City Council Study Session Summary 2015 04 14

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City Council Study Session Summary April 14, 2015 Page 2 of 6 • Expanded Recreation and Senior Center • Outdoor Aquatics Facility • Pedestrian and Bike Connections • Museum Building /Enhancements • Expanded Street Resurfacing Finance Director Watson said the City has kept the tax rate even (steady) during the term of bonds. Revenue derived has increased. Started advanced payment on debt in 2013. Council member Loo asked why attendance at Rec Center dropped during 2003 — 2007? Recreation Superintendent Kathy Martin said smaller studios opened, other facilities opened. Parks and Recreation Director Stevens speculated that people got tired of waiting for equipment. Council member Lipton noted that, over years, there is fluctuation. We need to be conservative and not overextend ourselves. There are upward and downward, cyclical trends. Council member Stolzmann said it seems favorable to expand the Rec Center to a lot of people. She favors seeing what we want and how much it costs then seeing what it takes to fund it. She wants to make sure people know we aren't using "Library" money to fund Rec Center expansion — that is a misconception some people have. Council member Dalton said he does not think we should extend this bond. We should end this bond then get voter approval for a new bond. Extending it introduces confusion. Council member Lipton is concerned about adding streets resurfacing to this list of possible projects. He stated it is not a good idea. It would be a quick fix. He believes the City has a fundamental issue in the budget related to street resurfacing. This is a core service and should be funded by ongoing general fund /capital revenues, not a new capital tax. Council member Leh said that in the past, there was a division in the community regarding the Library vs. Rec Center. Council member Loo said she needs a definition of what an aquatics facility is. Everyone has a different idea of what that means. Council member Keany said in the past it was a full size pool, shallow area, not just a pool but mixed use facilities. He would see a community task force (swim team, sports leagues, dolphins, parents of small kids, seniors, etc.) to scope out what needs are. He would support the expansion of the Museum campus and agrees with Council member Dalton that it is not a good idea to mix too many pieces. Council member Lipton said he is not sure we can do everything to fill every need and every desire in the community. We need outdoor and indoor swimming capacity. The City may not be able to satisfy both.