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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/04/2021 EDAC Minutes APPROVED MINUTES CITY OF LINO LAKES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Schueller called the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting to order at 8:01 A.M. on March 4, 2021. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Cravero made a MOTION to approve the January 7, 2021 Meeting Minutes. Motion was supported by Mr. Vojtech, passing unanimously. III. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. YMCA Property Transfer and Feasibility Study Update Mr. Grochala, Community Development Director, discussed the status of the Chain of Lakes YMCA. He informed the board that the preliminary feasibility study will be discussed at a special City Council work session on March 18th. Mr. Grochala informed the board that the YMCA property was transferred back to the City on March 1st and that City Council did purchase some of the equipment from the YMCA. Mr. Grochala highlighted some of the things that will be discussed in the feasibility study and ways the facility could be utilized. Mr. Vojtech asked if the YMCA operates their facilities at a profit. Mr. Grochala stated that the YMCA is a non-profit corporation and therefore has a very different business model. He explained that the YMCA provides a lot of need-based assistance throughout their organization and while some facilities may turn a profit they DATE : March 4, 2021 TIME STARTED : 8:01 A.M. TIME ENDED : 8:49 A.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : Jim Schueller, Andrew Cravero, Nathan Vojtech, Patrick Kohler, Thomas Colgan MEMBERS ABSENT : Don Johnson, Julie Jeffrey-Schwartz, Chad Wagner STAFF PRESENT : Michael Grochala, Janele Waterman, Jessica Eller Economic Development Advisory Committee March 4, 2021 Page 2 APPROVED MINUTES help assist facilities that are less profitable. He stated that the Chain of Lakes YMCA was not making a profit which contributed to its closure. Mr. Cravero asked if the YMCA still maintains that the facility was too small. Mr. Grochala stated that the YMCA has argued that the facility was too large due to a drop in enrollment, therefore their membership levels did not support the size of the facility. Mr. Grochala asked the board how important the facility is to them. Mr. Kohler said the facility is not important to him because it is too far from his residence. Mr. Vojtech commented that his family did not utilize the facility because the price for a YMCA membership was too expensive when compared to other fitness centers in the area. He did reiterate how impressed he is with the Shoreview Community Center. He commented that he thought there are some opportunities for the pool to be utilized more. Mr. Grochala acknowledged that the pool was probably underutilized and therefore would be a great asset to the community. Mr. Cravero commented that he belongs to another fitness center and that facility better suits his needs. Mr. Kohler recommended reaching out to Courage Kenny to see if they have any need for additional pool space. He also commented that he has never been to the facility before and would like to tour it. Mr. Cravero agreed that he would like to tour the facility and also inquired about the child care room at the facility. Mr. Grochala stated that there is a child care room, basketball court, fitness floor, two studios, and the pool. Chair Schueller commented on the fact that other facilities in the area are heavily subsidized and recommended that the City consider leasing out the different components to different vendors. Mr. Grochala commented that City is looking at that as a potential option. Mr. Cravero commented that he liked the idea of people professionally trained in running fitness centers run them. Mr. Vojtech suggested that the City consider a senior drop-off center. Economic Development Advisory Committee March 4, 2021 Page 3 APPROVED MINUTES Mr. Grochala stated that there are space limitations and acknowledged that a master plan should be put together to determine whether or not expansion is an option in order to continue to meet community needs. Mr. Kohler agreed that the City is currently lacking in senior services. Mr. Grochala said that up until last year the City was still programming activities for seniors. He acknowledged that the facility is a perfect place to accommodate that use. B. 77th Street Property Acquisition Update Mr. Grochala, Community Development Director, gave an update on the 77th Street property acquisition. The City is still working through a purchase agreement with the principal buyer. Chair Schueller asked if the realignment of 77th Street is a project the City would like to go forward with regardless of any future tenets. Mr. Grochala stated that the City would like to realign the road as it is a part of the long term plan. Mr. Vojtech asked if the community gardens will be relocated. Mr. Grochala stated the City is interested in relocating the gardens and is in the process of identifying suitable areas. Chair Schueller commented that if the City is really motivated to sell this property maybe the City should acquire the land needed to make the road realignment possible showing future buyers the City is committed to this project. Mr. Grochala said that regardless of whether this project moves forward or not the City will look into purchasing some of the land needed for the road realignment. C. Project Updates Mr. Grochala gave a verbal update on Lyngblomsten, the Birch Street Reconstruction project, the Northeast drainage project, Watermark 4th Addition, and Nadeau Acres. IV. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Cravero made a MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 8:49 A.M. Motion was supported by Mr. Kohler, passing unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Jessica Eller, Community Development Intern