2014-03-31 CC Minutes Joint Meeting0�&w %%..
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St. Michael -Albertville School Board • City of Albertville
Joint Government Meeting
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• City of St. Michael
Monday, March 31, 2014, 6:00 p.m.
St. Michael -Albertville Middle School West Media Center
AGENDA
1. Call to Order (6:00 p.m.)
2. Review Agenda
Introductions
City of Albertville: Jillian Hendrickson, Dan Wagner, John Vetsch, Larry Sorensen, Rob Olson,
Adam Nafstad
City of St. Michael: Jerry Zachman, Kevin Kasel, Joe Marx, Nadine Schoen, Chris Schumm, Steve
Bot,
St. Michael -Albertville School Board: Doug Birk, Gayle Weber, Carol Steffens, Drew Scherber,
Jeanne Holland, Jeff Lindquist
4. School Funding
ISD 885 school board chair Doug Birk shared a power point presentation about efforts for a fairer
state school funding formula. Birk said the St. Michael -Albertville school district is last in the state
in terms of general education revenue per pupil excluding the local referendum. STMA receives
$2,155 less in total revenue per pupil compared to the state average and the revenue per pupil
ranges nearly $7,000. Birk said the current funding formula pits property -wealthy districts with a
high commercial/industrial base against districts like STMA that rely more on local taxes which
means STMA taxpayers pay more to receive the same education as students located in other
Minnesota school districts.
Birk said that the district's reliance on state funding becomes more and more critical each year,
stating the state per pupil average is about $9,000 per pupil with STMA receiving $6,882. Birk said
that under current funding, STMA will face future spending cuts and increased reliance on
property tax levies. Additionally, class sizes could increase and transportation services could be
reduced. Also STMA educational opportunities such as music, art and activity programs,
technology, help for struggling learners, and AP and rigorous classes would be affected if there is
not a change in the basic funding formula.
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Birk told the group that the ISD 885 school board continues to ask for bipartisan support for a
greater emphasis on an equitable funding formula. Birk urged the legislature to curb categorical
funding explaining that categorical funding is a way to fund dollars to a district while excluding
others.
Birk thanked the City of Albertville and St. Michael for their support of the Star Tribune editorial
and their continued work on behalf of the school district, stating that without their support, the
community could become less attractive because of higher property taxes and fewer educational
opportunities in the schools.
5. Legislative Update Senator Mary Kiffineyer & Representative David Fitzsimmons
Representative David Fitzsimmons provided an update on the 1-94 expansion between Rogers and
St. Michael stating the benefits of the commerce corridor between the Twin Cities and St. Cloud.
While Fitzsimmons will not run for re-election, he said he will continue his agenda which includes
equitable education funding while he completes his term. School Board Chair Birk thanked
Fitzsimmons for his continued work on education funding and commended his efforts on the 194
expansion.
Senator Mary Kiffineyer stated the funding for the 1-94 lane expansion from Rogers to St. Michael
would begin this year. She discussed the work on school equity benefits and said she would
advocate alongside Superintendent Behle for school equity funding. School board member
Lindquist advocated for funding for the hockey arena.
6. Hockey Arena Repairs, Ice Rates and Capital Budget Contributions
School board and ice arena board member Jeff Lindquist provided an update about the ice arena
facility repairs. Lindquist said the studies on arena operations were favorable. Lindquist stated
that the problem was the aging facility. The arena was experiencing a problem with water
condensation on the ceiling which dropped onto the ice creating clumps and safety concerns for
skaters. Lindquist said the condensation is from a dehumidification issue. The arena board asked
for quotes to fix the problem and re -insulate the arena. Lindquist said project quotes came in
significantly higher than estimates and that at this time, the arena board favors only doing the
dehumidification. Lindquist stated that the humidification and insulation together were estimated
at more than $700,000, whereas the original estimate was $545,000. Lindquist also stated that
they arena board is reviewing hourly arena rates stating that they will continue to balance rates
within the constraints of the operating budget and needs for capital improvement.
Fellow arena board member and Albertville City Councilor Larry Sorensen raised the concern of
pricing teams out of the market. Sorensen recommends the three owners increase the capital
maintenance fund to keep the arena rates affordable and budget for future needs. School board
member Gayle Weber recommended funding the facility to take into account depreciation needs.
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Each entity will review and vote on the revised contract plus change orders for installation of the
dehumidification system as well as their position on increasing the annual capital contribution
amount.
7. Other Updates
8. Adjourn
Meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
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