11-14-2012 ICE MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
ICE ARENA COMMISSION
HELD AT CITY HALL NOVEMBER 14TH , 2012 6:00pm
Members Present: Chair Martin, Vice Chair Johnson, Commissioners, Cunningham,
Gumphrey, Ballenger, Givens
Members Absent: Commissioner Nziolek
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 11/14/12 Ice Arena Commission Agenda
MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GUMPHREY AND SECONDED
BY VICE CHAIR JOHNSON TO APPROVE THE NOV 14TH, 2012
ICE ARENA COMMISSION AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
3. Reapprove 11/10/10 Ice Arena Commission Minutes
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GUMPHREY AND SECONDED BY
VICE CHAIR JOHNSON TO REAPPROVE THE NOV 10, 2010
ARENA COMMISSION MINUTES. MOTION PASSES 6-0.
4. Approve 7/12/12 Ice Arena Commission Minutes
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CUNNINGHAM AND SECONDED
BY COMMISSIONER GUMPHREY TO APPROVE THE JULY 12TH,
2012 ARENA COMMISSION MINUTES. MOTION PASSES 6-0.
5. Approve 8/21/12 Ice Arena Commission Minutes
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CUNNINGHAM AND SECONDED
BY COMMISSIONER GUMPHREY TO APPROVE THE AUGUST
21ST, 2012 ARENA COMMISSION MINUTES. MOTION PASSES 6-0.
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6.
Swearing in New Commissoners
Commissioners Ballenger and Givens are sworn in.
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7. Open Mike
None
8. Financial Update
Arena Manager Czech reviews the 2012 revenue and states we are expecting
to exceed our projected $488,000 in ice sales for the year-possibly even
breaking $500,000. Recreation programs still have one session that begins
Nov 26` before we will have final numbers for that, but he anticipates we will
be in line with the budget. He also believes that our expenses for the year will
follow what was budgeted. He notes the capital outlay of$17,000 was for a
new Zamboni battery. By the end of the year, Czech notes that we should see
between a $90,000-$120,000 profit.
With regards to the 2013 projected budget, Czech states that Elk River Youth
Hockey has returned all of their hours after Feb 24th, which amounts to
$20,000 in lost revenue.
Commissioner Ballenger(Elk River Youth Hockey Rep) notes that the mites
Jamboree was moved to January, and that they are looking into having a few
isolated mites events after that. Arena Manager Czech notes that he is looking
into a men's league tournament to eat up some of the hours.
Czech states that the Youth Hockey Learn to Skate program, which is being
taught by the arena's Learn to Skate Instructors beginning this year, has 180
students that are taught over 2 hours. The arena will get $45 per student from
Youth Hockey to cover the instructor's fees.
Czech also notes that the rent received from Youth Hockey for their office and
storage space has remained at $2600 for several years, and that after
consulting with Annie Deckert, the marketing and business development
administrator, he believes it is time to review that and it may be increased.
With regards to the 2013 expenditures, Czech notes that they reflect a 3% rate
of inflation, and that even with that, we are anticipating a $123,550 profit. The
capital outlay of$357,300 is for a dehumidification unit for the barn and
repair to the one in the Olympic as well as a membrane for the barn roof.
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Chair Dale Martin inquires if all of the 2013 Capital Outlay Projects need to
be done next year?
Arena Manager Czech notes that we have been pushing off the roof since
2006. He is hoping it will be done in 2013 but it still could be cut. The
problem becomes that we have several projects slotted for each year over the
next several years so if we push some of next year's off, then it bumps
everything else back as well.
Commissioner Givens inquires about what is covered by Youth Hockey's
Rent?
Czech notes it covers their office space in the barn as well as the equipment
room.
Commissioner Ballenger notes that there has been discussion with the Youth
Hockey board about reevaluating the space and their needs.
Commissioner Givens inquires about the Elk River Figure Skating Club
paying rent.
Arena Manager Czech notes that if Youth Hockey would like to change
around their space(potentially adding new walls, etc) it should be discussed
again in January when we know about the barn roof as it wouldn't make sense
to make the changes before that is done.
9. Arena Renovation Update
Arena Manager Czech states that after the previous night's City Council
meeting, nothing was set in stone about what happens next. They went over
numbers and discussed the arena individually or grouping together with Parks
and Rec as a whole with the repairs that they need for trails and playground
equipment.
Commissioner Gumphrey believes that the Council is leaning towards Option
3. A few members believe there should be a referendum- and that funding
options were discussed. He notes that if the city financed the renovation
themselves, it would eat up the building budget for the next 20 years. If there
was a levee the arena would be lumped in with a new Senior Center and
Clubhouse. He also feels it wouldn't effect taxes significantly, and at this
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point the earliest it could start would be April or May of 2014. He also notes
that there will be a turnover in the city council at the end of the year.
Arena Manager Czech notes that all of the projects on the 2013 Capital Outlay
are"needs" and not"wants". However, the descant wheel needs to stay in the
budget even if everything else gets pushed off.
Commissioner Gumphrey notes that a roof membrane will only buy about 10
years- and that he believes we will have an answer in the next couple of
months. If the renovation is voted down, then the barn will need a new roof in
2014. The budget will be voted on in Mid December.
Arena Manager Czech notes that if there is a referendum, that we would wait
on the dehumidifier and roof.
Commissioner Gumphrey suggests talking to Finance Director Tim Simon
regarding the descant wheel, as he believes that there is enough money in the
contingency fund to cover it- however it needs to be looked into sooner rather
than later. He also notes that Nick Zerwas' place on the council is open and
that they want to appoint his replacement instead of taking it to the voters,
which leads him to believe that they already have someone in mind.
Arena Manager Czech notes that he is repeatedly hearing that we need to
move away from R22 coolant as it is being phased out. While we don't have
any leaks at this point, the cost is going to increase significantly and it is better
to take care of it now.
Commissioner Gumphrey notes it is hard for a few council members to
consider a renovation because the arena isn't very profitable- however, most
parks don't make any.
Vice Chair Johnson thanks Commissioner Gumphrey(as this is his last
meeting as the City Council rep) for carrying the torch for this project.
Commissioner Gumphrey notes that Councilman Westgaard has being a big
supporter of the project as well.
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10. Banners/Hall of Fame
Arena Manager Czech notes that they are up for auction at Govdeals.com and
the auction will end on Friday 11/16. He inquires about what to do with them
if they do not sell.
Commissioner Gumphrey suggests sending them to the players.
Czech notes that we still want to recognize the players now, and now that the
banners are gone he would like to have shadowboxes made up that would
have youth hockey pics, NHL pics, stats and a jersey for each of the players,
with an estimated cost of$250. He believes it would also help kickstart the
wall of fame. He notes he is going to contact the pros to see if they would be
willing to contribute towards the cost of frames for the wall of fame, or should
it be added to the budget.
Commissioner Gumphrey notes that we should add it to the budget, and not to
forget about Rachel Halvorson who is now a professional figure skater.
MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER GUMPHREY AND
SECONDED BY COMMSSIONER GIVESN TO USE 51250 OF THE
ARENA BUDGET TOWARDS SHADOWBOXES FOR THE 5
PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS/SKATERS. MOTION PASSES 6-0.
11. Girls and Boys Game Passes
Arena Manager Czech notes that the girls' passes have been handed out, and
that the boy's high school jamboree is this weekend.
12. Capital Improvement/Arena Commission Dates
Chair Dale Martin states that he doesn't have an opinion about changing the
arena commission dates.
Commissioner Givens suggests the first Wednesday of the month of Jan,
April, Aug and Nov.
Arena Manager Czech notes that we can bring it to the January meeting.
Chair Martin suggests changing the meeting to 5:30pm instead?
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MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER GUMPHREY AND
SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CUNNINGHAM TO CHANGE
ARENA COMMISSION MEETINGS FOR NOVEMBER AND
JANUARY TO BEGIN AT 5:30PM. APPROVED 6-0.
Commissioner Gumphrey thanks the Commission.
Commissioner Cunningham inquires about player passes, to which Arena
Manager Czech replies that there may be a sponsor so we do not have any
more details about that.
Commissioner Cunningham notes that the passes need to be performance
based so the students know that it is a privilege.
13. Other Business
none
14. Next Meeting Date
January 8`h, 2013 (at 5:30pm)
15. Adjournment
MOTION BY VICE CHAIR JOHNSON AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER CUNNINGHAM TO ADJOURN MEETING.
MOTION PASSES 6-0 AT 7:15PM.
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Minutes Prepped by Laura Es
Tina Allard, City Clerk
.40007,7 r -
Dale Martin, Chair
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