Minutes Five Flags C C 5 19 03Five Flags Commission Meeting
May 19, 2003
PRESENT: Rod Bakke, Mike Brannon, Cindy Fuller
STAFF PRESENT: Gil Spence, Paula Wolfe
The Commission meeting convened at 4:05 p.m. at the Carnegie Stout Public Library.
Vice Chair Mike Brannon presided.
Rod Bakke moved to approve the April 14, 2003 Five Flags Commission Minutes,
seconded by Cindy Fuller. Discussion followed for the correction of the Apdl 14 minutes,
due to the omission of the following discussion:
Cindy Fuller said that she is not an investor in the Dubuque Thunderbirds. She was
disappointed to hear of disparaging remarks being made in regard to her involvement
in the Civic Center as a commissioner. Her involvement with the Thunderbirds is as
a volunteer, not an investor.
With the addition of this correction, the April 14 minutes were approved.
Manager Wolfe reported that the month of Apdl was marathon month at Five Flags
Center. This was shown in the revenue generated. Comparative with last year, in which
March was the busiest month, revenue generated in April 2003 totaled over $49,000.
Revenue came from two major concerts, and two nights of Championship Bullriding along
with the musical- "Copacabana" and the Heartland Ballet "Best of Ballet" performances.
Major self-promotions in Apdl required tremendous staff commitment to make them
successful, especially with the ovemight turn-over of the Arena from a Bullriding dirt base to
an up-scale concert hall for the Anne Murray Concert. The house crew and stage crew did
a fabulous job making it all happen.
Concessions understandably were very strong for the month due to high attendance
and type of programming. These popular events have created a tremendous amount of
public awareness opportunities for the facility, and a goo'8 image.
Manager Wolfe went on to show the board samples printouts from information on
events at Five Flags, as featured on the City's website at www.cityofdubuque.or.q and at
www.dubuque365.com. A meeting with Paul Hemmer and Symphony representative will be
held on May 30, to discuss DSO facility issues.
Cindy Fuller said that activity at the Center is great, and that Paula is doing a great
job. Rod Bakke said that the perception of the public is way up there. In reference to
concerns from the symphony about the number of competing events in Dubuque, Mike
Brannon said he feels the "entertainment pie" is growing, and that people are starting to
support more entertainment events. Mike supported his opinion with the strong attendance
at the Anne Murray concert on a Sunday.
Cindy Fuller moved to approve the Manager's Report, seconded by Rod Bakke, the
Manager's Report was approved.
Moving on to business, Gil Spence informed the Commission that serious budget issues
had presented themselves lately. The State Legislature has cut $1.2 million from City
Funding. Added to a $600,000 insurance increase for FY04, there is now a $1.8 million
hole in the budget starting July 1. At this time City Manager, Mike Van Milligen is
Five Flags Commission Meeting
May 19, 2003
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determining cuts. Five Flags' budget will require a minimum of $52,000 to a maximum of
$76,000 to be cut from on-going operational costs. Gil explained that if every
department cuts the minimum amount from the budget, there will be enough to cover the
deficit, however, the City Manager knows that some departments will not be able to make
the minimum cuts. A temporary fix has been suggested which will freeze all employee
salaries. This can be mandated only to non-union employees. Mike Van Milligen will
approach each of the 5 Bargaining Units to see if they will consider wage freezes. Two
Five-Flags employees are union.
Mike Van Milligen has directed every department manager to identify areas that can
be cut, or ways to increase revenues. Raising rental rates will not be enough to cover even
the insurance increase. There will need to be additional new fees, since Five Flags will not
make budget as is. The Five Flags Commission will need to meet regarding their input.
The legislative cut in city funding came after the City of Dubuque's budget was
certified, therefore there is no way to go back and raise property taxes to help cover rising
costs. Suggestions that have been discussed are increasing public skating fees, staff
reductions, surcharges on ticket sales, closing concession stands, just to name a few. The
only way to come up with the total amount needed is to cut staff. To cover the deficit, 34
people will have to be cut.
The legislative cuts were for General Fund monies. This shortfall comes when the
City of Dubuque's government is in a transitional time already, with the new conference
center and other developments. All departmental suggestions are to be submitted to the
City Manager by June 30th. If employees will be cut, he wants a 3-month window for the
adjustment. Early retirement incentives may be proposed, however, IPERS will not pay out
until the employee reaches the right age.
With no further business to discuss, Rod Bakke moved to adjourn at 5:08, Cindy Fuller
seconded, and the motion was approved by all. The Five Flags Commission attended the
City Council work session later that evening. In attendance were Bakke, Brannon, Fuller
and Nauman, along with staff Spence and Wolfe.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Nauman
Chairperson