Ice Arena Authority

NORWICH ICE RINK AUTHORITY MINUTES FROM MEETING HELD August 23, 2012 Authority Attendance: Mike Goldblatt, Cheryl Ritacco, Pete Desaulniers, Patrice Jaskiewicz, Joann Beguhl and Mike Meakem Absent: Stephanie Davis Guest: Mia Sanca Meeting was called to order by Michael Goldblatt at 6:35 pm, a quorum was present. Pete Desaulniers made a motion to accept the July minutes as presented; Cheryl Ritacco seconded it. There were no additional questions or comments; motion passed unanimously. Not in attendance in July, Mike Meakem, Joann Beguhl and Patrice Jaskiewicz abstained from voting. New Business Voting of new officers. Mike Meakem nominated Pete Desaulniers for Chairman of the Norwich Ice Rink Authority; Cheryl Ritacco seconded it. There were no additional nominations. Motion passed unanimously. Mike Meakem nominated Cheryl Ritacco for Vice-Chairman of the Norwich Ice Rink Authority; Mike Goldblatt seconded it. There were no additional nominations. Motion passed unanimously. Cheryl Ritacco nominated Mike Meakem for Secretary of the Norwich Ice Rink Authority; Mike Goldblatt seconded it. There were no additional nominations. Motion passed unanimously. Pete Desaulniers introduced the new members of the Authority, Mike Meakem, Joann Beguhl, Patrice Jaskiewicz and Stephanie Davis. Mike Driscoll, City Attorney, provided the Authority with a document outlining Authority responsibilities established by the Norwich City Council as well as the current Rules of Ethics. Correspondence Cheryl Ritacco made a motion to receive communications from Alderman Charles Jaskiewicz; Patrice Jaskiewicz seconded it. The motion was passed unanimously. Mike Meakem made a motion to receive communications from Jim Sanca; Mike Goldblat seconded it. The motion was passed unanimously. Cheryl Ritacco made a motion to receive communications from Seth Barber; Mike Goldblatt seconded it. The motion was passed unanimously. Joann Beguhl made a motion to receive communications from Susi Wehrli-MLaughlin; Mike Meakem seconded it. The motion was passed unanimously. Joann Beguhl made a motion to not receive communications from unknown recipient; Mike Meakem seconded it. The motion was passed unanimously. Reports Status presentations were made by Ashley Smith, Learn To Skate Director; Ashley Foy, Figure Skating Director; John Healy, Hockey Director and Haley Jensen, Learn to Skate Camp Director. All presentations included updates to current programs and upcoming events/programs/classes. Mia Sanca, Rink Manager reported on the following: • New Learn to Skate session will begin September 16th • Norwich Figure Skating Club currently has 40 members including 26 skaters. A test session is scheduled for August 25th as well as the highly anticipated Summer Skating Extravaganza. Ticket sales at time of meeting were selling well • Bernie Cassell’s summer hockey skills camp in early August had 37 participants; to date the girls hockey camp has 8 registered participants and 35 skaters will participate in the July /August hockey clinic • Comcast public access stations and Norwich City website posted Summer Skating Extravaganza Show information. • Talks have begun with Jammin’ 107.7 regarding radio advertising and promotion for upcoming Rink public skates and events • Greater Norwich Chamber of Commerce website will post show information and links to the Rink  • The Sub Base has agreed to advertise and sell show tickets for the Norwich Figure Skating Club for the next 5 years • Rink maintenance included: replacement of a motor on the chiller and the brine tank; locker rooms and showers were cleaned and painted as well as lobby and lobby bathrooms. New flooring for lobby has been ordered and installation is scheduled for Labor Day weekend. The Rink has arranged to have Cintas provide paper products, hand soap and new lobby rugs with Rink logo. • The Coast Guard has donated two large monitors/message boards for lobby – it will contain event and program information • Utilities for the past month are slightly higher than anticipated. Pete Desaulniers asked Mia to request NPU do a full evaluation of utilities Public Comments Gretchen Dean, a hockey mom from East Lyme, stated that she was impressed with work being done and direction Rink is heading. More exciting, different and passionate people are participating and involved. Diane Deutsch, a Norwich resident, would like to know how she could track the improvements at the Rink and the impact they are making on the debt. Mike McCullough wanted to thank the Authority for their work and welcome new members. He expressed his feelings regarding budget and ice rates – he wants to see rates fair and charge everyone equally. Carl Jenson stated he was impressed with the presentations of the evening and that in the big scheme of town budgets, the value the Rink brings to the community far out weighs the debt owed. Reports Energy presentations were given by Ernie Cohen from EMCO Testing & Engineering Co. and Geoffrey Westfall on behalf of Thermo Source. Old Business Discussion took place regarding the budget for the 2012-2013 fiscal year. Previous Authority has set rates and numbers; Mike Meakem expressed the need for more time to review before voting on budget. Patrice Jaskiewicz made a motion to schedule a special budget meeting by the Rink Authority for Tuesday, August 28th at 6:30pm; Joann Beguhl seconded it. The motion was passed unanimously. New Business Pete Desaulniers proposed establishing sub committees within the Authority. They are as follows: Figure Skating & Hockey – Joann Beguhl and Mike Goldblatt Budget – Joann Beguhl, Patrice Jaskiewicz and Mike Meakem Facility – Pete Desaulniers, Cheryl Ritacco and Stephanie Davis With a motion by Mike Goldblatt and seconded by Mike Meakem, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 PM. Respectfully submitted, Cheryl Ritacco