Minutes_Five Flags Civic Center Advisory Commission 01.18.22Copyrighted
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
January 18, 2022
COMMISSIONERS Bryce Parks, Mackenzie Blau, Brenda Christner. Participating by phone are Rod
PRESENT: Bakke and Tyler Daugherty
COMMISSIONERS None
ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT: HR Cook, Jesse Gavin, Jacquelyn Pfohl, Julie Husemann, Aaron Rainey
OTHERS PRESENT: Marie Ware (by phone)
CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chair Daugherty called the meeting to order.
MINUTES APPROVED: Commissioner Parks motioned and Commissioner Blau seconded, to approve
the minutes of October 25, 2021 meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
INTRODUCTION OF Five Flags General Manager HR Cook introduced new Commissioner Brenda
COMMISSIONER Christner, who replaces Nicholas Huff. Christner explained that she moved to
BRENDA CHRISTNER Dubuque roughly two years ago to be nearer to her grandchildren and has felt
AND OATH OF inspired to be more involved in the community, seeing the Civic Center
OFFICE: Commission as a good way to do so. Oath of Office was administered by Five
Flags Marketing Manager Jesse Gavin.
ELECTION OF Daugherty expressed interest in moving from Vice Chair to Chair of the FFCCC,
OFFICERS: and was nominated by Blau with a second by Bakke. Vote approved 5-0. Bakke
then nominated himself to serve as Vice Chair. Seconded by Blau. Approved 5-
0.
UPDATE BY LEISURE Ware explained that the City Council will hold a work session about the potential
SERVICES MANAGER expansion of Five Flags Center on January 24 and encouraged Commission
MARIE WARE: members to be present or participate virtually, though there will be no public
input at the work session. Consultants from CSL International will participate in
the session virtually. The purpose of the work session will be to bring the current
members of the City Council up to speed on the proposed project, including an
overview of the previous feasibility studies and public input, as well as updating
them on what has happened since the issue was tabled by the Council in 2020.
Because it is a work session and not a regular council meeting, no action can be
taken. City staff has identified potential dates for a referendum, should the
Council choose to go that route. The earliest such date would be in September
of this year. Any action taken by the council would have to come at a regular
meeting. Cook also mentioned that a study of the potential economic impact has
been commissioned by Dubuque Main Street and is expected to be completed
in the coming week or two.
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UPDATE BY HR COOK Cook explained that among the projects being handled by Five Flags Center
ON CAPITAL staff include the purchase of new basketball goals. The previous goals have
IMPROVEMENT been in place for decades and hang from the ceiling, which at times impedes
PROJECTS: production setup for shows. New goals will be the "roll in" variety commonly
used in NBA and major college basketball arenas. New chairs for the arena floor
are also in the works. Projects going through the city include new carpet for the
theater. Cook believes the hiring of a Leisure Services Project Manager will
make capital improvements easier by taking some things off of Ware's plate.
UPDATE BY HR COOK Cook reminded the Commission that the facility received two grants from the
ON SHUTTERED state of Iowa. The city has now received the money, and is the process of
VENUES GRANTS: transferring it to Five Flags Center. Among projects to be funded by the grants
are the purchase of new projectors for the facility, particularly the Five Flags
Theater. The current projectors are between 20 and 25 years old. Total cost of
replacements will be roughly $45,000. A new ice machine has already been
purchased and installed. Sound system improvements are also being
considered. Additional funds have also been earmarked for creating an
Assistant Maintenance Manager position to help ease the eventual retirement of
longtime Five Flags employee Bob Richardson.
EVENTS REVIEW AND Cook noted that Five Flags Center's bookings have returned to 2018/2019
BOOKINGS UPDATE: levels. Larger concerts are keeping up, despite concerns they would focus on
larger venues coming out of COVID. Five Flags has begun working with many
new promoters and agents since the pandemic. Between 35 and 40 events are
currently on sale, with new bookings being announced all the time. COVID is
still impacting ticket sales and attendance. Five Flags has been seeing up to
20% "no shows" which reflects industry -wide trends.
INTRODUCTION OF Cook introduced new Events and Operations Director Aaron Rainey. Rainey
NEW STAFF: comes to Five Flags Center after most recently being the Entertainment Director
at the Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque for ten years. He has more than 25 years
experience in the entertainment industry, including his time at the Diamond Jo
and a previous radio career. Cook explained that Five Flags is again seeking to
hire a new Food and Beverage Manager, with a decision hopefully coming in the
next week. He mentioned that he's excited by the staff that is in place and their
ability to lead the facility into a possible new era with potential expansion on the
horizon.
STAFF REPORTS: Director of Finance Julie Husemann presented the most recently available
financial statement for Five Flags Center, which was completed at the end of
November. At that time, the facility had taken in about $213,000 in revenue,
while expenses were roughly $530,000. Utility costs are staying below budget.
The current forecast would see the facility meet the city's benchmark, but miss
the budget set by ASM Global.
Cook also noted that Five Flags Center worked with the American Red Cross to
house 37 residents of the Canfield Hotel following a fire there in early
December. He praised Red Cross staff for being impeccably organized and very
easy to work with. The Canfield residents were at Five Flags Center for
approximately four days before being relocated. The city will be re-imbursed by
the Red Cross for "hard expenses," such as staff hours, restroom supplies, etc.
PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment was given in person, but commissioners had received a
letter from Tim Hitzler, who questioned the financial projections of a potentially
expanded Five Flags Center.
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ADJOURN; Motion to adjourn was made by Bakke, seconded by Parks. The motion passed
VOTE: unanimously.
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, January 18, 2022.
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