09-22-2008 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, September 22, 2008 7:00 o'clock p.m. • (3. FUNDING FOR GILLESPIE CENTER, Continued) Osmek stated included within the contract there are certain fundraising goals that would need to be met and that if the Center misses two of those fundraising goals, the City has the right to drop out of the agreement. The fundraising goals are also reset for periods three and four and that the contract requires the Center to come before the City Council and give progress updates periodically. Osmek stated the City of Mound did some strategic cuts in their budget, which allowed them to make the financial contribution, and that three other cities would also be contributing to this effort. Withhart noted the Gillespie Center is a nonprofit organization and is not run by a municipality. In addition, the building is completely paid for and there is no capital debt. Withhart stated he does understand the difficulty cities are in given the economy and the levy limits. Murphy asked whether the Gillespie Center has approached the city of St. Bonifacious. Smith indicated they did not go to St. Bonifacious or the City of Minnetrista but that they did approach the City of Independence this year. Smith stated they are looking at approaching the City of Long Lake next year. Murphy stated he does not have a problem with the services being provided at the Gillespie Center and that it would be nice to have more of those types of activities. Murphy stated he does have a concern, however, from a financial standpoint and the fact that there is no written agreement between SCS and the Gillespie Center. In addition, Murphy expressed concern that 2008 is now two- thirds of the way finished and that he does not see any information in terms of how the Center stands financially at the • present time. Murphy asked what would have happened to the Gillespie Center in 2008 if the money had been raised and where that would appear in the documentation. Smith stated it did not happen for 2008. Murphy stated he would like to use 2008 as a model year and asked what would happen to the Center's profit and loss statement if the funds had been received. Murphy noted if the City chooses to contribute the additional $11,000, the City would then be contributing $30,000, which is approximately a six percent increase. Murphy indicated he would like it better defined what services would be provided. Smith stated the Gillespie Center would like to expand their services to the evening hours and that currently they are open 8:00 to 4:00 five days a week. Smith noted the residents are requesting additional services and that in her view they will obtain the support of the cities. White thanked the Gillespie Center for providing the information to the city and that the presentation has been very helpful. White noted the City is approximately $120,000 over budget this year and that they will be looking at ways to eliminate some of those costs. White stated the cost of everything has steadily gone up and that it is an extremely difficult time to be requesting additional funding given the present economic situation. Osmek noted the Gillespie Center has done the fundraising for the past couple of years and that if the additional funding is not approved by the City, he would recommend that a member of the Council sit down with him to see whether the City would be interested in other possible options for assisting the Center. • PAGE 4 of 18