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MANAGING VICTORIA FIELD HOUSE
AND LOOKING AT VARIOUS OPTIONS
Victoria councilmembers and staff held a workshop on April 14th to talk about costs associated with the Victoria Field House and how best to manage the facility. Among the various options, no decision was made except to gather more information and hold another workshop.
Mayor Jerry Bohn said that Presby-terian Homes would bring a lot of experi-ence to the table as a partner with the City of Victoria. "I present this option to you to see if there's a partnership possibility that allows us to expand what we have," said the mayor. "It would be another way to offer the Field House to residents."
Continued Mayor Bohn, "There are a number of communities that have part-nered with them. They do all the pre-school at the Chaska Community Center. We're looking for a way to make the Field House as successful as can be."
Added Councilmember Mary Thun about the possibility of partnering with Presbyterian Homes, "What they bring to the table is that they will do all the pro-gramming. They might even think about building a pool and managing it."
"They really liked the Field House because it didn't cost $20 million but $6 million, so there are possibilities for add-ons," continued Councilmember Thun. "Also, we could do all the programming and they could just manage it."
In looking at related type facilities, Mary noted that the closest YMCA is located at Ridgedale "which is quite a distance from Victoria." That facility is close to 30 minutes north of Victoria.
Mary pointed out that city payments for the Field House with the debt service is going to be close to $500,000 this year. She asked, "How do we offer things to our residents when we've got half a million right off the top for the Field House?"
Councilmember Richard Tieden took exception to management assistance from Presbyterian Homes or the YMCA. "What is the message that the two of you are carrying to our staff?" he asked. "I"ve looked at the studies. There's a number of things we haven't done yet. We haven't even pursued selling of the nam-ing rights. We haven't set up a food service. It's starting to click over there. The gymnasium is being used more and more. Just a couple of weeks ago we got Kristy Mock into position and Jude is doing so well."
Kristy Mock has been hired as inter-im Parks & Rec Director, while Jude Boulianne was named Building Manager for the Field House.
Stated Councilmember Kim Roden, "I'd say beware of either-or thinking. I'm concerned about the amount of the city's subsidy to the Field House. I'm not sure residents are aware of that amount. We've got two people who came here with a proposal. We don't have a director anymore. It's our job as a council to look at the fiscal situation. I'd like to look at this and maybe other options."
Countered Councilmember Tieden, "Why do you call it a subsidy for the Field House but not a subsidy when it comes to Lions Park or other facilities? I don't understand the speed with which this is going. We've got a summer where we can make lots of money. We've got two terrific people now with Kristy and Jude."
When City Administrator Steve Sarvi was asked for his opinion, he said, "We lose nothing by bringing someone here from the YMCA for discussion. We need to dust our plan off and look at the num-bers again, and our assumptions. Are we close or not close to those numbers or were the assumptions wrong? Should we promote membership or advertising?"
Mayor Bohn pointed out that since the original studies were done and plans approved, numbers have changed due to the addition of a gymnasium and 16 hours per day of operation."
Asked Councilmember Roden, "What if the YMCA or someone else came in and built a water park? That could be a good thing for Victoria, but it's not something Victoria can afford by itself. Maybe the whole would be greater than the sum of its parts. The synergy could be wonderful and productive for Victoria."
Kim also pointed out that the main functions of city government are to pro-vide basics like sewer, water, and streets, "but when cities go in other directions, we might not have the expertise."
When Councilmember Terry Bishop was asked for his opinion about consult-ing with others, he said, "More information is never a bad thing."
In referring to the evident enthusiasm of Kristy and Judy with their added res-ponsibilities at the Field House, Council-member Bishop said, "The amount of en-thusiasm that I have for golf doesn't make me a better golfer."
In referring to a comment from Rick Tieden, he said, "I never got the sense that Mary wants to sell the Field House." Terry added, "Running the Field House could be a daunting task for Kristy. None of us has run a Field House before, but the YMCA has. Maybe we can implement some of their ideas." He suggested there are other ways that enthusiasm can work for the City of Victoria.
A representative of the YMCA will be invited to attend a workshop with the Victoria city councilmembers and staff.
REQUEST FOR 3RD BUILDING INSPECTOR
FOR BETTER CUSTOMER SERVICE IN VICTORIA
Councilmembers addressed the re-quest to increase staffing in the Building Inspections Department on April 14th. On April 28th Council authorized staff to put together an analysis of needs and job des-cription with guidance from the Personnel Committee.
Tom Gray, Victoria Building Offi-cial, stated, "I appreciate the opportunity to speak with the council. I'd like to speak about customer service. The prob-lem is when we have finite time and finite amount of staff but the work increases. I have to be comfortable with what we're doing."
Tom said there were 507 permits issued in Victoria in 2004, including 126 dwellings. In addition to himself on staff, there is currently one building inspector and a ¼ to ½-time building permit technician.
He submitted comparisons with Chaska, where there are six staff mem-bers in the Inspections Department and 828 permits issue last year, including 476 dwellings. In Chanhassen there are nine staff members in the Inspections Department and 2,660 permits issued last year, including only 92 dwellings.
The comparisons showed an average of 254 permits issued per inspector in Victoria, 165 permits issued per inspector in Chaska, and 380 permits issued per in-spector in Chanhassen ...
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