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2024-02-12 STMA Arena Board Minutes ST. MICHAEL-ALBERTVILLE ARENA BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES February 12, 2024 - 6pm Council Chambers Albertville City Hall 1. Call to Order Member Zagorski called the meeting to order at 6:01 pm. 2. Roll Call Present: Members Gleason, Wettschreck, Dwinnell, Lewis, Weber and Zagorski. Absent: Chairman Cocking. Also Present: City Administrator Nafstad, Finance Clerk Moseng, STMA Arena Manager Fitch, Megan Esterberg for STMA Youth Hockey & Keith Cornell STMA Activities Director. 3. Adopt Agenda MOTION made by Member Weber, seconded by Member Lewis to adopt the Agenda as presented. Ayes: Gleason, Wettschreck, Dwinnell, Lewis, Weber and Zagorski. Nays: None. Absent: Cocking. The motion carried. 4. Approval of Minutes MOTION made by Member Wettschreck, seconded by Member Lewis to approve the January 8, 2024 Board Meeting Minutes as presented. Ayes: Gleason, Wettschreck, Dwinnell, Lewis, Weber and Zagorski. Nays: None. Absent: Cocking. The motion carried. 5. Finance Reports Requested by Member Zagorski to approve January 2024 Finance Report and Payment of Claims as presented. Member Wettschreck made the MOTION, seconded by Member Gleason. Ayes: Gleason, Wettschreck, Dwinnell, Lewis, Weber and Zagorski. Nays: None. Absent: Cocking. The motion carried. 6. Arena Manager’s Report Scoreboard: Fitch stated the scoreboard would be delivered the week of February 22. His goal was to get it in place and work with the school for use of the lift. The electrical would be installed after scoreboard was in place. Astro-Rink Low-e Ceiling: Grant commented that it is scheduled for Mid-March. Community Room Window Treatments: Fitch stated that he met with Rick after the last meeting. They didn’t feel there was going to be an inexpensive solution. 3M film was previously installed STMA Arena Board February 12, 2024 Minutes Page 2 on the windows, which helped tremendously. Keith, Grant, Rick and Jason are meeting at the rink tomorrow to discuss solutions. Fitch asked Mr. Cornell if he had anything additional to add; he commented no. Parking Information for the Board: Mr. Fitch reported that parking has been an on-going issue when there are High School games or even with both sheets of ice being used simultaneously; parking is limited. He is looking to work with STMA Youth Hockey when there are High School game(s) that STMA Youth Hockey wouldn’t have a game, but they could still have practice. Fitch noted he just wanted the Board to be aware of the issue and to see if the Board has any concerns. Megan asked how far in advance would STMA Youth Hockey receive the schedule from the High School. Mr. Cornell stated that next year’s schedule is done. He explained that what they currently do is if the boys or girls were leaving from STMA and the other was home, they would park at Middle School West, have a bus pick them up there and bring them to the rink to alleviate parking. Fitch commented that doing that certainly helps. Ms. Dwinnell asked if Don’s Bus still allows parking for the Arena. Nafstad stated that the lot was leased for approximately five (5) years around the time the second sheet was being built. That lease has since expired. Nafstad and Cornell stated that it would take a little work to come to an agreement with Don’s Bus because they are using the lot for other business purposes. Nafstad commented that additional parking for the arena should be considered and the city has a concept plan for parking on the strip of land along the southside of 60th Street. Long term, it would be good for the Arena and the community to have additional parking. Nafstad noted funding for additional parking has not be identified. Megan asked if the city’s gambling proceeds could be used. Nafstad wasn’t sure if parking would qualify for use of those funds, but stated he would look into it. Ms. Dwinnell questions if the use of Central Park parking and the overflow parking lot next to the Fire Department could be used as an additional parking option. Nafstad said the city parking lots can be used. Mr. Fitch stated Riverhawk Rumble Girls Tournament was a success. Megan Esterberg followed up commenting that STMA Youth Hockey did pins again which brought in a lot of out of town people who frequented the local establishments throughout the weekend. 7. Old Business 8. New Business MOTION made by Member Dwinnell, seconded by Member Gleason to Appoint Aaron Cocking as Chairman for an additional two years. Ayes: Gleason, Wettschreck, Dwinnell, Lewis, Weber and Zagorski. Nays: None. Absent: Cocking. The motion carried. Review Draft 2024 Preliminary Budget & Discuss 2024/2025 Rates: Nafstad presented the Board with an updated Preliminary Draft adjusted from the one in the packet. The packet included Ice Time Revenue with a $5 increase from August-December. The updated draft included a $5 increase from September-December. STMA Arena Board February 12, 2024 Minutes Page 3 Nafstad explained the rental revenue estimate and stated sales are expected to be similar to last year. Member Gleason commented on the Concession Revenues and Expenses. He felt that the expenses were a little high, unless we are seeing a dramatic price increase. Nafstad stated the numbers are an estimate not knowing the exact pricing therefore stuck with a similar budget number as last year with an approximate ten percent (10%) increase. Nafstad reviewed items that were adjusted from years past. With the current budget including the $5 increase, the proposed budget projects a $7,000 profit. Nafstad explained that the proposed rental increase didn’t have a significant impact on the budget; however, small increases annually are necessary to avoid larger increase every couple of years. Member Lewis noted there will be energy savings and rebates with the low-e ceiling, which will be factored into future year budgets. Member Zagorski referred back to the rate comparisons from surrounding areas and stated we are on track with an increase. Megan informed the Board that Minnesota Hockey recently approved a new waiver law and this will affect the number of participants. Going forward all players must play for their home association and they will not approve school waivers any longer. This affects STMA Youth Hockey because there are a number of students that are open-enrolled due to the boundaries and many of those would have to play for Elk River District/Rogers High School. Nafstad also explained that the School District had previously looked into options to reduce the rate charged as part of an arena audit, but the budget did not include changes to the school rates. Member Lewis stated the District will need to have further discussions regarding the recommendations of the audit. Lewis asked if the budget could be brought back to the next meeting. Nafstad responded it could. There was group discussion regarding the findings of the District’s audit of the arena, options to reduce school charges, and the impact to other arena users. 9. Youth Hockey Association Megan stated there was nothing to report for this month. 10. Announcements and/or Upcoming Meetings March 11 STMA Arena Board, 6 pm 11. Adjournment MOTION made by Member Gleason, seconded by Member Wettschreck to adjourn at 6:45 pm. Ayes: Gleason, Wettschreck, Dwinnell, Lewis, Weber and Zagorski. Nays: None. Absent: Cocking. The motion carried. STMA Arena Board February 12, 2024 Minutes Page 4 Respectfully submitted, _________________________________ Kristie Moseng, Finance Clerk