CROOKSTON, Minn. — A member of the Crookston City Council on Monday evening voiced a desire to bring more events to the city’s sports arena.
The conversation came during discussion of the Crookston Sports Center’s concession and advertising lease and agreement with the Crookston Blue Line Club.
Dylane Klatt said that when the hockey season is done, the sports arena is the city’s building. He would like to have a conversation about more events for the space, as well as having the concessions open more.
“It has been built as a community event building,” he said. “When hockey is done, what can we do to get some more events in there?”
The council had two items on the agenda relating to the Crookston Blue Line Club during its Monday meeting. It approved the concession and advertising lease and agreement with the club for 2025 through 2030, and approved the Blue Line Lease Agreement and memorandum for the 2025-2027 seasons. There were some changes to the lease, including an annual increase in weekly ice rental fees to bring rates closer to the regional market. There were also other minor changes, such as cleaning specified areas.
One resolution failed. It regarded approval of 2024 travel expenses for council member Kristie Jerde, who had submitted travel reimbursement outside of the budget year. Jerde said it was an oversight that she had not submitted the reimbursement request, dated Nov. 22, 2024, by the end of the budget year. City staff received it in March.
City Administrator Jeff Shoobridge said there is a possible amendment to the city’s reimbursement policy that is in the works and will likely be brought up in the future. The situation is also different from a city employee, he said.
“Administratively, the reason that this is different is because it’s council, it’s not department. If it were in the department, the department heads are responsible for their budget, and I would defer to their decision on whether or not to approve it for this budget year based on their understanding of their expected upcoming expenses,” he said.
The motion to approve the resolution received two votes against and four in favor, with Jerde recusing herself. The motion failed, as it needed five favorable votes to pass.
Also Monday, the council:
- Passed a resolution regarding a contract with Crookston’s waste management department for garbage services. A threshold of 200 sign-ups was achieved for bin services, replacing the plastic bag service being provided. The public works department will transition into the bin service and out of the plastic bag service over a 60-day period.
- Discussed potential agenda items for a Tri-Cities meeting between Crookston, East Grand Forks and Thief River Falls. The meeting will take place April 29 in Thief River Falls. Some items discussed included the regional water cooperative discussed at a prior Crookston City Council meeting, workforce shortages, housing and child care.
- Heard Jerde’s report of taking part in discussions and planning for a rodeo. Jerde said this is part of a goal to have more things happening at the Crookston Sports Center and bringing more events to town.
Otto is the region reporter for the Obituary.