MCC Advisory Board Minutes 05-18-2006Community Center Advisory Board
Meeting Minutes
Thursday May 18, 2006
4:34 P.M. Academy Conference Room
Board Members Present: Harvey Kendall -Chair, Dick Quick -Vice Chair, and Sandra Theros
Board Members Absent: Bob Grabinski and Clint Herbst
Staff Members Present: Kitty Baltos-Director
1. Meeting called to order by Harvey Kendall at 4:34p.m.
2. Consideration of adding items to the agenda:
a. Item 6, Medica Insurance
3. Consideration of approving the minutes from the April 20, 2006 regular meeting. MOTION by
Sandra Theros to approve the minutes as submitted, SECOND by Dick Quick, MOTION
PASSED.
4. Update items:
a. Financial summary through April 2006. Kitty presented the
Revenue and Expense Statement through April 30, 2006. Kitty said that the report showed
that they were doing extremely well and are approximately $48,000 ahead of last year.
Kitty noted that room rentals have now changed from a 3-hour minimum to a 1 hour. She
said that the one -hour has been good for the room rentals. They have been very busy with
the room rentals and had days with several room changeovers. She also let the board know
that wireless Internet has been added for a nominal fee. The password for this service will
be changed weekly with a set list of rotating passwords to be used. Kitty also noted that the
DFL held their convention here with 400-500 people present at the event. She said the
MPR was able to use the wireless to make a direct cable connection. Print press was also
here for the event. Harvey Kendall asked if there was any negative feedback from the
event and Kitty responded that there was not. Kitty said that the expenses appear to be in
line as compared to last year.
b. Usage summary through April 2006. Kitty noted that the usage at 11,000 was fantastic and
the first 4 months of 74,000 was very impressive. Memberships are down this past month.
Harvey Kendall asked if this was due to the nice weather. Kitty responded that we do
begin to see a dip this time of year but it was a little lower than usual. She did note
however that the resident memberships are rivaling the non-resident. The daily usage
continues to be higher for the non-residents.
c. Operation/Program Coordinator position. Kitty let the board know that Sara Cahill has
been hired for the Operation/Programs Coordinator position and will be starting the
Tuesday after Memorial Day. Sara came from the Blackwoods Banquet facility. Kitty
noted that nearly all of the applicants came from the local area, which was totally the
opposite of the last time. Dick Quick said he felt that it was a very intense interview.
Harvey Kendall asked how many were interviewed. Kitty said that eight were.
d. Wheel Park usage. Kitty let the Board know that the Wheel Park was not opened in April
due to the weather and prom. She said that through May 17t' that the usage is on target
with 2005 but way off the 2004 mark. Harvey Kendall would like to see some events take
place in the wheel parks. Kitty said she would have Sara work on this once she is on board.
Kitty asked the Board members whether this was the year to get a planner involved and to
have this included in the budget. Sandra Theros asked if this is what Clint wants. Kitty felt
that he wanted her to go to pool planners, playground planners, etc. and to get costs to
report back with. Kitty questioned whether she should talk to the people who did the play
structure and the pool at the Community Center. Dick Quick said that he did not feel that
it was the right time yet to proceed forward. Harvey Kendall also noted that it was not
budgeted yet. Dick Quick and Sandra Theros said that they felt they agreed with the
direction that Clint wanted to take. Harvey Kendall asked if there was one person that
could be contacted for suggestions and Kitty said that this is what a planner would do.
Sandra Theros asked if it was possible to get any ballpark figures at this stage. Harvey
Kendall said that maybe a survey would be helpful in giving a direction to go rather than
everyone throwing ideas. Harvey Kendall said that in any case we need to make 2006 a
successful year for the Wheel Parks. Kitty said she would make it a high priority and that
there was advertising in the utility bill, at the schools and over the cable channel. On a side
note Harvey Kendall thanked Kitty for supporting the swim lessons and WSI training with
the school while they are trying to clean up after the fire. Kitty said she is supporting them
as much as possible but the MCC could not assist with the first 2 weeks due to time
constraints and large groups coming in.
e. Electronic sign update. Kitty met with Clint and Glen about 2 weeks ago. Sandy Suchy is
working on the ordinances. Joe is looking at the location. Kitty is looking into the costs.
Kitty noted that control of the reader board would be at MCC with Joe faxing over what he
wants on the board. Dick Quick said that he was not in support of advertising with liquor.
It was also asked if people could really read these boards with the speed on Hwy. 25.
Sandra Theros said she would be more supportive of a reader board at the Community
Center with a sign on Hwy. 25 pointing to the Community Center. Board members asked
Kitty to look into more options.
5. Sound system. Harvey Kendall noted that he appreciated the better quality of the sound system
during the City Council meetings.
6. Ice Arena update. Kitty let the Board know that the women's skates had finally arrived. She also
let them know that there will be free public skating during River Fest on Saturday 4-6pm which
will be between Art in the park and the dance. People will still need to pay for equipment rental.
Kitty will be contacting the Hockey Association to check if they will have the concessions open.
Kitty will also get information for the cable channel on the open skate time for River Fest.
7. Added Item: Medica Insurance. Kitty updated the Board on the Medica insurance beginning June
I". She noted that only one person would be eligible as opposed to the 2 for BOBS. Dick Quick
asked if Health Partners would also be coming. Kitty said this would be looked at next.
8. Motion by Sandra Theros and SECONDED by Dick Quick to adjourn the meeting at 5:20p.m.