2017-10-30 17 STMA Joint Meeting (
ST. MICHAEL – ALBERTVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT 885
CITIES OF ALBERTVILLE AND ST. MICHAEL
OCTOBER 30, 2017 – JOINT SPECIAL MEETING
The St. Michael-Albertville School Board met in a joint session with officials from the cities of
Albertville and St. Michael on Monday, October 30, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. in the St. Michael City
Center.
STMA School Board Members Present: Chairman Drew Scherber; Board Members: Kari
Dwinnell, Jeffrey Lindquist, Jennifer Peyerl, Hollee Saville, Gayle Weber; and Superintendent
Ann-Marie Foucault.
City of Albertville Present: Mayor: Jillian Hendrickson; Councilors Walter Hudson and Rob
Olson; and City Administrator Adam Nafstad.
City of St. Michael Present: Mayor Kevin Kasel; Councilors: Cody Gulick, Nadine Schoen and
Keith Wettschreck; City Administrator Steve Bot and Administrative Assistant Amy Woitalla.
The meeting was called to order at 6:07 p.m. Albertville Councilor Hudson/School Board
moved
Member Saville to set the agenda.
Arena Agreement Update
Doug Birk, Director of Administrative Services, was present to give an update on the Joint
Powers Board Agreement and make sure everyone is on the same page. He started with a history
of the board which started in 1997 and consists of 2 appointed representatives from Albertville,
St. Michael and the School District. Each entity reserved 1/3 ownership and liability interest in
the current ice arena. In February 2017, the STMA Community passed the district bond
referendum to build a new arena. Under state law, the new arena addition must be owned
exclusively by the School District for bonding/state aid equalization. The district wants to
continue the tradition of shared governance and prior serving arrangement; is asking to prioritize
ice time in the arena addition for the boys and girls varsity and junior varsity hockey teams; and
will provide funding for the admin and management.
City Administrators and the School Superintendent along with Legal Counsel have worked
together to draft a new Joint Powers Agreement, which will need to be approved by all entities
involved. Following a final joint agreement, Albertville and St. Michael will deed via quitclaim
the property currently owned by the Joint Powers Board to the school district to build the Arena
Addition and in return, the School District will provide the cities with a perpetual ingress, egress,
and parking easement over the vacant lot. The target date for completion of construction of the
new arena addition is November 1, 2018.
The changes that will occur with the Arena Addition are - the addition will be owned exclusively
by the school district; all common equipment shared by the two arenas will be owned: 1/6 by the
City of St. Michael, 1/6 by the City of Albertville, and 4/6 by the STMA School District; and
The Arena Board will move from a six-member board to a seven-member board (two members
from Albertville City Council, two members from St. Michael City Council; and three members
from STMA School District). Nothing is changing with the original arena as far as ownership;
the basic governance model will remain intact; and the arena board will continue to make policy
decisions for the original area. Albertville will assume sole responsibility for the management of
both arenas, but will not be responsible for any liabilities or costs. All liabilities for the admin
and management of the combined Arena including taxes, bills, or other obligations and shared
combined arena expenses are the responsibility of the Arena Board. The target agency fund
balance is 35% of the estimated annual expenditures.
October 30, 2017 - Joint Meeting - Page 2
Birk reported the current Zamboni machine is aged and cannot meet the needs of both arenas. A
new Zamboni for use in both arenas shall be purchased out of existing agency funds, and after
purchase, will be considered an operational asset of the Arena Board.
As far as ice time, budget impacts and termination are concerned, the girls program is anticipated
to migrate back to STMA. The district will pay agreed upon regular rental rate for the first 222
hours of ice time in a fiscal year; then the district will receive 176 practice hours; and the district
will pay for any additional ice time beyond 398 hours in a fiscal year. The district is responsible
for all personnel related to games and will retain game revenue. The primary consideration for
scheduling ice time is boys and girls varsity and junior varsity games and practices. The district
retains the right to use non-ice community and private rental spaces at no charge if not rented
out, and may adjust the amount of time it rents in the Combined Arena on a year-to-year basis to
reflect the needs and requirements of boys and girls hockey programs. Parties intend that this
arrangement will have a net neutral revenue/expense effect on the entities, and each entity
remains committed to a $15,000 contribution annually for capital costs. The agreement is
effective until June 30, 2019 then subject to one-year renewals, and any party retains the right to
st
terminate the new agreement by submitting notice on or before August 1. Albertville
Administrator Adam Nafstad reported the Arena Board has already approved the agreement. He
then complimented them and thanked them for their service.
East Water Tower Logo Update
St. Michael Administrator Steve Bot explained the Joint Powers Water Board has agreed on a
logo to complete the east water tower. The plan is to mirror the west water tower which reads
“Home of the Knights”. He thanked both cities and the Joint Powers Water Board
representatives who made this happen. Bot said this is a great partnership and the logo is a good
representation of the partnership.
School Facilities Project Update
Superintendent Ann-Marie Foucault provided a brief update on the school facility projects.
Primary School. A security entrance was added to the front of the building requiring visitors to
buzz in. There are also eight classrooms being added to the east side of the School. This project
is well underway.
Middle School East. A security entrance was added which was quite involved and will be
finished over fall break. The pool had some corrosion in the pipes that needed to be addressed as
well as some upgrades to the diving boards. The swimmers are reporting the water quality is
much better.
Technology. This will be a four-year project, but a lot happened this summer. The district has
purchased a Poster Printer, Smart Boards, Laptops for Science and Administration, Ipads for the
Art/Music Department, Desktops and Monitors at the High School, Chromebook Carts and
Chrome Bases, as well as upgrades to the Network Infrastructure at the High School and Middle
School.
Energy Efficiency. Director of Buildings and Grounds Terry Zerwas has installed 10,000 LED
lightbulbs. In addition, the boiler at the Community Education Building has been replaced and is
now more efficient, as well as the generator at St. Michael Elementary.
High School. The security entrance is now complete. There are also two additions taking place
which will add 12 classrooms. The dirt work has started for the All-Purpose Facility, but
construction has not begun yet. There will also be new tennis courts and ball fields added next
summer. The plan is for everything to be complete and open by August 2018.
Ice Arena. Dr. Foucault reminded everyone there is a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for
th
November 6 at 4:00 pm; all are invited to attend.
October 30, 2017 - Joint Meeting - Page 2
Other Updates
County Commissioner Mike Potter was present to say the cities and school board should keep
the County informed with any future expansions so they can use the information for planning of
future roadways.
Mayor Kasel also reported Wright County wants to partner with Wright County Area
Transportation (WCAT) and over the next five years they will completely take over everything.
He feels it is a big win for the cities involved.
moved
St. Michael Councilors Wettschreck/Gulick to adjourn at 6:46 p.m.
Attest:
__________________________________
Mayor Kevin Kasel