Minutes Five Flags 10 17 05
Five Flags Commission Meeting
October 17, 2005
PRESENT: ROD BAKKE, CYNTHIA FULLER, MIKE BRANNON, BRYCE PARKS, MARK NAUMAN
STAFF PRESENT: GENERAL MANAGER CHARLIE GARDNER, JENNIFER UPTEGRAPH
The Commission meeting convened at 4:30 P.M. in the Manager’s Office. Chairperson Cynthia Fuller
presided.
Approval of Minutes:
Rod Bakke moved to approve the September 2005 Five Flags Commission
Minutes. Seconded by Mike Brannon. Motion carried 5-0.
Manager’s Activity Report:
Manager Gardner presented the commissioners with an update of the
dealings at the Five Flags Center.
FACILITY OVERVIEW:
Renovation Update:
Manager Gardner updated the commission on the renovations. The punch list
is still not done, there are several little things that need to be completed – lighting, signage, etc.
The Marlock system also needs to be put in. Eventually there will be a buzzer for the Thunderbirds
and a buzzer for the front office with the electric strike button, available in the front office.
The Grand Re-Opening went well. The Dubuque Ambassadors were on hand to do a ribbon cutting
ceremony. This was a way for our clients and reps to view the new building.
We haven’t gotten anything but great feedback on the ice.
Facility Report:
Full time people are now required to sign in and out every day along with anyone
else in the building – visitors and/or workers. Symphony/Fly-By-Night personnel are not required to
sign in and out if they are supervised and the supervisor is signed in and all are accounted for.
This is so that if something happens - we get a bomb threat/gas leak – and we are required to
evacuate we are responsible for everyone in the building. At the time of evacuation, we can run down
the list and make sure everyone signed in is out of the building.
Five Flags personnel are trained how to evacuate people from the Building, etc.
Manager Gardner will check and see if it’s possible to get one of the restrooms upstairs unlocked for
Thunderbird personnel to utilize.
FINANCIAL REPORT:
Finances were presented to the Commissioners for the month of September, 2005 and are attached.
Manager Gardner is going to request that Don break down Thunderbird Games.
OLD BUSINESS:
Advertising/Signage:
Budweiser is planning on purchasing advertising/signage in the upper
promenade – we are planning on putting (2) 3x6 signs on the wall to the right of the concession
stand. The company is given reign on their own signs, they can switch out; change as often as they’d
like.
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Bud was also talking about purchasing some flat screen TVS to mount near the concession stands to
run Budweiser advertisements – like a mini marquee in the building.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Five Flags Center was reviewed last week by Zurich insurance, regarding Liability Insurance.
They were pretty comfortable with what they saw. Manager Gardner has implemented sign-in/sign-
out. The building will be shot down when the buzzer system is put into place.
The Upper Deck / Gate G is almost finished – currently the Thunderbirds are renting it out to
companies during their games as a VIP room for employees. The Dubuque Jaycees were the first
group to invest. They were mostly happy, a few things like the room not being completely finished –
It is a work in progress; we’ve got a drink rail/stools ordered.
The Thunderbirds rent it out for $300 – food/beverages are extra and purchased by the company
and/or its patrons. Mark Czeshinski is the one pitching it to the companies, and he’s doing a great
job.
We are trying to come up with new ways to get people better acquainted with the facility. In
December, the Thunderbirds will run a “Quebecor” Night – we’d like them to feed their employees that
attend here at our concession stands. Manager Gardner is implementing “Gift Certificates” for this
night, valued at $1 each, the company can purchase and hand out to their employees.
We will also be using the “Gift Certs” with complaints in Food and Beverage.
NEW BOOKINGS
(Please note, all new bookings/holds are confidential until announced!)
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Kenny Rogers & Friends X-Mas show on December 13
Disney on Ice in January – they will be doing 7 shows
There is a lot of family programming coming up:
Sesame Street
Globetrotters
Disney on Ice
Possibly the Care Bears
There is a potential issue with the Substate basketball tournament date. Peggy has been trying to
contact Dick Weitz but to no avail. He was not happy last year as to the $1 facility fee, changes to
contract, etc.
Rory Meeks from the Bullride called and would like that date – Manager Gardner gave Mr. Weitz 48
hours and that the date had been challenged and a decision was needed immediately, along with a
deposit as required.
Manager Gardner expressed that SMG was brought in to manage the building and to maximize the
revenue generated from the facility and will do so following procedures that were set agreed upon.
All other users of the facility are required to follow the same procedure. The Commissioners agreed
that everyone should follow these operational guidelines.
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Manager Gardner was asked to inform the Commissioners of the outcome of the above situation.
With no further business to discuss, Mike Brannon moved to adjourn,
Mark Nauman seconded. Motion carried. 5-0 Meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia Fuller, Chairperson
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