City Council Study Session Summary 2016 02 23

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City Council Study Session Summary February 23, 2016 Page 2of4 Discussion — Recreation /Senior Center and Aquatics Feasibility Study Update Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Lipton said the Recreation /Senior Center and Aquatics Task Force would like to check in with Council. They have met as task force since November 2015. The packet describes various meetings and open houses. The group is starting to coalesce around ideas they may want to present to Council. A Citizen Survey was mailed to approximately 3,000 households. The results are due mid - March. Preliminary results will be considered and packages put together to present to Council. Mayor Pro Tem introduced Chris Kastelic of Sink Combs Dethlefs (SCD). Mr. Kastelic reviewed presentation in the packet. Two community open houses have been held. The first was more aligned to Memory Square issues. The second was broader based and held at the Rec Center. The attendees were users of the facilities. A third meeting was held with staff and stakeholders. Results of the meetings are in the packet. Total project prices were put on items and a menu of opportunities created. The Task Force realized that aquatics are a driving force. Aquatics are a high priority and most expensive. These results were from staff and users. Survey results will provide more broad city -wide responses. Results will be available March 16, 2016. Content of survey was reviewed. It will touch on tolerance for fees. It will be normalized between users and non - users. Questions on the survey were discussed. The project schedule was reviewed. In March, once survey responses are received, the Task Force will know how to move forward. The Mayor thanked Mr. Kostelac and said he is anxious to see what the survey results say. Mayor Pro Tem Lipton said staff has been very helpful and patient gathering information. More open houses are planned once survey results are received. The amount of deferred maintenance in the existing facility is significant. Domination of aquatics is an ongoing conversation and other needs will have to be balanced. Voter approval will be needed. Debt Financing was discussed. There will be two types of obligations: Debt service and operating costs. Operating expenses are roughly $10 - $20 per square foot. Operating costs for aquatics are higher than building operating costs.