2024-05-13 STMA Arena Board Minutes
ST. MICHAEL-ALBERTVILLE ARENA BOARD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES May 13, 2024 - 6pm
Council Chambers
Albertville City Hall
Present: Chairman Cocking, Members Gleason, Wettschreck, Dwinnell, Lewis, and Zagorski.
Absent: Weber.
Also Present: City Administrator Nafstad, Finance Clerk Moseng, STMA Arena Manager Fitch,
Alex Trippel with Abdo, Alex Frost & Rick O’Brien for STMA Youth Hockey & Jason Bichler
Buildings & Grounds for STMA School District.
1. Call to Order
Chairman Cocking called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm. Member Wettschreck arrived at 6:05
pm.
2. Adopt Agenda
MOTION made by Member Zagorski, seconded by Member Gleason to adopt the Agenda as
presented. Ayes: Gleason, Wettschreck, Dwinnell, Cocking, Lewis, and Zagorski. Nays: None.
Absent: Weber. The motion carried.
3. 2023 Audit Presentation
Alex Tippel with Abdo presented the 2023 Audit. The unmodified clean opinion discloses that
the financial statements are fairly stated. Various testing showed that everything within state
statue is being adhered to: making payments on time, making sure money is located and being
deposited into the correct accounts. One finding was made on the segregation of duties, which is
limited, but consistent with previous findings within the City; due to the nature of the staff.
MOTION made by Member Gleason, seconded by Member Wettschreck to approve the 2023
Audit Presentation as presented. Ayes: Gleason, Wettschreck, Dwinnell, Cocking, Lewis and
Zagorski. Nays: None. Absent: Weber. The motion carried.
4. Approval of Minutes
MOTION made by Member Gleason, seconded by Member Zagorski to approve the March 11,
2024 Board Meeting Minutes as presented. Ayes: Gleason, Wettschreck, Dwinnell, Cocking,
Lewis, and Zagorski. Nays: None. Absent: Weber. The motion carried.
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5. Finance Reports
Ms. Moseng clarified the Payment of Claims for April 2024. Payment #13764 was scheduled as
an electronic payment to Energie Innovation. The bank wouldn’t process to a Canadian Bank
electronically therefore the electronic payment was VOID through the accounting software and a
paper check #42897 was issued. The report within the packet didn’t reflect the VOID. The 811
Arena Dedicated Cap Imp Fund for April = $87,790.00 vs $158,580.00 as shown on the report.
Requested by Chairman Cocking to approve March and April 2024 Finance Reports and
Payment of Claims as presented. Member Zagorski made the MOTION, seconded by Member
Gleason. Ayes: Gleason, Wettschreck, Dwinnell, Cocking, Lewis, and Zagorski. Nays: None.
Absent: Weber. The motion carried.
6. Arena Manager’s Report
Mr. Fitch stated that a full-trip on the dry fire system hasn’t been completed since 2018; and the
Arena is due. He spoke with Chief Bullen and it was stated that it is a fair number; both systems
will be tripped. Mr. Fitch was planning on having that done during the annual inspection in late
August/September.
Grant noted that the scoreboard has been installed and the feedback is that people like it.
Mr. Fitch reported that the low-e ceiling was installed March 20. So far so good, but he will
continue to monitor as it gets warmer outside. So far staff hasn’t noticed any dripping.
There was brief discussion on the high school hockey coach change and how it could impact
summer ice sales. Member Dwinnell noted the importance to follow protocol on reserving ice-
hours regardless of the coach or group. Fitch and Mr. Nafstad briefly reviewed ice-hour
reservations.
7. Old Business
8. New Business
a. Arena Holiday/Closed Calendar-Earley Opinion
Mr. Nafstad reviewed the questions and discussion had at the previous meeting regarding the
Arena holidays. He reported he has received additional information from district staff on what is
required specifically at district buildings. Per the Earley Opinion, it is understood that the Arena
needs to be closed on the highlighted holidays identified by statue. Mr. Fitch stated that the
Arena will be closed on Juneteenth following direction from the school, which would be a
change from previous years.
Chairman Cocking shared his opinion on the Earley Opinion and questioned the lack of specific
direction. Mr. Cocking stated that the rink is operated by the City of Albertville and not the
school district. Member Wettschreck agreed. Mr. Fitch reported that he previously has sold ice
on holidays. Mr. Cocking commented that being closed on Juneteenth was fine, but wanted to
caution the Board against closing on all of the listed holidays, especially given the known
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demand for the ice on other holidays. The board discussed holiday usage and noted the facility
historically has been used on many of the statutory holidays.
Member Lewis stated that it would be tough to deviate from what is in the Earley-Opinion. The
part that isn’t being taken into consideration is that there are other facilities within the district
that are shut down; the Arena would have to follow suit. Chairman Cocking reflected on Arena
administration through the City, but does recognize that the Arena was a special entity. Both
Member Lewis and Cocking asked for a second legal opinion to further explore the ruling.
Member Gleason agreed with the need for further legal guidance and also noted the
complications given ownership and management structure of the facility. His prospective is that
Juneteenth isn’t any different than the other holidays, and the Arena will need to treat all
holidays the same.
Member Wettschreck clarified with Mr. Fitch on holidays that ice has been sold, staff willing to
work and the Arena being open. Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and 4th of July historically
have been the holidays that the facility has been closed because no ice time was purchased.
There was further discussion on the statutory holidays that the school is in session as well as
school vacation days like the day after Thanksgiving. Further Arena Board discussion will be
needed regarding operation on legal holidays.
MOTION made by Member Zagorski, to close on Juneteenth with further discussion at future
meetings on State holiday clarification, and additional legal opinion. Chairman Cocking asked
for a second on the motion; there was none. The motion failed for a lack of a second.
MOTION made by Member Lewis, seconded by Member Gleason to close the STMA Arena on
Memorial Day (May 27, 2024), Juneteenth (June 19, 2024), and July 4th (July 4, 2024) in 2024,
and proceed with conversations and additional legal advice in future meeting. Ayes: Gleason,
Dwinnell, Lewis, Zagorski. Nays: Cocking and Wettschreck. Absent: Weber. In the opinion of
the Chair, the Ayes have it. The motion carried.
9. Youth Hockey Association
Adam Frost introduced himself as the newly elected President of STMA Youth Hockey in April
taking over for Megan. Chairman Cocking and the Arena Board thanked Mr. Frost for the
introduction and welcomed him to the new position.
10. Announcements and/or Upcoming Meetings
June 10 STMA Arena Board, 6 pm (meeting may be cancelled due to lack of Agenda items)
11. Adjournment
MOTION made by Member Dwinnell, seconded by Member Zagorski to adjourn at 6:57 pm.
Ayes: Gleason, Wettschreck, Dwinnell, Cocking, Lewis, and Zagorski. Nays: None. Absent:
Weber. The motion carried.
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Respectfully submitted,
_________________________________
Kristie Moseng, Finance Clerk