04-07-2025 MFAC MIN Regular Meeting of the
cy of Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission
Elk Held at Elk River City Hall
River Monday, April 7, 2025
Members Present: Chair Mike Westgaard,Vice Chair Jeb Kotzian, Commissioners
Kara Walker,Mike Beyer,Jim Hecker
Members Absent: Commissioners Mike Cunningham
Staff Present: Assistant City Administrator/Business Services Director Joe Stremcha,
Community Event Center Manager Katie Harstad,Assistant Manager Jen Katke,Sr.
Communications Coordinator Starr Sorheim,Administrative Assistant Laura Estby
Public Present: None
OATH OF OFFICE ADMINISTERED TO COMMISSIONER WALKER PRIOR TO
MEETING. MEETING STARTED AS JOINT WORKSESSION W/CITY COUNCIL
FOLLOWED BY REGULAR MFAC MEETING IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
I. Call Meeting to Order
The April 7,2025, meeting of the Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission was called to order by
Chair Westgaard at 7:55 p.m.
2. Consider Agenda
Motion by Vice Chair Kotzian and seconded by Commissioner Walker to add agenda item 7.1
"Renaming Multipurpose Advisory Commission and establish updated roles and
responsibilities". Motion carried 4-0. (Beyer absent due to continued Council meeting)
3.1. February 10, 2025, Minutes
Motion by Vice Chair Kotzian and seconded by Commissioner Walker to approve the
February 10,2025,minutes as presented. Motion carried 4-0. (Beyer absent)
4. Open Forum
No one present.
5 Presentations
None
6.1. Financial Report
Mr.Stremcha presented the report,adding the admissions revenue figure will diminish after we send
each section their ticket revenue.
Ms.Harstad noted by March 2025 we have already surpassed the food/beverage revenue figures
Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission Minutes Page 2
April 7,2025
from January- October of 2024. (Ms.Sorheim arrives for 8.1 presentation-MFAC skips forward to
that section).
6.2. Manager's Report
Ms.Harstad presented.
7.1. Renaming Multipurpose Advisory Commission/Establish Roles and responsibilities
MFAC reviewed the Elk River Code of Ordinances pertaining to the Multipurpose Facility Advisory
Commission.
Commissioner Hecker inquires if the ordinance is changed,would City Council have to reappoint
Commissioners?Mr. Stremcha replied the Council could dissolve the MFAC and create a new
commission.
Ms.Harstad inquires about how Council would keep from having multiple "at large" members being
associated with the same facility user group.
Commissioner Beyer replied candidates would be vetted out in City Council interviews.
Mr.Stremcha advised the commission should add perimeters for justifying a particular meeting
schedule,suggesting meeting January/April(end of fiscal year/review rates)/July/October(finalize
budget).He also added changing the meeting perimeters should be part of the bi-laws.
Vice chair Kotzian asks if user groups are removed from the commission entirely,can they go back to
deciding on rates?
Motion by Vice Chair Kotzian and seconded by Commissioner Hecker to recommend the
following changes to council:
• Change name of the commission to the Community Event Center Commission
thereby changing any instances in the ordinance referencing the Multipurpose
Facility Advisory Commission.
• Revise membership to consist of five voting members:
o One member of the Senior Activity Center
o One sitting member of the City Council
o Three at-large members modeled after the parks and recreation structure with
members appointed by the city council. It is expected that a preference be
given to city residents,but residency by itself shall not be a disqualification.
• Remove the verbal annual report from"powers and duties"
• Remove "The commission shall meet at least three times each year meeting
requirement.
• Clarify with City Attorney if Commission members can vote on facility rates if user
groups representation is removed and better define conflict of interest for any at-large
members.
POWERED BY
NATURE
Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission Minutes Page 3
April 7,2025
Motion carries 5-0.
8.1. FT Center Wayfinding
Ms. Sorheim presented the report.
Commissioner Beyer arrives at 9:08 p.m.
Chair Westgaard notes both rinks should either have the logo and name or just the name,as current
document only shows name and logo for Kiser.
Commissioner Hecker likes the outdoor Senior Activity Center sign- but suggests adding an arrow to
clarify where the entrance is.
Ms.Estby notes a policy will need to be in place for any bulletin boards in the building.
Motion by Vice Chair Kotzian and seconded by Commissioner Beyer to implement
wayfinding as presented.Motion passes 5-0.
9. Motion to Adjourn
Motion by Vice Chair Kotzian and seconded by Commissioner Walker to adjourn the meeting
of the Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission. Motion carried 5-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Laura Estby.
Mike Wes Chair
Tina Allard,City Clerk
1P-011E8E0 BY
NATURE