Bryan Hansen, Sartell
Has due process been followed in choosing the location for the Sartell Community Center? Is there any possible conflict of interest at any level in the process that has or could take place? Has the community been heard as a whole on where the site is proposed to be located and if not can that still happen?
The Sartell Planning Commission voted 5-0 against the proposed site. These five members did not feel the recommended site the city council voted 3–2 in favor of is where this facility should go. This location is on the very south border of our community and not even in our school district. If the new Sartell school bond issue is approved, the community center would be five miles from the new high school. Apollo High School in St. Cloud would be three miles away. With the YMCA making improvements, having the Whitney Center on the north end of town, how does it make sense not to reconsider this location for our city?
This location, as many know, would not allow for a library as it is too close to St. Cloud and does not meet the guidelines of the Great River Regional Library System. Although the community center plans do not include a library, the city and council have committed in the past to provide a library in Sartell. Does it not make sense this could be an opportunity to do both at the same time and make it cost-effective?
Should the council wait and see what happens with the school-bond issue? Would the council consider working closer with the school district on a better location for the community-center site? Should the council consider putting out a community survey and asking the residents of Sartell what they think? Should the council possibly consider a ballot option on this site location in November?
Finally, common sense would seem to indicate this process should slow down and at the very least have more thought given to a central location for our community.