Minutes - Council Work Session - 02/26/2013

Home

flyers. He stated he has a dream of developing more of a community spirit by this method. Councilmember Elvig stated he liked the idea of a display monitor on Highway 10 that is large enough to read and attached to programming to advertise City functions /special events. He noted that Colburn's has one as does the Medical Center and maybe all can be tied together to create an opportunity to get resident's attention and inform them of what is going on. Councilmember LeTourneau stated he appreciates that dream but for now, does not see a return on the investment and has no appetite to consider this option. He stated he appreciates the suggestion of Councilmember Backous, which may provide opportunity. Mayor Strommen stated another location for a TV /monitor might be by the Alexander Ramsey Room. She indicated she also likes the suggestion to have a place for people to sit while waiting for the Licensing Center service number, but it may not work at all hours of the day. Mayor Strommen suggested staff explore that idea with the License Center. Councilmember Backous stated the QCTV funds are a tax on residents with cable and should be saved for when equipment needs to be updated in the Council Chambers and meeting rooms. Councilmember Tossey agreed with the need to save the QCTV funds, which is a tax on cable users, for use when technology needs to be updated. Councilmember Backous suggested staff explore an opportunity with the License Center, noting the City may have to pay to accommodate that technology but he thinks it would be a nice amenity for residents who are standing in line waiting to be served. Councilmember Elvig noted the License Center advertises for Anoka County but he would not like the City's monitors to broadcast pictures of the Ramsey Council. The consensus of the Council was to direct staff to contact the License Center about the opportunity to tie in their numbering system. 2.03: 15153 Nowthen Boulevard: Review Cost Benefit Analysis of Former Municipal Center Site Management Analyst Brama reviewed the staff report, provided an update on the shovel ready certification program application for using the former municipal center site as a data center. He advised that the EDA recommended, at its last meeting, that the City move ahead with the use for a data center. Management Analyst Brama presented the cost benefit analysis for three development concepts (one data center, two data centers, and residential development). Councilmember Elvig stated the proposal for a single data center would be very large so it may make more sense to consider two data centers with multiple buildings instead of one large building. In that regard, he would ask if this is the right site for buildings of that scale, even with the required setbacks. City Council Work Session / February 26, 2013 Page 3 of 5