Minutes_Five Flags Civic Center Advisory Commission 08.29.22Copyrighted
November 7, 2022
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 01.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: Civil Service Commission of 10/21/22; City Council Proceedings of
10/17/22; Five Flags Civic Center Advisory Commission of 8/29/22;
Historic Preservation Commission of 10/20/22; Library Board of
Trustees of 4/28/22, 5/26/22, 6/23/22, 7/28/22, 8/24/22, and 8/25/22;
Library Board of Trustees Update of 10/27/22; Long Range Planning
Advisory Commission of 10/19/22; Zoning Advisory Commission of
11/2/22; Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of 10/3/22
and 10/17/22.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
City Council Proceedings of 10/17/22 Supporting Documentation
Civil Service Commission Minutes of 10/21/22 Supporting Documentation
Five Flags Civic Center Commission Minutes of Supporting Documentation
8/29/22
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes of 10/20/22 Supporting Documentation
Library Board of Trustees Minutes of 4/28/22 Supporting Documentation
Library Board of Trustees Minutes of 5/26/22
Library Board of Trustees Minutes of 6/23/22
Library Board of Trustees Minutes of 7/28/22
Library Board of Trustees Minutes of 8/24/22
Library Board of Trustees Minutes of 8/25/22
Library Board of Trustees Update of 10/27/22
Long Range Planning Advisory Commission Minutes of
10/ 19/22
Zoning Advisory Commission Minutes of 11/2/22
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of
10/03/22
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of
10/17/22
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
FIVE FLAGS �� n
Five Flags Civic Center Advisory Commission Meeting
August 29, 2022
COMMISSIONERS All commissioners present.
PRESENT:
COMMISSIONERS None.
ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT: HR Cook, Jesse Gavin, Julie Husemann, Aaron Rainey, Nick Farfan
OTHERS PRESENT: Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware, and a reporter from the Telegraph -
Herald.
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Daugherty called the meeting to order.
MINUTES APPROVED: Commissioner Christner motioned to approve the minutes of June 2022
meeting. Seconded by Blau. Motion passed unanimously.
COMMISSION Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware had requested that H.R. Cook compile a
DISCUSSION ON FIVE list of proposed improvement projects. The Commission will now be asked to
FLAGS BASIC prioritize the list. Five Flags Center staff will also be asked for input. The goal is
IMPROVEMENTS AND to move the projects that would most make Five Flags Center more efficient and
PRIORITIES: cost-effective to the top of the list. Commissioner Christner emphasized bringing
the venue into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, while noting
that could cover several of the items on the list. Commissioner Parks
emphasized the difference between items that the public would notice versus
things that are important, but not as front -facing. H.R. Cook emphasized that the
list does not include projects already listed in future Capital Improvement
budgets. He also noted that cost estimates for some of the projects have been
included in previous feasibility studies, but those dollar figures are now
outdated. Commissioners also asked about the crossover of listed projects that
would be included in an expanded facility. Commissioner Daugherty said it will
be difficult to choose because there are so many projects that need to be
completed and suggested that the full list be submitted to the Council. Ware
said any input would be helpful with the city's budget season coming up, as well
as the October Council work session on potential expansion. He also let
Commissioners know that their input would be sent directly to the City Council.
UPDATE BY H.R. Five Flags Center General Manager HR Cook provided an update on several
COOK: issues:
Year -End Financials: Building Finance Director Julie Huseman presented
nearly complete financial information from Fiscal Year 2022. For the fiscal year,
Five Flags Center came under the city funding benchmark by approximately
$129,000. Concessions revenue exceeded the budget forecast by 80%. Taking
control of the Five Flags Parking Ramp on event days also brought in $16,000
in new, unbudgeted revenue. Facility repairs totaled $350,000, abut $50,000
more than expected. Cook noted that the facility was on pace to beat the
benchmark by closer to $200,000, but chose to spend some of the savings on
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maintenance issues. He said more could be done, but held off because any
savings under the benchmark is split between the city and ASM Global.
Bookings: Cook explained that much of the increase in concessions revenue
came from beer sales at some of the larger country concerts hosted over the
past fiscal year. But he noted that the industry is seeing a down -shift in the
number of tours scheduling dates in the fall and winter. Five Flags Center is
therefore shifting focus to family shows, which generally bring in less
concessions revenue. But he expects some of the larger, more music -based
shows to come back around in the late winter or early spring.
Facility Updates: Director of Events and Operations Aaron Rainey outlined
some of the upgrades to the facility in the latter portion of Fiscal Year 2022,
which included new barricades and staging pieces to allow more flexibility
between types of events. The software the controls the HVAC system is in the
process of a needed update. A new sound system has been purchased for the
theater, and will be able to be move to the arena for certain events. Facility staff
undertook a significant painting project in July, updating much of the lower level
of the facility. New baby changing stations have also been purchased and
installed in three restrooms, addressing complaints from venue guests.
Staffing: Cook explained that Neely Burns has been hired as Food & Beverage
Manager, bringing significant restaurant experience, including assisting with
Five Flags Center's backstage catering in recent months. Her addition has
allowed Nick Farfan to transition into the vacant Events Manager position.
Financial Hack: Cook also provided an update on the attempted theft of
significant funds from the Five Flags Center accounts by a foreign hacker. He
noted that both the FBI and MidWest One Bank provided needed assistance to
stop the attempted wire transfers and bring the funds back to Five Flags Center.
Noted that these types of hacks can, and do, happen to many other kinds of
businesses.
PUBLIC INPUT: None received.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Parks, seconded by
Commissioner Bakke. The motion passed unanimously.
NEXT MEETING: Tentatively scheduled for Monday, October 31, 2022.
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