City of Grand Forks, North Dakota

Employment - City Directory - Contact Us


	*Grand Forks Events Center Commission* *Regular Monthly Meeting* *Wednesday, April 28, 2010 7:30 am* *Alerus Center Meadowlark Room #12* CALL TO ORDER Randy Newman, Chair, called the Alerus Center Commission meeting to order on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at approximately 7:35 a.m. ROLL CALL Present were David Evenson, Brian Faison, Curt Kreun, Darrell Larson, Randy Newman and Dwight Thompson establishing a quorum. City: Saroj Jerath VenuWorks, Inc: Steve Peters UND Students: Ben Axtman and Matt Bakke, Student Body President Alerus Center Staff: Tami Pearson, Wendy Nimens, Jeremy Linstad, Rod Oas, Vione Jordheim, Roger Swanson Mr. Newman introduced and welcomed Roger Swanson, Alerus Center Executive Director. With the resignation of Steve Hyman, Mr. Swanson accepted the position and began his duties on April 12. Mr. Swanson’s industry background was provided by Mr. Peters. Thank you and comments were given by Mr. Swanson. *A motion was made by Curt Kreun to accept the appointment of Roger Swanson as Executive Director of the Alerus Center. Seconded by Brian Faison. Motion carried unanimously.* APPROVAL OF MINUTES A *motion was made by Dwight Thompson to approve the March 17, 2010 am and March 17, 2010 pm minutes. Seconded by David Evenson. Motion carried unanimously.* APPROVAL OF MARCH FINANCIALS The March 2010 financials were presented as included in the packets. March revenue less hospitality tax is $346,663; budgeted revenue less hospitality tax is $355,322 and year-to-date revenue less hospitality tax is $889,682 or 13% of budget. March expenses are $389,253; budgeted expenses are $400,585 and year-to-date expenses are $1,077,071 or 24% of budget. Currently on sale in the ticket office are tonight’s concert featuring Carmen the Cactus and 24Seven and Happy Harry’s Beer Fest to be held August 28. Account receivables of 90 days and over will be brought to the Commission for their review. Mr. Peters, VenuWorks, has agreed to repay the management fees from 2008 and 2009. Due from City includes only the hospitality tax. All accounts receivable are charged interest at a rate of 18% annually. Trade receivables are negotiated through several annual contracts. The City Attorney has revised the suite trade contract that if the trade is not used within the year the trade receivable must be paid in cash. Staff will be working on the 2010 budget forecast and will present it at the May meeting along with budget recommendations. Notice has been received from City Finance that the Alerus Center 2011 budget will be reviewed the week of July 5. Commission will have the first opportunity to review it in May and will approve it at the June meeting. Commissioners David Evenson and Dwight Thompson will serve on a budget committee, with Mr. Evenson as Chair. The first quarter report was presented as included in the packet. A motion was made by David Evenson to receive and file the March 2010 financials and to forward them to the proper City officials for distribution. Seconded by Dwight Thompson. Motion carried unanimously. BID AWARD FOR NETWORK SWITCH A recommendation was made to award bid number 2010-9 Network Switch to T3Systems, Inc. who is the low bidder and did meet all the specification requirements. This is the fiber switch for internet, wireless and internal systems at the Alerus Center. A motion was made by Curt Kreun to award the network switch to T3 Systems, Inc. Seconded by Darrell Larson. Motion carried unanimously. PLANNING FOR 10^TH ANNIVERSARY – FEBRUARY 10, 2011 A motion was made by Curt Kreun to form a celebration committee with Commissioners Brian Faison and Darrell Larson serving on the Committee. Seconded by Dwight Thompson. Motion carried unanimously. MANAGEMENT REPORTS *Meetings/Convention/Ballroom* Significant activity this past month included 3 banquets, 3 conventions, 16 meetings, 3 consumer shows, 2 tradeshows, 10 community/civic events and 1 sporting event. The Alerus Center has been awarded the Midwest Regional Park District Conference in April/May 2012. This is the first time this conference has been held in Grand Forks. Due to limited space availability, three potential wedding receptions have been turned down. Commission asked if thought has been given to the possibility of holding these types of events in the arena. *Marketing* The “Raise the Roof” concert will be held tonight in Plan B featuring Carmen the Cactus and 24/Seven. Ticket prices are $10 or $5 with a student ID. Parking is free. The 7^th Annual Easter Egg Hunt was held with approximately 2,500-3,000 in attendance. The 2^nd Annual Anything Goes sale is planned for June 12. Currently there are over 100 booths sold. Happy Harry’s Beer Fest is scheduled for August 28^th. Tickets are $10 and are currently on sale. Event planners are reviewing the event map in order to provide a better flow for the event. March 2010 attendance was 26,807; 17,128 arena and 9,679 conference center. First quarter 2010 attendance was 53,465; 32,117 arena and 21,348 conference center compared to 2009 first quarter attendance of 54,116; 33,000 arena and 21,116 conference center. *Suites & Advertising* Stephanie Bernstrom has resigned her position. The last four suites on the north side have been remodeled into a new club area creating an opportunity to sell individual seats or tables in that area. *Operations* At the request of the Commission last moth, the preventative maintenance schedule was presented and reviewed. Updates on the renovations will be given later in the meeting. *Food & Beverage* Concessions for the EDC basketball games and the first outdoor auction were very successful with a positive impact on revenues. A large portion of the catering revenue was due to hosting the multiple day Republican State Convention and the Rocky Mountain Elk banquet. The Food & Beverage Department is looking at selecting a prime vendor for food supplier for potential savings. OTHER *Overview of Remodeling Project* A meeting was held with JLG Architects to review the remodeling projects. The escalator project is ready to be bid. Staff will be advised by the end of the week if it is possible to make the football deadline. However, cash flow is not available at this time. Keeping in compliance with City policy a project cannot be bid unless the dollars are available. As this has been a high priority topic, Mr. Kreun was asked to approach the City Council and work with the City Finance Department to find other funds or alternatives to allow this project to be bid as the project would need to be completed prior to the first football game on September 10^th. Alerus Center 2008 Building Enhancements, Yearly Capital Budget Plan 2009, Master Facility Plan and Proposed 2010 and 2011 CIP were reviewed. A motion was made by David Evenson to create a renovation committee consisting of Randy Newman and Curt Kreun with Curt Kreun serving as chair. Seconded by Dwight Thompson. Motion carried unanimously. The Renovation Committee along with staff will review the proposed capital improvement projects and bring back recommendations to the Commission. The Renovation Committee, Celebration Committee and Budget Committee reports will be placed on the monthly meeting agenda for updates. Ben Axtman introduced Matt Bakke, UND President of the Student Body. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:55 a.m. ____________________________ Respectfully submitted, Vione Jordheim Director of Administrative Services, Alerus Center ____________________________ Darrell Larson GFECC Secretary