Agenda Packets - 2006/09/11 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council August 14, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 14 for the City. She stated she does a lot of philanthropic work in the City and a colleague indicated 1 she had requested a date from the Community Center in December. She stated that she would 2 like to use the facility and was told the Center was not accepting any reservations. She asked if 3 the City could look at another facility for a Community Center. She stated she would like to use 4 the Community Center as a resident of Mounds View and asked the Council to reconsider the 5 Dinner Theater. 6 7 Mary Kay Walsh-Kasmarik, 8345 Pleasant View Drive, stated she is opposed to the proposal for 8 principle, practicality, and precedent. She stated she is opposed on principle because the 9 Community Center should be used primarily by Mounds View citizens. She stated the City 10 should consider the Community Center with the best interest of the citizens in mind. She stated 11 that private business discouraged community use of the Community Center. She encouraged the 12 Council to have a larger vision of the community and perhaps that there are better places for the 13 Theater. She stated there should be a larger vision for Mounds View, rather than allowing the 14 Theater in the Community Center. 15 16 Sarah Kessler of Oops Theater stated she appreciated the comments from citizens. She stated that 17 the caterer is not exclusive for the entire banquet center and that the Theater is not taking over 18 the Community Center. She said that auditions are open community-wide and Mounds View 19 residents can be involved. She stated this would be a trial-period to determine if the Theater 20 would work for the City and in the interim, it is a source of revenue for MV. She stated the 21 interim lease would allow for Mounds View to determine if it is an acceptable, viable, 22 community-friendly use. 23 24 Brian Amundsen, 3048 Woodale Drive, stated that the space in Maplewood is a dedicated theater 25 space. He explained that the Theater in Maplewood does not interrupt in any way the functioning 26 of the Community Center. He stated that tickets are more affordable and suggested Mounds 27 View contact Maplewood about revenue from their theater. 28 29 Mr. Amundsen expressed his opposition to the Theater and stated he would like to keep the 30 Community Center open to residents. He stated that Oops may be well intentioned, but it does 31 not belong in the Community Center. He stated he would rather have the Community Center 32 improved for residents rather than be a self-supporting entity. He also stated he is concerned 33 about the language “unencumbered.” He asked the Council to oppose the Theater. 34 35 Bruce Nustad, Staff President at Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce, stated his support for 36 Oops and stated it is the opinion of the Chamber that it will bring more money into the city. He 37 stated from a competitive perspective, there are no dinner theaters in the immediate area and 38 Oops would be an excellent addition to the community. 39 40 Ms. Docken stated that the Heritage Theater is an excellent theater, and Oops is not asking for a 41 permanent stage structure. She stated that only 37% of the ticket price in Maplewood goes 42 toward the price, and that they are funded through various grants wand private donations. She 43 stated that Oops is funded on its own. She stated that it is the Theater’s intent to offer classes in 44 drama, voice, and acting as part of their use. 45