MINUTES OF THE FARGODOME AUTHORITY MEETING
A regular meeting of the Fargo Dome Authority was held on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at 3:30 p.m. in the FARGODOME Conference Room with President Troy Goergen presiding.
Members present:
President Troy Goergen, Blake Nelson, Dan Armbrust, Nancy Jordheim, Michael Ellingson and Vern Bennett.
Members absent:
David Suppes.
Others present:
Derek Fletcher – City of Fargo; Sarah Dykema, Director of Marketing – FARGODOME; Bernie Larson, Assistant General Manager - FARGODOME; Susan Thompson, Director of Finance – FARGODOME; Amanda Muellenbach, Administrative and Auxiliary Services Manager - FARGODOME and Rob Sobolik, General Manager – FARGODOME.
Media present:
None
President Troy Goergen called the meeting to order at 3:36 p.m.
Troy Goergen welcomed Vern Bennett to the Fargo Dome Authority.
Michael Ellingson made a motion, seconded by Blake Nelson, to approve the agenda of the April 30, 2019 Fargo Dome Authority meeting as presented. Motion carried.
Dan Armbrust made a motion, seconded by Nancy Jordheim, to approve the minutes from the March 26, 2019 Fargo Dome Authority meeting. Motion carried.
Rob Sobolik presented the General Manager's report as follows:
• Year-to-Date Net Income through March is stated at $277,409, which is a positive variance (to budget) of $36,256.
• Upon review, Blake Nelson made a motion, seconded by Dan Armbrust, to approve the March financial statements as presented.
On call of the roll, Armbrust, Bennett, Ellingson, Goergen, Jordheim and Nelson voted aye.
Absent and not voting: Suppes.
The motion was declared carried.
• Past Events PRCA Rodeos on March 29-30, 2019. Sound of Music on April 3, 2019. Shrine Circus on April 5-7, 2019. Casting Crowns on April 11, 2019. NDSU Football Coaches’ Clinic on April 12-13, 2019. Sanford Health Gala on April 25, 2019. NDSU Football Spring Game on April 26, 2019.
• Upcoming Events: Something Rotten! on May 1, 2019. P!nk on May 4, 2019. NDSU Spring Commencement on May 11, 2019. Sanford Fargo Marathon on May 16-18, 2019.
• Comments on Past Events: Nothing to report.
Blake Nelson presented the Fargo Dome Authority Building and Finance Committee report. The Fargo Dome Authority Building and Finance Committees met on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. Items discussed included:
• March 2019 Financial Statements: The March 2019 Financial Statements were approved by the Finance Committee at the meeting on April 24, 2019.
• Project Updates:
o Building Upgrades: Rob stated that he continues to work with RL Engebretson on the building upgrades project, including costing options, updated drawings and phasing of the projects. This item will be discussed in further detail at upcoming meetings.
o Family Restrooms: Rob stated that he asked RL Engebretson to come up with options for adding family restrooms and mothers rooms on the mezzanine level in the space that is currently occupied by a set of men's restrooms and a coat check/vending machine room. Please see attached options. Option A would use the existing space and would leave the hallway between the staircase and the restrooms. Option B would take out the hallway and add that space to the family restrooms. It was noted that there is another hallway on the other side of the staircase. Option A would have an approximate construction cost of $150,000 and project cost of $200,000. Option B would have an approximate construction cost of $200,000 and project cost of $260,000. Rob noted that the plan would be to pay for the project out of the surplus fund. The layout of the space will be further discussed if the project moves forward.
The Building Committee and Finance Committee accepted motions to move forward and bid out the project.
o Bomb Dog: Rob noted that he has been in communication with Fargo PD regarding a partnership to invest in a bomb dog for the police department that would be available for needs at FARGODOME events. Currently, there are several show throughout the year that require the use of a bomb dog and FARGODOME pays for that service on a per event basis. The service is typically provided by a company located out of town and costs anywhere between $1,000-$2,500 per event. The FARGODOME would partner with Fargo PD on the initial investment of the dog, equipment and training, and in turn, FARGODOME would have priority for having the dog as needed at events. The initial investment would be around $75,000-$80,000 and FARGODOME would pay half of that cost. The expense would be built into the 2020 Capital Budget. Fargo PD would be responsible for any ongoing costs. The general consensus of the group was to move forward and work with Fargo PD on this item.
Blake Nelson made a motion to approve the Building and Finance Committee report as presented.
On call of the roll, Armbrust, Bennett, Ellingson, Goergen, Jordheim and Nelson voted aye.
Absent and not voting: Suppes.
The motion was declared carried.
Nominating Committee: Mike Ellingson presented the Fargo Dome Authority Nominating Committee report. The Fargo Dome Authority Nominating Committee brought forward the following appointments:
• Troy Goergen as President of the Fargo Dome Authority.
• Blake Nelson as Vice President of the Fargo Dome Authority.
• Dan Armbrust as Treasurer of the Fargo Dome Authority.
• Nancy Jordheim as Secretary of the Fargo Dome Authority.
Michael Ellingson made a motion, seconded by Vern Bennett to approve the slate of officers as presented.
On call of the roll, Armbrust, Bennett, Ellingson, Goergen, Jordheim and Nelson voted aye.
Absent and not voting: Suppes.
The motion was declared carried.
Troy Goergen appointed Mike Ellingson as the Building Committee Chairperson and Blake Nelson as the Finance Committee Chairperson.
Troy Goergen appointed Vern Bennett to sit on the Building Committee.
The next Fargo Dome Authority meeting will be on May 28, 2019 at 3:30 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:07 p.m.