Minutes Five Flags Civic Ctr 2 21 05
Five Flags Commission Meeting
February 21, 2005
PRESENT: CYNTHIA FULLER, ROD BAKKE, MARK NAUMAN, MIKE BRANNON,
BRYCE PARKS (arrived late)
STAFF PRESENT: INTERIM GENERAL MANAGER CROOKS, TOM LORENZ OF
PERSHING CENTER, JENNIFER UPTEGRAPH, GIL
SPENCE, PEGGY DEGNAN
PUBLIC PRESENT: RANDY LUND (THUNDERBIRDS INVESTOR) JIM GOODMAN
LISA THORMANN, AND BOB WOODWARD OF YOUTH
HOCKEY, STEVE AND MARTHA CHRIST OF
THUNDERBIRDS BOOSTER CLUB, BEN ROTH OF
ADULT HOCKEY, including other members of the
Community.
The Commission meeting convened at 4:25 p.m. on February 21, 2005 in the Majestic
Room at Five Flags Center with Chairperson Cynthia Fuller presiding.
Approval of Minutes: Mark Nauman moved to approve the January 17, 2005 Five
Flags Commission Minutes. Seconded by Rod Bakke. Motion carried. 4-0
**Chairperson Fuller asked that minutes be just a tone of the meeting, what was said -
no need for word for word dictation.
Old Business: Interim Manager Crooks began with discussion of the All-American
Professional Basketball League. Chairperson Fuller commended those in attendance of
the meeting for speaking their minds and being passionate about what they believe in.
Mark Nauman questioned the standing of the basketball league. Manager Crooks
stated negotiations for the 05-06 season have ended as the two entities could not come
to terms.
Interim Manager Crooks and Tom Lorenz will be attending the City Council meeting in
case the issue arises to explain the situation.
The commission members were discouraged because they had wanted to see the
contract prior to the commission meeting. Rod Bakke asked that if something like this
arises again, they be kept informed throughout the process and that contracts be sent to
commission members well in advance of the meetings, even call special meetings if
need be.
Chairperson Fuller opened the meeting to members of the public regarding the All
American Professional Basketball League.
The commission heard from several members of the community, including but not
limited to, Jim Goodman, Bob Woodward and Lisa Thorman of Youth Hockey, Martha
Christ of the Thunderbirds Booster Club, Randy Lund of the Thunderbirds, Ben Roth of
Adult Hockey, and a representative from Loras Hockey in regards to the negative effect
the All-American Professional Basketball League would have on the ice users I hockey.
Rod Bakke explained this has been a learning experience for the Commission, and how
it is important for the relationship of the employees and the community to continue to
grow.
Mike Brannon stated after hearing about all of the ice users, and being considerate of
the issues they have, it is still the commission's responsibility to investigate other
revenues for the building and City. Some things arise at the most inopportune times,
and unfortunately Five Flags is in a seasonal business. It is great to hear about the
good things everyone has said about Interim Manager Crooks.
Chairperson Fuller believes it has taught the Commission to be considerate of the
Public.
Mark Nauman believes SMG is doing what it was hired to do - look at additional
revenue streams for the facility.
Tom Lorenz explained SMG was brought in because of the large deficit, their job is to
look for multiple revenue streams, being that of Rent, Parking Fees, Ticketing Revenue
and Food & Beverage. If Ice continues to be all the FFC has, the city will continue to
lose money. Most concerts will not come in the summer, and most events are seasonal
and will affect all the users of the facility.
Bryce Parks stated the fiscal plan for basketball was promising, but didn't take the
concerns of ice users into consideration. He believes it didn't take long for the
commission to realize that basketball wasn't going to work, after looking at the numbers
and details.
Interim Manager Crooks believes a balance needs to be spelled out. At what point is
there a cut off to events?
T om Lorenz reminded members of the public in attendance that the meeting is always
open to the public.
Mark Nauman said that Worth Christie came all the way from Casper, WY to talk at the
previous meeting.
New Business: No new business to discuss.
Manager's Report: Interim Manager Crooks went over the recent events that have
taken place at the FFC.
New Bookings:
3/10/05 - Larry the Cable Guy - over 2,300 sold thus far, ticket price $39.75
4/14/05 - Montgomery GentrylTrace Adkins with Cledus T. Judd -1,800 sold so far
4/23/05 - University of Iowa Dance
5/23/05 - George Carden Circus
Had to turn down Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts for this summer.
Holds:
Boxing on 4/23
11/9-10 - Lord of the Dance
April 4 & 5 - Barney
Ringling Brothers in May of 2006
Events this past month:
Fly-By-Night had their best show ever
Martha and Mary's Women's Conference has over 400 attendees; they will probably do
another year in the Theater, and then move the conference to the Arena.
Working on a Thunderbirds multi-year contract.
Will probably have a Concessions Manager this week.
The Website and Logo design are going well, SMG would prefer to move off the City's
website and the City's server and be our own entity.
The Renovation plans are going well, new heating and AC units, new carpeting, new
ductwork in the promenade not carpeted, as well as renovated concession stands.
The new HVAC should expand the season for the ice users.
Gil Spence wanted to make the commission aware of the procedure for contracts -
anything over 5 dates is required to be approved by the City Council. He also stated
that SMG followed the correct procedure in informing the Commission and negotiating a
contract with the AAPBL.
Financial Review: Interim Manager Crooks reported on the financials. The
commission members were questioning why financials weren't provided to them until
the night of the meeting. He explained that the numbers are due to the Manager on the
17th of each month, and the City by the 25th.
If they would like the financials a week in advance - they may want to look at moving
the meeting to the 4th Monday of the month. The commission decided to keep the
meetings on the date and time they are at now, and agreed upon receiving the
financials at the meeting.
In regards to the numbers for the past few months, Interim Manager Crooks explained
that everything the Five Flags Center has done has lost money; it doesn't cover the cost
of opening the building. The product lines in the concessions need work, and this will
change when the renovations are completed.
Chairperson Fuller suggested opening concessions for the theater. Tom Lorenz
explained that most theaters do not allow food and beverage due to spills and cleanup.
However, when warranted, concessions will be sold at theater events.
The commission was in agreement as to wanting breakdowns for financials, what each
event made, and attendance for events. Interim Manager Crooks will do the best he
can as far as breakdowns; some promoters do not want their drop counts broadcast.
Being no further business; Mark Nauman moved to adjoum. seconded by Bryce Parks.
Motion carried. 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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