Q1: “($15,476 principal plus $7,737 interest = $23,313 {sic} annually beginning in 2009)” Is that interest amount correct? I think there’s more wrong with that statement than the addition.Going back to my original Q1 posted on 11-1-07, “If that 2004 referendum approval expires in 2008, and the income derived therefrom also expires, what is the source for the funding for this continuing payment?”, how can the school board take money they no longer have coming in and use it for anything?It is commendable that much of the work is being done by volunteers; will that savings be shared equally between the college, school district, and private fundraisers?
With the risk of being chastised for regurgitating the data from the district, I will quote the district's newsletter to answer this question: "
As part of the effort to raise money without raising taxes, the group asked the Ripon Board of Education to consider allocating some money in the existing budget for artificial turf. Although there is no money currently available for allocation, the district does have a loan for the Ingalls Field track renovation that will be paid off in 2008. The citizens group asked the Board to earmark those funds for seven years, starting in 2009, to help with a loan to pay for installing turf. The group also received a commitment from Ripon College to pay one-third of the cost of installation. Contingent on the group raising the necessary funds with their own fundraising, the Board agreed to contribute to the turf project—beginning in 2009—the $23,213 annually that is currently allocated for the track loan. No new taxes will be raised. If the necessary funds are not raised by March 2009, then the agreement will be null and void."
The cost savings will be shared by all, as the amount needed to be raised will be reduced.
Q2: “Some money would have to be expended to replace or reseed” Isn’t that the expense covered under “Maintenance” on the IngallsField.org chart? It appears to be a separately budgeted expense that will be used for either grass or turf since there are maintenance costs for each. I didn’t think it was funded by the track renovation loan that is in question. As a separate question, can you tell me how much of Ingalls Field will be covered with FieldTurf? I assume only the playing field area, leaving the perimeter in some other surface, so will be maintenance costs overall be increased?
The turf will cover the playing area, along with the immediate area around the field where the teams stand. There is considerably less maintenance costs projected for the FieldTurf than there is for natural grass.
Q4: “other than saying the private fundraising is paying back the loan.” This was a shocker! Going back to my original Q4, this question was in reference to the amount being financed by FieldTurf’s financing company, which I thought was a loan to RASD. How does private fundraising enter into this? Is there private fundraising beyond the $360,000 guaranteed by Johnson Bank?
Without being privy to the exact details, it is my understanding that the FieldTurf company will loan the initial money to the fundraising group, then the group will pay FieldTurf back as they raise money. The letter of credit from Johnson Bank solidifies the loan and lowers the interest rate.
Q7: I can’t suggest any revisions to a plan I’ve never seen; however, I don’t think landscaping around a parking lot would detract in any way from the view of the campus. Parking lots are not generally the areas you want to stand out.I’ve read the Plan Commission minutes that are posted, and find that on 8-15-07 Aurora Clinic landscape plans were approved, with the following comment: “It was noted that the main purpose of this plan was to provide screening and buffering of the parking lot.” Did Ripon College submit landscape plans that would accomplish the same?
The minutes from the August 2006 Plan Commission meeting, where the dorm was approved reads as follows:
Site plan – Ripon College
Barg advised that Ripon College is seeking site plan approval for a 3-story residence hall (9,700 square feet) at the northwest corner of Thorne Street and Woodside Avenue. The new building would offer apartment-style living, with 14 four-person dwelling units. The residents will be asked to use current parking northeast of the building; however, the plan includes creation of 40 new parking stalls west of the building, which would be available for student parking. It was noted that Ripon College should combine the lots into a single parcel, and they indicated a willingness to do so.
Schueler moved and Rogers seconded a motion to approve the proposed site plan. Motion carried 6-0.
No landscaping plan was required by the Plan Commission, and I don't really know what more you would want from the college.
When will the minutes from the October 9, 2007 Council meeting be posted? Thank you for your continued patience.
Staff will try and upload the minutes of the most recent meetings as they are approved. For example, the October 9th minutes would be approved at the next meeting, or the meeting after that. They have to be approved to be posted legally.
