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