HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-18-2021 Council Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
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4 DATE March 18, 2021
5 TIME STARTED 5:30 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED 7*30 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT Council Member Stoesz, (present on Zoom)
8 Lyden, Ruhland, Cavegn and Mayor Rafferty
9 MEMBERS ABSENT None
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11 Staff members present: City Administrator Sarah Cotton; Public Services Director Rick
12 DeGardner; Finance Director Hannah Lynch; Community Development Director Michael
13 Grochala; and City Clerk Julie Bartell
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15 The council meeting was held in person and telephonically on the Zoom Meeting
16 platform and as allowed by Minnesota Statutes 13D.021.
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18 1. Preliminary Report — Recreation and Aquatic Center Feasibility Study,
19 Isaac Sports Group —
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21 Mayor Rafferty introduced the subject matter by explaining the situation surrounding the
22 closure of the YMCA facility in the City.
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24 Community Development Director Grochala explained that the City has taken ownership
25 of the former YMCA facility and has engaged the Isaacs Sports Group to look at the
26 facility for future use.. Isaac Sports Group will presenting their preliminary study
27 findings. Mayor Rafferty noted that this is the council's first look at the information and
28 the purpose of the meeting is to look and listen; questions will be from the council only
29 and at the end of the presentation because again this is a preliminary discussion.
30
31 Stuart Isaac and Duane Proell were presenters. Mr. Isaacs reviewed a PowerPoint
32 presentation that included information on the following:
33 - The Study Team;
34 - Process to Date;
35 - Evaluation of YMCA Programming;
36 - Evaluation of YMCA Membership Model;
37 - Challenges Faced by the YMCA;
38 - Goals and Opportunities for the Rec Center;
39 - Vision: Lino Lakes Recreation and Community Center;
40 - Management; Operating & Financial Goals;
41 - Management Model; City Managed Facility, Outsourced or Hybrid;
42 - City Managed Facility: Pros and Cons; Cost Projections; Financial Operating
43 Analysis; Projected Budgets;
44 - Outsourced Facility Management: Pros and Cons;
45 - Hybrid Management: Pros and Cons; Program Examples; Financial Impact;
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
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46 - Programming: Active Adults and Seniors; Fitness; Aquatics; Special Needs;
47 Swimming Safety; Sample Program;
48 - Future and Long Term Opportunities: Goals; Identification of Opportunities and
49 Needs;
50 - Timelines: Workback Schedule from Re -Opening; Factors Affecting Timeline.
51
52 Councilmember Ruhland:
53 - How much was the membership at YMCA; ($71 single/$132 Family/some other
54 options);
55 - How many members pre-COVID?; Information not available to share; but model
56 provided used those figures and final report will include more membership data,
57 - If the City kept similar price model, how many members would the City need to
58 maintain?; Noted 1, 800 membership equating to approximately 5, 000 individual
59 members;
60 - Time frame moving ahead?; Based on partial capacity and without new
61 programming;
62 - Regarding the financial analysis for a City managed facility, yearly gross revenue
63 noted and wonders what membership that is based on; not based on capacity
64 initially and probably less at the beginning than when the YMCA closed;
65 - Hoping to see a financial breakdown on management company option and hybrid
66 option; working further with staff to ensure the vision as those figures are put
67 together;
68 - Will the final report include things like physical therapist services at a breakeven
69 point; that will be included and figures such as pool rental is already included.
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71 Councilmember Cavegn:
72 - Projections go out five years and he wonders if any expansion costs are included;
73 there are two separate analyses with the second being for expansion;
74 - He is interested in looking at how long a subsidy would be necessary; leasing
75 equipment moves breakeven an entire year forward as an example;
76 - In the work -back schedule, who does negotiations with programming partners;
77 they offer that type of service or the City may be able to do it with parameters they
78 are providing;
79 - Estimate on getting facility up and running; the six month time frame from the
80 City council pulling the trigger is doable;
81 - Is there any opportunity for short term revenue in the meantime; yes, something
82 like the pool could be brought up and running without the whole facility running
83 and could be available for specific uses or rental of space to private trainers;
84 - Will there be a report to the council on the specifics of moving on current use
85 opportunities; will add to information forthcoming.
86
87 Councilmember Ruhland:
88 - How many facilities did the YMCA close: Information not available;
89
90 Councilmember Lyden:
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
A vision will be very important in moving forward and he appreciates moving to a
Rec Center model;
- Model will yet to be seen but the hybrid interests him;
Is it realistic to think that an individual rate could be $30 and family $60; would
be a real challenge and would be significantly lower than any comparable
facility, adding that they studied market rate but could look at membership to
base charges,
The market is something like Planet Fitness, etc but he will withhold judgement;
there are elements that could allow the City to compete;
Use of land outside was noted and he sees potential there also; they are committed
to looking at overall site;
If the City does this, it must be done well in order to attract people and a
communications element will be key; marketing is included as a line item,
Councilmember Stoesz:
Will the final review include the costs being incurred today; that will be included
in final assessment;
Is event center a possibility supported by use of lodging tax; investigation of that
did not pan out well but they will continue to look;
Will the final report talk about competition with local businesses and perhaps how
to be a partner; looking at local fitness centers would be a question;
Do you see any reason not to open up the outside play facility; question deferred
to staff.
Mayor Rafferty:
Noted that there are cities and recreation needs surrounding Lino Lakes; in some
cases cities are subsidizing facilities and some not but he sees possibility for
partnerships;
What is the term for leasing equipment; variety of leases available based on your
goals (to keep the latest and greatest or spread the cost), updated equipment is
recommended;
Fees versus cost to operate, and ability to draw people, means this facility has to
become unique (i.e. climbing wall, walking track) while also moving to open the
doors as soon as possible;
Mayor Rafferty noted that the information is being provided and this is an exciting time
for the City. There are opportunities to be studied.
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129 Councilmember Ruhland:
130 - Would consultants be interested in hearing from citizens in an open forum or
131 could staff work on getting feedback in some way from the community; Mayor
132 responded that the current mission is to understand what is being presented;
133 Administrator Cotton explained that staff has approached that question and now
134 that the preliminary report is received, staff would intend to discuss further how to
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
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135 move forward including getting community feedback; consultant added that they
136 have experience in the area and will have discussions with staff.
137 Councilmember Stoesz:
l38 - How about a partnership with a brand of equipment and they subsidize the
139 facility; it's possible that there could be a relationship built with an equipment
140 group but it's clear that the virtual delivery of fitness programming is here to stay
141 and the current model of centers incorporates virtual services;
142 - Could be an opportunity to draw in people who can't afford expensive services.
143
144 Administrator Cotton explained that staff will be working with the consultants in the
145 coming weeks including responding to questions raised by the council tonight.
146
147 Mayor Rafferty explained that this is a preliminary conversation and report and the
148 opportunity for further discussion lies ahead.
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150 The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
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152 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
153 April 12, 2021.
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156 1
157 41 L 4r C
158 Juli nne Bartell, Ci Clerk Rob Rafferty, Mayor
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