09-28-2004 ICE MIN - SPECIALSPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
ICE ARENA COMMISSION
HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2004
Members Present: Chair Martin, Commissioners Halgren, Johnson, Polston-Hork, Tveite and
Malzahn (7:10 p.m.)
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Arena Manager Rich Czech, Parks and Recreation Director Bill Maertz, and
Recording Secretary Jessica Miller
Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Ice Arena Commission
was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair Martin.
2. Consider 09/28/04 Ice Arena Commission Agenda
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER TVEITE AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER HALGREN TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 28, 2004 ICE
ARENA COMMISSION AGENDA. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
3. School District Referendum, What it means to the city and the Arena
Elk River School District #728 Athletic Director John Barth presented information on the
proposed activity center/field house to the Commission. He indicated that the District has
had preliminary discussions with the City Council regarding this project to see if an interest
exists in having more serious discussions if the referendum passes in November.
Mr. Barth stated that the proposed activity center would consist of four basketball/volleyball
courts with a track around the perimeter and that a new entrance would service the ice arena
and the field house. He stated that there is 10,000 square feet of additional space which
could include offices, an exercise room or other recreational facilities and would be willing to
add additional recreational space if the city is interested in contributing to this project.
Mr. Barth stated that the District has indicated a willingness to retire the $1.5 million debt on
the Elk River ice arena. He explained that under this scenario, the District would assume
ownership of the arena and be responsible for the capital improvements while the city would
continue to manage, maintain, schedule the ice arena, and be responsible for its operating
budget. He stated that the Elk River Senior High would receive ice time at no cost.
Commissioner Halgren questioned if the city is interested in having further discussions on
this proposal if the referendum passes. Commissioner Tveite (City Council representative
on the Commission) stated that the Ciry Council is interested in discussing this proposal
further if the referendum passes. Parks and Recreation Director Bill Maertz noted that the
activity center/field house could enhance the recreation programs.
Ice Arena Commission Minutes
September 28, 2004
Page 2
Commissioner Halgren expressed concern about the dynamics of the project, such as who
would manage the Arena. Commissioner Tveite stated that the details would have to be
discussed and put in writing before anything would be decided. He stated that the city and
the school serve the same taxpayers and they should work together to better serve the
community. He noted that if the city is under no obligation to support the activity center if
the terms and conditions outlined by the school do not meet the city's expectations.
Chair Martin indicated that the activity center proposal sounds exciting and that it has good
possibilities.
Commissioner Halgren questioned how this would affect the Ice Arena budget with the debt
being retired and the High School receiving ice time at no cost. Mr. Maertz stated that the
Arena could make a modest profit. Currently, the Arena is subsidized by the City General
Fund. He indicated that the Arena building debt expense is about $200,000 per year until
2013 and that the Elk River High School ice time revenues total approximately $50,000 per
year. Mr. Maertz noted that the recreation department would be able to offer additional
programming which would also generate additional revenue.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER JOHNSON AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORK TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY
COUNCIL SUPPORT OF THE ACTIVITY CENTER/FIELD HOUSE
PROPOSAL IF THE BOND REFERENDUM PASSES ON NOVEMBER 2, 2004.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
4. Old Barn Boards, Bids, Recommendations
Arena Manager Rich Czech stated that one bid for the used boards was received from Mr.
Doug Bryan totaling $1,068.73. Mr. Czech indicated that he originally recommended that the
city re-advertise the boards because he was informed that the boards were worth $2,000 -
$3,000. Mr. Czech stated that after reviewing the condition of the boards, he is
recommending that the Ice Arena Commission recommend acceptance of the bid to the City
Council.
Commissioner Johnson questioned what the turn around time would be to re-advertise. Mr.
Czech stated that it would take about a month.
Commissioner Tveite questioned where the boards would be placed. Chair Martin stated that
he spoke to Mr. Bryan and he would like them for the hockey rink in his backyard.
Parks and Recreation Director Bill Maertz indicated that he would like to see the boards stay
in the community and go to someone who will use them. He stated that the boards could be
in very poor condition if they sit in storage all winter.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER TVEITE AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER HALGREN TO KEEP THE BOARDS IN THE COMMUNITY
AND RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ACCEPT THE BID FROM
MR. DOUG BRYAN IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,068.73 FOR THE USED
HOCKEY BOARDS. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Ice Arena Commission Minutes
September 28, 2004
Page 3
Goal Setting Worksession with City Council
Commissioner Tveite stated that the City Council had goal setting meetings facilitated by a
consultant and out of that meeting came an issue regarding the City Council communication
with its advisory boards and commissions. Commissioner Tveite stated that at the October
11 meeting, the City Council would like each of the eight advisory boards and commissions
to share their priorities and goals to see if there is a common goal among them and to better
the communication between the Council and the boards and commissions.
Chair Martin stated that the two goals of the Ice Arena Commission are to manage the
Arena facility without losing money, and to support the November bond referendum for the
School District.
(Commissioner Malzahn arrived 7:10 p.m.)
The Commission provided Commissioner Malzahn with a brief update on the activity
center/field house proposal that Mr. Barth presented earlier in the meeting. Commissioner
Malzahn stated that he will contact Mr. Barth to obtain a copy of the drawings and facts on
the proposal and if he sees fit, he will forward the information on to Youth Hockey.
Adjournment
There being no further business, MOVED BY COMMISSIONER TVEITE AND
SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HALGREN TO ADJOURN THE MEETING
OF THE ELK RIVER ICE ARENA COMMISSION. THE MOTION CARRIED
6-0.
The meeting of the Elk River Park Ice Arena Commission adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
~~
Jessica Miller
Recording Secretary