03-03-2003 PRCEM
MINUTES
Parks, Recreation & Community Education Advisory Board
March 3, 2003
Members Present: Bruce Peterson, Bill Arndt, Tom Dahl, and Mike Cannon. Staff present were Dolf
Moon, Sharon Opatz, Julie Mischke, Marv Haugen and Karen McKay.
The meeting was called to order at 5: 18 pm.
The Minutes dated February 3, 2002 were approved by a motion made by Bill Arndt and seconded by
Bruce Peterson with a spelling correction to be made. The Board unanimously agreed.
OLD BUSINESS
Funding Update School- There could be as much as $97,000 cut out of the fund balance. The $5.95
per capita revenue could be reduced to $4.95.
Adult Basic Education (ABE) has an annual budget of $425,000 and could see a $20,000 cut.
The Governor wants to keep budget cuts out of the classroom. Early Childhood Family Education's
(ECFE) budget will be cut by 40-45% which will result in reduced services. The cuts did not take all
of the cash reserve set aside by Community Education
7.2 million was cut state wide in school districts, 3.8 million of which is in 24 districts in out state
Minnesota. In the 24 out-state districts, financial cuts will range from $100,000 to 200,000 annually.
Funding Update City - The city will have to reduce their funds by 1.4 million, currently the annual
budget is 9.4 million. Park & Recreation could see a large portion of the cuts. City staff and City
Council members have been meeting to discuss solutions. As the Governor encouraged partnerships
with organizations, both groups are facing budget cuts. Examples of such partnership are the City,
County and State at the HATS facility and Park & Recreation with the Community Education and the
School District.
Community Education/Adult Basic Education - Sharon Opatz, Community Education Programmer,
presented a slide show to the Board reviewing facility use outside of the school day. Community
Education is a good investment for a low cost. There were 3,992 users of the school facilities with
157,692 hours of use. The cost for the users breaks down to $1.14 per contact hour. Rental fees are
deposited into the General Fund. Facilities most requested are the gymnasiums, classrooms, Media
Centers, pools, cafeterias and the auditoriums. The Middle School has the highest amount of after
school use, Park Elementary second, the High School and West Elementary third and fourth. The
school's K-12 activities have first priority, and any other group can be out if necessary. Park Place, the
K-8 grade latch key program, meets at Park Elementary 8-10 am on late start days and 7 am-6 pm on
non-school days.
Julie Mischke, Lead Instructor for ABE reviewed her program with the Board. They meet in class
room #145 at Ridgewater College. They are open Monday through Thursday, 9 am-3 pm and 5-8 pm.
The ABE program served 402 students with 11,713 hours in 2002. Students attend from 28 different
countries and 27 surrounding communities. Requirements for the General Education
MINUTES
PRCE Advisory Board
March 3, 2003
Page two
Adult Basic Education Cont.
Development (GED) test include writing, social studies, science, language arts, reading and math. In
2002 there were 69 successful GEDs. A graduation ceremony is held in August for all graduates. Julie
also works with employers such as 3M and H. T!. to refresh employee skills. The college likes having
the program in the school because they see that many of the graduates enroll at Ridgewater to further
their education.
Civic Arena - Marv Haugen, Facilities & Operations Manager presented a slide show of the Civic
Arena and Recreation Center. Citizens Bank has been a loyal sponsor at the arena providing funding
for the Zambonis that resurface the ice. The Zamboni is replaced every 10 years and is due again in
2010. The replacement costs for two resurfacers is $120,000-150,000. The main users of the ice at the
arena include the High School, Youth Hockey Association, Figure Skating Association and the City's
learn to skate program. This year the Hockey Association had a record number of tournaments
requiring some rescheduling of activities. Summer ice is scheduled for four weeks this year. Marv
needs to sell 6-7 hours a day in order to keep the rink open in the summer. The energy cost for
operating the east and west rinks is approximately $88,000 per year. The cost of repairs at the arena is
steady.
Recreation Center -Marv showed the Board some of the activities that take place at the Rec Center
every day. Park & Recreation basketball tournaments, Junior Olympic volleyball practice and
tournaments, state basketball tournaments, a tool sale and the Bike & Blade Bonanza. An indoor
playground is set up Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings through the school year for toddlers
and pre-schoolers. The Lions Club has donated $800 every other year, the Jr. Womens Club gave
$250 last year for purchasing and replacement of equipment.
The Rec Center gym floor is budgeted for replacement in 2004, the lighting needs to be addressed also.
Marv told the Board that the city is considering a long term agreement of 10 years with a soft drink
vendor to offer exclusive rights to the Rec Center vending and concessions in exchange for
scoreboards and revenue for marketing and upgrades.
There were 1,000 participants enrolled in swimming lessons during the summer program. That
number is down due the swimming program during the school year. Attendance at the Rec Center
Pool has been declining, there were 20,253 participants in 2001 compared to 16,863 in 2002. The
decline may be weather related or it could be due to the water park installed in Glencoe. The proposed
renovation of the Rec Center pool called for a 1.5 million improvement adding water slides/tubes and
fountains along with a zero depth area. With the budget shortfall, funding is uncertain.
Board Member Items - Bill Arndt asked if there were basketball tournaments at the McLeod County
Fairgrounds. Dolf told the Board the surface is too hard for basketball, but is better suited for tennis.
Mike Cannon was at the new field house in Mankato, it had a new composite surface.
ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 pm by a motion made by Tom Dahl and
seconded by Bill Arndt. The Board unanimously agreed.