Loading...
08-03-2011 ICE MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER ICE ARENA COMMISSION HELD AT CITY OF ELK RIVER WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3RD, 201 16:00 PM Members Present: Chair Martin, Vice Chair Johnson, Commissioners Foss, Malzahn, Gumphrey, Barth Members Absent: Commissioner Niziolek, Arena Assistant Laura Estby Staff Present: Arena Manager Rich Czech Call Meeting to Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Ice Arena Commission was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by Chair Martin. 2, Consider 8/3/11 Ice Arena Commission Aeenda MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER FOSS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MALZAHN TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 3RD, 2011 ICE ARENA COMMISSION AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. A rove 4/12/11 Ice Arena Commission Minutes MOTIONED BY VICE CHAIR JOHNSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FOSS TO APPROVE THE APRIL 12TH, 2011 ICE ARENA COMMISSION MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. A rove 5/4/11 Ice Arena Commission Minutes MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER BARTH AND SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR JOHNSON TO APPROVE THE MAY 4TH, 2011 ICE ARENA COMMISSION MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. A rove 6/27/11 Ice Arena Commission Minutes MOTIONED BY VICE CHAIR JOHNSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BARTH TO APPROVE THE JUNE 27TH, 2011 ICE ARENA COMMISSION MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6• 2011 Financial Update Arena Manager Czech presents numbers for 2011 Jan-June 30`h. All numbers are on target for the year to date. Ice rentals projected to be up for the year. Other income noted is from the bleacher fund. Czech notes that utilities may be a bit higher due to unexpected warmer weather. Commissioner Gumphrey inquires about the current building debt service. Czech notes that it is approximately $200,000 per year which is paid in two installments, once in July and the remaining December. Debt service on the building will be completed in December of 2013. Arena Renovation Vice Chair Johnson, notes that even though there was not a quorum at the last commission meeting, a lot was accomplished dialog wise, such as what communications have been received by the Blue Line Club as well as Youth Hockey regarding financial commitments, based on the inquiry letter that Chair Martin sent out. Chair Martin notes that he has not received any further information from Youth Hockey or the Blue Line Clubs regarding their financial commitments to the project as of the meeting. Johnson notes that the only user groups that we have heard back from are the Girls Blue line club and the ERFSC, and we understand that the school district can't give us any information at this time. Martin notes there will be a special meeting of the Girls Blue Line Club regarding fundraising, etc. They are on board, just need to decide if a fee will be added or if they will seek out advertising, etc to raise revenue. Commissioner Malzahn notes that he spoke to Elk River Youth Hockey Association President Lyle Slawson who wished to convey that they are interested in the renovation, however, the financial commitment that was proposed they felt, was too large for the board to make a decision on, they would need to get feedback from the membership at large. They are going to do an online poll to see what the general consensus is. They expect an answer in the next few weeks. Slawson also wanted to convey that this is in no way a "no" decision. Commissioner Gumphrey asked if the Youth Hockey board was member elected. Commssioner Malzahn confirms Commissioner Gumphrey notes that as an elected official it is important to vote based on the needs of the people, not the political climate at the time. He expresses his irritation at the lack of decision making/amount of time elapsing in Youth Hockey's moving forward. Vice Chair Johnson agrees by saying that Chair Martin sent out the financial proposal awhile ago, and they are finally now getting to the poll. Commissioner Malzahn comments if there is any justifiable explanation for the delay, for the commission to remember that during the summertime, there are not a lot of meetings. Arena Manager Czech notes while taking a poll is important, the timing is also. If the poll is administered early in the season when everyone is very enthusiastic, it may yield a more favorable response. Commissioner Gumphrey notes that in Mid-September, the City Council needs to come up with a maximum levy number they can impose, and they are stuck with that time frame. If the arena is to be built next year it has to be part of the levy. Arena Manager Czech has a meeting with Finance Director Simon so that they can establish a financial plan to present with the Council based on contributions by the usergroups, which are incomplete at this time, since we only have concrete numbers from the Elk River Figure Skating Club. Commissioner Malzahn inquires as to how the proposed contributions were figured, was it based on number of hours/amount paid by each group last year. Arena Manager Czech confirms. Discussion takes place regarding getting a financial commitment ahead of time from the user groups vs having a user fee for the ice. He notes that if we add a user fee, it would drive away some of our smaller customers. However many other arenas do have user fee arrangements with their larger customers. When other arenas have done expansions, etc, they have typically had user group arrangements with their big players, usually a lump sum per year. Commissioner Malzahn asks Brad Hansen, the Elk River Figure Skating Club President if he knows how much each skater will be effected by the financial commitment towards the expansion that they have agreed to. ERFSC President Hansen states each skater will see approximately a $100- $125 increase depending on the club's numbers. Skaters have the opportunity to fundraise to cover the increase. Commissioner Malzahn notes that he was told the average youth hockey skater would see about $100 increase, but that President Slawson noted the fees would not be passed on to the mites, it would be more for the upper level/traveling players. Comissioner Barth inquires about the new public works building. Commissioner Gumphrey says that phase one will begin construction next year and is already budgeted for, but phase two and the arena would have to be part of next year's levy. Based on the current commitment proposals from the arena's customers, the city would have to come up with $650,000/year for the renovation. Arena Manager Czech notes that if the expansion doesn't go through, then a new roof for the barn is going to have to go back into the CIP, it is a problem that isn't going away. Chair Martin considers contacting the user groups again regarding commitments. Commissioner Gumphrey inquires if there would be more tournaments if there was an arena renovation. Arena Manager Czech notes that it takes the right people to spearhead a tournament, and get it off the ground. Now they have three tournaments each year, and with the board that they have now, he believes they could get more tourneys off the ground. Commissioner Gumphrey inquires about the impact on the Figure Skating Club if there was a renovation. 4 Elk River Figure Skating Club President Brad Hansen notes that they could apply for regionals, and state (automatic two year deal) and also for testing sessions. Right now, they do not have any of these competitions due to the lack of space in the current facility. (No meeting rooms, small lobby, etc) Commissioner Gumphrey inquires about the impact on the school district if there was a renovation. Commissioner Barth notes that it wouldn't be much of a change for them, because there still would not be enough seats, and to get sectional games the team also has to qualify, etc, so there is more than just the facility to consider. Also, that would not be an "every year" option, regardless. 8. Varsity Game Passes/Recognition Nights Chair Martin notes Girl's Blue Line wants to do a passes for games at a slight discount. Originally it was done because games in the barn would be to capacity, and it guaranteed entrance to a game, however since games are in the Olympic now, that hasn't been as much of an issue. Commissioner Barth notes that in all other sports, the parent groups do offer discount passes. Commissioner Gumphrey believes it's a good idea. He said typically only one of the parents is able to go anyways, and it helps promote the program. Arena Manager Czech notes that hockey is unique in that other sporting events are on school grounds/school buildings and the school district contracts with the arena to host their hockey games. Because of this, the arena collects the gate fees, and then refunds the school their portion of ticket sales. He states what has been done in the past is that the arena creates the pass and sells it to the parent organization. The Blueline club is looking for $2 off per adult ticket and $1.50 for seniors/students. Commissioner Barth notes that the school board has to approve changes to ticket prices, but he doesn't feel it will be an issue since it has been done in the past. Discussion takes place regarding whether the passes should be offered to the boy's blue line, and if it should be for students or just adults/seniors. Or if the arena should create the passes and let the blue line decide who they sell them to. Commissioner Barth notes that students can currently buy a fall sport pass that gets them into volleyball, football and soccer, and a winter pass that gets them into everything except for hockey. MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER GUMPHREY TO OFFER DISCOUNTED PASSES TO THE BOYS/GIRLS BLUE LINE CLUBS AT $2/OFF TICKET PRICE FOR ADULTS, AND $1.50/OFF FOR SENIORS, WITH NO PASSES OFFERED FOR STUDENTS. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FOSS. MOTION PASSES 5-0. Chair Martin notes, that the Girl's Blue Line Club would like to add a banner in the arena to advertise their conference championships. Arena Manager Czech notes that he will work with the GirPs Blue Line Club to get this done. Arena Manager Czech notes that we need more notice when there are going to be recognition nights. There have been several instances where a person is being recognized, and therefore should be getting in free, and the arena was not told about it which puts the ticket taker in an awkward position. Since these recognition nights are designated in advance, Czech just wants to be in the loop so the arena can notify staff, preferably by the start of the season. MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER GUMPHREY AND SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR JOHNSON THAT SPECIAL RECOGNITION NIGHTS BE FINALIZED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON, TO RECEIVE FREE ADMISSIONS. MOTION PASSES 5-0. 9. Outside Banners Chair Dale Martin states the outside banners need to be replaced. The current banners were purchased by youth hockey, and Martin is not sure if they would be willing to put up the money for them again. Chair Martin also notes that Nate Prosser's mother has approached the arena about having a banner for her son up as well. Nate has been called up and has been on a roster and has played. Arena Manager Czech believes if they are in an NHL jersey, they should be eligible for the banners. 6 Vice Chair Johnson states that when one is added, they should all be replaced, so that they have equal wear and tear. Arena Manager Czech notes that when the arena is approached by an individual or association wanting a banner of an eligible player, the commission should vote, and if approved it is up to the interested party to find the financing- whether they work with Youth Hockey or get a sponsor, etc. Czech also inquires as to whether or not the sponsor should be able to be noted on the banner. Czech will discuss with City Staff if there are any policies in place regarding advertising on City Buildings. Arena Manager Czech would like to see new banners up by this fall if possible- and direction from the Commission on getting new banners- cost estimate of approximately $1,000 per banner for purchase and installation. Chair Martin asks Commissioner Malzahn to discuss the banners with Elk River Youth Hockey President Lyle Slawson. Arena Manager Czech discusses the varsity game contract- currently we get the ftrst $900 and afterwards a 50/50 split of ticket sales. Currently the Rogers Activity Center gets 100% of the gate. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FOSS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GUMPHREY TO CHANGE THE CONTRACT FOR THE ARENA TO GET 100% OFF THE TICKET SALES. MOTION PASSED 5-0. 10. Summer Tournament 11. Adjournment MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GUMPHREY AND SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR JOHNSON TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. MOTION PASSES 5-0 AT 7:SOPM. Minutes Prepared by Laura Estby 7 ~~' Tina All ,City Cl~ Dale Martin, Chair