01-11-2012 ICE MIN
MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
ICE ARENA COMMISSION
HELD AT CITY JANUARY 11TH, 2012 6:00 PM
Members Present: Chair Martin, Commissioners Foss, Malzahn, Gumphrey,
Cunningham and Nziolek
Members Absent: Vice Chair Johnson
Staff Present: Arena Manager Rich Czech, Arena Assistant Laura Estby, Parks
and Recreation Director Mike Hecker, City Administrator Cal
Portner
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 1/11/12 Ice Arena Commission Agenda
MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER FOSS AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER MALZAHN TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 11TH,
2012 ICE ARENA COMMISSION AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
3. Approve 8/3/11 Ice Arena Commission Minutes
MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER CUNNINGHAM AND SECONDED
BY COMMISSIONER GUMPHREY TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER
9, 2011 ICE ARENA COMMISSION MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED
5-0.
4. Open Mike
Introductions of Commission to the new Commissioner, Cal Portner.
Nothing further after introductions.
5. Introduction of City Administrator
Took place before open mike.
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6. Arena Renovation Update
Arena Manager Rich Czech states that he has not had any luck getting a
written financial commitment from Elk River Youth Hockey for the
renovation project, and while the school district has declined to participate at
this point, he is still trying to work out a joint venture.
Commissioner Jerry Gumphrey suggests a meeting between Financial
Director Tim Simon, City Administrator Cal Portner and the school district.
Czech notes that the school district is working with other issues right now,
such as Zimmerman not having a track for their track and field team, which
they would probably feel is more pressing. We need to figure out how to
“sell” the project, perhaps tie it into a field house?
Commissioner Cunningham notes that he isn’t sure if the District’s capital
funds can be used on a building that they didn’t own, however, that is
something that would have to be discussed with the board.
Chair Martin asks if a referendum is possible at this point?
Commissioner Gumphrey says it is possible, but he is guessing that it
wouldn’t be passed through the council if there is no commitment from the
school district. Without the school district and Youth Hockey, he doesn’t
believe that the council will go through with the project.
City Administrator Cal Portner notes that there are other financial options, and
that we would need to look at the revenue stream for capital replacement.
Chair Martin suggests a meeting with the Elk River Youth Hockey Board.
Arena Manager Czech states that any help on that front would be appreciated,
we just need a solid yes or no.
Chair Martin commits to calling Elk River Youth Hockey Director Lyle
Slawson. He notes that in the initial discussions of the renovation, that Youth
Hockey had some conditions that they wanted to be part of a financial
commitment, that would need to be negotiated.
Arena Manager Czech notes that a surcharge on ice time is always a
possibility, however he would rather the money come from the usergroups on
a voluntary basis.
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Chair Martin brings up the possibility of fundraising for CAD drawings.
Commissioner Gumphrey believes it is a good idea to have shelf ready
drawings, but that the City Council would need to approve the use of funds.
Chair Martin states that it is hard to ask the council for money towards the
project when we don’t have the support of all of our major usergroups.
Commissioner Malzahn notes that it seems the project would be up and
running if we had the commitment of Elk River Youth Hockey and the School
District. Since it has been a year without any commitment, he feels they don’t
care if the project goes through.
Arena Manager Czech suggests getting a value engineering report done to
give us more information on the lifespan of the current facility, and possible
liability issues in the near future, to see if that would have an impact.
Commissioner Gumphrey agrees and asks Czech to call the 292 group to find
out how much it would cost.
City Administrator Cal Portner asks if the insurance that we have on the
facility would cover lost revenue in the case of negative findings from a value
engineering report that would require immediate attention.
Arena Manager Czech doesn’t think so, but would have to check into it. He
also commits to talking with 292 group and Steven’s Engineering about the
cost of a value engineering report. He also confirms, that structurally the
building was in good repair, the issue was the roof.
Chair Martin will try to get on Elk River Youth Hockey’s agenda for their
meeting next week.
7. Capital Improvement
Arena Manager Czech notes we are in the process of purchasing a new floor
scrubber, we are just waiting on the trade in value of our old one. The new
machine is what is used by City Maintenance Gary Lore and he has had good
luck with them.
In addition, we need to replace the battery in the 1999 Zamboni, which will
cost $10,000, and the Descan Wheel which helps keep the air dry in the arena
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needs a replacement part which will run $17,000-$23,000 with parts and
labor. The part still works, however it isn’t as efficient as it is, and will
continue to become less so.
Czech states that the Health Department came in shortly before the varsity
game on Tuesday, and they hadn’t been through for 5 years. Overall, we
received a good report, with just a few minor changes, including where we
keep dirty towels and having different food storage containers.
8. Adjournment
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FOSS AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER MALZAHN TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
MOTION PASSES 5-0 AT 6:51 PM.
Minutes Prepared by Laura Estby
___________________________________________
Tina Allard, City Clerk
___________________________________________
Dale Martin, Chair
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