City of Kasson says "no thanks" to ice arena offer, partnership to continue

By Randy Carlsen

Dodge County Board of Commissioners met in closed session Tuesday and agreed to offer the Dodge County Ice Arena to the city of Kasson. Following the regular Kasson City Council meeting Wednesday evening they too went into closed session and determined they wanted to continue the joint venture operation of the arena with Dodge County.

City administrator Randy Lenth issued a statement saying, "The City of Kasson believes the current management agreement with Dodge County benefits the entire area and recognizes the hard work and dedication of the many individuals and businesses that constructed the facility. We look forward to a continued partnership with Dodge County to promote and enhance the Dodge County Ice Arena."
Lenth said the arena is as close to breaking even as they have ever been. In 2013 the arena lost only $3,000.  However, the facility is in need of a new roof and new cooling system. Due to the ban on Freon R-22, ice arenas statewide will  have to replace/update the flooring cooling system by 2020.

Tim Tjosaas served as mayor and now sits on the other side of the fence as county commissioner. He said there were general discussions of how best to move forward when the ice arena committee of two commissioners and two council members met. He said the issue has always been brought up by the county.

In exchange for turning over the arena to the city the council was asking for free utilities (water, sewer and electricity) for the next 10 years at the fairgrounds. This would include all buildings on the grounds owned by the county.

The original partners of the arena were Kasson, Mantorville, Dodge Center and Dodge County. The school districts were also partners, but did not have a financial stake in the arena. Dodge Center and Mantorville dropped out and January 1, 2010 Kasson and Dodge County became co-owners of the arena. What triggered construction of the arena was a $600,000 Mighty Ducks grant the Dodge County Youth Hockey Association was awarded.
In other matters:

• The city granted a conditional use permit for Oppidan to install a digital sign near Mantorville Avenue for the Shopko Home Store and for the drive-up window for the pharmacy. A timer will be installed so the lighted sign goes off between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. The sign will be lighted on both sides.
• The council had a brief discussion on water bills and how to deal with those residents who have excessive water bills as the result of broken pipes. "There are a few who have legitimate concerns and we are working with them," said the city administrator. Lines running through driveways have been more of a problem than those across lawns. One unoccupied property where a broken water main was discovered had a monthly water bill in excess of $4,000.
• The city was seeking proposals for qualified firms interested in delivering a two megawatt solar photovoltaic generating system on approximately 20 acres of land owned by the city north of the wastewater treatment plant.
The city administrator said the future is with solar since Kasson continues to deal with peak loads in June, July and August. There are also tax credit incentives.

The city has received eight proposals. The electric committee and electric department supervisor Todd Kispert will take the month of April to look over the proposals. Randy Lenth said there was a wide range of responses.

Dodge County and the City of Kasson will continue to operate the Dodge County Ice Arena as co-owners. When the arena was constructed Dodge County, Kasson, Mantorville and Dodge Center partners. January 1, 2010 the city of Kassona nd Dodge County took over ownership. Photo by Randy Carlsen.

Can skate boarders, horses and riders co-exist near arena?

Can skate boarders, horses and riders co-exist in the same area? That was the question brought to the attention of the Kasson City Council last week.

The city has taken over operations of the Dodge County Ice Arena and they are looking at a future site for a skate park just to the east of the arena. The area would be 65' x 135' on six inch poured concrete. The skate park would be between the hockey arena and horse arena. The skate park would double as an outdoor ice arena during the winter months. With a cement slab that will make it easier to retain outdoor ice.

During the summer months the arena is used three to four evenings a week. There was discussion of limiting skate board hours  when the horse arena is in use.

City engineer Neil Britton also discussed blacktopping of the parking lot. The project is being funded with $200,000 from the entities through the Ice Arena Termination Agreement.  Additional funds from capital improvement and park and recreation will be included for funding.

City planner Mike Martin said blacktopping the lot definitely requires the expertise of an engineer because of the drainage issues. It's not merely a matter of coming in an putting down a layer of blacktop.
The parking lot will require a layer of rock followed up with a foot of sand, additional rock and 5" of blacktop. Dealing with the drainage is also incorporated with the project.

The city does not expect to move forward on the project until after the Big Iron Classic the weekend after Labor Day. The city planner said it would probably not be a good idea to have a large number of semi trucks driving on the blacktop right after the project is completed.

There was a brief discussion on the possibility of having to move a "major" utility pole in the area of the arena to accommodate the skate park. A large area of the city utilities would probably have to be shut down while the project is  done. They determined the project could probably be done without major disruption of the pole. Superintendent of Utilities Burt Fjerstad said they would take a look at the area, but did say they could make changes without a major disruption to utility customers in the area.

In another matter city administrator Randy Lenth said they continue to look for ways to provide energy to residents more efficiently. They will now partner with Minnesota Energy Resources to provide energy audits to residents.

Cost of the standard gas company audit is $220, of which the city will pay $80, Minnesota Energy Resources $100 and the homeowner the other $40.

The next regular meeting of the city council is 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 28 in the council chambers at city hall. All meetings are open to the public.