MCC Advisory Board Minutes 12-28-2000Minutes
MCC Advisory Board
Thursday, December 28, 2000 - 4:30 p.m.
Board Present: Harvey Kendall/Chair, Wanda KraemerNice Chair, Idella Ziegler,
Bob Murray, and Roger Belsaas
City Staff Present: Jeff O'Neill/Deputy Administrator, Kitty Baltos/Director
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Kendall. It was decided to have Board
Member Kraemer take minutes due to absence of Assistant Director at this time.
2. Approve the minutes of the November 16, 2000 regular Advisory Board meeting.
Board Member Ziegler made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 16, 2000
Advisory Board meeting minutes. Seconded by Board Member Kraemer. Motion passed
unanimously.
3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda.
There were no new items added.
4. Discussion of proposed Bike Park at the Community Center.
Director Baltos informed the Board Members the City Council had requested City Staff
and the MCC Board research designs and costs for a bike park located on the MCC
property. Director Baltos did receive a design and quote from True Ride which is a
Minnesota company that designed and built the current skate park. Director Baltos
explained the design and location of the proposed bike park to the Board. She stated it
would be located between the current skate park and the MCC building. This would be
constructed on property already owned by the city and would allow both parks to be
operated from one central area. When the parks were not in peak times one attendant
could operate both areas. There was also the advantage of the skaters using the bike park
and the bikers using the skate park during designated times to allow for more flexibility
and create more interest. The cost when asphalt, lights, sound, music, benches, picnic
tables and fencing were added was about $90,000 or $40,000 over the current budget
amount. Director Baltos explained the City Council was requesting the difference be
sought from grants and donations. Director Baltos stated that the Wheel Park useage was
excellent this year and she was excited about the Bike Park. Director Baltos added she
was informed by True Ride that the combination of both parks in one location would be
the only one in the entire area. There are tentative plans to add a workshop for minor
repairs and sale of parts for skateboards and bikes this next year.
The Board Members discussed the design as well as the location and agreed it was a
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workable plan. There was some concern on trying to raise the money that was above
what the City Council budgeted for this year. Director Baltos would look into possible
grant funding ideas.
5. Finalize a Membership Drive Promotion
Director Baltos informed the Board Members all of the Charter Memberships would be
due in February. She did inquire as to how the renewals should be handled. After a
discussion on the definition of a Charter Member, it was decided to give all of the Charter
Members that renew their membership a 10% discount. This would only be available for
specific time span and was being added to accommodate for the inconveniences last
spring due to operation and construction problems.
There as also discussion on other marking ideas that could be used. One idea was to hire
a marking firm to promote the center and target specific areas such as the climbing wall.
Director Baltos would research the cost to hire a marketing firm
A third idea was to have a membership promotion each season. In the Spring a
membership could be offered that included a season pass to the wheel park.
Director Baltos added the Monticello Times was doing a feature article on the person that
was hired to help in the Warehouse. She was hoping this would help the attendance
because The Warehouse was an area not being utilized to the fullest. Director Baltos
added many people did not like the fact it was not supervised and the colors were so dark.
It had recently been painted to give it a brighter look. It is a difficult area because it is for
the middle school and high school age youth, there is no membership required, and
continual supervision is needed.
6. Update on Assistant Director job Search
Director Baltos reported on the search to fill the Assistant Directors's position. She and
Mr. O'Neill, Deputy Administrator, had interviewed ten applicants for the position.
Director Baltos was in the process of second interviews and was confident a qualified
person would be hired soon.
7. Update on Winter activity brochure and discussion of ideas for Spring 2001 brochure due
out March 15, 2001.
The Board Members discussed the brochure and additional means to advertise the center.
The board approved of the winter brochure and made no changes in the layout. There
was a short discussion on other ideas to advertise. The long range goal will be to have a
electronic reader board to advertise upcoming classes and events. One suggestions was to
use the Chamber sign more frequently. Director Baltos would check the schedule for this
sign and reserve it various times throughout the year.
A. Review Warehouse - Discuss concept of Church supplied volunteer staffing.
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There was discussion on how to promote The Warehouse to the various C4-urches
for youth activities and also to have church members volume The Board
Members did discuss the fact that more than one church had recently built
recreation areas at the church and were not sure if this would work. The
Warehouse will be an area that will need staffing and might just work better to
have that person as an employee and not have to deal with recruiting volunteers.
This is an area that had not been fully developed and does could have a large
potential for the youth of the area. Director Baltos added since a person has been
hired the attendance has increased and there have not been any significant
problems.
8. Discussion on land use ideas for area across Linn Street from the Community Center's
storage . ag_rag_e?
Mr. O'Neill, Deputy Administrator, reported the City Council had recently requested the
MCC Board to discuss ideas for the vacant land area across from the recently purchased
storage garage. After a short discuss, the board members decided to table this itern until a
future meeting. It was suggested to also refer this item to the Parks ColTimission far ideas
on plantings or outdoor recreation ideas at this site.
9. Adjournment.
Board Member Murray made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Board
Member Ziegler. Motion passed unanimously.
Wanda Kraemer/MCC Board Member
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