2024-10-14 STMA Arena Board Minutes
ST. MICHAEL-ALBERTVILLE ARENA BOARD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES October 14, 2024-6pm
Council Chambers
Albertville City Hall
Present: Chairman Cocking, Members Gleason, Wettschreck, Dwinnell, Weber and Hayden.
Absent: Lewis. Carol Steffens with STMA School Board attended on Board in place of Mr.
Lewis absence.
Also Present: City Administrator Nafstad, Finance Clerk Moseng, STMA Arena Manager Fitch,
Adam Frost for STMA Youth Hockey, Rick Aulwes Buildings & Grounds for STMA School
District, Dr. Ann-Marie Foucault the STMA Superintendent of Schools, Douglas Birk the
Executive Director of Admin Services for STMA School District & Nick Walzburger STMA
School District Legal Council
1. Call to Order
Chairman Cocking called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
2. Adopt Agenda
MOTION made by Member Weber, seconded by Member Dwinnell to adopt the Agenda as
presented. Ayes: Gleason, Wettschreck, Dwinnell, Cocking, Weber, Hayden. Nays: None.
Absent: Lewis. The motion carried.
3. Approval of Minutes
Carol Steffens (stand-in for Member Lewis) had an edit to the Minutes in regards to #5 Finance
Reports should be written red-flags vs read flags. Mr. Nafstad confirmed the typo and would
correct.
MOTION made by Member Gleason, seconded by Member Wettschreck to approve the
September 9, 2024 Board Meeting Minutes as presented with the edit. Ayes: Gleason,
Wettschreck, Dwinnell, Cocking, Hayden. Nays: None. Absent: Lewis. The motion carried.
5. Finance Reports
The Board were provided the September 2024 Payment of Claims as presented in the amount of
$33,647.06 and September 2024 Finance Report.
STMA Arena Board October 14, 2024 Minutes
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6. Arena Manager’s Report
Ms. Dwinnell had asked previously about prior-year agreement prices with SCR. Mr. Fitch went
over with SCR the annual pricing for a handful of years for comparison. Ms. Dwinnell agreed
that the blanket agreement is a good-value for the Arena for the maintenance coverage.
Mr. Fitch gave thanks to Kris Luedke, Albertville City Clerk, on the updates made to the City’s
website directing people to the website for Open Skate/Open Hockey scheduling.
Mr. Fitch commented that Learn to Skate started Sunday with a good attendance turnout. He
stated this program is a good feeder-program for the Mites.
7. Old Business
Holiday Closures:
Mr. Nafstad referenced the holiday (Juneteenth) that was added to the 2024 calendar generating
discussion about which holidays the facility operates and doesn’t. Historically, the Arena has
operated when there is a demand for ice and staff availability. Nafstad the Cities and School
District have different polices for the holidays. Nafstad said the board will need to establish
which holidays will be observed by the arena, and staff will budget and set the calendar
accordingly.
Dr. Foucault presented the key points from the prior memo referencing State Statue 645.44 sub.
5. Eleven (11) days are designated as state holidays. Seven (7) of those days, the school is legally
prohibited from having school, renting out facilities and having practices or games. The seven
(7) holidays are: President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. They can have school on four (4) of the eleven (11) days
as long as there is a program or recognition of the holiday (Indigenous Peoples Day, Martin
Luther King Day, Veterans Day and President’s Day).
There was further discussion, clarification and opinions among the Board and Nick Walzburger,
STMA District legal counsel. Member Gleason asked about the Activity Center schedule/hours;
Dr. Foucault responded that the Activity Center follows the School District schedule.
Following the discussion Nafstad concluded that a calendar would be created showing the Arena
closed on the seven (7) holidays.
Arena Advertising:
Mr. Nafstad gave a re-cap regarding the agreement in place with STMA Youth Hockey for
advertising sales for certain locations around the Blue & Gold rinks ($20,000 annually) for
exclusive rights.
Dr. Foucault reported that a work-session is being held on December 2, prior to the School Board
meeting. It is understood the School District is evaluating the advertising agreement for the Blue
rink. STMA Youth Hockey is paid in full through 8/31/25 for the current advertising agreement.
Should a change happen, a notice would need to be sent according to the agreement. Further
conversation and information will be brought to a future meeting.
STMA Arena Board October 14, 2024 Minutes
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8. New Business
None.
9. Youth Hockey Association
Adam Frost stated he had nothing to report at this time. The 15U B State Tournament will be
hosted by STMA Youth Hockey March 14-16, 2025 at the STMA Arena.
10. Announcements and/or Upcoming Meetings
November 12 STMA Arena Board, 6 pm (Tuesday) – Chair Cocking mentioned the
meeting will be cancelled due to limited Agenda items and Board absences.
11. Adjournment
Chairman Cocking adjourned the meeting at 6:43pm.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________________
Kristie Moseng, Finance Clerk