10-22-1990 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO COUNCIL MEETING HELD OCTOBER 22, 1990 CITY FACILITIES CONTINUED with the facility project without acknowledgment of our is expenditure for the land or the facility. There would have been a public hearing prior to that. I believe that the City should push for this land and commit to a new facility. I wish to correct earlier comments made regarding the cost of this project. The 1.7 million first discussed pertained to land. The cost has not escalated from 1.7 million to an excess of three million." Bernhardson stated that the City had experienced financial difficulties back in the 19701s. Since that time it has tried to prevent that from occurring again. He said, "The City has been very frugal with tax dollars. In response to Mr. Jabbour's question, at the two percent level, the City would have 2.2 million. plus other funds, that could be used for the facility. If the two percent level is used, the City would have a cash reserve, after the facility costs, so that it could maintain a strong fiscal balance for the future, and keep taxes lower than they otherwise would be. Tiae City of Orono has the lowest City tax rate of any city in Hennepin County with a population. over 1,000. I believe this Council has done a good job in trying to manage City funds. If we lost our bond rating, it may cost the taxpayers more in the long run." Mr. Dave Peterson stated that construction costs are generally based on so much per square foot. He asked why it is necessary to design the entire building in order to provide the • public with a cost estimate. Mayor Grabek responded that it is important to have a design plan in order to assure that the structure will in fact be sufficient in size and functionality for some time. He stated that it may be necessary to remodel or add on, at additional costs, if an adequate structure is not designed from the start. Goetten stated that up until a few months ago, the Mayor has been dragging his feet on this issue. Mr. Quady concurred with Goetten and asked why nothing has happened over the last four years regarding this issue. He said, "The City has been dragging its feet up to this point. If there is so much concern about the working conditions, why hasn't something been done prior to this? The City has made no attempt to improve the conditions of the existing facility." Air. Norman Paurus, 2500 Casc:i Point Road, stated that he has lived in 0-.:ono for 21 years and served on the City Council in the 19701s. He said, "This issue was as much a problem then, as it is now. The issue is not whether or not we need a City facility. The question is where and when. I believe that the process of determining that has fallen apart. In my opinion, the public has not been adequately informed. Secondly, I believe that great - 8 - •