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FARGODOME Authority

Boards, Commissions & Committees

FARGODOME Authority - May 2, 2017

A regular meeting of the Fargo Dome Authority was held on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. in the FARGODOME Conference Room with President David Suppes presiding.

Members present: President David Suppes, Troy Goergen, Darrell Vanyo, Nancy Jordheim, Ryn Pitts and Michael Ellingson.

Members absent: Blake Nelson.

Others present: Susan Thompson, Director of Finance – FARGODOME; Bernie Larson, Assistant General Manager – FARGODOME; Amanda Muellenbach, Administrative and Auxiliary Services Manager - FARGODOME and Rob Sobolik, General Manager – FARGODOME.

Media present: None

President David Suppes called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.

Rob requested to add an Update on the Convention Center Study, Update on the Alerus Center and Update on the Parking agreement with Proffutt Limited Partnership to the agenda under additional items.

Troy Goergen made a motion, seconded by Darrell Vanyo, to approve the agenda of the May 2, 2017 Fargo Dome Authority meeting. Motion carried.

Troy Goergen made a motion, seconded by Michael Ellingson, to approve the minutes from the March 28, 2017 Fargo Dome Authority meeting. Motion carried.

Rob Sobolik presented the General Manager’s report as follows:

  • Year-to-Date Net Income through March 2017 is stated at $388,265 which is a positive variance (to budget) of $126,116.
  • Upon review, Ryn Pitts made a motion, seconded by Michael Ellingson, to approve the March 2017 financial statements as presented.
    On call of the roll, Ellingson, Goergen, Jordheim, Pitts, Suppes and Vanyo voted aye.
    Absent and not voting: Nelson.
    The motion was declared carried.
  • Past Events: Annie on March 29, 2017. Shrine Circus on March 31-April 2, 2017. 2018 Manufacturer Sneak Peek on April 3, 2017. NDSU Football Coaches’ Clinic on April 7-8, 2017. Casting Crowns on April 9, 2017. Lee Brice and Justin Moore on April 14, 2017. FSA Food Show on April 19, 2017. NDSU Spring Football Game on April 22, 2017. WWE on April 23, 2017.
  • Upcoming Events: NDSU Spring Commencement on May 13, 2017. Scheels Fargo Marathon on May 18-20, 2017. Rent on May 30, 2017.
  • Comments on Past Events: Nothing to report.

David Suppes presented the Fargo Dome Authority Finance Committee report. The Fargo Dome Authority Finance Committee met on Wednesday, April 26, 2017. Items discussed included:

  • March 2017 Financial Statements: The March 2017 Financial Statements were approved by the Finance Committee at the meeting on April 26, 2017.
  • Escrow Balance & Performance Reports: The FARGODOME permanent fund performance, year-to-date, through February 2017 is 8.42%. Please see attachments.
  • Project Updates:
    • Handicap Seating Expansion: Rob noted that this project is currently in progress and should be completed by the beginning of August.
    • Convention Center Study – The committee had a general discussion on the potential convention center. This item will be further discussed at upcoming meetings.

Nancy Jordheim made a motion to approve the Finance Committee report as presented.

On call of the roll, Ellingson, Goergen, Jordheim, Pitts, Suppes and Vanyo voted aye.

Absent and not voting: Nelson.

The motion was declared carried.

Nominating Committee: Darrell Vanyo presented the Fargo Dome Authority Nominating Committee report. The Fargo Dome Authority Nominating Committee brought forward the following appointments:

  • David Suppes as President of the Fargo Dome Authority.
  • Troy Goergen as Vice President of the Fargo Dome Authority.
  • Blake Nelson as Treasurer of the Fargo Dome Authority.
  • Nancy Jordheim as Secretary of the Fargo Dome Authority.

Darrell Vanyo made a motion, seconded by Michael Ellingson to approve the slate of officers as presented.
On call of the roll, Ellingson, Goergen, Jordheim, Pitts, Suppes and Vanyo voted aye.
Absent and not voting: Nelson.
The motion was declared carried.

Rob noted Dan Armbrust has been appointed to serve on the Fargo Dome Authority starting in May and David Suppes has been reappointed, both are representing the City of Fargo.
Rob thanked Ryn Pitts for her work and years of service on the Authority.

Additional Items: Discussion on Parking Agreement: Proffutt Limited Partnership is building a student housing complex on the 1600 block in North Fargo. The housing complex has a need for additional parking, as required by the City, than what could be provided on site. Proffutt had approached FARGODOME about the possibility of an arrangement to use up to 100 spots in FARGODOME parking lots for residents of the housing complex. At the February meeting, the Authority instructed Rob to move forward with negotiations for a parking agreement with Proffutt Limited Partnership. A draft document has been

sent to Proffutt Group and they are working with Rob on negotiating a few items. Rob noted that the agreement is similar to the one already in place between FARGODOME and NDSU for student residents at Niskanen Hall, located across the street from FARGODOME, in which parking permits are sold to park in FARGODOME lots and FARGODOME receives proceeds from each permit sold. Rob noted that at this time, FARGODOME would receive 100% of profits from parking permits sold under the agreement with Proffutt. This item will be further discussed at upcoming meetings.

Rob noted that the Alerus Center is planning to move forward with negotiating a Management contract with Spectra to oversee their facility. Currently, FARGODOME has three contracts in place with Spectra, including a Food & Beverage/Concessions Agreement, Ticketing Agreement and a Consulting Agreement. Rob noted that the Consulting Agreement expires on June 30, 2017. Rob has been in contact with Arena Network Group regarding the possibility of FARGODOME joining that group in place of the Consulting Agreement with Spectra or any other private management company. The cost to join Arena Network Group is $27,500 per year. FARGODOME is currently paying Spectra $24,000 per year for their consulting services. This item with be discussed further at upcoming meetings.

Convention Center Study Updates: Rob noted that the study will be finished sometime this week. HVS is planning a site visit on either May 24 or 25, 2017 to present the findings from the study. The committee had a general discussion on the potential convention center and other potential building improvements at FARGODOME. This item will be further discussed at upcoming meetings.

The next Fargo Dome Authority meeting will be on May 30, 2017 at 5:00 p.m.

There being no further business, Darrell Vanyo made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:10 p.m.