04-01-2003 ICE MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
ICE ARENA COMMISSION
HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL
TUESDAY, APRIL I, 2003
Members Present: Chair Martin, Commissioners Halgren,Jackett,Tveite, Aro,Johnson, and
Madsen
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Rich Czech, Arena Manager; Pat Klaers, City Administrator;Lori Johnson,
Finance Director
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 6:00p.m. by Chair Martin.
2. Consider April 1, 2003 Ice Arena Commission Agenda
Chair Martin requested that Item 4 Open Mike be moved to after Item 6 Ice Usage Update.
COMMISSIONER TVEITE MOVED TO APPROVE THE APRIL 1,2003 ICE
ARENA COMMISSION AGENDA AS AMENDED. COMMISSIONER
JOHNSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
3. Consider Minutes of August 6, 2002 Ice Arena Commission Meeting
COMMISSIONER TVEITE MOVED TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 6,2002 ICE
ARENA COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. COMMISSIONER MADSEN
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
5. Review 2002 and 2003 Financial Status
Finance Director Lori Johnson presented information on the 2002 year-end status for the
Arena. These figures were compared to the 2001 financial status and the 2003 budget. Ms.
Johnson reviewed the operating revenues; the operating expenditures; the capital outlay and
building debt; and the other income and transfers in figures. It was noted that before
transfers in, the arena revenue was $33,279 short of meeting expenditures in 2002.
Ms.Johnson also presented some historical data on the annual net income losses at the arena
and the annual transfer in amounts since 1997.The total transfers in amount has been
$479,646.The majority of these finds went for the Olympic Rink heaters, the
dehumidification project, the ice resurfacer, and bleachers for both the Barn and the
Olympic rinks.
6. Ice Usage Update
Arena Manager Rich Czech reviewed with the Commission how much ice time last season
was used by each of the significant users of the ice arena;which included ERYHA, the Elk
Ice Arena Commission Minuets
April I,2003
Page 2
River High School, Becker/Big Lake High School, the Skating Academy, and the Skating
Club. Changes being proposed for the 2003-04 season were reviewed. The most significant
change deals with Rogers establishing their own high school boys and girls teams and a
Rogers Youth Hockey Association. Rich noted that ERYHA had about 7% of their hours as
non-prime hours for each of the last four years and it is proposed that for the next season
the Association will also have about 7% of their time in the non-prime category.
District 728 Athletic Director John Barth updated the Commission on the ice time needs for
both high schools. A handout was distributed indicating the strategies for scheduling time at
the ice arena for both the games and practices. Mr. Barth indicated that the school is trying
to be as flexible as possible in working with the city and ERYHA so that everyone's needs
can be addressed. The proposal from Mr. Barth included the concept of some morning
practices, some late time slot practices,and moving some games to weekends versus
weekdays.
Commissioners Halgren and Martin indicated their support for the flexibility that the high
school is showing in helping everyone meet their needs for ice time. MV[r. Martin went on to
review some history of prime versus non-prime hours at the arena including from the time
prior to the city taking over management of the skating facility.
4. Open Mike
Mark Malzahn, ERYHA President,addressed the Commission. 1Vir. Malzahn indicated
that the proposal for 1200 total hours and 7°/0 non-prime hours is acceptable to the
ERYHA. Mr. Malzahn requested that more weekday prime hours be available to ERYHA
and stated that prime hours in March are not very valuable to ERYHA. It was noted that
this was an ERYHA scheduling issue and needs to be addressed prior to the season starting.
In this regard, a possible turn back of hours with appropriate notice was requested by
ERYHA. Commissioners indicated a desire to be somewhat flexible but stated that the city
could not accept hours back that they could not resell or use itself as open skating. Mr.
Malzahn raised the question regarding whether or not the ERYHA rates were frozen for
three or three and one-half seasons and if the organization had made one or two payments
for the bleachers. Arena Manager Czech will respond to these questions after consulting with
the finance director and reviewing past correspondence and written agreements.
Commission members noted that through good communication between the city, the high
school, and ERYHA that most of the skating hours and scheduling issues could be
addressed.
7. Refrigeration Leak
Arena Manager Rich Czech provided and update to the Commission on the ice plant leak (of
Freon) last fall. City insurance covered the $6,500 expense to replace the refrigerant and anti-
vibration grates have been installed.
8. Arena/Ice Rink Usage Policy
Arena Manager Czech indicated that the ice rink policy,which the Commission adopted last
fall, has proved to be successful. There was very little need to enforce the new policy and the
ice "rutting"issue has been greatly reduced.
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Apnl 1,2003
Page 3
9. 2003 —2004 Ice Rates
Arena Manager Rich Czech reviewed his recommendation for increase in the ice rates. It was
recommended that the non-prime and summer rates remain the same and that the prime
rates increase $10.00 per hour. ERYHA would be an exemption from this rate increase.
COMMISSIONER TVEITE MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING RATES
FOR THE 2003-04 SEASON:
• PRIME RATES AT THE BARN AND OLYMPIC RINK AT $145 (A$10
INCREASE)
• NON-PRIME RATES AT THE BARN AND OLYMPIC RINK AT $115
(NO CHANGE)
• SUMMER RATES AT $120 (NO CHANGE)
• ERYHA PRIME RATE REMAINS AT $135
COMMISSIONER HALGREN SECONDED THE MOTION.THE MOTION
CARRIED 7-0.
10. Staff Updates
Arena Manager Rich Czech provided an update on sign sales, summer projects, dry floor
events, and the rink floor at the Barn.
The Barn rink floor was discussed in terms of trying to keep the floor usable without a major
project being necessary. The lack of funds for the project was discussed.The need for
partners in funding a floor improvement project was reviewed. No conclusion was reached
on how to approach and fund a major improvement project in the Barn.
11. Other Business
No other business was presented.
12. Adjournment
There being no further business, COMMISSIONER JOHNSON MOVED TO
ADJOURN THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER MADSEN SECONDED THE
MOTION.THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
The meeting of the Elk River Park Ice Arena Commission adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Patrick D. Klaers
Recording Secretary