07-26-2021 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION DRAFT 4 idea. 134 135 Councilmember Stoesz said the options should probably be expanded so that a better 136 story is created so people could really understand the three options; the ISG report is not 137 great for public understanding. 138 139 Councilmember Ruhland said he supports public outreach but he also sees that the City 140 received back from the YMCA a building that has built in value so there is room to work 141 with that. What this would provide to the community for the funding that would go into 142 it, he asks, how is it a bad idea. 143 144 Administrator Cotton explained that, with a hybrid option, the first step would be to 145 engage in conversations with potential partners. 146 147 Mayor Rafferty said he recognizes the importance of investing in the community but 148 evaluation is needed. 149 150 Community Development Director Grochala noted that looking at potential partners gives 151 you the opportunity to evaluate further how this would move forward. 152 153 Councilmember Stoesz noted that the City invested in the National Sports Center (Blaine) 154 in the fashion of a hybrid operation. 155 156 Mayor Rafferty discussed that in moving forward, the City would be looking at key times 157 when it will see if revenue projections are correct. 158 159 Councilmember Lyden said he feels good about telling staff to move full speed ahead on 160 a hybrid option. 161 162 Councilmember Ruhland said he hears staff asking for permission to have discussion; 163 he’s leaning to the hybrid option and supports moving to those discussions. 164 165 Public Services Director DeGardner asked how the council would gauge success looking 166 at this project three years into the future. Councilmember Lyden said, for him, it’s about 167 giving something back to the people and it’s not just about money. Councilmember 168 Stoesz said he would see this as a value that comes with some cost (like a public park) 169 and profits would go back to improving the facility; he doesn’t see it as a profit maker for 170 the City; he also suggests that the City think deeply before allowing development of land 171 adjacent because that’s where expansion would occur. Councilmember Ruhland said flat 172 (income) would be a goal for him but he’d also want to see capital improvements planned 173 for. 174 175 Administrator Cotton noted that community engagement is a common goal she is hearing; 176 she asked for more direction in that area. Community Development Director Grochala 177 suggested that the public will want to know if the facility will be up and running and 178