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8.2. SR 02-05-2018 Request for Action To Item Number Mayor and City Council 8.2 Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by General BusinessFebruary 5, 2018Cal Portner, City Administrator Item Description Reviewed by Resolution Directing Staff to Prepare for Bond Sale Reviewed by Action Requested Direct, by resolution, staff to prepare for bond sale to finance recreation facility improvements. Background/Discussion The architects hired by the city to design the ice arena and field house facility have nearly completed their work and are preparing bid documents to begin the project directed by the City Council. The project will include two bid packages, the first to order and purchase precast walls, which require a longer lead time to manufacture. The second bid package will be for the remainder of the construction work. In collaboration with ISD #728, construction is scheduled to begin following the school year and the boys’ tennis season with the plan to have the heavy exterior construction work complete before the 2018- 19 school year begins. Once the bids are accepted, the city will incur construction costs and the proceeds from a municipal bond issuance will be required. In order to maintain the project timeline and in light of Council discussion regarding the financing, staff requests clear council direction to move forward. The attached resolution includes direction for staff to prepare another council resolution as required by state statute to initiate an election for local option sales and use tax for the next general election. Financial Impact N/A Attachments  Resolution The Elk River Vision A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity City of Elk River City Council Resolution 18-____ A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Elk River Directing Staff to Prepare for a Bond Sale and to Prepare a Resolution Directing a Local Option Sales and Use Tax WHEREAS, the city has recreation facilities in need of significant financial investments to maintain current and future uses; and WHEREAS, a general election referendum was held in November of 2016 to provide for a multipurpose recreational facility to replace existing facilities as well as add a number of park and trail improvements; and WHEREAS, upon failure of the referendum, in January of 2017 the City Council expressed consensus to engage architects to refine specific facility plans for the Elk River Ice Arena and Lion John Weicht Park; and WHEREAS, in August of 2017, the Council, by unanimous consent, directed staff to request proposals for architectural services to further develop those plans; and WHEREAS, as plans are nearly complete and ready for construction bidding, bond debt will need to be issued to finance facility construction. Bond investors will purchase such bonds with the understanding the City of Elk River will repay the debt with interest; and WHEREAS, the city’s principal guarantee for repayment is the general tax levy; and WHEREAS, the Council has indicated a desire to initiate the local option sales and use tax process as a potential means to possibly repay the bond debt. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Elk River, : Minnesota, as follows It is the Council’s desire to make the aforementioned recreation facility improvements utilizing municipal bonding to finance the project and staff shall begin preparations to issue such bonds. The Council also desires to initiate the local option sales and use tax process for the next general election. th Passed and adopted this 5 day of February 2018. John J. Dietz, Mayor ATTEST: Tina Allard, City Clerk