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City Council Minutes Page 10 <br />June 4, 2018 <br />Councilmember Olsen stated they should figure out the total number and then <br />prioritize the project. <br />Councilmember Westgaard felt that there wasn't really any new information from the <br />listening sessions and that the right target audience was not reached. It seemed that <br />people were in support of a LOST but with the caveat that it must encompass a <br />broader scope than just an ice arena. Whether the project is one large facility project <br />or multiple smaller projects, he outlined the combined costs of all of the proposed <br />projects would probably be close to $30 million. He asked if a half cent sales tax <br />would support a $33 million project. <br />Mr. Pormer stated it would. <br />Councilmember Westgaard would like to address the three facilities and then get top <br />priorities from the Park and Recreation Commission. The Council can then decide <br />how much more they want to add. There are projects such as dredging Lake Orono <br />and YAC initiatives that maybe should be included. <br />Councilmember Olsen agreed that they needed a priority list. <br />Councilmember Oval] felt what we are looking at today is different than what was <br />discussed in 2016. Residents are more in favor of a LOST than property tax increase. <br />The Council has one shot to get it right and need to examine our goal and vision and <br />engage community stake holders. Selecting the right project for community value is <br />being financially prudent. <br />Mayor Dietz said, currently, people seem in favor of two of the plans but there is not <br />time to develop an entirely new plan before the election. He felt a $30 million cost <br />seemed too high. <br />Councilmember Wagner asked what the goal of the Council was. Is it three facilities <br />and that's it, or three facilities plus additional projects? Elk River is at a pivotal point <br />looking at the broader vision. If LOST is desired, then the Council should look at <br />future needs and have a broader vision. <br />Mayor Dietz felt the top priorities are the Elk River Ice Arena and the Activity <br />Center. He isn't sure how else the city would pay for these projects besides a LOST. <br />If additional projects are included, they need to appeal to more people. Currently, the <br />number seems too big no matter what it is for. How much of the total cost should <br />be spent on the recreational facility improvements? He requested staff provide costs <br />to the City Council. <br />Mr. Portner offered to provide sample referendum language from other cities. <br />Mayor Dietz doesn't know if the Council can get everything on the ballot. He <br />suggested limiting the options to 1 or 2 for the recreational facilities improvements <br />and create a list of priority projects to also include. <br />FOtIRII Ir <br />NATURE <br />