Minutes - 2005/02/14 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council February 14, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 2 Mr. Jahnke stated that it was important to sell the golf course property for the benefit of future generations. Mayor Marty stated that they had gone out for bids on the carpet. He also stated that there had been a 27.5 percent tax increase in Mounds View for 2005, and if TIF is used to finance the golf course deal, the city will be sitting fine in 20 or 25 years. He stated that they are carefully going over all of the numbers. 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Resolution 6449, A Resolution of Appreciation of Robert Edmond. Mayor Marty read Resolution 6449 aloud and presented it to Mr. Edmond. Mr. Edmond stated he had appreciated being able to serve the City on the Parks and Recreation Commission. B. Presentation by Charitable Gambling Permit Licensees regarding Charitable Gambling contribution to the Trade Area communities. 1. Merrick, Inc. John Barker, Eagan, stated he is the CEO of Merrick, Inc. He stated that Merrick, Inc. provides services to 295 adults with developmental disabilities, including mental retardation, epilepsy, autism, and so forth. He stated that they provide meaningful activities so these adults have a . routine or work activities to provide structure to their days. He stated that they employ 110 staff, and there are 59 individuals they serve who are residents of Mounds View. Mayor Marty stated that all of the checks on their report were made payable to Merrick, Inc., with no variation whatsoever. He asked what money was being spent in this trade area and how Merrick, Inc. was helping local organizations. Mr. Barker stated that there is a difference in what types of organizations the Charitable Gambling Control Board recognizes or approves as licensees. He stated that those are religious, fraternal, veterans, and other nonprofits. He stated the difference between nonprofit and the other three organizations are that the other three must make all of their lawful expenditures to external profits, whereas nonprofit is permitted to make their lawful expenditures to its internal purpose to serve its mission. He stated that they therefore issue their checks to Merrick, Inc., and they then make distribution of those funds to benefit the 59 clients that live in Mounds View. He stated that Mounds View clients comprise 20 percent of their total client population. Mayor Marty stated that the City Code, Section 502.13, Subd. 2C, states that by December 31St of each calendar year a licensed organization conducting lawful gambling within the city shall expend 75 percent of its expenditures for the lawful purposes conducted or located within the city's trade area. He asked why Merrick only allotted 20 percent. • Mr. Barker stated that they had spent 92 percent of the proceeds in Mounds View.