3.2 7-10-2023 Draft Minutes
Meeting of the Elk River
Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission
Held at the Furniture and Things Community Event Center
Monday, July 10, 2023
Members Present: Chair Dave Williams, Commissioners Betsy Gulden, Mike Westgaard,
Kara Walker
Members Absent: Vice Chair Greg Loidolt, Commissioners Mike Cunningham, Jake Peterson,
Jim Hecker
Council Liaison: Commissioner Jennifer Wagner
Staff Present: Assistant City Administrator/Business Services Director Joe Stremcha,
Facility Superintendent Tim Dalton, Customer Service Associate Laura Estby
1. Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Multipurpose Facility Advisory
Commission was called to order at 6:33 p.m. by Chair Williams.
2. Consider Agenda
Not required for special meeting.
3.1 Ice/Room/Turf Rates for 2023-2024
Mr. Williams presented the staff report.
Staff recommended the rate adjustments be tied to the average five-year inflation rate, in this case
4.42%. By utilizing this strategy, the 2023-24 rates would be: Prime $250.61/Hour and Non-Prime
(reduced) $187.96/Hour.
Additionally, staff suggested considering a revision to the format dictating prime and reduced ice
rates. Currently, all hours sold between September 1 and March 14 are considered prime, and all
hours between March 15-August 31 are considered reduced regardless of the time of day.
Staff distributed information outlining a revised prime/reduced rate format where the prime rate
would apply year-round, with discounted rates from 6a (early morning) - 2p on school days only. The
rationale being summer and off-season ice is more expensive to maintain than winter season ice and
there is now consistent demand for off - season ice. Another consideration is most off - season ice
users have contracts determining their ice rates, so the prime and reduced rates only apply to a small
percentage of users. Additionally, this will allow us to set our ice rates closer to the actual cost of
providing the service.
Commissioner Wagner suggested reviewing how much ice was sold to users not under contract this
summer to see what the difference in revenue would have been.
Consensus by the MFAC to move the vote on ice/room/turf rates until the August 2023 meeting.
Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission Minutes Page 2
July 10, 2023
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3.2 Two Brothers Contract
Chair Williams presented the staff report.
Chair Williams asked Ben Jaremko, owner of Two Brothers Hockey if Two Brothers is an LLC or a
501c(3)?
Mr. Jaremko replied, LLC.
Chair Williams asked if Mr. Jaremko pays the FT Center or IBackCheck for his rental space in the
facility.
Mr. Jaremko replied he sublets his space from IBackCheck.
Mr. Williams asked Mr. Jaremko about opening the FT Center himself for his early morning
scheduled ice times.
Mr. Jaremko replied it was a practice put into place at the Elk River Ice Arena that caried over to the
FT Center, to guarantee the building will be open on time for his programs.
Mr. Dalton added this practice has been discontinued and staff will open the building.
Chair Williams inquired about the amount of turf that has been used by Two Brothers Hockey since
the FT Center opened.
Mr. Jaremko replied it is hard to quantify as it is not a necessity for him to use it.
Chair Williams inquired about the amount of money Two Brothers Hockey has paid for the turf used
until this point.
Mr. Jaremko replied nothing.
Mr. Westgaard noted each of the currently approved contracts include “concessions”, including free
use of meeting rooms, advertising, lease spaces, etc. which would not be beneficial to Two Brothers
Hockey, instead they would like reduced rates on ice and turf.
Chair Williams added he is ok with the ice rates, and will vote to approve the contract, he does not
agree with Two Brothers being able to use unrented turf without paying.
Moved by Commissioner Gulden and seconded by Commissioner Wagner to approve
Contract Option A. Motion carried 5-0.
Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission Minutes Page 3
July 10, 2023
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9. Motion to Adjourn Special Meeting
Moved by Commissioner Walker and seconded by Commissioner Westgaard to adjourn the
meeting of the Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission. Motion carried 5-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:43 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Laura Estby.
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Dave Williams, Chair
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Tina Allard, City Clerk