Minutes_Five Flags Civic Center Commission 10.25.21Copyrighted
February 7, 2022
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 1.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council proceedings of 1/18; Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission
of 12/21; Five Flags Civic Center Advisory Commission of 10/25 and
1/18; Investment Oversight Advisory Commission of 1/26; Proof of
publication for City Council proceedings of 1/3; Proof of publication for
List of Claims and Summary of Revenues for Month Ended 12/31.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
City Council proceedings of 1/18/22 Supporting Documentation
Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission Minutes of
Supporting Documentation
12/21 /21
Five Flags Civic Center Commission Minutes of
Supporting Documentation
10/25/21
Five Flags Civic Center Commission Minutes of
Supporting Documentation
1 /18/22
Investment Oversight Advisory Commission Minutes of
Supporting Documentation
1 /26/22
Proof of Publication for City Council proceedings of
Supporting Documentation
1 /3/22
Proof of Publication for List of Claims / Summary of
Supporting Documentation
Revenues for Month Ended 12/31/21
FIVE FLAGS �� n
Five Flags Civic Center Advisory Commission Meeting
October 25, 2021
COMMISSIONERS Tyler Daugherty, Bryce Parks, Mackenzie Blau
PRESENT:
COMMISSIONERS Nicholas Huff, Rod Bakke
ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT: HR Cook, Jesse Gavin, Jacquelyn Pfohl, Julie Husemann
OTHERS PRESENT: Marie Ware
MINUTES APPROVED; Commissioner Parks motioned and Commissioner Blau seconded, to approve
VOTE: the minutes of July 25, 2021 meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
UPDATE BY HR COOK General Manager Cook explained that Five Flags had previously been awarded
ON SHUTTERED $250,000 in funding through the federal government's Shuttered Venues Grant
VENUE GRANT program. A new round of grants are currently being considered, and Five Flags
APPLICATION: Center is once again eligible based on first quarter revenues. The new grant
could total up to $125,000. Cook is optimistic about its approval. He notes that
any money received would go toward employee salaries (including filling the
vacant Operations Manager position), continued COVID-19 mitigation efforts,
and upgrades to concessions equipment. The venue has also received $50,000
in grant funding from the state of Iowa, and applied for up to $20,000 in
additional marketing funds related to COVID-19 reopening. In addition, the
facility is seeking a Historic Preservation Grant from the State that would pay for
production of a documentary about the history of the Five Flags Theater, as well
as equipment for the documentary to be shown to guests walking by the theater
fagade.
UPDATE BY MARIE Leisure Service Manager Ware notes that despite the letter sent by the
WARE ON STEPS
Commission over the summer, the City Council still plans to wait until after the
RELATED TO CITY
new year to take any action on a potential expansion of Five Flags Center. At
COUNCIL TOP
this point, she plans to have a work session with the Council sometime in
PRIORITY GOAL —
January to review all of the previous feasibility studies. No action can be taken
FIVE FLAGS CIVIC
at a work session, so any decision the Council would make would have to come
CENTER DIRECTION:
at a later meeting. A possibility is that the Council will ask for an update on
construction costs, and funding was carried over from Fiscal Year 2021 to pay
for such a study if requested. Commissioner Daugherty asked what the turn
around time might be for a new study. Ware says that is hard to estimate. There
was discussion and clarification about which current Council members are up
for re-election this fall, and which have come on to the Council since the
expansion discussions began.
UPDATE BY HR COOK Cook introduced new staff members Jacquelyn Pfohl and Julie Husemann, who
ON FACILITY
have been hired as Event Coordinator and Financial Director, respectively.
BOOKING FOR
Husemann then reviewed the financial report for September 2021. She noted
UPCOMING WINTER
that the facility came in slightly over budget for the month, primarily due to an
AND SPRING
overlap between herself and her predecessor to allow for training. Cook notes
SEASONS:
that Five Flags' budget is in a better position coming out of the month of
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September as compared to previous years, but added that the current budget
forecast has some uncertainty surrounding it due to continued COVID issues.
He expressed optimism about the chances of confirming a handful of large and
potentially very profitable shows in the 3rd and 41h quarters, as well as up to a
dozen smaller performances. Noted that several of those smaller events have
confirmed, but not yet been announced to the public. According to Cook, the
entire industry is seeing ticket sales slow down and a larger number of ticket
holders who choose not to attend events. There is also increased hesitancy
among parents until the COVID vaccines become more widely available for
children. That uncertainty has caused some shows to delay plans to go on the
road until things are clearer.
Cook then went over some recent capital purchases by Five Flags, including
several hundred new chairs and portable basketball goals. He explained that
with Retro Rewind holding its final event in January, it will open up a weekend
for a possible sports tournament or other home-grown event. Capital
improvements that have been requested include a new boiler for the theater,
upgrades to concessions equipment, and Sport Court flooring, which would also
be used for potential sports tournaments.
Cook announced that Five Flags has renewed its sponsorship agreement with
Atlantic Coca-Cola, which has provided the venue with new pub tables, digital
menu boards, and portable bars. He explained that the facility is currently in
discussion with KWWL about renewing its sponsorship agreement.
Cook explained that Five Flags is now seeking a new Food and Beverage
Manager and noted that the venue continues to be short-handed among both
full- and part-time staff, but added that use of volunteer groups has help fill in
the gaps.
Cook also extended well wishes to Commissioner Bakke, who recently suffered
a significant leg injury.
PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment at this time.
ADJOURN; Motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Parks, seconded by
VOTE: Commissioner Blau. The motion passed unanimously.
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, January 18, 2022.
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