Minutes of the FARGODOME Authority Meeting
A regular meeting of the Fargo Dome Authority was held on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 3:30 p.m. in the FARGODOME Conference Room with President Michael Ellingson presiding.
A regular meeting of the Fargo Dome Authority was held on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at 3:30 p.m. in the FARGODOME Conference Room with President Michael Ellingson presiding.
Members present: President Michael Ellingson, Nancy Jordheim, Blake Nelson, Dan Armbrust, David Suppes, Troy Goergen and Rick Steen.
Members absent: None.
Others present: Ryan Green – City of Fargo; Zach Prante, Accounting Analyst –FARGODOME; 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: Jeff Kolpack – The Forum; Steve Elwell - WDAY.
President Michael Ellingson called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.
Rob requested to add an update on the Ninth Amended Lease Agreement between NDSU and the Fargo Dome Authority to the agenda under additional items.
Rick Steen made a motion, seconded by David Suppes, to approve the agenda of the June 28, 2022 Fargo Dome Authority meeting as amended. Motion carried.
Blake Nelson made a motion, seconded by Nancy Jordheim, to approve the minutes from the May 31, 2022 Fargo Dome Authority meeting. Motion carried.
Rob Sobolik presented the General Manager’s report as follows:
• Year-to-Date Net Income through May 2022 is stated at $408,217 which is a negative variance (to budget) of $47,278.
• Upon review, David Suppes made a motion, seconded by Rick Steen, to approve the May 2022 financial statements as presented.
On call of the roll, Armbrust, Ellingson, Goergen, Jordheim, Nelson, Steen and Suppes voted aye.
Absent and not voting:
The motion was declared carried.
• Past and Upcoming Events: Happy Harry’s RibFest was be held June 8-11, 2022. NDSU Football Camps were held June 16-18, 2022 and June 23-25, 2022. USA Wrestling will be held July 16-22, 2022.
David Suppes presented the Fargo Dome Authority Building and Finance Committee report. The Fargo Dome Authority Building and Finance Committees met on Wednesday, June 22 2022. Items discussed included:
• May 2022 Financial Statements: The May 2022 Financial Statements were approved by the Finance Committee at the meeting on June 22, 2022.
Project Updates:
• Turf Project – The installation part of the project is in progress. Due to various delays, the installation will be on a compressed schedule with a completion date of July 11.
• Fire Alarm Project – This project is in the final stage of completion.
• Keyless Entry Project – This project is in the final stage of completion.
Escrow Balance & Performance Reports:
• The FARGODOME permanent fund performance, year-to-date, through April 2022 is -7.84%. Please see attachments.
Additional Items:
• Audit Review/Discussion – The City is in the process of putting out an RFP for an auditor and FARGODOME plans to roll into the City’s RFP. Susan asked the committees if they would like FARGODOME Operations to remain as a separate audit or have it part of the City audit. A general discussion ensued. The committees directed Susan to work with Terri Gayhart and the City of Fargo Finance Committee to come to a decision on if the FARGODOME needs a separate audit. Once that decision is made, the auditors can determine what level of procedures are needed.
• Operating Lease Agreement with NDSU – Rob provided an update on the status of the lease agreement. At the time of the meeting, Rob noted that he had sent the agreement to NDSU and was waiting for it to be returned so he could bring it to the Authority for review. Since the Building and Finance Committee met, the agreement has been returned.
• Expansion Project – There is a meeting regarding the expansion project scheduled for early July. More information on this item will be available at upcoming meetings.
David Suppes made a motion to approve the Building and Finance Committee report as presented.
On call of the roll, Armbrust, Ellingson, Goergen, Jordheim, Nelson, Steen and Suppes voted aye.
Absent and not voting:
The motion was declared carried.
Additional Items:
• Update on NDSU Lease Agreement: Rob updated the committee on the Ninth Amended Lease Agreement between NDSU and the Fargo Dome Authority. Please see attachment. Rob noted that the agreement is for a one year term beginning July 1, 2022. Notable changes to the agreement were mostly related to language regarding alcoholic beverage sales at NDSU Football games. NDSU indicated that the sale of alcoholic beverages at games was acceptable if the Authority were to choose to do so. Items that would need further clarification include the percentage of sales NDSU would receive if alcoholic beverages were sold and the wording or definition of the products that could be sold. The Authority indicated that they were in favor of alcohol sales at NDSU games as well and directed Rob to continue to work with NDSU representatives on the items that needed further clarification. This item will be discussed at the next meeting.
The next Fargo Dome Authority meeting will be on July 26, 2022 at 3:30 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:09 p.m.