City Council Study Session Summary 2008 03 11

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City Council Study Session Summary March 11, 2008 Page 4 of 5 Councilor Muckle stated that a $.125 sales tax increment would generate $200,000 to $300,000 per year toward historical preservation. Public Relations Manager Meredyth Muth pointed out that there are loans, grants and tax incentives available for historical preservation. Councilor Dalton said if a use tax is proposed the ballot language for it needs to be crystal clear and that the City needs to be proactive with businesses about what a use tax is. Councilor Sackett said that with the state of economy he felt that any tax increase ballot measure would fail but thought it might be worth a try with the interest shown over the Louisville Middle School demolition. Councilor Yarnall agreed that the City should try for a tax increase but that they needed to be very careful about the wordage used on the ballot question. City Manager Fleming said that he would bring it before Council at a regular City Council Meeting and would incorporate questions concerning it on the citizen survey. 5. Discussion - 1930's Water Plant Tom Phare, Public Works Director said that the question was "What to do with the 1930's Water Plant building?" He stated that it did have historical significance but that it was not accessible to the public where it was currently located due to security reasons surrounding Homeland Security and the Water Treatment Facility. Director Phare said that the cost to move the building would be around $200,000 not taking into consideration zoning regulations. Mayor Pro Tem Marsella asked if the building could be fixed up and used for storage. Director Phare said it is not a suitable building for storage because there is only one small door for entry, the ceilings are low and there is very little floor space due to the tanks for storing items of any weight. Mike Koertje, Historical Preservation Commissioner, said that the brick building is from World War II and is a good candidate for rehabilitation funds (grant) but that the grant will not pay for moving it. Councilor Muckle suggested that the City wait to see if the historic preservation ballot proposal passes and thought the building would be a good addition to the museum portfolio. Mayor Pro Tem Marsella said that she feared that if the City spent $200,000 moving this building taxpayers would see that as a waste of money and would then likely vote against any tax increase to fund historic preservation. City Manager Fleming suggested that on way to indirectly preserve the memory of the building without incurring the cost of moving and fixing it would be to tear it