olsen noted a lot of money has been committed to Plan B and questioned how to retreat from that expense. Councilmember Wagner agreed further staring she takes responsibility for her own decisions on this project. She stated it is a lot of money but not a reason to stop a $20 plus million dollar project. She stated she is not asking for the plan to go away rorclEI Ir NATURE