04-22-2024 MFACMINMeeting of the Elk River
Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission
Held at the Furniture and Things Community Event Center
Monday, April 22, 2024
Members Present: Commissioners Jeb Kotzian, Jennifer Wagner, Mike Westgaard, Michael Zeman, Kara
Walker, Jim Hecker, Michael Cunningham (present 6:34 - 7:19 p.m. and 7:49 - 8:09)
Members Absent: Commissioner Tonya Henderson
Staff Present: Assistant City Administrator/Business Services Director Joe Stremcha,
Facility Superintendent Tim Dalton, Assistant Facility Supervisor Jeff Shelby,
Economic Development Specialist Josh Mollan and Customer Service Associate Laura
Estby
Public Present: Debbie Rydberg- Elk River Chamber of Commerce
Artist Carey Dean (live via Teams for section 11.1)
I . Call Meeting to Order
The April 22, 2024, meeting of the Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission was called to order by
a quorum of present members at 6:32 p.m.
2. Oath of Office
Commissioners Hecker and Zeman are sworn in.
3. Election of Officers
Motion by Commissioner Wagner and seconded by Commissioner Cunningham to elect
Mike Westgaard as the Chair of the Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission.
Motion carried 7-0.
Motion by Commissioner Cunningham and seconded by Commissioner Wagner to elect Jeb
Kotzian as the Vice- Chair of the Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission.
Motion carried 7-0.
4. Consider Agenda
Motion by Commissioner Wagner and seconded by Commissioner Walker to approve the
April 22, 2024, Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission agenda as presented. Motion
carried 7-0.
5.1. Consider Minutes
Motion by Commissioner Walker and seconded by Vice Chair Kotzian to approve the
February 12, 2024, minutes as presented. Motion carried 7-0.
Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission Minutes
April 22, 2024
—� 6. Open Forum
No one present wished to speak.
7.1. Public Hearing
No one present wished to speak.
8.1. SWOT analysis Findings
Page 2
Assistant City Administrator/Business Services Director Joe Stremcha presented the staff report, and
noted the information will be used for an organizational chart review.
8.2. MFAC Ordinance Powers and Duties
Mr. Dalton presented the staff report.
Commissioner Hecker did not feel as though there was a conflict of interest, and that having a
Commission with user groups helps provide insight for decision making. He added regarding
contracts, the rates should be the rates.
Commissioner Cunningham inquired if the City Council should also be responsible for the budget,
and added the rates should be reported back to the users for checks and balances.
Commissioner Zeman asked if the City Council was going to ignore the recommendation of the City
Attorney to remove the user groups from the Commission. He added the user groups are part of the
community.
Chair Westgaard added the Commission already intended to simplify contracts, and noted if that was
already the plan, what is the difference if the MFAC does it as opposed to the CounciP He also
suggested holding off on changing contracts until all are expired so moving forward they could all be
done the same way. He also noted the next MFAC meeting is in June and Elk River Youth Hockey
does their budget in July. He agreed with the other commission members that the user groups should
not be removed.
Vice Chair Kotzian inquired if we had financial comparisons from year to year, and added having
more transparency in the budget is in the best interest of the facility. He also believed removing user
groups from the Commission would be a disservice. He suggested having conflict of interest training,
to help avoid issues but regardless he implored any decisions that are made should happen sooner.
Commissioner Walker expressed concern on the timing, as they are looking ahead to next season. She
had hoped the rates would be decided by May and agrees she would not like the user groups to be
removed.
Mr. Stremcha replied the City Council's interpretation of the Attorney's recommendation is still TBD.
There is a work session in May to work through the two draft options and any changes would be
effective September 1.
ATUR
Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission Mmutes
April 22, 2024
Page 3
Commissioner Wagner said the City Council is still taking feedback from users and that the
Commission would still be able to make recommendations. She added she has taken notes which she
will bring back to the Council, and noted this information has only been to the City Council once in a
work session and there hasn't been any further discussion on it.
9.1 Superintendent's Report
Mr. Dalton presented the staff report.
Commissioner Walker noted the Figure Skating Club is planning on doing another seminar next year.
Commissioner Zeman (spearing on behalf of Commissioner Cunningham who wasn't present at the
time) noted they had received great feedback from all the Athletic Directors involved in the section
games, and the only complaint was the ticket prices.
Chair Westgaard noted Youth Hockey has upped their volunteer hour requirements so they may be
able to help more next year.
10.1. Fieldhouse Renovation
Mr. Stremcha presented the staff report.
Commissioner Cunningham inquired what times of the year would the fieldhouse be full turf and
when half turf/half sport court.
Mr. Dalton noted there would be set dates as staff would not be in a position to change the fieldhouse
back and forth on a weekly basis.
Commissioner Wagner inquired about a monthly breakdown of turf use to best determine when the
turf should be full. She added the Council was led to believe the sport court could be laid on top of
the turf.
Mr. Dalton replied because the turf is not level, he had been informed this was not an option.
Commissioner Zeman asked if the sport court users could be charged enough to make up for the loss
in full turf rental and added the FT Center will lose turf revenue if there is only a lh turf rental option.
He inquired if the city had spoken to the school district about putting a dome over the football
stadium
Mr. Stremcha said that was on the radar for a 2028 window, however nothing was definitive at this
stage and decisions on a long-term vision need to be made. He added the ARPA funding needs to be
used by 2027.
Vice Chair Kotzian asked if a decision is made about construction of a sport court is made by Council
if it will come back to the MFAQ
p 0 V I B 1 0 11
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Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission Minutes Page 4
April 22, 2024
—�, 1 1.1. Public Art
Mr. Mollan presented the staff report.
Commissioner Wagner noted the EDA budgets for public art, and theywanted to include the MFAC
in the decision
Vice Chair Kotzian inquired if the proposed location was the best choice and asked about the
artwork's durability. Mr. Mollan noted the proposed location is visible from the entrance.
Artist Carey Dean replied the art is very durable, and a similar piece that was installed at MSP airport
has a life expectancy of 90 years. She added it will not be affected by direct light (and this would
enhance the piece) nor is it effected by temperature. The only maintenance it will require is a periodic
light dusting with glass cleaner.
Chair Westgaard asked if the piece was moveable and if Ms. Dean had seen the proposed location?
Ms. Dean said it could be carried by two adults, and that she works with Museum Services in
Minneapolis to install her work and they could move it as well if needed. She added she will be back
town Mid -June and is currently doing an installation in Washington state,
Commissioner Wagner noted the EDA has allocated $10,000 for the project, they win find out if they
will be awarded the grant from the Central MN Arts Board by May 9, and will fundraise for the
remainder of the $20,000 needed. If they get the grant, it will require a plaque next to the piece with
information on it and noting the artist.
Motion by Commissioner Zeman and seconded by Commissioner Hecker to move forward
with the project pending a decision on the location to be chosen by public art committee
members. Motion carried 6-0. (Commissioner Cunningham absent)
12. Motion to adjourn regular meeting
Motion by Vice Chair Kotzian and seconded by Commissioner Zeman to adjourn the meeting
of the Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission. Motion carried 6-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Laura Estby. _
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