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HomeMy WebLinkAboutARC.min.03072007 A~J!EH DRAFT ASPEN RECREATION CENTER ARC ADVISORY COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes March 7, 2007 In Attendance: Board Members: Scott Writer, Sue Smedstad, Barbara Owen, Laura Komasiewicz, Rick Newton, and Debbie Ware. Staff Member(s): Tim Anderson, Paul Kulik Guests: Toni Kronberg, Mary Holly, Margot Cultitta I. Call to Order - Sue called the meeting to order with a quoruro present. Committee Comments: Comments were made by the Committee that perhaps the comments could be categorized to keep topics together. Staff Comments: Staff informed the AC as to the public outreach that had been taken for the outdoor pools and the ARC Improvement Plan. Staff had met with: . Swim Team . Elementary, Middle, and High School Students . Senior Citizens . Neighbors . Child Care Programs . (2) Public Meetings (noticed) . A display in the ARC lobby with info . A website display with responses . E:mail responses This outreach resulted in over 300 comments on the designs for the ARC. """"_~'~'~M_~_._..-,""".,-"^,, Guest Comments: Toni informed the AC that she was concerned about the amouot of public outreach regarding the outdoor pools. She felt that staff had not solicited enough input from the community. The AC should look at placing a banner over Main Street which advertises public meetings. Sue referred Toni to staff for the purpose of placing banners over Main Street. She said there was nothing out in the school newsletters. Toni further stated that the ARC needs a real natatorium and staging area for swim meets. Public meetings should: . Be held at 3pm after school . Move the pool to the Rio Grande . Be handed out at Highlands . And the Consultant should compile the results, not staff. II. Approval of Past Minutes: Sue moved that the minutes be approved, Laura provided a second, all approved. III. Discussion Items: . Mother Puckers Request: The Mother Puckers came to the AC requesting support to City Council for a $5,000 grant toward the operations of the women's state tournament to be held at the Lewis Ice Arena and the Ice Garden in April. The Puckers feel that the tournament will bring about 200 people to town. This tournament will host 15 women's teams over that weekend. The Mother Puckers now have a 501 C 3 which make them eligible for grants. The AC fully supported this request and asked how the City can help to make this event the most successful possible. . Outdoor Pools: Staff identified that following the public meeting scheduled for that evening they would like to move forward with one recommended direction for presentation to Council in April. The response to staff outreach has been great, and we should keep the momentum. The AC identified that they would like to move quickly and keep this in front of the current Council and try to get in the ground this fall. Toni identified that she felt that there would be issues with receiving a building permit in the fall due to the moratorium. She suggested we have a design contest for the pools. Toni will tabulate who she talks to and what she hears for staffs and the AC's benefit. . Monthly Report: Staff presented a February 2006/2007 comparison ofrevenues and the ARC was flat for the sa.me period of each year, but the ARC was up by 10% for a year to date total and that was with $110,000 in outstanding invoices to user groups. . Capital Improvement Plan: The City's Asset Management Plan (AMP) long range projections were presented to the AC and specifically maintenance and improvement items for the ARC and Aspen Ice Garden were identified. The AC asked for a spread sheet which would test the improvement against the increased revenue. Staff will talk with the Finance Dept. regarding such a tool. . Ice Operations Audit: Staff has contracted an outside consultant to look at our ice operations as to: I. Use of staffing 2. programming of ice 3. ice fee structure 4. job descriptions With George Pucak leaving and Erich moving on to other ventures within the City, staff felt it would be a good time to look at operations and what opportunities there may be to streamline operations, or more adequately meet the needs of the community and user groups. The AC weighed in such that they would like to see attention to: 1. recruitment of high school students 2. academic opportunities in hiring 3. scholarship opportunities 4. Making Ice FUN 5. Additional programming 6. Most efficient use of ice 7. efficient use of staff Any suggestions by the consultant should be implemented by summer. . ARC Business Calendar: A template for a business calendar was provided by Laura and staff modified it to begin plugging in dates and reminders for the AC. The template was well received and staff will use this tool at the April meeting for further input. . Pool Harassment/Recreation Survey Results: A patron has forwarded a complaint about policy and procedure at the ARC regarding the hot tubs and use of the slide for small children. The patron was invited to speak with the AC, but did not show. Staff also identified that the ARC had received a 96% approval rating from the community in the City of Aspen phone survey which had gone out the previous fall. Staff will work on training such that rules are enforced in a customer friendly way and education takes place to inform patrons why we have such policies. Perhaps also we could look at a small slide for small people. IV. Updates: . Energy Improvements: Final drawings have been submitted for the implementation of the energy efficient improvements at the ARC. A contract for the implementation is being drafted and is expected to go before Council in April. Implementation will take through the end of the year. . Deputy Director Recruitment: Sue Smedstad was involved in the first round of interviews both outside the City organization and the in house candidates. The potential candidates have been narrowed down to 5 finalists. . Concession Contact: The contract for concession operations by BUNZ was approved by Council and they will begin operations as of the lth of March. The committee had concerns about the menu and the pricing, but these items are not part of the contractual obligation and can readily change as needed. . Disciplinary Action: Staff identified that the 3 strike rule which had been adopted for taking disciplinary action with patrons was in question. When an individual using the facility as a part of a user group renting time, and acted in a manner requiring disciplinary action, should the action be taken towards the individual or the organization? The AC felt that the action should be taken towards the individual. Staff will draft text in the disciplinary policy to reflect such direction. V. Action Item(s): VI. Other Business: The committee was adjourned and will meet again on April 4, 2007.