8.0. SR 02-14-20007ity of
River
MEMOIL&NDUM
Item #
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor & City Council
Pat Klaers, City Admi ~n~?'a/t~
February 14, 2000
Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
At the January 24, 2000, joint meeting of the School District Board and the
City Council, discussion took place regarding a possible joint facility. A shared
facility may mean different things to different people, but the goals of the
School Board seemed clear in that the facility had to address their Community
Education, Early Childhood, and Special Education needs. The term "family
center" was used during the discussion and Administrator of Community
Education Charlie Blesener indicated that, on a preliminary basis, their needs
involved somewhere between 30-40,000 square feet. By way of comparison the
City Council should note that the City Hall complex (including the police
station, garage, and open/group space) is a total of approximately 28,000
square feet. In 1992-93, the facility, including capitalized interest expenses,
approached $2.9 million and the FF&E was almost $400,000.
One fact needs to be clearly stated before discussion on a joint facility begins.
This fact is that if both the city and the school want a joint facility to become
reality, then it can happen. However, it should also be made very clear that
completing any type of shared facility is a very long, and quite possibly very
difficult, process planning and funding.
It seems that the first order of business for the City Council in discussing this
issue is to make a decision regarding the city goals for a facility. By this I
mean the city should decide what is truly needed to be constructed in the near
future versus identifying what type of facilities would be "nice to have," but
are not on the immediate horizon because of funding. By way of background,
attached is some material from about ten years ago when the first Community
Center Task Force worked on a proposal.
From my point of view, the number one issue that the city needs to address is
space for large and small meetings. An auditorium sized facility that would
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
Capital Improvement Program Memo
Page 2
include a kitchen facility for catering meals in order to accommodate banquets
or small conventions has been discussed. Large and small multi-purpose
meeting room space has been repeatedly noted as an unmet basic need in the
community. This need is highlighted when groups such as the Chamber of
Commerce have to go out of town for their annual meeting because no facility
in the community is large enough to accommodate them.
Other space needs seem to be either addressed in the short term or to be too
expensive to be dealt with at this time. For example, in the long term a city
senior center facility is definitely something to consider, but in the short
term, continuing to work with Guardian Angels to have the public city senior
center in their private facility is working to the satisfaction of most everyone.
However, as the city grows it is unrealistic to expect that this relationship
would continue forever... Also, discussion has taken place regarding a
health]fitness center type of facility being included in a community center.
Some people however believe that this need is most appropriately addressed by
private industry. There is also the possibility that the city could invest in this
type of operation and then have a facility that is unused due to private
competition...A third space need deals with the youth, but a youth center
seems to have been addressed for the time being by the establishment of the
Boys and Girls Club and the city-run Emporium facility. Again, like the senior
center, in the long run I believe that the city will need a youth center, but this
is not on the immediate horizon...Regarding an indoor pool, this topic has
yet to be seriously discussed, but it is very expensive for both the construction
and operation and, as we all know, the outdoor pool was not well received by
the public based on the failed bond referendum. Nonetheless, an indoor pool
like we see in other community centers is certainly worth exploring, but this
may be a long term desire versus a short term type of need...Finally, the arts
center and theatre complex has had extensive publicity in the local paper
and has generated a great deal of discussion from a very active, although
small, community group. This type of facility is very expensive and, while it is
important for the overall cultural well being of the community, it also may not
be on the immediate horizon due to funding concerns.
If meeting room space is the number one concern and the only immediate goal
of the City Council, then I think it is safe to say that this space need can be
addressed in the not too distant future. This type of space can be developed
along with a 2002-03 City Hall expansion or can be done in combination with
the school facilities that were discussed on 1/24/00. Adding meeting
room/auditorium space to the Community Education, Early Childhood, Special
Education (and Community Recreation?) facility is probably the easiest "joint"
facility to undertake by both the city and the school district. This type of joint
facility may even be able to be accomplished without a public bond referendum
if the total city cost is kept low. However, I don't want to mislead anyone and I
Capital Improvement Program Memo
Page 3
need to say that I do not have any realistic idea about the cost of this type of
space or if the cost can be kept "low" give the kitchen component of the facility.
Funding...On the other hand, if the project gets larger or more substantial
and gets more expensive, then funding becomes a major consideration. When
considering funding for a more substantial facility, you are virtually assuring
yourself of a public referendum and the earliest this would happen is the
November 2002 election. If the council is going to consider a request for a 1/~
cent sales tax to pay for this facility, then approval of the proposal is needed by
the state legislature and then the request has to go before the voters for
approval. Accordingly, regardless if it is a sales tax proposal or a property tax
proposal, a public referendum would be needed. For a sales tax proposal it
would be best to get legislative approval in 2001 so that fifteen months or so
could be spent in promoting the issue and preparing the public for the vote. If
approval was given by the legislature in the 2002 session, then there would be
only a few months to work on the project before the November election.
Finally, in order to get a proposal passed by the legislature in 2001, work
would need to be done immediately as any proposal would take at least twelve
months or so to prepare.
The above sequence of activities outlines the timing problem for a sales tax
proposal. A straight property tax bond referendum proposal is better from a
timing point of view, but may not have as good of a chance of being successful.
If the city is going to pursue a shared facility, then a great deal of work needs
to be done by both the city and school district. One of the issues is the design of
this large facility. Following agreement on the design and components of the
facility, management would have to be discussed in terms of who is going to
own the facility, be the fiscal agent for the operating expenses, establish the
hours of operation, and things of this nature. Accurately dividing up the
capital expenses for a shared facility and the operating expenses for a shared
facility will be another challenging task. The location of a joint facility is one
more concern that has to be addressed. Additionally, discussion should take
place as to whether or not there are any real savings to either the city or the
school in either capital or operating expenses by doing a shared facility and
whether or not having all of these facilities at one location under one roof with
one parking lot is appropriate or if it may ultimately be more appropriate to
have the facilities at different locations and dispersed throughout the
community.
As you can tell, from my point of view a "substantial" community center done
jointly with the school will be a big challenge, but as previously noted, it
Capital Improvement Program Memo
Page 4
certainly could be done given adequate time, outside expertise, and,
ultimately, money to accomplish the task. On the other hand, i_f meeting room
space is the number one priority and the only issue that needs to be
immediately addressed, then this type of proposal may be able to be
accomplished in the not too distant future, either individually by the city or
jointly with the school district. This last comment assumes no public bond
referendum being required.
At the 1/24/00 joint meeting with the School Board, the council indicated its
desire to talk about community facilities and to get back to the School Board in
March or April regarding the city's position and goals...let the discussion
begin!
Decision
Resources Ltd,.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This study contains the results of a survey of 402 randomly
selected residents of the City of Elk River. Survey responses
were gathered by professional interviewers between December
14 and December 27, 1989= The average interview of city
residents took twenty-seve'-~inutes.. Random samples such as this
one yield results projectable to the entire universe of Elk
River residents within ~ 5.0 percent in 95 out of 100 cases.
Elk- River can best be described as a growing exurban area
undergoing substantial transition. While many of. the results
found in this study conform to the patterns of other cities in
the "high growth corridors," there are also some characteristics
which suggest a changing community. The complexion of the
community varies, from a blue collar small town to a more white
collar enclave. In many ways, the newcomers are impacting median
education levels, average household income levels, as well as
altering expectations about city services.
Residents were asked about a Community Center for Elk River.
When queried about facilities in a center, respondents cited, in
rank order, a teen center, a senior citizens center, a community
room, and a gymnasium; however, over fifty percent of the sample
could not answer the question. Taken as a group, three of the
facilities cited point to a need for meeting spaces within Elk
River.
Seventy-four percent of the residents support the
construction of a Elk River Communit~ Center: eighteen percent
7
opposed %t. As long as the cost stayed arOU~yearly
increase in Property taxes, majority support c
But, even that figure, there Ks a core of twenty-three percent
ained.at
of the residents who would not cote for any tax increase for the
construction of a center. Fifty-eight percent of the sample also
thought it was a good idea to attach a new city Hall to the
Community Center, combining the construction of both facilities.
City residents seem, then, to endorse the idea of a City Center
complex, combining administrative fa¢illties with meeting room=
and other facilltie~ for the public.
Fourteen different facilities for posslble inclusion in a
community center were read to each interviewee. Over eighty
percent supported the . inclusion of a teen center.
Over seventy percent favored a large community room, a senior
citizens center, and group meeting rooms. Over sixty percent
were supportive of an exercise and fitness room, an indoor
running/walking fac~llty, a gymnasium, and an arts and crafts
room. An indoor ace skating rink, an indoor swimming
racquetball courts, a community theatre, a nursery school/day
care facility, and an aerobics and dance room split the citizenry
and provoked high levels of opposition. Support, then, tended to
build around indoor meeting facilities, and to a lesser extent,
passive "dry" Individual recreational and wellness facilities.
Residents were also asked to choose their top two Priorities
from the list. Four facilities were chosen by at least ten
percent of the sample: in rank order, a teen center, a senior
drop-in center, a large community room, and group meeting rooms.
The teen and senior centers were chosen by over one-quarter of
the sample as their top'priorities. Opposition to any of the
facilities was also measured. Four facilities were opposed by
more than five percent of the residents: an indoor ice skating
rink, an indoor swimming pool, an aerobics and dance room, and
racquetball courts. Only the first facility, however, reach an
opposition level which is worrisome. Overall, then, Elk River
citizens have a clear hierarchy of facilities in mind for their
community center.
A community center would draw users from sixty-six percent
of the city's households. Fifty-nine percent of the households
reported at least one member who would visit on a weekly basis or
more. There is a clear demand in the community for the
facilities and services that a community center could supply.
On the subject of operating costs, residents split on a pay-
as-you go system. Forty-nine percent oppose the city
subsidization of operating costs, even if user fees increase;
forty-four percent favor a city subsidy. Fifty-eight percent of
the sample would not be impacted by a moderate daily fee; twenty-
five percent felt it depended on the size of the fee; only
fourteen percent felt their usage would significantly decline.
Forty-one percent of the sample would pay $100 yearly for a
family membership. But, when informed about comparable costs in
the area, forty-four percent of the respondents indicated a
8
wi11ingness to. pay $150.00 per year for a family membership. Any
marketing effort for memberships must stress comparable fees. If
built, the Community Center will be assured of a very high user
rate.
Amid the demographic changes Elk River is undergoing,, there
is a high degree of citizen contentment. But, needs are also
changing; already a consensus exists for a change in direction on
parks and recreational offerings. And, a City which has serve~
its residents well in the past may find itself hard pressed to
meet future needs. There is a clear need for more meeting spaces
in Elk River. Expanded parks and recreational opportunities will
also gain more support: it is only a question of time until a
majority coalition exists for further action, even if property
ta~e? increase. During this period of time, then, it will be
critical to establish co~rses of actions and priorities that not
only ~atisfy current needs but anticipate future wants. While
this may be challenging, it also provides an opportunity for
innovatiqn and creativi~y. Based upon the past, the citizenry
clearly feels that the City is well-equlpped to meet the future.
9
DECISION RESOURCES, LTD.
3128 Dean Court
Minneapolis, Minnesota $$414
ELK RIVER CITY SURVE%
Parks and Recreation/.
City Issues Study
Hello, I'm o ..... - '
- ~ ueo~slon Resources, Ltd., a ~ati~nwtde
p?lling fir~ %ocated-in Minneapolis. We ye been ret
in your opinions and suggestions. I want
to assure you that all individual responses will be held strictly
confidential; only summaries of the entire sample will be
reported· (DO NOT PAUSE)
1. Approximately how many years have
you lived in Elk Riv,r?
As thing~ now
the future do
in Elk River?
~tand, how long
expect to ]
How-would you
life in Elk River
good, only fair,
,ocr?
lent,
of
4. What do you lii most
LESSITHAN TWO YEARS.....8%
TWO FIVE YEARS .... .26%
SI TEN YEARS......16%.
1] 20 YEARS .... .....27%
30 YEARS...· ..... 11%
THIRTY YEARS ..... 12%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED.....0%
LESS THAN TWO YEARS....3%
2 - S YEARS.... .... ....6%
6 - 10 YEARS·.·. .......9%
OVER TEN YEARS........i$%
REST OF LIFE (VOL.)...58%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED....10%
EXCELLENT .......... ...37%
GOOD ............. .....57%
ONLY FAIR.... .......... 4%
POOR......; ............ 1%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED.....0%
.out living in Elk River?
DON'T KNOW, ; SMALL
PEOPLE, 14%
,
~0OD, 3%; {ING, 4%.
What do
DON'T
LOCAT
5%;
CITY
26%; LOCATION, 24%; SCHOOLS, '3%;
%; QUIET/PEACEFUL, 6%; NEIGHBOR-
U like least about t?
11%; NOTHING, 18%;
6%; POOR SHOPPING,
GOVERNMENT, 3%; POOR
~ES, 4%; POLLUTION,
5%; GROWTH, 18%;
SCHOOLS, 2%; TOO SMALL,
4%; HIGHWAY 101, 3%;
SCATTERED, 4%.
I would to read to you a list of creational activities.
For ea~ one, tell me how often you eng~ in that activity·. Do.
you or ~y members of this household engage in the activity four
times a week or more often, once a week, once or twice a month,
several times each year or not at all. For seasonal activities,
please tell me how often you or household members participate
1
109. How serious ro 0US..........14%
1em of geese in LionT~~~ SOMEWHAT SERIOUS ...... 17%
-- very ~erious{ scm_ INOR PROBLEM ......... 21%
ous, a mlno , or not a BLEM ......... 34%
ce ~'~ ~ %-~
problem at . DON'T KNOW/REFUSED .... 14%
also been some discussion about a new Community'Center
There
has
complex.
110. If a Community Center were constructed, what facilities do
you feel is important to include?
DON'T KNOW, 38%; NONE, 14%; TEEN CENTER, 11%; SENIOR CENTER,
7%; GYM/SPORTS, 7%; RACQUETBALL COURTS, 9%; ICE RINK, 1%;
COM~qlNITY ROOM, 7%; THEATRE, Z%; CLASSROOMS, 2%; CITY
OFFICES, 2%; SWIMMING POOL, 4%; TENNIS COURTS, 1%;
SCATTERED, 4%.
I would like to read you a list of facilities that could be'
included in a community center. For each one, please tell me if
you would ~trongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or
s%.rongly oppose its inclusion in a community center._
STR SMW SMW STR D.K.
FAV FAV OPP OPP REF.
111. An indoor ice skating rink? 10% 97% 90% ~0%
112. An indoor swimming pool? 16% 96% 29% 53% 3%
113. An exercise and f~tness room? 23% 43% 14% 14%
114. A gymnasium? 21% 99% 20% 17% 3%
115. Racquetball courts? 14% 39% 21% 18% 8%
116 Large community room for
banquets, parties, meetings,
and other rental purposes? 90% 46% 9% 12% 4%
117. Group meeting rooms? 26% 48% 12{ 11% 3%
118. A teen center? 44% 37% 7% 9% 4%
119. A senior citizens center? 99% 38% 11% 9% 4%
120. An indoor running/walking
facility? 24% 41% 19% 14%
121. A community theatre 15% 40% 24% 17% 4%
12~. A nursery school/day care
facility? 17% 95% 23% 21% 5%
123. An arts and crafts room for
instructional programs and
classes? 19% 41% 21% 16% 4%
124. An aerobics and dance room? 14% 38% 27% 17% 4%
I would llke Go briefly re-read that list of potential facilities
for a community center. (READ LIST BELOW)
125. Please tell me which ONE you most strongly favor for
inclusion?
126. Which facility do you consider second in importance?
127. Is there a facility that you would PARTICULARLY oppose
£ncluding £n & center?
· An indoor ice skating rink?
. ;tn indoor swimming pool?
A~ exercise and fitness room?
...~:_.Racquetball courts?
Group meeting rooms?
......~ An arts and crafts room?
'".~~A gymnasium?
A senior citiz&nz drop-in center?
An aerobics and dance room?
..~n indoor rupning/walking facility?
Large community room?
A community theatre?
A teen center?
A Day care/nursery school facility?
.....All equally
~ ~ ,]None
.~.Don't Know/Refused
' "i~8. Would-you favor or oppose the
construction of a Community
center in Elk River? (WAIT
FOR RESPONSE) And do you feel
strongly'that way?
MOST SEC
OPP
· ' ~;% 6% "
6% 4%
4% 3%
6% 6%
2% 7% 3%
5% 5% 3%
11% 12%
1% 2% 6%
6% ' 4%
7% 7% 3%
3% 4%
21% 13% 2%
4% 5%
7% 9% 23%
5% 6% , 14%
STRONGLY FAVOR ........ 23%
FAVOR ....... ; ...... ...51%
OPPOSE...',,...........12%
STRONGLY OPPOSE ........ 6%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED.....8%
A bond referendum would be required to pay for its construction
and partial operating costs, User fees wou14 also underwrite the
operation of the community center to some extent.
129. How much would you be willing to
pay in additional property taxes
to support the construction and
partial operation of an Elk River
Community Center? (START WITH A
RANDOMLY SELECTED CHOICE FROM ~1
TO ~8) Let's say, would you be
willing to pay $ per year?
(MOVE TO NEXT CH~iCE UP OR DOWN
DEPENDING ON ANSWER.)
NOTHING ........... ....23%
$25...................26%
$50 ................... 19%
$75....................7%
$~00 ......... ~ .........~%
$125.- .................. 2%
$150............ .......
$i75 ................... 1%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED .... 17%
The City currently has saved funds for the construction of a new
City Hall. If a community center were built....
130. Would you favor or oppose attach-
· !ng the new city ~all to the
Community Center and combining
the construction of both facil-
it£es?
FAVOR................. 58%
OPPOSE ................ 22 %
DON'T CARE (VOL) ..... .12%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED..... 8%
~ased on our previous d~scussion of the facilities*which could be
offered ~n the center, please tell me how many members of thi;
household would probably....
.)
.)
131. Visit the Community Center on a
frequent, at least weekly, basis?
132. Visit the Community Center on a
occasional, perhaps monthly, basis?
0,41%; 1,16%; 2,23%;
3,10%; 4, 7%; 5, 3%.
0,45%; &,26%; 2,21%;
3,'5%; 4, 3%; 5, 1%.
If a community center were built, the City would have two'.ch~ces
on charging user fees. First, the City could subsidize*the*: -.
operation of the center through general tax'revenue'and keep*User
fees low. Or, second, the City could require the facility to be
self-sufficient, requiring much higher user fees.
133. Which course of action would you SUBSIDIZE... ....... ...44%
favor -- should the City subsi- DON'T SUSSIDIZE.......49%
dize operating costs through gen- DON'T KNOW/REFUSED .... .8%
eral tax revenues or not?
134. Would the charge of a moderate
fee'for a daily pass to use
facilities, such as an ice arena,
swimming pool, and arts and
crafts rooms, ~ignificantly de-
crease your use of those facil- ''
ities, or not?
'YES ...... ..~. ...... .'..14%
NO..... ........ ....'..'.5S%
DEPENDS ON FEE....~...2$%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ..... 3%
The City might also offer household memberships to recreati0nal
facility users. Members would have unlimited access to all
facilities.
135. How much would you be willlng to
pay yearly for a family member-
ship? Let's say, would you be
willing to pay $_ ? (DEPEND-
ING ON RESPONSE~ CHOOSE THE NEXT
HIGHER OR LOWER CATEGORY.) How
about $. ?
NOTHING ............ ...22%
$50 ...................
$100 ..................23%
$150 .......... ........11%
$200 .............. .....4%
$2S0.......... ......... 1%
$300 ......... ; .... .....2%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED....16%
It might be helpful to discuss comparable fees. The family
membership at the YMCA costs $620 yearly, while U.S. Swim and
Fitness membership costs $328. cities tend to charge less. Eden
Prairie charges its families $150 yearly while Brooklyn Center
yearly'family membership fees are $228.
136. Would you pay $150.00 for a one
year household membership to the
· Elk River Community Center?
YES ................... 44%
NO .................... 42%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED.... 14%
137. Do you currently s - ' YES. ........ ..........
clable materials fro~re;~~........... ...... .. 45%
of your garbagy DO__REFUSED.....2%
PROJECT BUDGET & SCHEDULE
COMMUNITY CENTER
City of Elk River, Minnesota
December, 1990
Eos ARCHITECTURE
470 WATER STREET EXCELSIOR, MN 55331 (612) 474-3291
ELK RIVER COHHUNITY C~NTER File: ERCCCE
PROGRAH CONSTRUCTION BUDGET
Activity Area Name ~ctlon Cos~
1. Meetings & Large Group Room $600,000
Banquets Board Room · $96,000
Prefunct ion $195,000
Stor&ge $12,500
2o
Active Recreation Multi-Purpose Area $895,455
Basketball ( Included ) $0
Volleyball ( Included )
Track ( Included ) $0
Tennls ( Indoor ) Tennls Courts $182,000
Aerobics Aerobics Studio $87,500
Exercise Equipment Exercise Room $30,000
Lockers Locker Rooms w/ Showers $500,000
3. Games Game Room $97,500
Ping Pong $0
Pool Tables
Foosball $0
4. Administrat~on Recreation Director's O~flces $27,200
Senior Center Director O£flce $17,600
5. Rental Space Rental Office $17,600
6. Chlldcare Chlldc&re $40,625
~estrooms $10,000
7. Seniors Crafts $160,000
T&bla Games $97,500
Pool Table $38,220
8. Swimming Pool General & Lap $390,000
Wading $55,250
Locker Rooms w/o Showers $425,000
Whirlpool $18,000
Food Services
· FuLl Service Kitchen $88,000
Short Order Kitchen $8,000
Seating $18,000
Vending $4,000
Storage & Recieving $5,000
Food Preparation Area $9,600
Banquet Service Corridor $52,500
10. Co~ons
Lobby & Seating $100,000
Display $15,000
Receptionist $10,000
Gener&l Storage $50,000
Circulation $811,525
Mechanical $208,000
Custodial & Office . $13,200
Restrooms $40,000
11. Presentations Front-of-House $191,250
Backstage Functions $239,250
Auditorium $770,000
Stage $693,000
BUILDING SUBTOT~tLS $7,319,275
12. Outdoor
Parking & Service $186,600
Picnic $12,500
Basketball $10,000
Volleyball $1,000
Shuffleboard $1,600
Horseshoe Pits $600
P~my~round $30,000
G&rdeninq $$00
Tennis Courts $26,000
F~uipment Storage $4,500
SITE SUBTOTALS . $273,300
TOTALS $7,592,575
Community Center .,Sk Force Attendance
1115190 2/12/90 3/1/90 4~5~90 513190 5121190 6/7190 6/18/90 7~5~90 7/23/90 812/90 8115190 9~6~90 9~20~90 1014190 10/15190
D. Bosshardt D. Bosshardt
(Ministerial) x x x x x x x x x x x (Ministerial)
Dr. Flannery Dr. Flannery
(District 728) x x (District 728)
V. Granros V. Gmnms
(Arts Council) x x x x x x x x x x x x x x (Arts Council)
B. Huntley B. Huntley
(Sr. Citizens) x x x x x x x (Sr. Citizens)
D. Johnson D. Johnson
'(Chamber) x x x x x x x x x x x x (Chamber)
N. Blomquist N. Blomquist
(Youth) x x x x (Youth)
P. Rassmussen P. Rassmussen
(Citizen) x x x x x x x x x x x x x (Citizen)
A. Kremer A. Kremer
(Citizen) x x x x x x x x x x (Citizen)
K. Heaney K. Heaney
(Citizen) x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x (Citizen)
R. Holmgren R. Holmgmn
(City Council) x x x x x x x x x x x x x x (City Council)
L. Johnson L. Johnson
(City Staff) x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x (City Staff)
JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL/COMMUNITY CENTER TASK FORCE
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1990
Members Present:
Mayor Tralle, Councilmembers, Holmgren, Dobel, Schuldt,
and K.o~u~,~e; ~ao~ Force members, Vi~k'i Granros, Doug
Johnson, Kathy HeaLey, Pat Rasmusson, Bill Huntley,
Allan Kremer, Dave Bosshardt
Members Absent:
Task Force Members, Nikki Blomquist, David Flannery
Also Present:
Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Lori Johnson, Finance
Director; Zack Johnson, EOS Architecture
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City
Council and Community Center Task Force was called to order at 6:45 p.m.
Pat Rasmusson opened the meeting by thanking the Council for attending this
worksession. She then stated that the Task Force was formed as a result of
requests from the 2001 group and that the Task Force had been working for 10
months to prepare a proposal for a community center for Elk River. Pat
Rasmusson mentioned that the Task Force had visited 10 other community
centers and had spoken with various groups including the Elk River Community
Theater, the Elk River Area Arts Council, Guardian Angels and the Greater
Elk River Area Foundation. She then read the Mission Statement prepared by
the Task Force.
Zack Johnson distributed the draft project proposals to the Task Force and
went through the proposal with the City Council. Zack stated that a major
portion of the proposal is the space allocation program which describes
which activities will be included in the community center, the square
footage of each activity and the cost associated with the .activity. He
further stated that the community survey was used as a basis of discussions
and a means of prioritizing components of the community center. He stated
that a concern of the Task Force was accessibility of the users of the
community center. This was both physical access and financial access.
Zack reviewed the program summary with the Council. He indicated that the
total square footage for all of the activities listed was greater than
100,000 square feet. He also stated that outdoor activities are included as
a component of the community center. He indicated to the Council that this
is the ultimate facility which plans for future growth. The program design
criteria was discussed including the benefits of the community center being
located in a municipal complex or campus setting. Zack indicated that the
Task Force did not program or address either a police station or City Hall
in' the proposal. The detailed design criteria diagrams show the types of
activities and how each activity would be equipped.
The site selection and analysis portion of the proposal was reviewed. Zack
indicated that the Task Force originally identified sixteen possible sites
and then narrowed those sites down to five sites and further narrowed that
to two sites. The Task Force was aware that it had no authority to make a
decision on site selection; however, the Task Force felt that any research
Joint City Council/Task Force Minutes
November 8, 1990
Page 2
on site selection would be valuable to the City Council. The two sites
under consideration are the Nord site and the Houlton/Morrell site.
Additional analysis of each of the sites is included in the draft project
proposal. Zack further indicated that the Task Force is in no way making an
offer for either of these'properties, but feels these sites are possible
locations for the community center.
The project budget and schedule was reviewed showing the ultimate facility
costing $7.59 million for a middle of the road building. Zack stated that
in the phasing plan, three year increments were estimated with 4% inflation
included. Zack emphasized that these are building costs only (no soft costs
are included), and stated that the soft costs could be substantial.
Operating costs were briefly reviewed stating that at this time no estimates
for operating costs have been made; however, the Task Force is aware that
those can be substantial. The referendum issue was discussed including the
size and debt limit allowing the City to issue a maximum of $4.5 million.
Timing of the facility was discussed. Zack indicated that it would be at
least 2-1/2 years before construction would be complete if the project were
to start now. Mayor Tralle indicated that because of law changes in the
election procedures, the earliest a bond referendum could be held would be
in 1992.
Zack stated that after Council input the Task Force would like to refine the
proposal and present a final proposal to the Council after the first of the
year. This final proposal will include an action plan.
Kathy Heaney concluded by stating that the Task Force is presenting ideas
and goals for a master plan which will meet the future growth of the
community. She indicated that the Task Force needs input from the Council
and further stated that the community center is an integral part of meeting
the community's needs and is something that would be a source of pride for
the community. She stated that the Task Force tried to meet the needs of as
many people as possible. The Task Force realizes that a commitment from the
community is necessary in order for this project to succeed.
Mayor Tralle thanked the Task Force for providing an excellent long range
goal for the City. Further discussion took place on the recreation
components of the community center. There was also discussion on the tax
impact the community center would have. Members of the Task Force
emphasized that the presentation area could be used by many aspects of the
community and that it should not be thought of as a theater but that the
community should be educated to the many uses Of the auditorium area.
Additional discussion took place on financing the construction of the
community center including soliciting donations from private parties and
local bu. inesses. Pat Rasmusson indicated that the Greater Elk River
Foundation is interested in this project. There was discussion on whether
or not the facility would be open to nonresidents. The Task Force indicated
that most likely it would be; however, there would be much higher
nonmembership fees.
Joint City Council/Task Force Minutes
November 8, 1990
Page 3
Further discussion on sites and the campus setting took place. In addition,
the City Hall/Police Station, as they relate to the community center, were
addressed.
The Task Force and City Council discussed the actions needed to continue
with the community center proposal. The Council will meet and get input
L,~c~ to the Task Force so that a final presentation can be made ~n January.
At that time additional comments will be made regarding the future of the
Task Force and the appropriate action necessary to continue with the
Community Center proposal.
The joint meeting of the Elk River City Council and the Community Center
Task Force adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lori Johnson
Finance Director
DRAFT
FOR DISCUSSION ONLY
Long range concept plan to
be reviewed by City Park and
Recreation Commission.
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F^ I RBRI~t,O PARIC I I~1~
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l Opifljons
cente.r;On?agenda
center, for Elk Rzver~ .... - .... ..,. ?, .. ,~;~;~..'~,-:,..:..:..~, ,.,'~;~;~?~:~: ~'?:~,,;
] c ,% SPace.ror.
ba~.::.~o~ncfl~B~ D~.~;~bmps0q intends::.
t~ ~[.~.~e'~ting;bf ~re~t~d. ~6ple';' as he s~d
' 'Wo~d~.', He :~?h?'"~ug~es~d'~g, ~ h~f;cent,
, ~.,~,'"' .,',' '" .'~'.:, ,~ ~. ~"~, -, "'"~i-,~.~ ..~;;;~.., .... ".[.-.~it,{,;~:;~:'. ;.'.
s~es[~ to.~ce, the center,..: ~,.:~.~., ::::'::~;,-'t...t:.;~ ~:~'?~,:", ',
;: TE6? ~lk .RiV~'~ea';;Ch~be~ .bi CommerCe ".also. is~
' ~"-, ,.[~' .. "~' -~ , ':.. "'t ' ' · ' '
st~E;;the,.~ssu~and may, dec~8e ?,backl z~.'. In
que~tipn~'of ha~g a comm~ty cen~er..
;:e~:'~'~:~8~ needed'more, ~o~ation; 'A ~o~
~e~ffL~,'~0~'~f~. ~enter~ ~'.~he ~a[~'a~'.~e PuL
t~g~[~t~e' ~:~s~ess affa'ci~c' leadef~P:,.;':;~:;.';'.:;'-;.,'.
'.. 9~f~e~ front,[ the ~s ~liance is busy ~Si~g
' c6~i~ti~' ~:~ente~s..The aUiance wants.t0, dOC-
u~h~W;,:b~e~[;~o~ties a~e;p~0~d~.~nterS;~.
M~W~,' :0'th6r ~'~pace' ~or' ce~-~0up~, i~'b~ing
p~o~aea~" Gharai~ ~gels is '"ab0~ 't0 e~'~na'its
se~or center,, s~a~ing ~th t~e'e~gea. ~t~he~.:.. '..
~e Mi~e'~Ot~" SPOts ~ede~tion.is c°n~~"-its
fund drive to b~ld'a spots center near city hall'.". '-:
AtBoys and Girls'Club buffing has .been bufl~ for
yo,mg people. . -. :v . :" · '...::' ;~;. ' '~.~-..... .. , -" :,,
~lk ~iver City S~.are.'t~l~ng about the/need ~o'
ex,and .gity h~l;. ~ expansion, that-~ght, inclUde.
community.meeting space with a'.~tchen.
Th~ hUge` need is. for the a~s ~d .jus~ space ~or
large'meeting and big events, .w~ch 'co~a attract
more people t% 't0~.' and".ben~fit businesses;
community theater'~i9 about to reorga~ze an~
need'a place to stage its'Productions.
~lk ~iver Mayor Stephanie ~inzing'believes the
only Way it can be done is by cooperating ~th the
~lk ~iver ~ea School District in its building of new
fac~ties. She says perhaps ~he city can join forces
'with.,the school district's community education
depa~men~ in ha~ng hn addition ~o a new building
or a-stana-~one building. Comm~ity Education
sts~ repo~ ~hey ~re open' to all options.
With ~1 0f this. buzz going on, doesn't it make ,~ense
to b~ng ~1 pa~ies to the table and. get.. the 'job
done?--Don Heinzman- ' ' .',- .... "'.
.~: ~ ... .'"~..,,,. " .
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