MCC Advisory Board Minutes 06-15-2010MCC Advisory Board Minutes 6/15/10
MONTICELLO COMMUNITY CENTER (MCC) ADVISORY BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, TUNE iS, 2010 -4:317 P.M. RIVER ROOM
Board Members Present: Ron Broekemeier- Chair, Sandra Theros -Vice Chair, Jennifer Bethke,
Board Members Absent:
Staff Member Present:
1.
2.
3.
eel
Call meeting to order.
Clint Herbst
Susie Wojchouski
Kitty Baltos- Director
The meeting was called to order by Chair Ron Broekemeier at 4:35 p.m. He noted the absence
of Susie Wojchouski.
Board position interviews.
The MCC Advisory Board interviewed Monticello resident Darren Paumen for the vacant board
position. Darren stated that he'd provide a good perspective for the board in that he has three
young children, a family membership at MCC, and an interest in Monticello as a community. His
kids love the pool, the gym and the play area. He works as a CPA for benefit services at Larson
Allen in St. Cloud and the accounting firm asks that employees get involved in the community.
Darren noted he had previously participated in the Monticello Baseball Association Board for
two years. He currently coaches soccer and t -ball. He is looking for a board experience with
broader outreach into the community.
When asked if the community center lacks anything, Darren pointed out that he'd love to see a
racquetball court in the facility but understands that, with the current budget situation, it is
likely not an option. There was brief discussion about how some facilities design space for
multiple options and how a racquetball space could also be used as a storage area when the
demand for the sport is low. Clint suggested looking into it when considering redesigning space.
When asked about improvements, Darren mentioned that perhaps the height /age limit in the
play area could be more closely monitored.
Kitty Baltos noted that the vacant board position term would end at year end and that the
board would consider renewing the position for the full term at that time. Darren Paumen
indicated his interest in that arrangement.
Consideration of adding items to the agenda.
The board added a follow up on curb cut consideration at Pioneer Park and a discussion about
the new FiberNet service at the ballfields.
Consideration of approving the minutes from the May 18, 2010 regular meeting.
Clint Herbst made a MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES as submitted. The MOTION WAS
SECONDED by Kitty Baltos. The MOTION PASSED unanimously.
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5. Update Items.
a. Financial summary through May 2010
Kitty indicated that the financial summary was not yet available but that she'd send it
out to the board when it was. She included a revenue summary with the agenda packet.
Visit summary through May 2010
Kitty summarized that the May visits were fabulous with 1,000 more this year than last.
Memberships are strong. The party room usage has increased. The number of large
groups of kids using the facility grows every year. Groups are coming from as far away
as Cambridge and Isanti. Half of these groups have already booked for next year.
There are a lot of corporate memberships. Every three months MCC has 30 -40 members
sign up through Cargill's corporate membership program without any marketing other
than an item in the Chamber newsletter. Ron suggested the MCC hold an open house or
a tour over the lunch hour to promote additional corporate memberships. Kitty noted
that schools, Xcel Energy and the hospital have talked about corporate memberships
but haven't initiated that effort.
C. Manager's Monthly Recap
Clint asked about the telephone in the MCC elevator because the line was not working
properly. TDS came out to check. Brian said it is inspected every year. The Prairie Center
doesn't have a phone in its elevator. When FiberNet is more fully available the phone
system will be upgraded.
Friendship Island is doing extremely well with some 22 kids enrolled. Staff has had very
positive feedback on the daycare program.
There was some discussion about the lifespan of the pool heater exchanger. The pool
has still been collecting some debris in the basket which restricts the flow. There has
been some calcification which puts a pressure demand on the exchanger. There are
filters on both sides of the pool and it is cleaned weekly.
Bertram Family Fun Day Recap (available at meeting)
Kitty reported on the Bertram Family Fun Day event. The weather didn't cooperate and
that affected the number of people that attended and the events they participated in.
The last count was that 379 people attended and 308 of those ate the lunch provided by
FiberNet. The fishing, the facepainting, wagon ride, the buckthorn walking sticks and the
herpetological visit were popular events. No one swam or canoed.
There was a lot of food left over. Kitty will talk to FiberNet to see if they'd like to donate
the excess food to the block party, Walk n' Roll, and /or the food shelf. The buns can be
frozen.
Clint stated that the Parks Department made done a great job getting the park in shape
for the event. He noted that even when organizers had decided to call off the event at
1:30 p.m. due to pouring rain, cars of families were still arriving.
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6. Consideration of approving one of the interviewees for a position on the Advisory Board and
making a recommendation to the City Council for approval.
Kitty summarized that only two candidates had indicated interest in the vacant board position
even though it had been advertised for two weeks. Dick Slais removed his name from
consideration just prior to the interview. There was brief discussion about the candidate's
availability, but there were no objections about recommending Darren Paumen for the position.
Sandra Theros made a MOTION THAT THE BOARD RECOMMEND TO CITY COUNCIL THAT
DARREN PAUMEN BE APPOINTED TO THE VACANT MCC ADVISORY BOARD POSITION. The
MOTION WAS SECONDED by Jennifer Bethke. The MOTION PASSED unanimously.
Consideration of a surveillance policy to be included in MCC's policy manual and employee
handbook.
A draft surveillance policy was approved by City Council and will become part of the MCC Policy
Manual upon MCC Advisory Board approval. The policy discontinued the use of dummy cameras
throughout the City. Cameras are to be used for general building surveillance rather than to
identify criminal activity. It was determined that there is no need for an audio component.
Jennifer Bethke made a MOTION TO AMEND MCC POLICY MANUAL TO INCLUDE THE
SURVEILLANCE POLICY. The MOTION WAS SECONDED by Sandra Theros. The MOTION PASSED
unanimously.
There was also discussion about notifying both employees and the public about the policy.
Employees will be required to sign a release form indicating their awareness of security camera
use in City facilities. In addition, signage about the policy will be posted.
8. Discussion on preliminary budget and suggestions for research and inclusion, items for
consideration.
Kitty presented a worksheet citing the historical revenue totals for all MCC budget categories
from 2002 -2009 for the board to consider as a resource in preliminary budget discussions. The
board noted trend changes over the time period. Some of the fluctuations in revenue resulted
from categories being combined or split out in various years. Other fluctuations were due to a
change in demand or use for the service or activity. Kitty summarized that the board would
begin to discuss the budget in more detail at next month's meeting.
a. Locker fees (current $2.75 per month)
Kitty noted that locker fees bring in over $2,000 in revenue annually. She indicated that
there is also a long waiting list for the 70 permanent lockers on site. There are
additionally 70 coin operated lockers that are in frequent use. She pointed out that
other facilities charge considerably more for locker usage. The board agreed to consider
raising the locker usage fee.
b. Daily rate add on for Fitness center use
Kitty stated that the daily fee is $5 for adults to use the pool, gym, and fitness area. She
indicated that the fitness center gets heavy use and, as a result, the equipment needs to
be replaced periodically. She asked if the board would like to consider raising the daily
MCC Advisory Board Minutes 6/15/10
rate to $6 for non - members and non - residents to help cover costs. Currently 48% of
users pay the daily rate. Jennifer wondered if another option would be to just purchase
a swim or gym pass and suggested it could be monitored by using different wristbands.
Kitty indicated that the board could also consider offering a less expensive one day rate
for basketball. Clint suggested that Council could approve an increase in locker fee
designated toward equipment purchase. Kitty will email about other facility's daily rates
for comparison and bring pricing back for the board to consider next month.
C. Membership add ons
Kitty pointed out that some Community Center facilities have different add on rates for
upgrades such as child care, locker usage, fitness, and classes. She suggested that the
board may want to explore this option. The board agreed to consider this.
General fees
1. Daily fees; full facility, climbing wall, Romp n Stomp: No change.
2. Member rates: No change.
3. Group Rates (raised in 2010): No change.
e. Concession prices
Concessions are down at the ballpark. People are trimming back on eating out at games.
MCC currently includes a 40% upcharge on most things and for convenience items, like
socks and goggles, the upcharge is 50 %.
Programs; aquatic programs or classes, non - aquatic programs or classes
Kitty noted that classes are well attended. Program fee revenue has almost doubled in
two years. She attributes that increase in revenue to the popularity of the sports
leagues.
g. Room rental rates
Rates last went up in 2005. Kitty stated that, based on market conditions, the current
room rental rate is acceptable.
h. Banquet rental rates No change.
Items added to the agenda
Streets Superintendent Tom Moores will look at cost for city to add the curb cuts to
Pioneer Park in time for Riverfest.
The ballfields are now served by FiberNet and will take credit cards. Kitty expected that
half of the credit card sales will be for beer. Night ball has been very profitable.
9. Adiourn,
Sandra Theros made a MOTION TO ADJOURN. The MOTION WAS SECONDED by Clint Herbst. The
MOTION PASSED unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 6:02 p.m.
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Recorder: Kerry T. Burri
Approved: July 20, 2010
Attest: _
MCC Advisory` oard Representative
f C dry B ro e.V-em -e -cr , Chair