Ice Arena Authority

OS/25/2012 14:05 8508898583 GOLDBLATT BOKOFF LLC PAGE 03/05 NORWICH ICE RINK AUTHORITY MINUTES FROM MEETING HELD May 17, 2012 Authority Attendance: Mike Goldblatt, Doug Barlow, Cheryl Ritacco, Rick Wolak, Mike Schermerhorn and Pete Desaulniers Guest: Mia Sanca, Mike Arnone, Erich Banwell, Lary Schmitz, Holly Schmitz, Leslie Christie, Susan MacDonald, Rob Francis, Adam Benson, Susan Baroni-Schaeffer, Haley Jensen, Ashley Smith, Bonnie Torres, Jody Jordan, Bill Desmond, Bernie Cassell, Ashley Melville Koehler, Whit Irwin, Holly Irwin, Yu1ia Borissova and Alexei Khoudyakov MINUTES Meeting was called to order by Michael Goldblatt at 6~o8 pm, a quorum was present. Minutes from the April meeting were reviewed. Cheryl Ritacco made a motion and Doug Barlow seconded that the April minutes be accepted . and were unanimously approved. . . Mike Goldblatt reported that Rjnk manager, Jim Sanca was unable to attend meeting due to a family emergency and that Mia Sanca would deliver Rink reports in his absence. It was also announced that this would be Mia Sanca's last meeting as a Rink employee. Her position has been eliminated now that the Borissova Group will be managing and mar.keting their own freestyle sessions and the Learn to Skate program. Jim Sanca and Mike Arnone will take over any additional duties not covered by the Borissova management team. Reports Mia Sanca reported on the following: The Rink will host three special events in the month of June, An in·house Basic Skills Competition, a Norwich FiguTe Skating Club exhibition and the Rose City Hockey Tournament, a woman's tournament with teams coming from as far away as New Jersey. Learn to Skate session ends July 15th There are 10 players interested in playin.g for the Norwich Nighthawks U16 team. Currently unable to fill a U14 team. The Rink will assess interest and a decision will be made whether to move forward with the program. The exercise room has been renovated and is ready to be leased. Yulia Borissova has indicated that she would like to use the room as part of her off ice trainingj freestyle OS/25/2012 14:05 8508898583 GOLDBLATT BOKOFF LLC PAGE 04/05 agreement with the Rink. Discussion took place regarding issuing an RFP. It was decided that Mike Arnone should move forward with contacting the City of Norwich Purchasing Agent to begin the process to establish additional interest beside that of Ms. Borissova. It was suggested that a public auction be held as a V\'-ay to sell the exercise equipment. Registration for Bernie Cassell's summer hockey clinics for Mites/Squirts, PeeWees/Bantams and Elite levels are going well with strong interest in each group. The summer hockey camp currently has 50 skaters registered. The goal is to reach the max of 105 participants. The April 2012 public utility bill reflects the new rate structure. This was the lowest recorded 3D-day cycle in the facilities history. Correspondence Susan Baroni-Schafer from the Norwich Bulletin presented the Authority with an advertising opportunity, which included print and online. Geoff Westfall presented an idea/suggestion for the Rink and Authority to consider. He recommends changing the current com.pressor, which runs on electricity with one that runs on natural gas. A money saving effort. Mike Goldblatt, ,Jim Sanca and Mr. Westfall will continue the conversation later iu. the month. Rodney Greene, owner of Old Tymes Restaurant, presented a concept for the concession stand and the new transportation center (ITC). He would create a 501 c 3 non-profit for culinary education that would work in conjunction with NFA, Norwich Tech, and Three Rivers Community Collete to provide students with credit hours by working hands-on in a snack bar or concession environment that would be o\\ol1ed by the non-profit. This company could operate both the Rink and ITC concessions, as well as possibly looking at seasonal work at Mohegan Park or other possible city-owned venues. The company would have a traditional Executive Director who ",,"auld oversee the operation on a salary basis while the student employees would be the actual on-site supervisors and workers_ 75% of the profits generated would go back to the city as payments in lieu of rent while the other 25% would be retained for possible expansion if justified or emergency repairs/maintenance. Yulia Borissova presented her company's plan for purchasing ice to run a subscription free style program. Beginning in Jtme they will purchase 2, hours on Mondays and Fridays. The plan js to double the amount during the months of September through May. In October, Yulia and her team will begin to nm the Learn to Skate (LTS) program OS/25/2012 14:05 8508898583 GOLDBLATT BOI<OFF LLC PAGE 05/05 held at the Rink on Sarurday mornings. Both the free style ice and LTS will bring in a significant amount of revenUe for the Rink. ,Judy DegEn sent an email suggesting the Rink apply for a Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut grant. This Community Foundation awards money to organizations and schools that provide safe, fun experiences for youth. It was recommended that Mike Arnone contact someone from the city to help with the grant 'writing. Public Comments Larry Schmitz voiced his concerns regarding the pro shop hours; the way things are being nm at the Rink and the possible lack of building permit for the addition of a door on the box office. Susan MacDonald spoke about how she has tried for many years to use the Rink for her skating school but has found it difficult to do business with the Rink. Most recently she was prepared to pay the Rink $1,280 for prop ice, that did not happen because, according to Ms MacDonald, she was not pleased with the agreement of number of students on the ice and ice costs proposed by Rink management. Bonnie Torres spoke about threats parents are making online to Rink management. Holly Il'\'\Iin has and the Authority for their help sorting out a situation Vvith her daughter's USFS membership. She believed that fees paid for to participate in the Rink's programs, tbe membership was paid for and up to date however she recently found out that there was no recor.d of her daughter's membership for a few years. New Rusiness Pete Desaulniers proposed establishing a community workshop. This would be an opportunity for residents to voice their needs and wants for the Rink A motion to retract the ban on hockey sticks and freestyle skating and/or coaching during public skating hours was made Cheryl Ritacco and seconded by Rich Wolak. There were no additional questions or comments and the motion passed unanimously. A new motion was made by Pete Desaulniers to ban hockey sticks on public skate yet allow freestyle skating and/or coaching during public skate hours at the discretion of Rink management. Mike Schermerhorn seconded the motion; there were no additional questions or comments and the motion passed unanimously. OS/25/2012 14:05 GOLDBLATT BOKOFF LLC PAGE 05/05 The Authority went into executive session at 8:30pm. No votes were taken during this session. With a motion by Pete Desaulniers and seconded by Rich Wolak the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 PM. Respectfully submitted, Cheryl Ritacco