MCC Advisory Board Minutes 08-17-2009COMMUNITY CENTER ADVISORY BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
AUGUST 18, 2009 - 4:30 P.M. EXCEL BALL FIELDS
Board members in attendance: Ron Broekemeier- Chair, Sandra Theros -Vice Chair, Jennifer Bethke, Wanda
Kraemer and Clint Herbst.
Staff in attendance: Kitty Baltos- Director Liaison absent: Don Lee - Senior Center
1. The meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. at the Excel Ball Fields by Ron Broekemeier, Chair.
2. Tour ball field facilities:
The Board toured the City field's concession building. They were impressed with the cleanliness of the
facilities. Kitty reported that Tricia only puts the most dependable people working there since it is an off -
site facility and harder to manage.
3. Consideration of addine items to the aeenda:
Add as a part of number 5d. — Senior Center Liaison request.
Add as number 8 — FiberNet update — Clint Herbst
Add as number 9 — Wedding tent information — Jennifer Bethke
4. Consideration of approving the minutes of the July 28, 2009 regular meeting:
A MOTION was made by Sandra Theros to accept the meeting minutes as submitted. The MOTION WAS
SECONDED by Wanda Kraemer. MOTION PASSES unanimously.
5. Update Items:
a. Facility usage through July 2009. The reviewed the usage report provided by Kitty Baltos for
facility usage through the month on July. Kitty noted that the visits were lower than she had
anticipated based on how busy the facility seemed during the month. However, the numbers
were still good. Jennifer questioned the loudness of the Akimbo class and if that was a problem.
Kitty reported that they are trying to keep all doors to the room, Senior Center and their offices
closed during that time. The music levels are important motivators. Some of the Akimbo classes
are moving to the Chapel and thus will not be an impact all the time.
b. Financial summary through July 2009. The Board reviewed the financial summary supplied
through July 2009. Kitty noted that the new minimum wage took effect in July as well as the new
sales tax rate. Jennifer again question what is in Misc. Revenue, Kitty will make sure that
information is available at the next meeting.
c. Manager's Monthly Recap. Due to a busy month and vacations, Kitty was not able to get a
manager's report, however, she did provide information about what has been happening over the
past month.
i. Park reservations have been taken over by the Community Center's Event Coordinator,
Tricia Menth. This will provide the public with better service and a more convenient time
to pick up keys, return keys, drop off damage deposits and reservation payments.
ii. National Night Out was held on the 4th of August. There were about 250 people in
attendance. Sara Cahill would like to change the hours next year from 5pm to 7pm to
6pm to 8pm to encourage even more attendance.
iii. The Women's State Softball tournament was held the first weekend of the month and the
Umpires were very complimentary of our facilities. They noted that usually Owatonna
gets high marks for their facilities and they felt that we ranked right up there with
Owatonna. Clint Herbst questioned why we don't put banners up on the fence for
additional revenue. Kitty noted that it's a lot of work and no one has had the time to
follow up on this. Kitty will talk to Tom Pawelk about this again.
iv. The Community Center's software upgrade has been moved to the week of September
14th. Kitty hoped that as they got comfortable with the new software, she might be able
to see how effective their on -line registration is.
v. The pool closes from Sept. 8th through the 18th for annual maintenance. Brian Weldon is
working with Bob Paschke's contact at Tatonka Waters to try and resolve the rust staining
issues. Clint Herbst mentioned that he had heard of some public pools who are no longer
using chlorine. Kitty will check into this.
5d. Senior Center Update. Don Lee was not in attendance. Kitty updated the Board on the added
item. Pam Loidolt, on Don Lee's behalf, asked if Don could step off the Board. His health is not good and
he feels that he cannot continue. The Board agreed that Don should step off the Board for health reasons
and asked Kitty to follow up with Pam Loidolt about another Senior Center representative for the Board.
5e. Farmers' Market Update. Jennifer Bethke noted that there has been no meeting, however, the
market is doing well and the numbers seem strong. She has asked the vendors how they feel it's going
and they all agree that it has been a good year and the weather has really been on their side this whole
summer.
5f. Bertram Chain of Lakes Advisory Council. Clint Herbst reported that the Board broke into four (4)
subcommittees who will meet and then bring information back to the full Board.
6. Old Business.
a. Movie in the Park. Kitty reported that the August movie had about 300 people in attendance, not
as good as the July movie but still very good. The Board suggested that the staff look at another
night to hold the movies instead of Friday night, perhaps a Thursday evening. Clint Herbst asked
that the community center look to partner with the movie theater in town for concessions for the
next movies to reduce the impact on their business. Perhaps they would even consider doing a
giveaway of movie passes. Sandra Theros suggested that the community center's commercial be
played prior to the movie. Kitty will follow up on these suggestions.
7. Final review and discussion on preliminary 2010 budget submitted. Kitty noted that there were a couple
of things cut from the budget; teleconference equipment and the AED (artificial electronic defibrillator).
The staff will attempt to get these items in other ways for example from the Rotary club, etc. With the
cuts to purchases, Kitty was able to trim the budget by $36,000. Kitty will bring the final budget submittal
to the Board at the next meeting.
8. Added item, FiberNet. Clint Herbst updated the Board on the FiberNet project. They are looking to
purchase the Prairie Center building at the corner of Walnut Street and West Sixth Street. He noted that
the Council was 99% sure the City will make an offer. If this does go through, the City will honor all
current leases and not ask any renter to move out. Clint further asked that each Board member
encourage residents to hook up to the FiberNet.
9. Added item, Wedding Tent. Jennifer Bethke called Riverwood Conference Center to find out about their
wedding reception tent. She noted that from calls made when planning her wedding, the minimums have
gone down. The tent that have is a smaller tent than we had looked at. The ground where they put the
tent is level but they do put indoor /outdoor carpet down. There is also a fire pit near the tent area. Kitty
noted that while the tent ideas was pulled from the 2010 budget, it is definitely and great idea to keep in
mind for the future.
10. Meeting adjourned at 5:56 p.m.