3.1 DRAFT MINUTES (1 SET) 8-12-2024
Meeting of the Elk River
Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission
Held at the Furniture and Things Community Event Center
Monday, June 10, 2024
Members Present: Chair Mike Westgaard, Vice Chair Jeb Kotzian, Commissioners Jim Hecker, Mike
Zeman, Kara Walker, Mike Cunningham
Members Absent: Commissioners Jennifer Wagner and Tonya Henderson
Staff Present: Assistant City Administrator/Business Services Director Joe Stremcha,
Facility Superintendent Tim Dalton, Assistant Facility Supervisor Jeff Shelby,
Customer Service Associate Laura Estby
1. Call Meeting to Order
The June 10, 2024, meeting of the Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission was called to order by
Chair Westgaard at 6:33 p.m.
2. Consider Agenda
Motion by Commissioner Hecker and seconded by Commissioner Walker to
approve the June 10, 2024, Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission agenda as presented.
Motion carried 6-0.
3.1. Consider Minutes
Motion by Vice Chair Kotzian and seconded by Commissioner Walker to approve the April
22, 2024, minutes as presented. Motion carried 6-0.
4. Open Forum
No one present.
5. Presentation
None.
6.1. Financial Report
Presented by Mr. Stremcha. He noted the reports will be a standard inclusion for the MFAC packets
moving forward. He also added the figures for utilities are one month behind, and the difference in
personal services between 2023-2024 was due to Billy Hunter’s position not being filled.
6.2. Superintendent’s Report
Mr. Dalton presented the report.
Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission Minutes Page 2
June 10, 2024
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6.3. 2024 Capital Improvement List
Mr. Dalton presented the report.
Vice Chair Kotzian inquired how the items would be prioritized?
Mr. Dalton noted, the report presented is a draft. Mr. Stremcha added priorities would come back
through the MFAC.
7.1. Community Event Center Organization Chart Update
Mr. Stremcha presented the report.
Commissioner Hecker inquired if the new Facility Center Manager will be part of hiring the positions.
Mr. Stremcha replied no, however all “new” positions will be on probation for 6 months, so the
Manager will have input.
Commissioner Cunningham inquired how this decision came to be, as it didn’t come to the MFAC.
Mr. Stremcha replied, the City Council made the decision based on staff recommendation.
Commissioner Cunningham noted it should have been done differently so the commission was in the
loop.
Vice Chair Kotzian added he was approached 17 times about the reorganization, and he was
disappointed the commission was not involved or at least notified.
Mr. Stremcha invited the commission to notify him if they have any questions.
Vice Chair Kotzian responded he should not have to reach out for information as that is not his
responsibility in his opinion.
Chair Westgaard added the MFAC should have at the very least been emailed.
7.2 2025 Budget Discussion
Mr. Stremcha presented the report, and inquired if the Commission felt there should be other metrics
that should be included in the division goals.
Chair Westgaard suggested recreational programs.
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June 10, 2024
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Mr. Stremcha inquired if there should be a budget steering committee who reviews the budget line by
line?
Commissioner Zeman noted if the MFAC is tasked with reviewing the budget, why would a
subcommittee be needed as they currently aren’t doing anything else with the commission.
Chair Westgaard inquired how much the budget will change between now and the next meeting in
August.
Mr. Stremcha said it is a work in progress, and he could send out monthly updates, to which Chair
Westgaard replied updates would give the MFAC time to digest the material.
Commissioner Hecker inquired (in relation to Org. Chart Update item 7.1) how changing from a
recreation model to a hospitality model will look different as it doesn’t seem it would feel any
different then how the facility is currently run. The facility already operates on a hospitality format
with very friendly capable staff and he doesn’t see how this model will be any different.
Mr. Stremcha replied concessions would have a different role as well as an emphasis on guest services.
Chair Westgaard inquired on the status of the contracts, as that information is needed by Youth
Hockey for budgeting- and will the final decisions be brought back to the MFAC.
Mr. Stremcha replied it will be discussed at the City Council work session June 17, and will not be
brought back to the MFAC. He added the Council is still working through how they will handle the
conflicts of interest identified by the City Attorney, however they are leaning towards the Council
handling the contracts.
Commissioner Hecker noted the Commission should express their appreciation on the record to staff
as they may not be working at the FT Center as of the next meeting in August. The Commission
relayed their gratitude to the staff present for their hard work in successfully opening and operating
the facility.
Vice Chair Kotzian noted he has never handled a budget where the revenue wasn’t taken into
consideration, and inquired if there was a way the final numbers could be delineated on the budget
report.
Mr. Stremcha replied they could work off the 2023 actual figures.
Chair Westgaard expressed concern the MFAC is being kept in the dark, adding things are changing
and the Commission isn’t part of it. He suggested pushing out contracts another year to give the
Council time to review them.
9. Motion to Adjourn
Motion by Commissioner Zeman and seconded by Vice Chair Kotzian to adjourn the meeting
of the Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission. Motion carried 6-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:47 p.m.
Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission Minutes Page 4
June 10, 2024
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Minutes prepared by Laura Estby.
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Mike Westgaard, Chair
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Tina Allard, City Clerk