4.1. DRAFT MINUTES (2 SETS) 05-07-2018

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City Council Minutes Page 11 April 16, 2018 ----------------------------- to buy things without a plan to staff, maintain, and replace equipment. Among the city’s facilities, three were not addressed – the Senior Center, Lion John Weicht Park, and the Ice Arena. Councilmember Westgaard reviewed that multiple plans have been brought to the Council since 2006 asking for direction on the ice arena facility. He understands business owners pay a higher percentage of taxes, set by state law, but he disagrees the city has no vision. He also expressed frustration the project is considered a $25 million ice arena when the proposed project involved many components including ball fields, Lions Park Center improvements, turf field house, meeting space, retail space and ice rinks. His intent is to educate the voter and reassure them the Council has the project figured out. He felt putting the brakes on the project may have lost money and it displayed poor leadership. He expressed there is still time to make an informed decision but the issue of the sales tax option would need to be determined by July whether or not it should be brought to the voters at the General Election in November. Councilmember Westgaard stated quality of life issues do not hit the entire community, each project will have people saying “why me?” An ice arena is an expensive building to own and operate and if the city does not have the appetite to maintain it, then it should be sold. Watching facilities deteriorate is irresponsible and the council is expected to have fiscal responsibility and make decisions. Elk River resident Larry Toth stated the approach should be proactive rather than reactive. Mayor Dietz proposed the city see how the sales tax vote turns out to see if property tax dollars would be needed to pay for the proposed project. He felt a referendum question needs to be clear on what the voters would be paying for. Councilmember Westgaard said there may be ways to pay for it through funding, contributions, or backloading bond payments in order to not see a huge spike in tax base. He also felt an ice arena does more than most facilities to cover its own operation cost. He stated other communities ask for participation from organizations to cover operating costs. Councilmember Olsen agreed, siting the recent donation from Elk River Basketball. He felt the conversation should be deferred. Councilmember Westgaard asked Councilmember Olsen what decision he is looking for. Councilmember Olsen asked if ISD 728 would want to split their ball fields. Mr. Portner stated the minimal need is to replace the varsity field. With minimal soil mitigation at Lions Park, the addition of the second field further meets city recreation needs currently and into the future.