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Mounds View City Council August 22, 2016 <br />Regular Meeting Page 6 <br /> <br /> <br />Council Member Meehlhause asked if the YMCA childcare program was accredited. Ms. <br />Thomas reported in any new childcare situation, State licensing and accreditation was necessary. <br />She understood the building has already met those requirements. It was noted the existing <br />YMCA childcare facilities had met the national accreditation (NACY) requirements. <br /> <br />Mr. Garg commented it would take the new childcare center over one year to receive NACY <br />accreditation. <br /> <br />Council Member Meehlhause questioned if financial assistance was provided to Mounds View <br />residents that do not live in his apartment complex. Mr. Garg explained the families that live at <br />Woodlawn received a 10% monthly discount. He indicated other families can receive financial <br />aid or help through the County. He stated additional help can be offered up to $50,000 through <br />State grants. <br /> <br />Council Member Meehlhause requested further information on the property tax situation. Mr. <br />Garg reported in the past he had stated the payment of the property taxes would be a hardship to <br />his business. However, he would be willing to take on the cost of the property taxes in order to <br />remain in the Community Center. <br /> <br />Council Member Mueller asked if the City would be having the same conversation if Mr. Garg <br />was contacted stating his space was needed for additional YMCA programming. Mr. Garg <br />understood the City had the right to exercise the termination clause within the lease. He believed <br />he would have come before the City questioning what he had done wrong and how he could save <br />his business at this location. <br /> <br />Council Member Mueller questioned if a daycare was not located in the Community Center, if <br />there was enough programming to keep this space full. Mr. Danielson stated there was a growing <br />need for more space at the Community Center. He indicated he was being as creative as he could <br />with the existing space available, but noted he could fill a gym non-stop if it was built tomorrow. <br /> <br />Council Member Gunn explained the goal of the YMCA was to partner with the City to provide <br />community programming to all individuals. She stated the Community Center was owned by the <br />City. She indicated the YMCA had a growing need for space in order to meet the needs of the <br />community for Park and Recreational programming. In order to keep the Community Center <br />viable and thriving she supported the YMCA having the additional space. <br /> <br />Mr. Danielson believed that if the YMCA were to provide the childcare services within the <br />Community Center, the YMCA would see program growth over time. <br /> <br />Council Member Gunn indicated she was struggling with having this discussion at a regular <br />meeting and wished this had been done at a Council worksession. <br /> <br />Mayor Flaherty agreed but noted not all parties could be present at the previous Council <br />worksession meeting.