Memo - Depot 2003 Financial Year-end and 2004 Financial Position
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MEMORANDUM
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To: Honorable Mayor and members of the City Council
FROM: Jay Strachota, Facilities Director
CC: Steve Mielke, City Manager
DATE: March 17, 2004
SUBJECT: Depot 2003 Financial Year-End (unaudited) and 2004 Financial PosItion
This memo/discussion is intended to update the Council regarding the status of The Depot's
2003 year-end financial position and current financial position for 2004.
Through December 2003, The Depot had total 2003 revenues of $198,670 while incurring
expenses totaling $198,475. This amounts to a positive fund balance of $195 for 2003 so
there will be no subsidy by the City for 2003. If grant funds are subtracted from revenues
and grant commissions are subtracted from expenses, The Depot has generated monthly
revenues averaging approximately $8,500 and monthly expenses of just under $16,000. These
figures include both Teen Center and Coffee Shop revenues and expenditures.
It is very early in 2004 but through the end of February 2004 total revenues (excluding grant and
lease payments) are ahead of last year by approximately $1,200 and total expenses (excluding
grant and lease expenses) are lower than 2004 figures by approximately $1,200. While the
. project as a whole is doing better the first few months of 2004, the concessions sales are down
about $400 from last year at this time. Still, projections show no city subsidy expected in
2004.
In 2003, the City billed the Hopkins School District for$19,000 of the 2003-2004 levy for
lease. The Finance Department was able to charge the School District what was needed to
cover costs in 2003, while reserving the unused portion of the levy-for-Iease dollars for use in
2004. This is in part what balanced the Depot year-end fund balance to a positive $195. A
larger or smaller figure can be charged to the School District to the extent that revenues and
expenses vary. There's $31,000 left of the Hopkins School District 2003-2004 lease levy that
will be billed in 2004. The current lease with the School district runs through the end of the
2004-2005 school year.
The Depot received approximately $76,000 in grants for 2003, primarily for general operating
purposes. In addition, several thousand dollars have been donated to help fund cost of
providing a police presence at The Depot on event nights.
For 2004, The Depot has been awarded grants totaling $64,000. This figure includes the
second of two $10,000 payments from the McKnight Foundation (two-year grant for, $10,000
each year) and the $54,000 Title V JJAC grant administered by the State of Minnesota. The
2004 Title V JJAC grant award came in $4,000 more than the grant request. Staff has been told
by the grant administrator, Carrie Wasley, that the Depot is eligible for a third year (2005) in
funding from Title VJJAC. Reapplication is necessary and a third year of funding is very
possible.
. With regard to Depot organizational structure and mission, the attached "Conceptual
Organizational Chart for Depot Programs" has been updated since it was shown to Council in
. July of 2003.The chart now includes the Student Board and Partners as the decision making
bodies of the Depot, and shows further refinement of the roll of the Depot Business. The Depot
Student Board, Partners and City staff continue discussions surrounding the structure of the
Depot and the roles of the City and other partners.
If I can be of further assistance in answering or researching any questions you may have,
please let me know.
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. Conceptual Organizational Chart for
Depot Programs
DEPO PROGRAMS
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Recent City staff discussions have centered on the concept of The Depot as a facility
made up of separate, but somewhat interdependent programs. Programs include the
Depot Teen Center, the Business Education Program, the Park District's Trailhead, and
Facility Rentals. ,
Teen Board & Partners
The primary decision making bodies of the Depot, the Student Board and Partners strive
to reach consensus on issues involving all aspects of the Depot. The Student Board and
Partners also recognize that each has its area of special need, expertise, and commitm~nt.
Teen Center. With direction from the Student Board of Directors and the Teen Center
Coordinator, the Teen Center would continue to plan and implement teen activities such
as Friday Night Concerts and other special events. In cooperation with the business
. education program (i.e., coffee shop, etc.), the Teen Center would also remain "open" for
drop-ins when no planned programming is scheduled. The Teen Center would continue
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. to be supported primarily by grants and contributions. The Depot Partners would
continue to serve in an advisory and oversight capacity.
Business Education Program. This program consists ofa working business to serve as
a Business Lab for the Hopkins High School Business Department. The Coffee Shop has
recently begun to fill this role. The Business Department, in cooperation with the Depot
business/operations manager, will take the lead in developing the educational curriculum
and designing a viable business model. In addition to business revenues, The Depot levy
for lease set by the School District would help fund for this program.
Park District Trailhead. Currently The Depot serves as a trailhead for the SW Regional
LRT Trail operated by the Three Rivers Park District. The City of Hopkins' lease with
the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority contains provisions related to the
trailhead and stipulating the responsibilities the City has with regard to its operation (e.g.,
hours during which The Depot is expected to remain open). The Park District has made
capital improvements to The Depot grounds. It may be appropriate to invite the Park
District to serve as an official Partner on the Depot Partners Board.
Rentals. The Depot is occasionally rented out for private events, during which time the
building, or a part of the building, is closed to the general public. Through December,
approximately $4,950 has been earned for rentals in 2003. A new curtain/room divider
has recently been installed and may make The Depot more attractive as a rental facility
." for special events, meetings, etc. The Rental "program" would be the responsibility of
the Depot Operations Manager.
Discussion Among The Depot Partners & Student Board
While City staff believes that The Depot Coffee Shoplbusiness may be able to increase
revenues and/or lower expenses to the point where the business itself breaks even or
makes a small "profit," staff also feels that it is very unlikely that the business can ever
truly generate enough earned revenue to significantly support the teen center, as was the
original goal. Under this new proposed approach, the goals of providing a safe,
chemically free gathering place for teens would remain, but the method of delivery and
the responsible organization/personnel may change somewhat. For instance, the School
District would be the driving force behind The Depot Coffee Shoplbusiness for business
education purposes. For such a shift in thinking/focus to occur among The Depot Partners
& Student Board, will need to reach a consensus with regard to The Depot's ongoing
structure and mission.
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