Minutes - Council Work Session - 10/30/2006

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First's programming could not be conducted out of the trailer. One of the main reasons for this is that the area is zoned residential and the program would be a commercial use of the property. Without the trailer as an option, Youth First is currently doing programming in the storm shelter at Oak Terrace Estates, which is a cement structure. There are a lot of kids that come and get help with their homework at the shelter. Ms. Geiss stated Youth First has recently had discussions about utilizing the Hamilton House for programming. The building inspector has given the Hamilton House a tentative thumbs-up, and has provided them with a short list of things to bring the building up to code and to go forward with programming at that site. Ms. Geiss stated there are currently between 6 and 25 kids involved in the Youth First after school program. The situation is difficult right now due to their current location in the storm shelter. Youth First is slowly building a relationship with the parents and the kids; the kids involved in the after school program are primarily those that participated with Youth First this summer. Ms. Geiss indicated Oak Terrace Estates has a high Latino/Spanish population. Youth First has contact with very active teenagers in Anoka that are bilingual. These teenagers have assisted with flyers and translating with parents. The Ramsey Rotary has been coming out a couple of times per week to help with the after school program. Councilmember Elvig suggested the possibility of Youth First utilizing one of the available properties on Highway 10 as a location for their programming. Ms. Geiss explained one of the reasons Youth First looked at the Hamilton House on site is because most of the kids do not have transportation and would need to walk to and from the programming center. The after school program is really targeted at this neighborhood. Councilmember Jeffrey noted the Council has expressed concern regarding traffic that would dump onto Highway 10 from this area where Hamilton House is located. He asked if there are participants in the program that are driving to the site. Ms. Geiss replied the participants in the program are the kids living at Oak Terrace, so they are walking to the site. The only additional traffic would be from a staff person or volunteer. Mayor Gamec asked if Youth First is looking to the City to help with funding for the needed improvements at the Hamilton House. Ms. Geiss replied Youth First does not have a lot of financial resources, so they are looking for the needed improvements and the more aesthetic work to be done in kind. Mayor Gamec inquired about any effect on Y outhFirst utilizing the Hamilton House due to the property being p~chased through RALF funds. City Administrator Norman replied he assumes Youth First's use of the site would be a no- revenue situation. The City would likely need to take care of insurance and liability issues. Staff will check on any RALF requirements in relation to the use of the property. Councilmember Cook suggested in relation to building code issue no. 3, which requires verification of any asbestos and removal if necessary, that it be determined by an inspector if City Council Work Session / October 30, 2006 Page 2 of9