4.3. SR 09-24-2001TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
MEMORANDUM
Mayor and City Council
Pat Klaers, City Administrator
September 24, 2001
Small Theater Funding
Item ~ 4.3.
The city has recently agreed to pay the school district $112,600 per year for 5 years in order to
ensure that the small theater is preserved and made available for community use.
After the Council decision on this issue, I advised Dr. Jensen that the staff recommendation
for the 2001 payment would be to use growth related revenues (building and plumbing
permits and plan check fees) that are in excess of the budgeted amount. I stated that payment
could be made around Thanksgiving when more information is available regarding 2001
revenues and expenditures. Dr. Jensen indicated that he was "ok" with what I was proposing
and that his main concern for the school district is in the third year of the payment plan, as all
of the current bond funds will have been spent.
Regarding the 2002 and 2003 payments, it is recommended that the city use NSP funds for
these obligations. (This assumes that growth revenues will not exceed the budget projection.)
The city receives approximately $220,000 per year (through 2009) from NSP for being the
home of the RDF operation. About half of these funds have been dedicated to the current
City Hall debt payment plan and the other half has been used for park land purchases,
improvements to athletic fields, and for land at City Hall. For the past few years, the city has
not spent very much of the NSP reserve. In general, the city has been trying to build up this
reserve for either a series of smaller improvements or a larger scale project.
For the 2004 and 2005 payments, staff has no recommendation at this time. Levy limits are
scheduled to end in 2003 so the City Council can evaluate during the budget process whether
or not a tax levy should be considered for making the 2004-05 payments. If the tax levy is not
pursued then we can discuss using additional NSP funds or other reserves as available.
There is no word yet on thc formation of a committee to review the use and scheduling of the
school theaters and meeting room space.