01-12-2011 ICE MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
ICE ARENA COMMISSION
HELD AT CITY OF ELK RIVER
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12r" 201 I
Members Present: Chair Martin, Vice Chair Johnson, Commissioners Foss, Malzahn,
Gumphrey, Barth
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Arena Manager Rich Czech, Arena Assistant Laura Estby
Cali Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Ice
Arena Commission was called to order at 6:09 p.m. by Chair Martin.
Consider 1/12/2011 Ice Arena Commission Aeenda
MOTIONED BY VICE CHAIR JOHNSON AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER MALZAHN TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 12TH
ICE ARENA COMMISSION AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
Consider 11/10/10 Ice Arena Commission Minutes
MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER BARTH AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER FOSS TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 10TH, 2010
ICE ARENA COMMISSION MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
4. Ouen Mike
Chair Martin discusses with commission and public present about the idea of
an arena expansion, due to the major expenses that the arena is faced with in
the coming years. These include a new roof for the barn, varsity locker rooms,
heating systems, dehumidifiers, etc. He hopes that there will be some
assistance from the arenas major users either financial, sweat equity, grants, or
helping get the public behind a referendum.
Brad Hanson(13738 210th Ave NW-Elk River), Elk River Figure Skating
Club President, states that the club is behind the expansion and that they will
help out any way that they can. Their wish list includes a separate room with
high ceilings to serve as a locker room and an off ice training room, lockers
and a larger lobby. He suggests that a lazger lobby would allow them to be
able to host competitions. He notes that the club has grown to 50 members
and as long as they are kept in the loop, they are willing to help with
fundraising and financially as they are able.
Mike Katchmazk(15016 197`h Ave Elk River), representative of the Blue Line
Club, notes that Champlin Park has a joint venture with a local gym, and asks
if that would be possible for our azena? He also states that it is a challenge for
their group to get parents to fundraise/fulfill club requirements now. He
believes that most pazents at the high school level are viewing this as the end
of their children's hockey career, so they aren't as excited about it, and in
addition the boazd members have a high turnover rate.
Arena Manager Czech states that in talking to other rinks, it is common for
players to pay a fee when they make the varsity/jv teams. This could help with
fundraising.
Katchmark notes that they are already having a hard time collecting the fees to
the school and the Blueline Club.
Chair Martin suggests a commitment from the school to be paid off over 15-
20 yeazs. Each yeaz the cost would be divided up by the players and could be
paid either with cash or sweat equity, depending on the needs of the arena and
union codes.
Brad Hanson inquires about the timeline for the project.
Commissioner Gumphrey notes that the city had to provide $185,000 to cover
the arena on the 2010 budget. He says that the City Council is looking at
major expenses coming up in the neaz future and that a referendum has been
brought up. The timeline would include trying to get the referendum passed
this fall, with construction beginning in Spring of 2012 and completion ready
by the start of the season in the fall. He states that the Commission's first step
is to make a motion to the city council, beyond that it will require getting the
word out, which is where the clubs and other major users come in.
Arena Manager Czech states that the admission surcharge should have
approximately $12,000 by the end of 2011, which would be enough money to
get the ball rolling with an architect, any shortfalls could come from the
Arena's operation budget, the council contingency fund or building and
maintenance.
Vice Chair Johnson notes that in his research referendums may be more likely
to pass in the current economy because construction costs are down.
Commissioner Gumphrey notes that first it has to go to the council. He
strongly encourages all of the clubs and major members to be present at that
meeting. Gumphrey notes that traditionally odds are better at getting
referendums passed in "off years" for elections.
Commissioner Barth suggests tying the arena renovation in with the new
Maintenance Building. He also notes that he doesn't foresee any issues with
the school board regarding land issues with an expansion.
Arena Manager Czech presents packets from three potential architects, the
292 design group, SJA, and HTG. Proposals came in as follows:
1) 292-Feasibility study $10,000 + expenses. If 292 is chosen to do the work,
then 50% of the fee will be credited against the first invoice for design
services.
2) SJA-Predesign fee of $21,200 plus reimbursable costs for printing (up to
$1,000 max) during this phase.
3) HTG-Architectural Concept Design/Programming-$30,000 plus
reimbursable expenses.
Czech notes that each firm had different pazameters for reimbursable
expenses. Discussion takes place regarding the three firms.
DeAnn Givens( 8182 185`h Ave NW-Nowthen) Elk River Figure Skating Club
Rep, asks if it would be helpful when the club comes to the City Council
meeting, to state that pending approval the club would provide some money
towards the initial costs?
Commissioner Gumphrey notes that the money would probably be better
spent on advertising to get the word out about the referendum, and he is not
sure if it is possible to offer money on a contingency.
Commissioner Malzahn notes that while no representative from Youth
Hockey was present, as one of their commission members, he presumes that
they are all for an expansion, and that he will bring it up in the Youth Hockey
board meeting next week.
MOTION MADE BY VICE CHAIR JOHNSON TO RECOMMEND TO
THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THE COMMISSION MOVES
FORWARD WITH THE DESIGN PHASE OF THE RENOVATION
USING THE 292 GROUP TO DEVELOP PLANS AND ESTIMATE
COST. 2ND BY FOSS. MOTION PASSES 6-0.
Commissioner Gumphrey notes that this is the time to get in touch with city
council members to show your support of the project. He also suggests that we
hold a special meeting prior to the next City Council meeting to make sure we
have a good list of arguments for the expansion, and can get as many people
to show up as possible, as we will also be seeking a projected $6million
referendum in the future.
Arena Manager Czech notes that any renovation should include a new
refrigeration system which will be needed anyways due to the Montreal
Protocol Act that will phase out the making of R-22(Freon)by 2020, causing
the cost to operate to increase. Most arenas are now switching to an ammonia
system which would require tearing up the floors.
MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER BARTH THAT PENDING
COUNCIL'S APPROVAL TO MOVE FORWARD WITH 292, WE
WILL PERSUE A REFERENDUM. SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR
JOHNSON. MOTION PASSES 6-0.
Chair Martin notes that the special meeting will be tentatively scheduled for
February 9~' at 6pm.
Commissioner Gumphrey notes that if the Council approves moving forward
with the project, that we need to get our wish lists in order.
Review Architects nroposals for Arena Expansion
Discussed with #4.
6. Other Business
Arena Manager Czech notes that an article was written about the Arena with
regards to the money that we received from the Energy Efficiency and
conservation Block Grant. He states that he will be speaking at a meeting in
St. Cloud next month- and also notes that our energy costs have already gone
down.
Adiournment
MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER BARTH TO ADJOURN.
SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR JOHNSON. MOTION CARRIED AT
7:30pm 6-0.
Minutes Prepared by,k,a a Es by
`/ ( ,
Tina Allard, City Clerk
Dale Martin, Chair