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City Council Minutes Page 10 <br />April 16, 2018 <br />----------------------------- <br />but about a facility with the potential of additional future revenue and the Chamber <br />is not advocating for any specific plan. <br /> <br />Mayor Dietz said if they were to prioritize current city projects the arena may end up <br />on the bottom of the list. The Senior Center will likely last for a couple more years. <br />Citizens do not have an appetite for a huge project. If adding a sales tax to raise <br />funding for the facility and future repairs is the option, then the cost must be very <br />specific. He expressed that, thus far, the city has not done a great job at setting aside <br />money for repairing buildings and, if the city had set aside funds 20 years ago, it <br />would not be faced with the decision to raise property taxes or add a sales tax. He <br />stated the city needs to repair the problems and the consultants said the facilities <br />should last another 30 years with these repairs. <br /> <br />Councilmember Wagner questioned if going with a $16 million repair would make <br />sense or if a larger facility with retail space would more impact on the future of Elk <br />River. She feels there are residents who have an opinion but haven’t come forward <br />yet and she would like to give these people an opportunity to speak before reaching a <br />final decision. <br /> <br />Councilmember Olsen said the current arena location is convenient for students. <br /> <br />Councilmember Wagner asked if the council are willing to continue the discussion <br />and if the city can see a larger investment than the current $16 million plan. <br /> <br />Mayor Dietz asked Councilmember Wagner if she was coming back to the larger <br />plan that was discussed earlier in the year. He wondered if she could “sell” the <br />average tax payer on a higher priced option. <br /> <br />Councilmember Wagner said the city could hire consultants to do an economic <br />impact study. <br /> <br />Mayor Dietz said the average taxpayer would favor a $25 million cost and asked if <br />business owners are willing to have their taxes raised. He stated a sales tax would be <br />a one-time thing but it would eventually come to increasing property taxes. <br /> <br />Ms. Rydberg questioned if increasing property taxes would increase businesses <br />revenue. <br /> <br />Councilmember Wagner stated current city projects, such as the Fire or Police <br />Station, would increase the city’s revenue. <br /> <br />Councilmember Westgaard disagreed. He expressed disappointment that the Council <br />can’t seem to share the same story. He reminded council that the city does have a <br />master plan for maintaining and building infrastructure and funding is derived from <br />the Building Reserve Fund. About five years ago, the Parks and Recreation <br />Department had a vision for increased trails but no master plan and the council <br />directed staff to develop a park master plan. He felt the council should not continue <br /> <br />