Back between the 1st and second flood evacuations in 2011, the citizens of Minot approved a sales tax reallocation. Before that, the second penny of our 2-cent sales tax was earmarked for use in the NAWS project, but with voter approval in June of 2011, the second penny is now used towards 40% capital infrastructure, 30% community facilities, and 30% property tax reduction.
Today, the community facilities review committee met to consider this year’s applications for funding. There were four applicants including the Minot Park District in partnership with the City of Minot Recreation Department, the Minot Commission on Aging, the Domestic Violence Crisis Center in partnership with the Minot Police Department, and the YMCA.
Following a review of the applications and presentations by interested parties, the committee made the following recommendations. The full City Council will act on the recommendations at the July regular meeting.
Community Facility Committee Recommendations:
Minot Recreation Department & Park District requested ~$1.74 million in new funding and reallocation of a ~$260,000 past, unused award. The money will be used towards a $3.6 million project that includes replacement of the two west fields at the South Hill Softball Complex with synthetic turf fields and renovation of the existing facilities including bathrooms, concessions, and press box. Committee Recommendation: Fully Funded
The Minot Commission on Aging requested $135,000 for the renovation of the south half of the first floor of the Parker Senior Center for office space. Committee Recommendation: Fully Funded
The Minot Police Department in partnership with the Domestic Violence Crisis Center requested $100,000 to reduce debt. The money will be leveraged with a $500,000 private donation and other fundraising efforts to pay down remaining $667,000 in facility construction costs. Committee Recommendation: Fully Funded
The Minot YMCA requested $15,000 for the construction of a sand volleyball court in their community outdoor space area in SW Minot. Following a review of guidelines for awards to a non-profit, private organization by City Attorney Kelly Hendershot. The committee voted to move the issue to the full City Council without recommendation. Committee Recommendation: No Recommendation
A summary of the non-binding definition intended to provide guidance for community facility awards follows below:
A community facility would fill a need by the community, and it should be owned and operated by a political subdivision. If non-profit groups are to be eligible, they should be limited to partnership projects with political subdivisions, not stand alone non-profit projects. Local control is the main concern on any project funded, and true benefit to the community.
Members of the Community Facilities Committee: Tom Seymour, Mark Jantzer, Chair Lisa Olson, Bob Miller, and Dean Frantsvog.
