Rec center renovation shelved
Board approves TIF agreement with city
Medina High School art teacher Bobbie Foy spoke to the board after being recently honored as the 2018 Teacher of the Year for State Board of Education District 5. She also recently was honored as the county teacher of the year. Photo by ALLISON WOOD
MEDINA – Superintendent Aaron Sable said during a Sept. 18 board meeting he will not recommend the board move forward with any expansion plans for the Medina Community Recreation Center despite the proposed project being paid for by city and not district funds.
“My reason for that is because my No. 1 concern as superintendent needs to be our students,” he said. “We’re heading in a very positive direction right now.”
Sable said he felt uncomfortable with the perception of major construction at the same time the district is working to get a levy passed for the May ballot. He met with Mayor Dennis Hanwell, who he said was understanding about the district’s situation.
The rec center is owned by the district but operated by the city as part of a joint operating agreement with the facility opened around 15 years ago.
City officials previously said they wanted to expand the facility by 5,000 square feet as part of a $650,000 project. The project would be covered under MCRC’s carryover funds, director Mike Wright said, and no additional funding would be necessary. Much of the space would be used to hold Crossfit-type classes, which include things like kettlebells, rope equipment, heavy bags and more.
Turf agreement
The board voted to enter into an agreement with former district parent Tim Turrittin to help district find sponsors to help pay for the newly installed turf at Ken Dukes Stadium. Turrittin, who owns marketing company Axis Business Performance, has agreed to offer his services at no charge.
Superintendent Aaron Sable said the district had tried to secure some on their own, but were unsuccessful. Ideally, he would have wanted to get sponsors before installing the turf this summer, but the surface was around 10 years old and was nearly considered unplayable. If it was declared to be so, the district would have had to move games and possibly rent another facility.
Board members said they were grateful Turrittin offered his services for free and look forward to what he can do.
“I want to thank Tim, that’s a really neat legacy to leave,” said Board Member Tom Cahalan.
TIF agreement
After lengthy debate and asking their attorney questions during a previous meeting, the board voted 4-1 to approve a 30-year Tax Incentive Financing agreement with the city of Medina that diverts 100 percent of new real estate taxes generated from certain land parcels near Public Square to be used to build a parking deck requested by developers interested in the area.
The parcels that would be involved in the TIF include the site of the recently-demolished Masonic Temple on West Liberty Street near city hall and the site of the former Chamber of Commerce on South Court and West Friendship streets. The first is currently owned by the city, but officials said their intention is to sell it to a private developer, who would pay property taxes.
The district agreed to a compensation agreement where it would receive 50 percent of what it would have otherwise received in property taxes.
Any TIF lasting more than 10 years or a 75 percent diversion of funds or more requires school board approval, as districts receive most property tax revenue.
Cahalan said he was voting no because he thought the district would suffer financially.
“I believe there are other methods we haven’t explored completely that do not compromise the property taxes that we could use to serve our kids,” he said.
City officials wanted the district to act quickly on approval as the city recently received a $1 million grant from the state towards a parking deck; the project is set to cost around $3.5 million altogether. The deck would be constructed near Medina City Hall.
Board Member Rob Skidmore said the city is taking all of the financial risk in the TIF and added the board’s approval on this proposal does not mean members would approve others in the future.
“My reason for that is because my No. 1 concern as superintendent needs to be our students,” he said. “We’re heading in a very positive direction right now.”
Sable said he felt uncomfortable with the perception of major construction at the same time the district is working to get a levy passed for the May ballot. He met with Mayor Dennis Hanwell, who he said was understanding about the district’s situation.
The rec center is owned by the district but operated by the city as part of a joint operating agreement with the facility opened around 15 years ago.
City officials previously said they wanted to expand the facility by 5,000 square feet as part of a $650,000 project. The project would be covered under MCRC’s carryover funds, director Mike Wright said, and no additional funding would be necessary. Much of the space would be used to hold Crossfit-type classes, which include things like kettlebells, rope equipment, heavy bags and more.
Turf agreement
The board voted to enter into an agreement with former district parent Tim Turrittin to help district find sponsors to help pay for the newly installed turf at Ken Dukes Stadium. Turrittin, who owns marketing company Axis Business Performance, has agreed to offer his services at no charge.
Superintendent Aaron Sable said the district had tried to secure some on their own, but were unsuccessful. Ideally, he would have wanted to get sponsors before installing the turf this summer, but the surface was around 10 years old and was nearly considered unplayable. If it was declared to be so, the district would have had to move games and possibly rent another facility.
Board members said they were grateful Turrittin offered his services for free and look forward to what he can do.
“I want to thank Tim, that’s a really neat legacy to leave,” said Board Member Tom Cahalan.
TIF agreement
After lengthy debate and asking their attorney questions during a previous meeting, the board voted 4-1 to approve a 30-year Tax Incentive Financing agreement with the city of Medina that diverts 100 percent of new real estate taxes generated from certain land parcels near Public Square to be used to build a parking deck requested by developers interested in the area.
The parcels that would be involved in the TIF include the site of the recently-demolished Masonic Temple on West Liberty Street near city hall and the site of the former Chamber of Commerce on South Court and West Friendship streets. The first is currently owned by the city, but officials said their intention is to sell it to a private developer, who would pay property taxes.
The district agreed to a compensation agreement where it would receive 50 percent of what it would have otherwise received in property taxes.
Any TIF lasting more than 10 years or a 75 percent diversion of funds or more requires school board approval, as districts receive most property tax revenue.
Cahalan said he was voting no because he thought the district would suffer financially.
“I believe there are other methods we haven’t explored completely that do not compromise the property taxes that we could use to serve our kids,” he said.
City officials wanted the district to act quickly on approval as the city recently received a $1 million grant from the state towards a parking deck; the project is set to cost around $3.5 million altogether. The deck would be constructed near Medina City Hall.
Board Member Rob Skidmore said the city is taking all of the financial risk in the TIF and added the board’s approval on this proposal does not mean members would approve others in the future.