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City Council Minutes Page 13 <br />June 15, 2020 <br />----------------------------- <br /> <br />Mr. Portner explained staff revised numbers using the 65% revenue based on whole <br />Council feedback at the last meeting. <br /> <br />Mr. Benoit further explained staff used information discussed at the last meeting <br />including using 65% revenues, expenses from the staffing plan, 2018 budget <br />numbers, and modifications for utilities and put it together for this presentation. He <br />noted the May 4 presentation did not include capital outlay. <br /> <br />Councilmember Westgaard indicated he simply voiced his concern at the last <br />meeting on how he felt we should move forward with the facility. He explained he <br />feels the advisory commission should have been part of this from day one, but it <br />seems like staff keeps ignoring the direction and forging ahead for approvals. He <br />believes it will be a mistake to move forward setting rates and schedules without <br />commission and community input and believes the Council will get backlash. <br /> <br />Mr. Portner apologized if he misunderstood the direction from the last meeting. He <br />indicated the advisory commission will be on board by July and will get started <br />shortly after reviewing these items. He questioned if the Council is looking for the <br />commission to conduct the research to provide budget estimates and staffing costs. <br />He noted in his experience a group of residents typically don’t have the experience to <br />put that information together. He stated the payment for the naming rights <br />consultant will come from the initial payment and we will pay for signage so there <br />may be a deficit for that right away. He stated capital outlay won’t have much the <br />first couple years because it’s a new building and many of the larger items have <br />warranties. He asked for direction of what the Council wants to see. <br /> <br />Mayor Dietz indicated he is not understanding Councilmember Westgaard’s <br />comments. He questioned if Councilmember Westgaard is expecting the group to <br />come in and set rates. He believes they need to have a starting point and once the <br />commission comes on board, they should review staff’s figures and make a <br />recommendation to the Council. He stated staff has a lot of time comparing <br />numbers with other cities and our competition and he wouldn’t expect the advisory <br />commission to do that level of work. <br /> <br />Councilmember Westgaard explained the ordinance establishing the advisory <br />commission outlines the group’s duties which include setting fees, budget, and <br />capital outlay for the facility and make recommendation to the Council. He indicated <br />a presentation back in December discussed having the commission established so <br />they could be involved as the new facility comes online and now it’s June. He thinks <br />it is a mistake to move forward without input of the advisory commission. <br /> <br />Mayor Dietz questioned how the individuals appointed to the commission are going <br />to know better than the Council on what is right and wrong with the proposed fees <br />and staffing. <br /> <br /> <br />