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-~-. :. i rte.., ~ a .R- ~ ..~ ~~ ~ _, a ,~ .i N ~ .1 VvC/ 'u7 ~/ a~a~i/ Page 5 January 27, 1997 Mounds mew City Council Naja Werner, 2765 Sherwood Road, believes everyone should have an opportunity to vote on this issue and decide what action should be taken in regards to the property. To assist them in making a decision, they should be provided with information in regard to operational costs and remodeling costs necessary to serve the purpose for which it is intended. If ballots indicate that a majority of people are in support of the community center, she will feel that the people's democratic principles have been exercised and she will be in support of it. To date, she does not feel the democratic principles have been exercised She is in favor of having a vote on this matter. Leon Burton, 2550 Bridge Lane, stated he feels a special election needs to beheld on this issue. He feels that costs were not clearly provided to residents. He wondered how much it would have cost to put a simple question on the election, "should Mounds View have purchased the Bel Rae?". He feels it is important and the city should spend the estimated $10,000 to have an election. Jerry Blanchard, 8005 Groveland Road, stated he feels it would be nice to have a community center for kids and for seniors. He noted that the five council members are empowered to make decisions for residents and he does not feel that as advisory ballot is needed It carries no weight and the council is not reQuired to comply with the results. He feels it is a waste of tax dollars. Ruth White, 2917 County Road I, stated she has no objection to the community center, however she believes that the taxpayers of Mounds View should be given an opportunity to vote on this issue. As a resident, she would like to Imow how much it will cost to remodel the building, to maintain it, to staff it, etc. and whether or not it will beself-sustaining. Phyllis Blanchard, 8005 Groveland Road, stated she feels people have spoken both in favor and against the Bel Rae and to have a mail ballot would be a very costly option. She would rather see that money go into the renovation of the Bel Rae. She has nothing against having Public Hearings to provide residents with details, however, if an advisory ballot is decided on, it should be held as a regular election as she feels the mail ballot is too costly. Mayor McCarty reminded residents that costs have not yet been determined for a mail in ballot and that the $10,000 cost that they have used in discussion is merely a rough estimate. Mona Miske, 7980 Grovelaad Road, stated as a recruiter for Girl Scouts at Pinewood Elementary, she has experienced difficulty much of the time in finding space for the troops to meet. She finds that they are often going outside of the community to hold these types of events. She feels the Community Center would be a way to hold these events in the community. Diane Wuori, 5613 St. Stephen Street, stated if the city does proceed with an election, she would suggest that it contain many questions, i.e. if the city does keep the BeI Rae property, what should be done with it? Also, when community events are held at various other locations, custodial fees are collected from the various entities to share in the costs. Therefore, it is already costing the city money to run programs that could be run at the community center. If events were held there, custodial time would stay within the city rather than going to another entity. Furthermore, other programs that people wished to hold at the community center could be charged a nominal fee. • Jerry Linke, 2319 Knoll Drive, took this opportunity to briefly explain the Tax Increment Financing process. He noted ihat the city currently has Tax Increment Financing funds available.