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11-10-2012 ICE MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER ICE ARENA COMMISSION HELD AT CITY OF ELK RIVER WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10TH, 2010 Members Present: Chair Martin, Vice Chair Johnson, Commissioners Foss, Malzahn, Members Absent: Commissioner Barth, Commissioner Gumphrey Staff Present: Arena Manager Rich Czech, Arena Assistant Laura Estby 1. 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 6:07 p.m. by Chair Martin. 2. Consider 11/10/10 Ice Arena Commission Agenda Arena Manager, Rich Czech notes that he would like to include a new topic, but will do so as part of Open Mike. MOTION TO APPROVE 11/10/10 COMMISSION AGENDA MOVED BY COMISSIONER FOSS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MALZAHN. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 3. Consider 8/2/10 Ice Arena Commission Minutes MOVED BY COMMISSIONER JOHNSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FOSS TO APPROVE THE APRIL 13111, 2010 ICE ARENA COMMISSION MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 4. Open Mike Arena Manager Rich Czech states a discussion needs to take place regarding the possibility of a referendum for a revamp of the barn and a new lobby. Czech hands out a sheet with preliminary figures as the referendum would affect the citizens of Elk River, and states that Commissioner Gumphrey was unable to attend the meeting due to a family emergency, but that Councilmember Matt Westgaard is present in his absence to answer questions. Czech notes per his earlier conversation with Commissioner Gumphrey that $12-15,000 seed money would need to be raised for graphics/plans, and the hope is that it would be raised by Youth Hockey or other interest parties. He asks what the commissions view is on this possibility, and if the interested parties could be gathered to discuss fundraising for the seed money. The timeline would include getting council approval by fall of 2011, with a proposed start date of spring 2012 and completion in fall of 2012. Councilmember Westgaard states that in looking at the 5 year plans, it was obvious that a lot of infrastructure work was going to need to be done on the barn. It is the council's hope that this can be a joint venture with youth hockey, the school district, etc. Vice Chair Johnson notes that the cost impact on the citizens was not as much as he would have expected. Councilmember Westgaard states that perhaps a referendum would not be needed as per the August 2007 minutes included in the packet, there was at one time a party interested in naming rights. He also notes that while they may be able to get the plans/schematics gratis, they may be tied to a particular contractor if they do that. Chair Martin asks what would be needed in the expansion. Arena Manager Czech says a new roof in the barn as well as more energy efficient placement of the lockerrooms. Councilmember Westgaard notes there may be "Mighty Duck" money available as well. Commissioner Malzahn asks about the level of interest from the council on this project. Councilmember Westgaard says there is council interest, and that they were looking at between $1-2million in repairs in the next 5-7 years and that would be just putting new skin on tired iron. Commissioner Malzahn suggests prioritizing what needs to be done. Vice Chair Johnson asks if the arena commission would be steering the funding. Arena Manager Czech notes that the Elk River Figure Skating Club is also interested in renovations and would fundraise to help out. Westgaard says research needs to be done on payback vs the cost of maintaining the building as is. Arena Manager Czech notes that while needs vs wants is important, he expresses concern that corners may be cut if we are prioritizing. Councilmember Westgaard suggests soliciting referrals from other arenas for architectural sevices. He notes that even if the project doesn't go through as soon as hoped, that the schematics can be used in the future. Arena Manager Czech commits to getting 3-6 architects information who have worked on major current arena projects. Commissioner Malzahn states that a decision of this magnitude warrants a special meeting, and that Elk River Youth Hockey, the school district, and Elk River Figure Skating Club should be invited. Chair Martin suggests that the renovation should be the main focus of the January meeting. Councilmember Westgaard notes that donations to 501 3cs can have tax benefits for the givers, and that a referendum is a last resort. Hopefully corporate sponsorship could play a part in it or the city could finance the project itself. Arena Manager Czech asks if he should move forward with soliciting proposals and if he should inform the interested parties about being at the January meeting. MOTION BY VICE CHAIR JOHNSON FOR ARENA STAFF TO SOLICIT 3-6 ARCHITECTS FOR THE EXPANSION PROJECT. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MALZAHN. MOTION PASSES 4- 0. Arena Manager Czech notes that it might be more official if the invite to the major uses for the January meeting comes from Chair Martin. Chair Martin agrees to draft the letter, but asks Arena Manager Czech to come up with a list of major items for the renovation. 5. Review of Energy Efficiency Projects/ Grant funding Arena Manager Czech notes that he will conduct tours if the commissioners would like to see the completed improvements. Vice Chair Johnson asks if there has been any feedback. Czech states that many people notice that the light is much more uniform. He notes that the lighting will be set differently for games than it is for practices. Also the Low E Ceiling does help the ice set quicker. Czech also notes that the City was recognized at the Federal level for our project. 6. Banners and Pictures at the Arena Chair Martin notes that in reviewing the minutes from August 2007, do we need to establish a time limit for how long the students played for Elk River before they can be on the wall of fame? Vice Chair Johnson suggests that potential players should have participated in Bantam level of Youth hockey or higher. Arena Manager Czech states that per an earlier conversation with the absent Commissioner Barth we need to set aside the players as people, and simply look at their accomplishments. He also suggested that we have an appeal process. Commissioner Malzahn notes the rules should be "in stone"to take the pressure off the arena manager. Vice Chair Johnson suggests it also includes good moral standings with MAHA or the state high school league. Arena Assistant Estby inquires about qualifications needed for figure skaters. Vice Chair Johnson suggests figure skaters would need to reach pros or Olympic status, and that they would have the opportunity to appeal as well. Arena Manager Czech will check into qualifications for being in the NHL and will talk to the figure skating director regarding what would be comparable qualifications for figure skaters. MOTION BY VICE CHAIR JOHNSON, SECONDED MY COMMISSIONER MALZAHN TO APPEND THE AUGUST 2007 RULING TO PERIMETER TO ACHIEVE PICTURE IN HALL OF FAME TO: INDIVIDUAL MUST HAVE PLAYERD AT YOUTH BANTAM LEVEL OR HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL ONE FULL SEASON AND ACHIEVED ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: 1) COLLEGE-MUST HAVE LETTERED AT THE VARISTY LEVEL. 2) BE ON ROSTER FOR EUROPEAN PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY 3) BE ON ROSTER FOR NHL OR AFFILIATED MINOR LEAGUE HOCKEY CLUB FOR BANERS, MUST MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A PICTURE AND FOR BOYS HOCKEY PLAY IN THE NHL, FOR GIRLS HOCKEY BE ON AN OLYMPIC TEAM AND FOR FIGURE SKATING HAVE AN INCOME AS A PROFESSIONAL SKATER. MOTION APPROVED 4-0. Vice Chair Johnson also noted that it will be determined at a future meeting what perimeters will need to be fulfilled for Figure Skaters to have a picture on the Wall of Fame. 7. Honoring past volunteers/Jon McLaughlin Arena Manager Czech notes he has been approached to have a shadow box put up in honor of Jon McLaughlin who recently passed away. Czech notes that there are many individuals who have donated a lot of their time to the arena and it's activities, and for those people, perhaps we should consider a"Behind the Glass" program. Our users would decide who would be featured and fill out an application, we could also put an ad in the paper to get the word out. MOTION BY VICE CHAIR JOHNSON AND SECONDED BY FOSS TO ESTABLISH THE "BEHIND THE GLASS" PROGRAM PER THE GUIDELINES THAT ARENA MANAGER CZECH HAS ESTABLISHED. MOTION CARRIES 4-0. 8 Adjournment MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MALZAHN AND SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR JOHNSON TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. MOTION CARRIES 4-0. MEETING ENDS AT 8:05PM Minutes Prepared aura Estby Tina AllaCity C� = Dale Martin, Chair