Minutes - Council Work Session - 12/04/2006

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Consensus of the City Council was to move forward with the concept of an all affordable housing project with finding an outside entity to manage the commercial/retail space. 2) 2007 - 2012 CIP Item was tabled. 3) Highway #47 / Xkimo Street Property Item was tabled. 4) Youth 1st Oak Terrace Program Assistant City Administrator Nelson explained that at a November 21 work session, staff had updated the Council regarding the Youth First Program at Oak Terrace Estates. Previously Youth First was conducting programming with the youth of Oak Terrace Estates throughout the summer and began the after-school program this fall on site. Currently the program has been suspended due to the lack of heat in the storm shelter on the site and the lack of alternative meeting space for the after-school program. On November 21, Staff proposed the use of the southern office-space portion of the old NAU site. At that time the Council directed staff to bring the issue back when more details were known. Since that time Staff has met with Marty Fisher, the City's leasing agent for the space, to assess the feasibility of the site and the financial obligations that would need to be met to utilize the space. The following issues were identified, along with the possible solutions: o Insurance for the site: Currently the City insures the property, and leasor of the space would need to provide liability insurance for its operation. Youth First does carry liability insurance for its programs and would extend their coverage to this site for the operation of the after-school program. o Utilities: The monthly utility costs are estimated at $250. Currently the building is heated to roughly 50 degrees to ensure the buildings plumbing does not freeze and its system operate. Options for the payment of utilities could be a financial commitment from either the Ramsey Rotary or Lions Club, or a joint arrangement between the Clubs. o Snow removal and clearing a path to Oak Terrace. In order for the youth to walk to the site, a path would need to be maintained to Oak Terrace. Either the City could add this removal to its snow operations or Youth First could request the assistance of the neighboring business, Pro Power Sports, to add this to their snow plow operation. During the work session of November 21, a concern was raised regarding the comfort level of the families in allowing their children to walk to the site from Oak Terrace. Youth First staff referenced their Anoka program where youth walk from a six to eight block area to the center where they conduct programming and it has functioned well. Youth First staff would address this issue with the families. o Foregoing lease revenue and taxes to the City. Staff recognizes that with this arrangement, the Cit would be foregoing any lease revenue and property taxes that might have been collected from the lease of the space. The lease revenue, minus the administrative expenses, would be returned to the Met Council RALF program. Staff City Council Work Session / December 4, 2006 Page 6 of9