Minutes - 2006/08/14 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council August 14, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 18 work on an acceptable arrangement. Councilmember Gunn stated she is in favor of opening the Center up to the residents, but she would like the citizens to understand how much the City is spending to subsidize the Community Center. She stated there are many people who are against the City subsidization of the Center. She noted that the Center is not used all of the time and that there are several park buildings that could be used along with the Community Center. Councilmember Gunn asked Finance Director Beer how much is spent on the Community Center. Finance Director Beer replied that $142,000 in 2006 would be spent, which did not take into account the $75,000 in lost revenue that occurred. Councilmember Thomas stated her decision is difficult. She stated she chaired a committee about the Community Center and the task force determined the Center should be used by the community, not for profit. She stated that the City must determine what direction the City needs to take with the Center because the expenditures are quite significant. She stated the task force suggested a fitness center because they determined the Center should bring in revenue. Councilmember Thomas stated the City has never had a building available to rent and this is a new discussion that needs to be further considered. She stated that the Theater does not follow goals set by the community task force for the Center. She stated the City needs to determine how to fill the revenue hole, but she does not think the Theater is the proper entity. Councilmember Stigney stated that the City does not have anything to plug the revenue hole currently, but the Theater offers a seven-month time period in which to determine what will be the best use. He stated the City should give the Theater a chance. He thought that the Council gave Oops and the YMCA direction to discuss their schedules and come to a compromise. MOTION/SECOND: STIGNEY/FLAHERTY. To postpone discussion of Resolution 6892, Approval of Interim Lease Agreement in the Mounds View Community Center for Oops Dinner Theatre, to allow time for Oops to discuss schedules with the YMCA and staff to clarify the lease, until the City Council meeting on August 28, 2006. Mayor Marty stated that in the seven months, the City would eliminate some of the community programming, which has taken years to be built-up. He stated that the efforts and results would be eliminated if the lease were approved. He stated he is against the lease being taken any further. Councilmember Flaherty asked if Ms. McIntyre and Oops have discussed their schedules. Ms. McIntyre responded that they only met with Oops during the initial proposal. She continued that the YMCA’s position is that they are not under the obligation to negotiate with Oops. She stated if there were a place to hold the programs, they would do it, but that they are not in the position to try and negotiate or compromise. Ms. Fangel stated after the first meeting, she called Ms. McIntyre about a possible meeting, but