Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP November 25, 2003 C I T Y o F NDOVE 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (763) 755.5100 FAX (763) 755-8923 . WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2003 1. Call to Order - 6:00 PM 2. Discussion/Capital Campaign 3. Other Business 4. Adjourn . - CQJlv"\Lct w:v \JJ~ J~ - lQ ·07; 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W.. ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304. (763) 755·5100 FAX (763) 755·8923 . WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - NOVEMBER 25, 2003 MINUTES A Special Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Mike Gamache at 6:06 p.m., Tuesday, November 25,2003 at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers Present: Don Jacobson, Julie Trude, Mike Knight, Ken Orttel (arrived at 7:00 pm) Councilmembers Absent: None Also Present: Jim Dickinson, Finance Director Will Neumeister, Community Development Director Tony Howard, Capital Campaign Committee Darren Lazan, Capital Campaign Committee Frank Kellogg, Capital Campaign Committee Mike Mulrooney, Capital Campaign Cornmittee Robie Wayne, YMCA Mayor Gamache explained that the reason for the meeting is that there are concerns regarding the Capital Campaign. Those issues are: 1) how the campaign is going; 2) how Saterbak is doing; 3) do we need to go in a different direction. Robie Wayne, Senior Vice President of Resource Development for the YMCA, reviewed his background, noting that he started working for the YMCA 30 years ago. After retiring from the YMCA he started a business, Campaign Consultants of Amercia, selling that 1-1/2 years ago. He is now working for the YMCA again. Mr. Wayne stated that he met with Dave Assmus a few times, sat in some prospect meetings and then met with Tony Howard and Kurt Saterbak. He spoke to Mr. Saterbak ITom time to time and each time he asked how the campaign was going, he heard different dollar amounts. That set off some alarms and he asked Mr. Saterbak for specific reports which he never received. Mr. Wayne noted that he used to having a work force and he sees no volunteers helping with this campaign. He is concerned and the YMCA is concerned about the lack of results. They wanted to see the campaign conclude by February but he doesn't think we are going to make it. There are some options if the campaign is not successful, such as borrowing more money or scaling back the facility. Mr. Wayne presented a packet that he used when he operated as a campaign consultant. He explained that he had a week-by-week calendar, a feasibility study on the project as well as other material. He stated that here he does not see the leadership and support. Special City Council Meeting November 25, 2003 - Minutes Page 2 The YMCA is willing to help by providing his services with the campaign. At the present time, he doesn't believe the city is getting what they're paying for. Councilmember Knight stated that we are an atypical community, a bedroom suburb, without an established business community to go to. Councilmember Jacobson asked Mr. Howard how much we have now and how much they expect to have by February. Mr. Howard explained that they have a person who they expected to give a large donation, but that didn't work out. He noted that the wealthy group is the developers; Connexus is willing to give and there are a lot of people they just can't tie down right now. Mayor Gamache stated that he and Councilmember Orttel met with the person Mr. Howard was referring to and that person has some idea as to how he would like to structure his gift, Councilmember Jacobson stated it is his understanding that the YMCA is concerned with the fundraising and they want to delay the project for 4 to 6 months until more money comes in. He noted that that bothers him because the city promised the hockey people we would have an arena by next fall. In order to have the YMCA assist to a much larger degree would mean a delay in the project. Mr. Wayne stated that once you break ground, people stop giving. If the city would like to continue fundraising until June or July, you should not start building until that time. Tony Howard informed the Council that they have a letter out to the hockey association requesting a gift and he has sent letters to all of the hockey parents asking for donations. Councilmember Jacobson asked what the Y's position would be if the Council chose not to delay the project. Mr. Wayne stated they would do all they could to help, They will not pull out of the project. The Y will help as long as the city follows good fundraising principles. (Councilmember Orttel arrived -7:00 pm) Discussion centered on what should be done in order to obtain the 3.5 million dollar goal. Mr. Wayne stated that he is willing to help as much as he can and the city should look for someone who can work 4 to 6 hours a day to help. That person should be someone who knows a lot of people in the community and who the community trusts. Special City Council Meeting November 25, 2003 - Minutes Page 3 Councilmember Trude asked what the financial implication would be if Saterbak were to be terminated. Mr. Dickinson stated that to date we have paid them $89,000. A two- week notice is required for termination and we would have to pay them approximately $10,000 more. Councilmember Trude asked what the tax impact would be if we are one million dollars short on the fundraising, Mr. Dickinson stated that each $200,000 market value property would pay $50 to $60 per year rather than the proposed $39 to $45 per year. Motion by Jacobson, seconded by Trude that we: 1) terminate the Saterbak contract; 2) continue with the December 3, 2003 kick off meeting date; 3) stay with the original building timeline; 4) have the YMCA assist with fundraising activities and look for a firm or individual to assist us; and 6) set a goal of 3.5 million dollars by February IS, 2004. Mayor Gamache informed the Council that the kick off event has been cancelled and if we go forward with it, we will have a worse effort. He noted that we don't have a plan and for that reason, the kick off was cancelled. Mr. Wayne stated that the kick off is less than four weeks away from the finish of the campaign and we need to have a plan and follow that plan. Rather than a kick off, it should be an announcement. Mr. Dickinson asked how soon Council wants Saterbak's contract cancelled. Mayor Gamache stated as soon as possible would be best. Councilmember Jacobson called the question. Vote on Motion: Carried unanimously. Council discussed endowments and how they would be figured into the campaign financially. Council agreed that staff could be utilized for support for the capital campaign and Mr. Dickinson was asked to research tax abatements. Motion by Jacobson, seconded by Trude to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~. {).f'ú Vicki Volk City Clerk