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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Center - Minutes (7)CITY OE KENAI COMIiUNITY CENTER COM ,'TEE REGULAR MEETING - APRIL 24, 1986 CHAZRNiVi1AN RON MALSTON PRESIDING Present: Committee members: Ron Malston, Jim Evenson, Lan Ilals, Jim Carter, Penny Dyer anal Councilwoman. Sa.11y Bailie Also PresenC:_ Architect Carmen. Gintoli, Kenai Chamber President Roger Ho11, Kenai Chamber Manager Sue Carter and Charles Bailey Councilwoman Bai:tie presented the proposed schedule of revenues and expenses for the Kenai Community Center. They were as follows: Revenues: Rentals Sales Tax Collections Catering Bed Tax Revenues Operating Costs: Personnel Utilities Telephone J allltOrlal Transportation. Supp7_:i.es & Misc. Insurance Debt Service - $245,000 Excess of Costs - $193,625 (over revenues) Bond Monies - $21.0,000 $ 39,750 77,62(5 8,000 48,000 @ 4~ (one-half) $ 173,375 40,000 25,000 29000 20,000 5,000 20,000 L0,000 $ ].2.2,000 Monies - over and above - $16,375 Bed Tax Reve~aues: @ 3~------ 1-1/2 to V&CB = $36,000 1-1/2 to City = 36,000 @ 41------- 1-1/2 Lo V&CB = $48,000 1-1/2 to City = 48,000 Di_scussi.ons Lollowed relative to the staffing, et_c. as well as the City`s ability to implement a bed tax. Councilwoman Bailie advised that as the City has "home rule" status, the Council, by ordinance, could direct a bed tax be instituted. Councilwoman Bailie further r_ommented that it would be her intent to bring the bed tax on line as soon as possible so that revenues could he appropriated to properly fund promotion of the proposed Center. In addition, Councilwoman Bailie advised that the City would proceed with a special bond election in June so that upon. its approval by the vetex's o% the Ci..ty, the City could proceed with the construction. After discussions with the Kenai Peninsula Legislative Delegation MINUTES - Page 2 who were conducting a teleconference hearing simultaneous with the Commun:i.ty Center Committee meeting, it was ascertained that $1.5 million still remained in the Govern.or's budget for the construction of a Community/Civi.c Center in the City of Kenai. The Committee discussed, in depth, the following concerns: Penny Byer stated she was concerned of the lack of support for the proposed bed tax, however, it was noted that. a bed tax does exist in all major cities of Alaska and such. hed tax goes to the V&CB in those communites for ttte express purpose of promotion cif their Community Centers. Councilwoman Bailie also pointed out that the bed tax would aid in the revenues for the Center, thus perhaps eliminating the possibility of any increase in mill rates due to the Center. Jim Evenson. expressed concern over the figures being presented ,.., the public fcr consideration prior to th.e bond election -- it was his recommendation that the Committee not include the proposed operating figures in promotional. materials that will. be mailed out to the voters but to have the information on hand for response to those inquiries. Also, Jim commented. that it might be the interpretation of the general public that projects that governmental agencies are involved in generally come in higher than proposed. Councilwoman Bailie advised that the City Finance Director was very conservative in his esti_ntates and would present such evidence as it would affect the City in the most extreme instances. Therefore, feel that the figures would be very much in line and workable. Carmen Gintoli also recommended that a 10~ contingency be included in th.e cost estimates. General discussions followed relative to the need for such a facility and Ron Ma].stott presented a letter from. the Kenai Visitors & Convention Bureau President Bob Williams who expressed great concerns if monies were not allocated for proper promotion and printed materials, etc. for the Visitors & Convention Bureau who would ultimately have the responsibility for the visitors information services and promotion of the Center. Zn addition., most persons present noted that the Central Peninsula Sports Arena's meeting rooms, etc. were being highly utilized by various and asundry groups. Councilwoman Bailie noted that a theme had been suggested for use in the promotion of the~bond issue - "ITS FOR YOU!11 which really says it all for the proposed use and intent of. the Community Center. Discussions centered on the actual financing and the bond issue for the proposed $4 million project. Councilwoman Bailie also reported that the Public Works Department had approxi.tnatel.y $350,000 remaining in funds from last year°s State revenues to the City which had been set in a fund for special districts in up-grade of streets, etc. Councilwoman Bailie stated That these funds could possibly be used for the streets entering into the Community Center facility. Jim Carter stated he would like to see the bond election cover the entire amount needed and if the State does allocate $1.5 million as planned, it would be used for the retirement of the bond upon receipt. I~'urther discussions were held relative to the timing of the special. election in that hi-storically opposition to specific projects were found to vote in special elections. Councilwoman Bailie agreed, however, felt that as the project has been the City of Kenai's ~h pr.ior.ity for the past Three years, it was imperative to proceed without delay. In addition, Mrs. Bailie expressed hopes that the City would greatly benefit from current construction projects that will be undex:way at the time the City could possibly go out-to-bid, i.e. HEA Service Center Project, and as the contractors will be in place would undoubtedly bid on the City project. Concern was continued in that the recent adverse publicity surrounding the school bond issues may well have an affect on the Community Center Bond Issue but it was the overall consensus of the Committee that should such cause a negative vote relative to the bonding for the Community Center, the Commi..ttee would request that the Council approve its being included on the next available election fox' submission to the public which orould require additional education of. the public as to the MINUTES - Page 3 importance of the. Center to the community. Ron Malston stated he felt the Committee should proceed with a reque>t to the Council for monies to assist i.n a positive campaign for the support from the voters of Kenai in passage of the special bond election. Councilwoman Bailie d.i.s- tributed copies of proposed broclmres from other areas that might be considered for the promotion of the Kenai Center. It was the consensus of. the Committee thaw a brochure be prepared to be sent to the printer upon approval of the City Council at their next regularly scheduled meeting. Carmen Cintoli and Sue~Carter advised that they would assist in the preparation of the brochure. Charles Bailey suggested that a very strong., campaign be initiated prior to the. election with mail-out to th.e registered voters in the City of Kenai. Penny Dyer also suggested that it might bE; ir. the best interests of the project tc keep the med.a abreast of all events with regard to the up-coming election and ask for their support. It was the consensus of the Committee that at the appropriate time, the Committee would ca11 a '1press conference" with all data and detai.I concerning the bonc9 election and the Center prepared for the members of the press. As the Committee further discussed ramifications, etc. of the proposed election, Ton Hals indicated his r_oncern over the lack of administration of the Center as we1.1. as not enough funding for the promotion of the facility. Mr. Hats further indicated that his company (Kenai Merit Inn) had not taken an official stand with regard. to the proposed bed tax, however, wished the record to indicate hi_s support of the Center. After cons:idera.bie discussions, it was suggested that the Committee continue with its advertising ca.mpa.ign for the up-coming election and as the matter of Che proposed bed tax was not an integral part of the up-coming bond issue, that the bed tax would not become a matter of debate and would, therefore, be left to the discretion oL the Kenai City Council. However, the bed tax revenues would remain as a part of the projected. revenue/expenditure statement. of the KEanai Community Center. In conclusion: The Kenai Community Center. Committee will proceed with a request for funding from the Kenai City Council for the preparation of appropriate materials, et al for the positive support for passage of. the up-coming bond issue. In addition, Che Committee will solicit the support from various organizaC:ions from thiroughout th.e community (i.e. Chamber, et al) to join with them ir. this very special effort that will be an addition to our Community that wi1.1 benefit all!