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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION <br /> APPROVED <br /> 89 4. City Recreation and Aquatic Center- Community Development Director <br /> 90 Grochala reviewed his written report. He noted the three options studied by the <br /> 91 feasibility report for moving forward. The biggest issue related to the facility(with City <br /> 92 involvement) is the short and long term financial impact. There would be a financial <br /> 93 deficit in starting up a facility. There are opportunities through funding noted earlier: <br /> 94 money in the Closed Bond Fund and upcoming debt service (zero impact). Generally it <br /> 95 will take six months to open the facility and certainly there is a better time to open <br /> 96 of the year is best). He recommends that the City make the best decisions for <br /> (beginning <br /> 97 the right reasons. If that is not to move forward, then the discussion is disposition of the <br /> 98 building. He noted key questions in report. <br /> 99 <br /> 100 Councilmember Ruhland said he's ready to go for it and he would prefer the hybrid <br /> 101 model. <br /> 102 <br /> 103 Councilmember Lyden called for a discussion of cost and financing. <br /> 104 <br /> 105 Administrator Cotton said she feels the City could use ARPA funds for start-up costs <br /> 106 because it is a COVID related closure. She added that to achieve the assumptions in the <br /> 107 feasibility report, there has to be strong commitment and the right talent to make it work. <br /> 108 The gap for ongoing operations would have to be covered with either closed bond funds <br /> 109 or debt savings or moving some administrative costs through recognition of City staff <br /> 110 work. <br /> 111 <br /> 112 Councilmember Ruhland added that he'd like to ensure that the City could switch to City <br /> 113 managed rather than hybrid if that is what is needed to control the facility down the line. <br /> 114 <br /> 115 Councilmember Stoesz said he prefers the total city managed facility but understands the <br /> 116 reason to look at a hybrid. He supports Councilmember Ruhland's suggestion to keep the <br /> 117 option of moving toward a city managed facility at a certain point. Also he'd like to <br /> 118 have conversation early about what the director position would look like. <br /> 119 <br /> 120 Mayor Rafferty recalled the history of the YMCA in the facility and the City's <br /> 121 investment. The City has received the facility back and there are higher costs in running <br /> 122 it. He noted possible programming and city needs. If the mission is to be fiscally <br /> 123 sustainable—what is the benefit if not? The mission should be to create an enhanced <br /> 124 benefit to Lino Lakes. He's behind it but not sold on the idea of hybrid because he feels <br /> 125 there is information lacking. He's all behind some type of model but isn't there yet- <br /> 126 more information is needed. More blanks need to be filled in. The council should hear <br /> 127 from more residents also. <br /> 128 <br /> 129 Councilmember Lyden suggested that the City won't have to go it alone with a hybrid <br /> 130 model. People will come for programming and with the hybrid model you'll be bringing <br /> 131 in people with expertise on how to run their programs. <br /> 132 <br /> 133 Councilmember Lyden said he concurs that getting more of the public's input is a good <br /> 3 <br />