08-13-2018 CCM SPECIAL - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes August 13, 2018 Page 3 built the same year and found asbestos and mold, it required deeper mitigation. He stated they took those things into consideration when providing their estimate that updated roofing and energy code requirements and the fire suppression system. Mr. Portner stated the goal was how to make this building last another 40 years. He asked Mayor Dietz about the decision to build a new library building instead of expanding the building. Mayor Dietz indicated they had the option of expanding the current building as the building structure was sufficient, but chose to build new because the cost of new construction wasn't that much different so they were able to acquire a more suitable property, with the cost difference not that much higher. Councilmember Westgaard stated a similar discussion of the community center occurred in 2016, and much to the surprise of the council after discussions of the economy and multi -programmable spaces, the voters spoke. He stated if seniors are indicating they'd like the city to put money towards renovating their current facility, maybe that's what the city should do. Counciltnember Olsen stated current research reflects in smaller communities that senior/activity centers don't flourish unless they're intermingled with other generations, especially kids, and that's why he felt the YMCA would be a good opportunity. He stated he sees a lot of kids when he attends the YMCA and he finds it uplifting. He has read articles on loneliness and seniors, and he feels it's important to intermingle generations. He feels concern with joining the senior center and the multi-purpose facility, noting during the school year it's a busy place with traffic and activity, and stated he felt seniors would prefer the comfortableness of the location of the Activity Center. He suggested consulting with Mary Bauer, Community Development Specialist with the Center Minnesota Council on Aging and he would like to get her input. He would also like to continue exploring the YMCA option. He said he had a brief conversation with Molly and the only thing holding it up was an operational agreement. He stated he doesn't want to be short-sighted and wondered why they needed a placeholder to lock in such firm decisions. Councilmember Westgaard stated not having a placeholder leaves that user group in the dark, noting the voters shouldn't be expected to vote for something when the funds aren't delegated and a location isn't chosen, and that's the reason for the sense of urgency. Councilmember Wagner stated the information she's hearing this evening regarding the seniors wish to stay in the Activity Center building is confusing because in 2016, she had heard the senior's concerns and they were lack of parking and their space wasn't big enough, but today, it's all just fine. In working to find a solution using the overwhelming comments taken from that process to find a solution to those comments, she's hearing they're not there anymore. But on Wednesday while on the facility tour, she stated she overwhelmingly heard Annette say `the space is too small' due to the number of people using the same, and felt they were outgrowing the space. She said in trying to find the solution and hearing the tremendous feedback P 0 V I R I 1 81 NATURE