05-21-2018 Listening SessionMeeting of the Elk River City Council
Held at Elk River City Hall
Monday, May 21, 2018
Members Present: Mayor Dietz, Councilmembers Olsen, Ovall, Westgaard, and Wagner
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Deputy City Clerk Jessica Miller
I. Call Meeting to Order
The meeting of the Elk River City Council came to order at 3:00 p.m.
2. Recreational Facility Improvements Listening Session
Community member Charlie Blesener facilitated a discussion about the current state of
the city's recreational facilities and engaged the people in attendance about what they
would envision for the future of Elk River and what role they might play in creating
that future.
Comments made during the Q & A session of the meeting.
■ Concerns with money already spent on engineering and design plans now the
project is on hold.
• Timing of relocation of tennis courts at high school.
• People mistakenly believe field house proposal is similar to the YMCA.
• Council's authority in making expenditures if the sales tax increase is implemented.
■ Cities moving away from having Olympic size rinks.
• Sherburne County considering a sales tax increase.
• Timeline on sales tax increase. How long would it last?
• Would like regular size rinks and larger locker rooms.
■ More pickle ball courts for the seniors.
■ Improved communication with addition of new communications person.
■ Believes it is the people's responsibility to keep informed by attending meetings
and reading the meeting minutes.
■ Concerns with sharing parking with the school.
• Discussion took place on what the city is doing to keep deferred expenses down. A
sinking fund was mentioned.
• Elk River Youth Hockey needs a third sheet of ice. Believes the multi-purpose
facility would allow for more fundraising revenue for the youth associations. Not
interested in paying higher fees to have the same facility.
• By show of hands, a majority of those present support a sales tax increase to pay
for a recreational facility.
• By show of hands, a majority also supports option two, the multi-purpose facility.
Council thanked everyone for participating and sharing their ideas.
City Council Minutes
May 21, 2018
3. Adjournment
Page 2
There being no farther business, Mayor Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk River
City Council at 5:08 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jessica Miller.
Tina Allard, City Clerk
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