Minutes Five Flags 10 21 02Five Flags Commission Meeting
October 21, 2002
PRESENT: Rod Bakke, Mike Brannon, Gary Dolphin, Cindy Fuller
ABSENT: Mark Nauman
STAFF PRESENT: Gall McMahon, Gil Spence, Paula Wolfe
The Commission meeting convened at 4:37 p.m. in the Manager's Office at Five Flags
Center. Vice Chairperson Mike Brannon presided.
Gary Dolphin moved to approve the September 16, 2002 Five Flags Commission
Minutes, seconded by Rod Bakke. Minutes were approved.
Manager Wolfe reported that September featured several events and a very successful
making of ice. Meetings included the Upper Mississippi River Comprehensive Study,
Highway 20 Bddge Meeting and a three-day Terrorism Conference.
Manager Wolfe reported that the ticket sales for Red Green are going phenomenally
well, with only t 3% of the tickets remaining. As usual, Sesame Street ticket sales are
strong. Rodney Carrington had very good concessions, with attendance of just over
1,200. Hockey games are going well, with very strong attendance. Along with
successes, there was one show, the Tamburitzans, that did not draw as well as was
hoped. A complete report of how it was promoted, where it was promoted, and what
could be done in the future for these types of events will be presented at the November
meeting.
Peggy Degnan has been hired as the new Events Coordinator and will begin wo~-k on
October 28. Peggy has experience working on the client side, meaning she has put
together special events for Fortis Financial Group in Minneapolis. She worked for them
nationally and internationally, and has a lot of background in meeting, events and
entertainment planning for that particular company. Peggy is a graduate of the
University of Dubuque, and a native of Guttenberg, Iowa.
September financials were reviewed. Year to date revenue shows that we are up from
our total last year. Concessions were strong for the Irish Feis, American Classic Woman
showed minimal bar revenue. Discussion arose on concession revenue for Learn to
Skate. It appears revenue is Iow for the number of skaters that participated. Paula will
check with ,John on this. The commission also discussed pizza sales for concessions.
Paula reported that sales are going well, however, there have been some problems in
getting pizzas delivered in a timely manner. After discussion it was recommended by
the commission that more pizzas be brought in at the beginning of the game and that
better signage be used to direct patrons to the pizza concession stand.
Gil Spence told the commission that the rental rates handout was given to them early so
that they could look over what the history of what the rates have been, in preparation for
discussion of the operating budget, which will be take place at the November meeting.
F~e Flags Commission Meeting
O~ober 21,2002
Page 2
New Business. The Five Flags Center Renovation Plan and the Civic Center FY 2008
CIP Budget was reviewed. Proposed projects include the replacement of sidewalks,
portable chairs, tables, arena boiler and promenade roof. Gary Dolphin moved to
approve the FY'08 ClP budget as presented by staff. It was seconded by ROd Bakke,
and approved by all.
It was reported that the final report of the feasibility study should be completed by the
end of Octo~ber.
Manager Wolfe distributed the Five Flags event brochure and information on Dracula
and Faces & Voices.
Gary Dolphin moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Rod Bakke. There being no
further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:19 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mike Brannon
Vice Chairperson