2025-02-10 STMA Arena Board Minutes
ST. MICHAEL-ALBERTVILLE ARENA BOARD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES February 10, 2025-6pm
Council Chambers
Albertville City Hall
Present: Chairman Cocking, Members Gleason, Wettschreck, Steffens, Lewis, Weber and
Hayden. Absent: None.
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.
1. Call to Order
Chairman Cocking called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
Chairman Cocking welcomed St. Michael-Albertville School Board member to the STMA Arena
Board, Carol Steffens to the Board, replacing Member Kari Dwinnell.
2. Adopt Agenda
MOTION made by Member Gleason, seconded by Member Wettschreck to adopt the Agenda as
presented. Ayes: Gleason, Wettschreck, Steffens, Cocking, Lewis, Weber and Hayden. Nays:
None. Absent: None. The motion carried.
3. Appointment of Chair and Acting Chair
MOTION made by Member Wettschreck, seconded by Member Weber to appoint Aaron
Cocking to serve as Arena Board Chair. MOTION made by Member Gleason, seconded by
Member Lewis to appoint Member Hayden to serve as Arena Board Acting Chair. Ayes:
Gleason, Wettschreck, Steffens, Cocking, Lewis, Weber and Hayden. Nays: None. Absent:
None. The motion carried.
4. Joint Powers Arena Board Overview
Mr. Nafstad presented to the Board an overview of the Joint Powers, the history of the facility, as
well as, ownership, governance, and operation of the facility.
5. Approval of Minutes
MOTION made by Member Gleason, seconded by Member Wettschreck to approve the October
14, 2024 Arena Board Meeting Minutes as presented. Ayes: Gleason, Wettschreck, Steffens,
Cocking, Lewis, Weber and Hayden. Nays: None. Absent: None. The motion carried.
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6. Finance Reports
Requested by Chairman Cocking to approve October, November, December 2024 & January
2025 Finance Reports and Payment of Claims as presented. Member Wettschreck made the
MOTION, seconded by Member Weber. Ayes: Gleason, Wettschreck, Steffens, Cocking,
Lewis, Weber and Hayden. Nays: None. Absent: None. The motion carried.
7. Arena Manager’s Report
Mr. Fitch reported the Arena is currently over their ice rental projections. He stated that STMA
Youth Hockey Association along with the Blue Line Club installed a College & Beyond display
to recognize the kids that have gone-on to play at another level. Mr. Fitch stated the display
looked nice and thanked both organizations.
Mr. Fitch stated there were some issues with the upper bathroom and pipes freezing. He is
working with Rick at the school at getting to the area to prevent it from happening in the future.
Member Steffens asked if there have been issues previously and Mr. Fitch replied there had been
issues, and that he had previously worked with Terry from the school to add heat where needed.
Ms. Steffens asked if there was an option to have a professional plumbing company to come and
look at it. Rick stated that it wouldn’t help as it’s because of the two exterior walls and extreme
cold exterior temperatures. At this time, radiant heat on the exterior walls seems like a solution.
8. Old Business
None.
9. New Business
Tort Liability Coverage Waiver:
Mr. Nafstad reported that the Tort Liability Waiver does increase premiums by approximately
3% but does significantly increase the coverage per occurrence.
Motion made by Member Gleason, seconded by Member Lewis to waive the monetary limits on
municipal tort liability established by Minn. Stat. 466.04, to the extent of the limits of the
liability coverage obtained from LMCIT. Ayes: Gleason, Wettschreck, Steffens, Cocking, Lewis,
Weber and Hayden. Nays: None. Absent: None. The motion carried.
Preliminary 2025 Budget and Rates:
Mr. Nafstad stated that the Arena Board should set the rates and budget sometime within the next
two months as STMA Youth Hockey Association typically will follow April/May.
Mr. Nafstad reviewed the current un-audited 2024 numbers. He did comment in the middle of
2024 there was a little concern regarding a high school coaching change which impacted summer
sales and programs. Nafstad noted that there was an increase in online sales which largely offset
the summer program loses. Mr. Nafstad stated the 2025 Prelim Budget does not include a rate
increase. He is planning to get some additional cleaning help which is figured into the salaries.
The utility bills are typically budgeted on a three-year average and include any proposed
increases by the utility companies. Chairperson Cocking noted the $5/hour increase typically
adds up to approximately $7,000 revenue and is usually applied to all rates to prevent a drastic
increase to the various groups. Mr. Cocking did note that there will be an increase in utilities
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when we have a ‘normal’ Winter season weather vs. very mild weather conditions. Cocking alos
commented on the ongoing capital needs of the facility.
Mr. Nafstad stated that at an upcoming meeting the boards will need to consider capital
improvement projects.
Member Gleason questioned the Advertising Agreement with STMA Youth Hockey
Association. Mr. Nafstad replied that the School District and Youth Hockey are working
discussing advertising in the Blue rink.
Member Wettschreck commented that the capital fund and future improvements need to be
considered when determining rates. Mr. Nafstad stated he would bring back the capital
improvement plan for discussion at the next meeting.
10. Youth Hockey Association
Adam Frost stated he had nothing to report at this time.
11. Announcements and/or Upcoming Meetings
Tuesday, March 18 STMA Arena Board, 6 pm – Member Lewis asked to have the March
meeting moved as March 10, 2025 falls over St. Michael-Albertville School District’s Spring
Break and multiple board member absences.
12. Adjournment
MOTION made by Member Wettscheck, seconded by Member Hayden to adjourn at 6:50 pm.
Ayes: Gleason, Wettschreck, Steffens, Cocking, Lewis, Weber and Hayden. Nays: None.
Absent: None. The motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________________
Kristie Moseng, Finance Clerk