09-22-2025 MFACMINRiver
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Staff Present:
Public Present:
Special Meeting of the
Community Event Center Commission
Held at Furniture and Things Community Event Center
Monday, September 22, 2025
Chair Mike Westgaard, Vice Chair Kara Walker, Commissioners Jim Hecker, Mike
Beyer
None
Community -Event Center Manager Katie Harstad, Assistant Manager Jen Katke,
Administrative Assistant Laura Estby
None
I . Call Meeting to Order
The September 22, 2025, meeting of the Community Event Center Commission was called to order
by Chair Westgaard at 6:36 p.m.
2.1 Future of the Community Event Center Commission
Chair Westgaard noted the past few meetings, members of the CECC have
discussed what FT Center staff needs and if the commission is helpful.
Ms. Harstad replied BRE (Business Retention and Engagement) meetings have changed how we do
business. Staff get direct feedback from user groups instead of through a rep. Completing a certain
number of BREs has been added to our budget to be completed annually.
Commissioner Hecker inquired if the user groups are allowed to make any decisions?
Ms. Harstad replied no. They provide feedback, and some decisions are made by Business Services
Director Joe Stremcha, others would go to council.
Commissioner Beyer noted the City Council receives financial updates on the FT Center on a
monthly -basis.
Commissioner Hecker added the Commission used to make decisions to help run the facility, but
recently haven't been doing a lot of advising but inquired if neutral citizen group oversight would still
have value?
Chair Westgaard noted in the beginning, the CECC was inventing something, but now the facility is
running on formula adding the commission still has an empty position, and few people attend open
forum.
Vice Chair Walker added she is receiving fewer questions about how things are run.
Commission Beyer responded he sees the commission as a citizen, a commission member,
and a council member. The commission was needed in the beginning for startup, and then the FT
Center ran into problems. City Council helped with ARPA funding and made staffing changes adding
issues came up for ice rates, which the council has now taken over. Now Joe has been hired and the
facility is doing well. He expressed concerns about staff members leaving or if users are uncomfortable
Community Event Center Commission Minutes Page 2
September 22, 2025
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speaking with staff, he sees benefit in continuing to have a commission, so the public has someone to
reach out to. He also noted the disparity between a FT Center needing a commission when the liquor
store doesn't have one, adding he can see both sides.
Chair Westgaard noted meetings need to be less of a burden for staff, adding he is not getting
feedback from the public
Ms. Harstad added she receives very little feedback from the commission.
Commission Beyer suggested cutting back on the number of meetings, taking out the staff report,
and focusing on financials - adding he could meet earlier in the evening if needed.
Chair Westgaard inquired about the commission getting an email each month with the financial
info and any "big news" and only meeting in April and October adding if we keep the commission it
gives us the options to call special meetings as needed.
Vice Chair Walker and Commissioner Hecker both noted they are willing to help the facility anyway
needed.
Commissioner Beyer requested the packet be sent with a meeting notice beginning next year and at
the October meeting the commission can finalize the structure for future meetings and cancel the
meeting in December.
3. Motion to Adjourn
Motion by Commissioner Hecker and seconded by Commissioner Beyer to adjourn the
meeting of the Community Event Center Commission. Motion carried 4-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Laura Estby.
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