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<br />City Council :Minutes <br />June 4, 2007 <br /> <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />Councilmember Farber stated he would like to see some grass out at YAC. He further <br />questioned if anything could be done with the Sherburne County parking lot by the ballfields <br />near Orono Park. . <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Councilmember Farber stated the Ice Arena is losing big tournaments due to not having the <br />lobby as an amenity. <br /> <br />Ms. Johnson stated the capital debt for the arena would be paid in 2013 but there are many <br />large projects that need funding. <br /> <br />Councilmember Farber stated the arena needs to pay for itself. <br /> <br />Commissioner Paige noted that users of the arena bring in dollars through their spending in <br />the community. <br /> <br />Councilmember Morin suggested talking with the school district about the arena. <br /> <br />Mr. Maertz stated it will depend upon how their referendum goes in the fall. <br /> <br />Mr. Maertz stated the Senior Center did not get the grant they applied for but they did rate <br />high. <br /> <br />Commissioner Anderson complimented the city and staff on how far they've come with <br />parks and recreation amenities within the last few years. He commented on how good <br />Pinewood Golf Course is looks. He stated the city needs to consider alternate funding <br />mechanisms. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Councilmember Morin stated the city needs to consider different funding mechanisms but <br />he is not in favor of using the General Fund. He stated he would like more transparency on <br />where the funds are being spent. He expressed concerns of the city spreading itself too thin <br />with too many projects and trying to maintilln them. He expressed concerns with having a <br />referendum. <br /> <br />Commissioner Paige stated there are alternative tools for cities to consider and suggested the <br />use of the special assessment process. He also suggested utilizing housing improvement <br />areas whereby neighbors would have to sign a petition for services. He stated the <br />commission would like to consider a referendum package if it were the right package. <br /> <br />Councilmember Gumphrey questioned if a portion of liquor store funds could be used to <br />fund park projects. He further suggested a tax levy, or a sales tax. He stated he has no issues <br />with finding alternative sources for funding but he is not sure about going for a bond <br />referendum. He suggested planning projects in phases. <br /> <br />Councilmember Zerwas stated the city needs to look at long-term funding options. He <br />stated the city needs to maintain what they have now and finish exisring parks first before <br />they create new ones. <br /> <br />Mr. Schuldt suggested an increase in usage fees. <br /> <br />Ms. Johnson stated that fees typically are used for ongoing maintenance. <br /> <br />e <br />