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<br />Mayor Gamec stated that he likes the idea of a joint effort between the City and a private entity. <br />Mayor Gamec stated that he was involved when the Brooklyn Center facility was built, but if he <br />had to do it over again, he would have liked to see a private entity come in and run the day to day <br />operations. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated that he agreed that a public/private partnership would be the way <br />to go. He stated that he likes what Otsego has done with the water park facility by having a <br />place for people to go eat and play. He stated that Minnesota is more of a winter than summer <br />state and there would only be about 3 months to swim outside. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated that he feels the City Council has made a mistake by not being the <br />driving force behind this idea. He stated that the City has sat and listened to people in town that <br />wanted to be the fitness arm of the facility and just waited while they tried to put something <br />suitable together. When they did get something put together, it was not anywhere near the scale <br />or size that the City wanted and then gave them even more time to put something together. He <br />stated that, in the meantime, other entities from outside of the City came in and inquired about <br />partnership with us, but the City told them it was not interested because it was covered internally. <br />He stated that he would like the City to be proactive and follow through with this plan. He stated. <br />that he would like the City to decide how many square feet the facility will be and go out and <br />advertise it.. He feels the City has sat on its hands for too long and the residents are interested in <br />moving forward with something like this. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec stated that the City may also want to consider including an auditorium or <br />something similar to hold concerts or theater performances in. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen stated that she agrees that this seems like a good idea, but the City <br />does not have any land set aside for it. She asked whether it made sense to put out an RFP <br />before the City has any land. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson stated that it would be a bad time to put out an RFP while the City <br />is in the middle of negotiating with the bank on the land. <br /> <br />Councilmember Olson asked about including questions about a community center on the City- <br />. wide survey. She stated that she would like to know what residents think about an outdoor pool. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen noted that Shoreview has a large indoor facility and a pool outdoors for <br />the warmer months. He suggested that the City begin to look for land but also get some design <br />ideas together about what the City would like to see for the facility. He stated that this way, <br />when the land is available, the City can jump on it and move forward. He stated that he does not <br />think the City should wait until it has the land to begin the design process. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen left the meeting at 8:08 p.m. <br /> <br />City Administrator Ulrich asked whether the facility components would be decided by the City <br />Councilor from community feedback. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / October 2, 2007 <br />Page 7 of9 <br />