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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes • September 25, 2001 Page 4 t Councilmember Sparks stated that the Community Center should be treated like the city's home, by 2 redecorating it to be comfortable and attractive with seating for people and signage that makes it easy 3 for people to find their way. 4 Councilmember Sparks indicated that the Community Center visibility and usage were surprisingly very 5 high. She added that the Center sees 13,497 users per year, but that the number was higher when 6 elections, meetings, concerts, and celebrations were included. 7 Councilmember Sparks stated that the changes they could make would offer great improvements to the s community its value, but were modest in nature. 9 Councilmember Sparks stated that she was having a casual cup of coffee with local residents. She 0 stated that members of St. Anthony feel that the Community Center is unattractive and does not meet I the standards of the City of St. Anthony. 12 Councilmember Sparks referred to the task force, which was comprised of three staff people, thirteen 13 residents and herself. She stated that the members of the task-force expressed their concerns with the Community Center: akin to a tomb, cold and uninviting interior, seniors using the building have a difficult 5 time hearing because of the acoustics, signage is small, rooms are not well-marked, and no central 16 information area. 17 Councilmember Sparks indicated that the Community Center staff has expressed concern because 18 everyone that enters the building heads straight to their offices due to the lack of well-marked police 9 and city offices. They also have expressed concern with the restrooms, which are closed off by a back 20 wall, presenting security issues. 21 Councilmember Sparks indicated that the consultant and the task force have provided several desirable 22 upgrades and improvements for a total cost of$150,000, phased into three years. She added that the 23 existing building is functional and provides basic necessities, but that the modest investment would make 24 it a source of civic pride, an attractive center of community activity, and a secure space. 25 Councilmember Sparks stated that the Community Center and City Hall represents the things that she 26 values which are family and community. She stated that improving the building speaks to her desire to 27 build a community and a place for families to gather. 28 Molly Olivier indicated that she met with the task force six different times and discussed all of the 29 different aspects of the building,both good and bad. 0 Ms. Olivier presented an understanding of the building's existing architecture: