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HomeMy WebLinkAboutARC.min.020309ARPEI DRAFT ASPEN RECREATION CENTER ARC ADVISORY COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes February 3, 2009 In Attendance: Boazd Members: Rick Newton, Bazbaza Owen, Gordon Gerson, Sue Smedstad, Laura Kornasiewicz, and Debbie Waze Staff Member(s): Tim Anderson, Jonathan Godes, Jon Lazson, Nancy Lesley, Dominic Lanese, Bryan Lee, Kristin Drake Guests: Millard Zimet, Toni Kronberg I. Call to Order -Sue called the meeting to order with a quorum present. Committee Comments: Rick mentioned that there were high school kids smoking outside of the ARC entrance and wondered how we could deal with it. Tim mentioned that they aze not doing anything illegal and the best action is for people to mention this and ask that they go somewhere else. Sue Smedstad mentioned that the Youth Center tries to deal with this as well. Rick also asked if we could wireless Internet access in the ARC and Tim mentioned that it's not that easy for cities to do so. We must bid this out to cover the entire city and IS is taking a look at it currently. Rick mentioned that the U.S. Flag is hung incorrectly in the LIA and asked that it be corrected. The Website was incorrect regarding titles and phone numbers, Tim later found out that this was on the City website and we have asked that this be corrected. Staff Comments: None Guest Commeuts: Toni mentioned that the City and County were going to meet to go over the AACP, and that she didn't feel that the questions directed toward recreation were in the large group meetings were acceptable. Some of the AC members coincided with her view on the questions. Toni stated that she was against the Ice Gazden becoming part of the City's budget cuts. She also felt that the aquatic azeas needed to generate more revenue. Approval of Past Minutes: The committee did not approve the January minutes as they felt the minutes did not fully represent the discussions which took place at that meeting. Committee members were going to provide notes such that the minutes could be updated and made more complete and then review them for approval at the March meeting. II. Discussion Items: Marketing Update: Nancy Lesley and Kristin Drake provided an update as to the marketing avenues that are being used for the ARC and recreation as a whole. Nancy handed out a packet and went over the various tools being used which were identified in the packet. Marketing tools included and were not limited to the following: • In Hotel Advertising • Web-site • Email • TV/Broadcasting • Printed publications • Print Advertising • School newsletters • Group Mazketing • Partnerships/SkiCo • ACRA • Special Events Word of mouth from Concierge's, bartenders, ski instructors, taxi drivers, bus drivers, and other locals seem to be the best marketing for the ARC. The AC asked about marketing to Spanish speaking individuals and Nancy identified that we use radio. Bazbaza asked about the coupon program going to ski schools and Nancy identified that we had not seen much return on those as of date. 2. Potential 2009 Budget reductions.• Tim stated that it's a good thing that ice users are so passionate about the facilities the City provides, but staff was directed to come up with a list of ways to reduce the dependency upon tax dollars. There were many other options provided to the City Manager including the closure of other recreational facilities, but it was felt to take away the only facility other user groups had in order to keep two ice rinks would not be well received either. Staff presented information on the potential 2009 budget reductions which include a 5 month closure of the Aspen Ice Garden from mid April through September, and reduced hours at the ARC on weekends. Staff started with a macro look at the Recreation budget, subsidy and recovery %'s. This was then broken down into Recreation Programs, the ARC, and the Aspen Ice Gazden. The ARC was further broken down into ice and the rest of the facility. This allows staff to show the recovery for Recreation Programs at the Red Brick, both ice facilities and the remainder of ARC operations. Staff showed a 43% recovery % for Recreation Programs run out of the Red Brick, a 72% recovery % for the pool and fitness at the ARC, and a 50% recovery of expenditures for ice facilities. The breakdown of the total subsidy for Recreation looked as follows: (71) Recreation Programs ($731,210) or 38% of the total subsidy (72 LIA) & (74 Ice Gazden) subsidy (72 pool/fitness) subsidy ($775,562) or 40% of the total ($404,518) or 22% of the total Staff then provided a schedule of what local use of the Ice Gazden looked like during the summer and what the LIA looked like. Then a schedule of what summer ice could look like if all programs were located at the LIA during the summer months. A document also identifying various user groups scheduled during the summer, the amount of ice they used and the revenue generated and what that broke down to per hour of use was calculated. Staff also mentioned that the city was absorbing most of the utilities for the AIG in the utility funds. The AC then identified and confirmed what the summer cost of the AIG was to the City. Rick asked that the summer utility cost be broken out and identified, that a breakdown of each user group/program be provided, a cost to just open the doors, and a staff cost for ice. Millazd Zimet asked if the City would entertain other ideas on how to operate the AIG during the summer and perhaps yeaz round. Bazbaza mentioned that figure skating needed morning times during the summer months. Staff mentioned that there would be a summer ice scheduling meeting on Februazy 19`n The question was asked if more programs/revenues could be applied towards the budget reductions. Staff mentioned that this is one way to achieve the budget reductions and that there would be a brainstorming session with users to see how this could be achieved. A couple of AC members said the city should take into consideration the sheer volume of users ice caters to and should perhaps look to other shut downs. The AC asked what the savings would be if the LIA was shut down rather than the AIG (it might be mentioned that following the meeting staff was reminded that the SPARC agreement only allows for the closure of the AIG during summer months. Questions azose regazding particulaz considerations and had staff identified these in looking at the AIG closure: • What time will kids be on the ice in the mornings with one rink • Will hockey camps still get the numbers by moving them from town • What is the start up and take down cost for the AIG • Is there a potential hazard for frost heaving of the slab at the AIG • What damage might be caused by having compressors sit during the summer • Has staff considered that the demographics of the Garden is locals and they might not travel to the LIA (loss of revenue) • Could homosote be purchased so that dry floor events could take place as well as ice usage • Has staff looked at ways to increase revenue The AC members and Millard mentioned that there is great deal of unhappy ice users in the community and they plan to be at the February 10`h budget meeting being held by Council. Some AC members were disappointed that this budget saving idea was not presented to the AC for discussion and that they felt like they were merely "informed" about the decision. Staff asked the AC what priorities they would recommend if Council does decide to close the AIG for local use at one rink. The AC said that the user group meeting should be held to see what the local users could agree upon and what shakes out, then they would review. Sue made closing statement regarding the difficulties of making decisions as to how budget cuts should be implemented, but that everyone should think about what they still have compared to many others and how the economy is affecting many health and human services in the valley and non-profits. 3. Aspen Area Community Plan: The AC questioned how the Recreation questions were derived and asked that Jessica Garrow perhaps come to the next meeting to explain. How are the questions and answers going to be weighted at this point? What's next? 4. Cost Recovery information: This was not discussed, but in the AC packet was information identifying that January 2009 is keeping pace with January of 2008. III. Updates and Progress Reports: 1. Business Calendar: Not discussed 2. Pass Swipes at Front Desk: Not discussed V. Action Item(s): 1. None. VL Other Business: 1. None The committee was adjourned and will meet again on March 3rd, 2009.