Agenda - Council - 11/27/2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Johns agreed that the City would be looking for a partner and without a partnership, that facility would not exist. Acting Mayor LeTourneau stated that the community at large is asking for a community center but there is not a method of funding. He stated that leaving the item on the CIP will keep the opportunity open should a partnership arise in the future. He stated that removing the item from the CIP would send a message to the residents that the Council is not listening to them. Councilmember Riley stated that too many people want a community center and therefore until additional research and opportunities are explored, the item should not be removed from the CIP. Councilmember Johns noted that the item has remained on the CIP for over 20 years and continues to be pushed back until the right opportunity arises. City Administrator Ulrich stated that the CIP identifies the public works facility as a higher priority than a community center. Councilmember Riley stated that the public works facility needs to remain a high priority goal for the short-term. He stated that each time the budget is increased, that makes it more difficult to afford the expense. Acting Mayor LeTourneau agreed to some degree but explained that the organization is currently struggling to balance the needs of the growing community and the services provided by the City. Councilmember Riley stated that the Ramsey railroad is listed between 2019 and 2020, with identified funding, and asked if that is accurate and probable. City Engineer Westby stated that the City is currently working on the Highway 10 Plan to understand which of the improvements should be prioritized and the costs that would be associated. He stated that element is at the top of the priority list and the consultant is working to further flush out the details of that element. He stated that the City needs to ensure that it does not lose the funds that have been designated towards that improvement. Councilmember Riley stated that his question was relating to whether the timing identified for that improvement is realistic or whether that element should be pushed back a year or two. City Administrator Ulrich provided additional details and agreed that it would be appropriate to push that project back a year or two because the City has not yet identified the remaining funds that would be needed for that full railroad crossing and interchange project. Acting Mayor LeTourneau stated that the City continues to identify projects that could be done now to use the funds requested by the legislature. City Council Work Session / November 13, 2018 Page 4 of 8