Legislative Auditor Finishes Stadium Luxury Suite Report
St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Minnesota Legislative Auditor’s Office has issued a report concerning a review that was ordered by state lawmakers after a scandal over the use of a luxury suite at the Vikings new stadium. The loosely regulated use of the suite by relatives and friends of officials with the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority led to the resignation of the Chair and Executive Director of the agency.
The legislative auditor was directed to look into the public governing bodies of other publicly owned sports facilities, including US Bank Stadium, Target Field, Target Center, the Xcel Energy Center, TCF Bank Stadium and the Saint Paul Saints ballpark. While the report does not recommend legislation that would create a common governance or management structure, it does recommend some limited changes.
At the top of the list is a recommendation for the University of Minnesota to adopt a policy restricting access to a private suite at TCF Bank Stadium, where the current rules allow “family and friends” of the Board of Regents and school officials to use the suite without any stated public purpose. Another recommendation calls for policies designed to make sure there are no violations of the state’s Open Meeting laws during gatherings officials at any of the publicly owned venues.
The legislative auditor also believes there should be a limit set on the fees charged for use of the facilities by the Minnesota State High School League.