2021-09-13 STMA Ice Arena Board Minutes ST. MICHAEL-ALBERTVILLE ICE ARENA BOARD MINUTES
September 13, 2021
6:00 p.m.
Present: Chairman Larry Sorensen and members, Keith Wettschreck, Ryan Gleason, Kari Dwinnell,
and Aaron Cocking. Absent: Members Walter Hudson and Tim Lewis. Also present: City
Administrator Adam Nafstad, City Finance Director Tina Lannes, STMA Arena Manager Grant Fitch,
School and Ground Director Jason Bichler, Adam Longberg from Hat Trick Hockey, Steve Sachs from
Hat Trick Hockey, Karl Anderson and Garret Karels from STMA Youth Hockey Association. The
meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairman Sorensen.
Set Agenda
Members Dwinnell\Cocking moved to set the agenda as presented. All voted aye.
Approval of Minutes
Members Cocking\Gleason moved to approve the minutes of the August 9, 2021 Board Meeting as
presented. All voted aye.
Members Gleason\Cocking moved to approve the minutes of the August 30, 2021 Board Meeting as
presented. All voted aye.
Finance Reports
Lannes presented the finance reports.
Members Cocking\Dwinnell moved to approve the August list of claims totaling $40,689.79 and the
August Financial Report as presented. All voted aye.
Arena Manager's Report
Fitch presented the Arena Managers report mentioning that the hours sold in August was 214 hours
which was 14 hours more than projected. Fitch updated the Board on the Arena parking lot was
restriped and STMA Youth Hockey Season has started. There was discussion on ice time sold, STMA
Youth Hockey has committed to morning ice Monday- Friday, excluding holidays, from October 181'
to February 28h. Staff will be working on a contract with the association. Fitch reported staff is in the
process of replacing the full-time vacancy of the Arena Maintenance position.
Old Business
Nafstad provided an update on the status of Hat Trick Hockey lease along with the possibility of
STMA Youth Hockey to create a dryland space above the retail space. The retail space has an
estimated cost of$300,000 and the mezzanine of about$200,000; however, more information and
engineering is needed for the groups to determine if the improvements are feasible. There was
continued discussion on the proposed mezzanine build. Staff recommended the Board to approve the
lease with Hat Trick Hockey with the assumption that STMA Youth Hockey Association will not
move forward.
Members Dwinnell\Gleason moved to approve the lease with Hat Trick Hockey subject to the City
Attorney edits and directing staff to execute the lease by September 28, 2021, if STMA Youth Hockey
Association decides not to move forward. All voted aye.
Member Cocking excused himself from the meeting at 6:17 P.M.
STMA September 13,2021 Minutes
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Nafstad updated the Board on the ice allocation policy draft with priority of users and sets up timelines
for the user groups to book hours by a certain date. Nafstad stated that the change was to give priority
to local user groups as directed by last meeting direction. There was continued discussion on ice time
sales, rates and priority for user groups.
New Business
Member Dwinnell mentioned she has heard from others that there is a need for a workout area in the
arena with the suggestion on using the community room. Member Dwinnell reached out to Ashley
Darkenwald from InFit who was interested in the possibility. Currently, the room is booked through
Grant and currently the community room goes with the ice rental for STMA Youth Hockey during the
season. Nafstad stated that the use of the space needs to be determined by the school board. Nafstad
also noted potential access control issues should the space be leased. Darkenwald mentioned she
would work with STMA Youth Hockey Association if this use would be approved.
Member Dwinnell suggested that the STMA Arena Board should create future goals. Member
Wettschreck agreed goals would be good to discuss and asked staff what goals would be needed and
helpful. Nafstad stated that they should be tied to the budget such as selling ice and watching
expenses. There was additional discussion on possible goals, ideas, ice sales,private hockey rentals,
tournaments and changes to the ice rental schedules. The STMA Arena Board directed to staff to sell
as much ice as possible with some flexibility to our local users.
Nafstad informed the Board that we really have not had a good, full year, of concession sales and
currently staff doesn't have a solid number for a lease on the concession stand. There was discussion
on the future use of the concession stand and options. Staff was directed by the Board to stock, hire
and open the concession stand continue running it by STMA Arena staff.
Youth Hockey Association
Karl Anderson thanks the board and staff for all their hard work. The Youth Hockey Association will
be hosting a State Tournament, the Junior Gold, and Minnesota Hockey loves the facility.
Adiourn
Members Gleason\Wettschreck moved to adjourn at 7:16 p.m. All voted aye.
Attest:
Tina L. Lannes, City Finance Director