Agenda Packets - 2016/09/26 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council August 22, 2016 Regular Meeting Page 6 1 Council Member Meehlhause asked if the YMCA childcare program was accredited. Ms. 2 Thomas reported in any new childcare situation, State licensing and accreditation was necessary. 3 She understood the building has already met those requirements. It was noted the existing 4 YMCA childcare facilities had met the national accreditation (NACY) requirements. 5 6 Mr. Garg commented it would take the new childcare center over one year to receive NACY 7 accreditation. 8 9 Council Member Meehlhause questioned if financial assistance was provided to Mounds View 10 residents that do not live in his apartment complex. Mr. Garg explained the families that live at 11 Woodlawn received a 10% monthly discount. He indicated other families can receive financial 12 aid or help through the County. He stated additional help can be offered up to $50,000 through 13 State grants. 14 15 Council Member Meehlhause requested further information on the property tax situation. Mr. 16 Garg reported in the past he had stated the payment of the property taxes would be a hardship to 17 his business. However, he would be willing to take on the cost of the property taxes in order to 18 remain in the Community Center. 19 20 Council Member Mueller asked if the City would be having the same conversation if Mr. Garg 21 was contacted stating his space was needed for additional YMCA programming. Mr. Garg 22 understood the City had the right to exercise the termination clause within the lease. He believed 23 he would have come before the City questioning what he had done wrong and how he could save 24 his business at this location. 25 26 Council Member Mueller questioned if a daycare was not located in the Community Center, if 27 there was enough programming to keep this space full. Mr. Danielson stated there was a growing 28 need for more space at the Community Center. He indicated he was being as creative as he could 29 with the existing space available, but noted he could fill a gym non-stop if it was built tomorrow. 30 31 Council Member Gunn explained the goal of the YMCA was to partner with the City to provide 32 community programming to all individuals. She stated the Community Center was owned by the 33 City. She indicated the YMCA had a growing need for space in order to meet the needs of the 34 community for Park and Recreational programming. In order to keep the Community Center 35 viable and thriving she supported the YMCA having the additional space. 36 37 Mr. Danielson believed that if the YMCA were to provide the childcare services within the 38 Community Center the YMCA would see program growth over time. 39 40 Council Member Gunn indicated she was struggling with having this discussion at a regular 41 meeting and wished this had been done at a Council worksession. 42 43 Mayor Flaherty agreed but noted not all parties could be present at the previous Council 44 worksession meeting. 45