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