Minnesota's sleek new U.S. Bank Stadium now sets the standard for professional football arenas. Regrettably, it's become clear that state oversight policies for the facility didn't keep pace with the modernization that transformed the old Metrodome site into a sports showcase. This is a glaring problem that state lawmakers need to address when they return to St. Paul.
Doubts about two stadium executives' judgment and the discretion state policies give them arise from a Nov. 28 Star Tribune story by Rochelle Olson. The report revealed that the five-member Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA), the public board charged with protecting taxpayers' interest in the $1.1 billion facility, has two luxury suites at its disposal for "marketing" purposes — and the guest list has included family and friends.
Adding to the concern that these suites, a public asset, may have been used for personal benefit is the refusal by the MSFA to reveal many guests' identities. The MSFA claims that this isn't public information under Minnesota law. But thanks to Olson's digging, we do know that family and friends of Ted Mondale and Michele Kelm-Helgen have attended, and that perks include free tickets, food or premium parking. Mondale is the stadium authority's executive director. Kelm-Helgen, a former Dayton administration staffer, is the authority's chair.
Other guests have included DFL noteworthies, such as Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges and her husband and a Dayton administration official and his wife. Gov. Mark Dayton appoints three of the stadium authority's five members. His tepid concern about the scandal last week is disappointing, especially given his zeal for investigating improprieties when he served as state auditor.
Kelm-Helgen and Mondale have responded to concerns about special privileges by saying that the former Metrodome sports authority had three club rooms at its disposal to help land new clients and events. They said they had modernized the suites policy by only setting aside two at U.S. Bank Stadium.
But the "we've always done it this way" defense doesn't mean that is how it should be done. Nor does it soothe Minnesotans understandably rankled about what appears to be, fairly or not, party pads for pals and political cronies. It's remarkable that two experienced political hands like Kelm-Helgen and Mondale failed to grasp how this would be perceived.
Reform is imperative. State Sen. Julie Rosen, R-Vernon Center, deserves support for her call to hold hearings. Fixes should address guest list transparency concerns at U.S. Bank Stadium and Target Field, where the ballpark authority has one suite. Legislators also ought to drill down on the number of suites the stadium authority has. Two suites, each of which can hold about 18 people, seems excessive. Would one work? Are any needed at all? In other cities, such as Cincinnati, public officials have sold suites like this to raise revenue and to avoid the perception of special privilege.
Legislators should also delve into potential overlap between Kelm-Helgen's and Mondale's responsibilities.
Minnesota's Office of the Legislative Auditor merits praise for announcing a "priority" review of the suites' use. The auditor's findings should guide lawmakers. The stadium's doors may be open, but its governance policies are still a construction zone.
