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<br />City Council Study Session - 03/21/05 <br />Minutes - Page 5 <br /> <br />with Stevens Engineering; and encouraged Councilmembers to <br />seek expert advice from a reputable firm, who was willing to <br />stand by their study and recommendations. <br /> <br />Dick Houck, 1133 Roselawn Avenue <br />Mr. Houck opined that the City was continuing involvement in a <br />losing proposition; and had been for the last 11 years, including <br />the forgiven debt requirements. Mr. Houck further opined that <br />the facility was never intended to be a Roseville facility, but a <br />regional, national and international facility with more regional <br />support. Mr. Houck encouraged the City Council to allow the <br />Task Force to complete their analysis and to complete a Business <br />Plan, speaking highly of the expertise of the members. Mr. <br />Houck spoke in opposition to the motion prior to the Task Force <br />completing their analysis. <br /> <br />Joe Machyowsky, 2690 N Oxford <br />Mr. Machyowsky expressed his frustration as a taxpayer with the <br />OV AL' s huge financial drain on the City budget, when other <br />budget cutbacks were required. Mr. Machyowsky opined that <br />the facility was a luxury serving a few people, and that the City <br />could no longer afford to keep it running. <br /> <br />Eric Ristau, Midway Speed Skating <br />Mr. Ristau disputed comments that only a few professional <br />skaters were users of the OVAL, noting that hundreds - if not <br />thousands - used the facility in a given year. Mr. Ristau noted <br />that former Olympians served as coaches; and the Roseville <br />Hockey Association were frequent users of the facility, due to its <br />reputation of the facility. Mr. Ristau spoke to the track record set <br />earlier this year on the natural ice; the efficiencies being learned <br />in operating the facility; need to return the facility to full <br />operation for next season for revenue and reputation purposes; <br />and the contribution of funding through charitable gambling <br />operations from the club. <br /> <br />John Kysylyczyn, 3083 N Victoria Street <br />Mr. Kysylyczyn expressed concern regarding the lack of <br />consensus existing with this issue, opining that the big issue is <br />not the repair of the OVAL, but the continuing annual operating <br />expenses. Mr. Kysylyczyn encouraged Councilmembers to <br />