North St. Paul City Council Workshop - 6/17/25

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Areas of Interest (5)

City faces a $3 million gap beyond $5.3 million in grants to renovate the aging community center.
State 'B3' sustainability requirements could force costly upgrades on top of standard deferred maintenance.
Concerns raised regarding city's bonding capacity given existing debt from road reconstruction projects.
Consultants suggest shifting from city-run facility to public-private partnership to reduce operational subsidies.
Community center closure linked to pandemic, competition, and severe deferred maintenance issues.

Adopt the agenda

PassedUnanimous

Moved by Council member Schwar · Seconded by Council member Woods

If you accept the grant then you must do what is known as B3. B3 is the state's sustainability program.
— Mike Clark

Grant funding complianceExplaining the cost-increasing requirements attached to state funding.

We are currently a little heavily debted by our current bond for the road reconstruction projects that we do run.
— Mike Clark

Financial bonding capacityDiscussion on the feasibility of bonding for the community center.

Mike ClarkDirector of Civic Design Group

Leading the feasibility study and presenting architectural findings.

1 quote

“The city would need to invest $3 million beyond the grant funding to bring that building up to a reasonably useful place.”

Regarding total capital improvement project costs.

Andrew SubieArchitect

Assisting with architectural analysis and documentation.

EvaCity Communications

Providing background on the community center's history and current status.

Darren BarConsultant

Remote expert on recreational facility planning and demographics.

MongiMayor

Chairing the workshop meeting.

WoodsCouncil Member

Participating in the workshop and questioning budget/bonding impacts.

SchwearCouncil Member

Participating in the workshop.

McKenzieCouncil Member

Participating in the workshop.

Maplewood Community CenterRamsey County Library