08-28-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, August 14, 2017 7:00 o'clock p.m. 12. CONSIDER WAIVER OF BUILDING PERMIT FEES ASSOCIATED WITH PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ICE ARENA Barnhart reviewed his Staff memorandum dated August 14, 2017, regarding a reduction or waiver of the fees associated with the ice arena internal improvements. Staff does not recommend a waiver of fees since these fees are established to pay city costs associated with development, including review and inspection costs. If the Council elects to reduce or waive the fees, Staff would recommend collecting the state surcharge and SAC fees. City Administrator Reeder asked if the City has local SAC and WAC fees. Barnhart stated he is not proposing or anticipating the City will charge any local SAC or WAC fees. Walsh noted he is on the board of the ice arena and that he will be recusing himself from voting on this item. Walsh noted there are one school representative and three Youth Hockey Association representatives also on the board. Walsh stated the whole building was constructed using private funds approximately 20 years ago. At that time certain items were not constructed due to a lack of funds and that they have now raised enough money to construct those items. Walsh stated the waiver of fees would be a benefit to the community since the ice arena is used by a number of residents. Dick Lewis stated he was appointed to be the school representative on the Hockey Rink Board. Lewis stated the board is asking the City Council to consider waiving some or all of the fees since the Youth Hockey Association is a nonprofit organization and that they have not been able to complete some of the necessary ongoing maintenance due to a lack of funds over the years. Crosby asked what types of improvements are being proposed in addition to a mezzanine. Lewis stated if the ice arena is downsized from Olympic to NHL size, there would be an extra 15 feet, which will allow the construction of a mezzanine, which would accommodate a weight/exercise room, a warm viewing room, locker rooms, and study areas. Lewis stated the program has expanded and is very popular in Orono. Crosby asked if there is open skating allowed. Lewis stated it was originally set up to allow some open skating with hockey being given a priority. Dankey asked if the City has waived building permit fees in the past. Barnhart stated he does not recall a waiver of other similar fees, but to his understanding generally those are not waived. Dankey asked if the building would be assessed the fees and not the school. Barnhart stated the land the building is on is owned by the school but the 501(c)3 would pay the fees. Lewis stated the land is owned by the school, is leased to Orono Ice Arena, which is a separate 501(c)3 and governed by the board, and one of their primary users is the Orono Hockey Association. The Orono Ice Arena's 501(c)3 would be paying the fees. Page 8 of 13