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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes • September 25, 2001 Page 10 Mayor Cavanaugh indicated that the building was not built as a community center, but as an office 2 building for the Public Works Department, the Police Department, and City Council. He stated that he 3 was surprised that the Fire Department had not yet been cited by O.S.H.A. for the fumes that fill the 4 building each time the Fire Trucks were started up. 5 Mayor Cavanaugh added that the project was long overdue and should be done now. He stated that 6 their pride was at stake, and that he was tired of this building being referred to as a prison. He stated 7 that the City of St. Anthony was the only city that held their Council meetings behind closed doors, s which suggests that visitors to the building are aggravating and un-welcome. 9 Mayor Cavanaugh concluded that they turn the project over to staff for them to come up with a funding 10 source and programming. He stated his belief that the recent national tragedy would directly affect I 1 community-life, making it a greater center of activity, as people would be staying closer to home. 12 Councilmember Sparks indicated that the project was a modest improvement that would create great 13 change in their community. She added that the cost of the project was very reasonable, and that 14 referendum was a fine idea, yet stated that they could not go out for referendum for$50,000 a year. 05 Councilmember Hodson stated that was true, but that they could go out as a total package. 16 Councilmember Sparks added that the project was larger than she initially was hoping for, but that she 17 was grateful for Ms. Olivier's great vision. 18 Mayor Cavanaugh stated that $100,000 was being used as an operating expense, instead of as capital. 19 He added that they need to squeeze as much as they could out of the $100,000 per year to get this 20 project done. 21 Morrison indicated that the $100,000 per year that they receive from the schools was essentially seen 22 as a lease payment. He added that the replenished funds were intended for use for the Fire Department 23 and Public Works. 24 Morrison added that once they got the new gym in, the operating costs increased considerably. 25 Councilmember Sparks stated that the building was seeing more use than they anticipated, which is why 26 they should move forward with the project. 27 Councilmember Hodson reiterated that he was in support of the project, but wanted to go forward with a bond referendum in conjunction with Public Works and the Fire Department and have it completed in one year.