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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 1, 2015 Page 5 of 5 ITEM 15: Arts Center Interim Administrator Schroeder stated that the building is mostly unused and not monitored and is a liability to the City in its current state. Discussion was held regarding concerns the Building Official expressed regarding the condition of the property. Bill Wacker, 3603 Laverne Avenue North, stated he lives across from the Arts Center and the City has not maintained the property and does not mow the grass regularly. Mr. Wacker stated that the building looks abandoned. Barry Weeks, 3647 Lake Elmo Avenue North, referred to the November 18, 2015 article in the Pioneer Press newspaper regarding the Arts Center and encouraged the Council to find somewhere else for the Friendship Club to operate. Councilmember Bloyer, seconded by Mayor Pearson, moved TO DIRECT STAFF TO FIRM ESTIMATES ON THE DEMOLITION OF THE ARTS CENTER AND INVESTIGATE ITS POTENTIAL AS A CONTROLLED BURN TRAINING SITE FOR THE LAKE ELMO FIRE DEPARTMENT. Motion failed 2 – 3 (Fliflet, Lundgren, Smith – nay). Mayor Pearson, seconded by Councilmember Bloyer, moved TO DIRECT STAFF TO OBTAIN FIRM ESTIMATES FOR CODE COMPLIANCE REPAIRS, HIRE OUT MAINTENANCE OF THE BUILDING AND INVESTIGATE AESTHETIC IMPROVEMENTS. Councilmember Fliflet stated that the Valley Friendship Club is not requesting any repairs. City Attorney Snyder stated that if code review of this property shows a violation, the City is not immune from its own ordinances and the property needs to be brought into compliance. Councilmember Fliflet, seconded by Councilmember Smith, moved a substitute motion TO CONTINUE TO DISCUSS WITH VALLEY FRIENDSHIP CLUB TO FIND ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE SITE. Motion to substitute passed 3 – 2 (Pearson, Bloyer – nay). Meeting adjourned at 11:01 pm. LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL ATTEST: ______________________________ Mike Pearson, Mayor _______________________________ Julie Johnson, City Clerk