Minutes of the FARGODOME Authority meeting
A regular meeting of the Fargo Dome Authority was held on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at 3:30 p.m. in the FARGODOME Conference Room with President Blake Nelson presiding.
Members present: Blake Nelson, Dan Armbrust, David Suppes, Michael Ellingson, Troy Goergen and Rick Steen.
Members absent: Nancy Jordheim.
Others present: Jim Dostal – Jimmy D’s Catering; Peter Monsrud – City of Fargo; Bernie Larson, Assistant General Manager – FARGODOME; Sarah Dykema, Director of Sales and Marketing – FARGODOME; Amanda Muellenbach, Administrative and Auxiliary Services Manager – FARGODOME; Susan Thompson, Director of Finance – FARGODOME and Rob Sobolik, General Manager – FARGODOME.
_Media present: Barry Amundson – The Forum.
President Blake Nelson called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.
Dan Armbrust made a motion, seconded by David Suppes, to approve the agenda of the April 26, 2022 Fargo Dome Authority meeting as presented. Motion carried.
Rick Steen made a motion, seconded by Mike Ellingson, to approve the minutes from the March 29, 2022 Fargo Dome Authority meeting. Motion carried.
Catering Application – Jimmy D’s Catering: The Authority reviewed the catering application from Jimmy D’s Catering.
David Suppes made a motion, seconded by Dan Armbrust, to approve the catering application from Jimmy D’s Catering.
On call of the roll, Armbrust, Ellingson, Goergen, Nelson, Steen and Suppes voted aye.
Absent and not voting: Jordheim.
The motion was declared carried.
Jim Dostal left the meeting.
Rob Sobolik presented the General Manager’s report as follows:
• Year-to-Date Net Income through March 2022 is stated at $318,047 which is a negative variance (to budget) of $65,853.
• Upon review, Rick Steen made a motion, seconded by Troy Goergen, to approve the March 2022 financial statements as presented.
On call of the roll, Armbrust, Ellingson, Goergen, Nelson, Steen and Suppes voted aye.
Absent and not voting: Jordheim.
The motion was declared carried.
• Past and Upcoming Events: Shrine Circus was held April 1-3, 2022. Shinedown was held April 6, 2022. NDSU Football Coaches Clinic was held April 8-9, 2022. Jersey Boys was held April 13, 2022. Sanford Health Employee Event was held
April 20, 2022. Mercy Me was held April 22, 2022. NDSU Spring Football Game was held April 23, 2022. Paw Patrol Live will be held May 6-8, 2022. NDSU Spring Commencement will be held May 14, 2022. Fargo Marathon will be held May 19-21, 2022. Fargo Public Schools Graduation will be held May 29, 2022.
Rick Steen presented the Fargo Dome Authority Building and Finance Committee report. The Fargo Dome Authority Building and Finance Committees met on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. Items discussed included:
• March 2022 Financial Statements: The March 2022 Financial Statements were approved by the Finance Committee at the meeting on April 20, 2022.
• Project and Capital Budget Updates:
• Fire Alarm System Replacement – The main part of this project is complete. The remaining smaller parts of the project will continue to be worked on through the summer.
• Keyless Entry Project – This project is ongoing. There have been some issues with getting equipment. This project will continue until all of the equipment arrives and can be installed.
• Turf Replacement Project – It was announced that Gate City Bank has renewed their branding rights for Gate City Bank Field. Please see attachment. This will be a $2.5 million, 10-year agreement. The initial part of the replacement project will take place from April 23-May 4, 2022, with the remainder of the project being completed May 31-July 10, 2022.
• Escrow Balance & Performance Reports: The FARGODOME permanent fund performance, year-to-date, through February 2022 is -2.13%. Please see attachments. Following up with the presentation from the State Investment Board at last month’s Building and Finance Committee meeting, Susan met with RLE to begin initial work on developing a probable timeline for fund inflows and outflows in regard to the potential expansion project. This item will be further discussed at upcoming meetings.
• Additional Items: A few of the Building and Finance Committee members inquired about including an upgrade to 5G wireless service in the 2023 capital budget. Rob noted that this is being looked into, with the help of City IS, and that FARGODOME is waiting on numbers to come in for the cost of the project. This item will be further discussed at upcoming meetings.
Bruce Grubb noted that Susan Thompson was given a special assignment to split her time between the City and FARGODOME, as she will be assisting with the preparation of the 2023 City Budget.
Rick Steen congratulated Bruce Grubb on his retirement announcement and thanked him for his service.
Rick Steen made a motion to approve the Building and Finance Committee report as presented.
On call of the roll, Armbrust, Ellingson, Goergen, Nelson, Steen and Suppes voted aye.
Absent and not voting: Jordheim.
The motion was declared carried.
Nominating Committee: Blake Nelson presented the Fargo Dome Authority Nominating Committee report. The Fargo Dome Authority Nominating Committee brought forward the following appointments:
• Mike Ellingson as President of the Fargo Dome Authority.
• Rick Steen as Vice President of the Fargo Dome Authority.
• David Suppes as Treasurer of the Fargo Dome Authority.
• Nancy Jordheim as Secretary of the Fargo Dome Authority.
Troy Goergen made a motion, seconded by Rick Steen to approve the slate of officers as presented.
On call of the roll, Armbrust, Ellingson, Goergen, Nelson, Steen and Suppes voted aye.
Absent and not voting: Jordheim.
The motion was declared carried.
The next Fargo Dome Authority meeting will be on May 31, 2022 at 3:30 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:54 p.m.