04-04-2022 Council Work Session Minutes

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION APPROVED 45 46 The council directed staff to move forward on getting a proposal from WSB & 47 Associates. Councilmember Stoesz asked about the possibility of issuing an RFP or 48 getting another proposal. Councilmember Lyden suggested that looking for efficiency 49 will be important. 50 51 Mr. Grochala also discussed the implications of the White Bear Lake lawsuit;there 52 should be consideration of locations and limitations. 53 54 The council asked about impacts to the neighborhood and Mr. Grochala remarked that it 55 would be minimal and would include the same type of activities as one would see with 56 any construction project. 57 58 Staff also noted that there may be a grant opportunity at the state level. 59 60 2. Rookery Policies,Holiday Schedule, and Rental Fee Structure Discussion — 61 Activity Center Manager Lamey reviewed the written report. Staff is presenting a 62 proposed holiday schedule, rental fee schedule and policies and code of conduct. She 63 reviewed the information: 64 65 - Center hours and days of operation—holiday closures and reduced hours 66 reviewed; would identify certain days/periods of time for planned maintenance. 67 Councilmember Stoesz asked if there should be any special consideration for Blue 68 Heron Days. Councilmember Cavegn suggested looking at doing planned 69 maintenance on days when the facility is planned to be closed for holidays. 70 Councilmember Ruhland wondered about doing something special on New Year's 71 Eve; Ms. Lamey noted that in her experience special activities for kids are usually 72 scheduled early on that day. 73 74 - Rental Rates—birthday party rates are still being developed. When asked how 75 competitive the presented rates would be, Ms. Lamey suggested that the 76 recommended rates would fall around 70%to 80% of the going rates. 77 Councilmember Stoesz confirmed that people can make reservations on line. The 78 rooms will be available for staff meetings and other internal functions but that will 79 be a secondary use, with priority given to rental to outside parties. Mayor 80 Rafferty asked how senior activities will fall into place at the center and staff 81 explained that they see opportunities for senior space/use without making a 82 specific assignment of an area; Ms. Lamey suggested that she envisions eventually 83 looking at organized time based on popular senior functions. Director DeGardner 84 clarified that the non-resident rate is only different for the membership fee—they 85 would plan for other charges to be consistent for residents and non-residents. 86 87 Staff will bring an action forward for council consideration. 88 2