00:00:11,370	First. It’s 11:00. We’re in the Tom Baker room of the city County building. This is the Bismarck event Center. Authority board meeting. Um, we’ll call roll to call the meeting to order, please. Member Gardner here. Grossman here. Come here. Wachter here. Wilson, here. Schmitz, here. All right.

00:00:38,570	Our first order of business is public comment, which would speak to anything on this agenda. That’s, um. I guess there is no public hearing. So it’s anything on this agenda or anything on the prior agenda. So anyone wish to speak to those topics? Please come forward, state your name, sign in and tell us the topic.

00:01:01,000	I just had a question. If talking about, um, catering is part of what’s on the agenda, if I’m allowed to speak about that, or if that’s not specific enough, I couldn’t tell by looking at the agenda.

00:01:15,000	So it’s not under the agenda by doing tend to bring it under other business, which at that point in time I will I will allow the caterers to speak. Okay. Thank you. Anyone else? I see no one in here. No one I’m going to call close public comment period. Uh, our next item is consideration of approval of the various minutes that were sent out to everyone.

00:01:48,300	I would entertain a motion if there are no changes. I would move to approve. Second. Any discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. Roll. Grossman. Yes. Yes. Walker. Yes. Wilson. Yes. Gardner. Yes. Mayor. Schmitz. Yes. Next item is to receive Events Center financial report. And actually. So I, Eric handed out, um, a summary of.

00:02:20,100	Eric, if you want to come up and just present it. And then I think, Amanda, you’ve got some information to us as well for us as well. Right. Thank you. Mayor.

00:02:39,770	Uh, committee members, um, so what you have in front of you is a brief financial, um, revenues and expenses report for the Bismarck Event Center through March 31st. Um, it’s not complete in any way with today being the first. We haven’t completed our month end closed processes or our reconciliations to recognize, um, some of the event activities that have taken place, um, through the month of March.

00:03:01,700	But this does recognize, um, the things that were preceded and, um, paid for through the city’s accounts payable processes. Um, throughout the course of March, um, there are three sections. The the first page is the overall summary of the event center. The second page is for the arena and the exhibit hall, um, inclusive. And then the third page is for the bell.

00:03:21,430	Mayhew’s auditorium. Um, as you can imagine, we look at those financially as two separate, uh, buildings, if you will. Um, just by the nature of the events that they serve for the city of Bismarck.

00:03:45,370	Um, so looking at the arena and the exhibit hall, um, showing the revenue, we have three general breakdowns, um, event based revenue. Those are our show settlements, our rentals. Um, the things that that bring occupants into our building. And then I broke out the food and beverage, um, revenues because we’re very easily able to specify what those things are.

00:04:05,270	And then our general revenues are just sort of our interest earnings, um, advertising panels, things that are, um, static in the event center that they essentially rent out to various businesses throughout the course of time. And then miscellaneous revenue that’s generally not significant in any way. Um, and then the next item is a cost of goods sold.

00:04:29,770	What we’re looking for in there is our event driven expenses, um, things for our food and beverage. Um, our labor costs are set up, our tear down, um, those costs that are only happening because of an event that’s taking place within the event center, um, typically. And that brings us to the I guess I should have just said the computer.

00:04:56,130	There we go. Um, so the net event revenue, as we’re looking at it, of about 639,000. The next section is our operating expenses. Those are our our general overhead costs are our gas, our electricity. Um, water and sewer service.

00:05:18,300	The cost of our personnel that are there on an everyday basis that make that building work. Um, whether there’s an event going on or not. Um, and we have the, the different breakdowns, um, for costs category, um, if you will, for those costs and those total about $705,000 bring us to about a net operating income or loss of $65,800 or so in the bottom.

00:05:45,570	The non operating revenues, things that we look at. We have donations, those primarily exist with the Bill Mayhew’s with um people are able to donate to the bill in purchasing um naming rights I think is the thing for the right way to classify it for a seat.

00:06:08,070	Um, it helps to with the uptick in, uh, the renovation of the bill over the years. That’s something that we’ve been, um, working with the event center for, I think probably eight years or so. Um, and then we also have the capital expenditures.

00:06:28,970	So our capital expenditures, as you know, um, are approved through the budget process and reimbursed through lodging, liquor, food. Typically, we look at the reimbursements from lodging, liquor, food tax on an annual basis at the end of the year. And so these expenses that we see in there are capital in nature primarily related to the ongoing costs of the capital improvement plan. Um, to redo the HVAC.

00:06:48,630	And I believe he’s working on the wayfinding. Um, at the same time. And then the last item down there, you’ll see a lodging, liquor, food transfer that is for the debt repayment. Um, according to our bond covenants, we make a monthly transfer of one sixth of an interest payment in 1/12 of a principal payment. And that accrues.

00:07:07,330	So that way we can make the payments on time. I believe it is May 1st and November 1st. Um, for those two payments. Something we might want to do because Oakview Group will have one component of this, we’ll have the other component specifically is it might be good to show the beginning and

00:07:23,430	ending cash, okay. In that, um, fund or the loan payments are going in and the capital improvements are going out of and or going out of and in and out, you know, so we can see that. certainly in full transparency as to what the balance is. And that in that fund.

00:07:40,330	Yep. We can certainly include, uh, the lodging, liquor, food part of that. Um, for future. Okay. Um, and then moving on, I guess I should finish, um, there’s about a $215,000, um, net loss with the arena and the exhibit hall.

00:08:04,530	Um, once you take into consideration the capital expenditures that haven’t been reimbursed and the the cash that, uh, has been put in there for future debt payments, um, that are coming up, um, looking at the Bellamy House again, this is a very, uh, community oriented facility. Um, looking at our event revenues again, our food and beverage breakdown.

00:08:25,170	Um, obviously with the the facility at the Belmar, who’s the food and beverage is significantly different than what we see at the arena or the exhibit hall. Um, but net revenue for the first three months of the year is generate about $126,000, with cost of goods sold, inputs of about $78,000, netting us a revenue of about 48,000.

00:08:44,900	The overhead expenses that we incur for the day to day operations of it is about 87,000, giving us a net operating loss of about 39,300.

00:09:03,230	Um, and then you’ll see at the bottom there is a small seat donation for $450, bringing us a total, um, at the belle of about a 30, just under $39,000 loss so far for the first three months. Okay. So I’ll entertain if there are any questions. I told Eric I thought it would be a good idea if we got started on something.

00:09:20,730	Um, knowing that it’s going to change moving forward from this point as to who’s reporting, what pieces of this, but might give some ideas of things we can ask for out of Oakview Group as we move forward as well.

00:09:36,200	Yeah, and if there are any anything you guys want to see in more detail or need more explanation for this thing for next month’s meeting? Um, I’m welcome to making any adjustments that you guys want to see specifically. Okay. And knowing that our meetings early in the month, you know, like today is a very normal time getting them closed on what is not possible. Correct? Okay.

00:10:02,900	If no one has questions of Eric, I’m going to ask Amanda to come up because she’s got some events, specific type things to share with us so we can understand some of what we’ve been doing. It’s all probably going to change, but. Thank you. Thank you Amanda. Okay. What I have in front of you, we just pulled some numbers from our ethics ticketing system.

00:10:34,530	And so the first box up there is just the arena exhibit hall events showing you the attendance that we had in tickets sold. So that first column is number of tickets sold for each one of those events. And then the second column, there is the ticket revenue that was brought in.

00:10:50,600	Um, and a disclaimer kind of behind that ticket revenue column is this is the total ticket sales for each event. Um, it’s then divided out in between, obviously with the promoter is getting for their cut and then what the event center gets depending on the contract with facility fees, um, online fees, that sort of thing that we might be making

00:11:07,200	off of revenue. Um, that’s a base ticket. So that column is the base ticket price, facility fee, and online as a whole.

00:11:24,030	Um, one thing to point out to is with that Nate Berg Etsy show, um, that is the one that we did give the $8 rebate per ticket on. So that was one that we did give a rebate back on. All the other ones are either straight rentals or a Co Pro that we did. The second category down there is the events at the bell going from January to now.

00:11:48,630	Um, again showing the attendance numbers, we had 5674 and attendance ticket revenue 185 three 7750 um, and for those of you that don’t have the paper, the, the um, attendance and ticket revenue for the event center was 71,985 people through the doors with a 1.590899 and $0.01 ticket revenue. Some upcoming events for April May listed down there.

00:12:14,400	Um, going off of, um, all of our buildings, arena, exhibit hall and the bell, we have our shrine circuit. These are the first group here is ticketed events. And that’s the Shrine Circus. Our Folsom Prison experience. Up at the bell. Uh, we have the symphony coming in for the future of music.

00:12:28,800	Waddington brothers, Midwest murder podcast, and Michael W Smith. And then that second group of events there. Those will be a combination of the exhibit hall and the arena with University of Mary graduation, we have the Medora movie premiere after Party Chamber ADC annual Dinner, the EMS conference, the Garden Expo, Fccla convention, Ovation Dance Competition, and later Gator Consignment Sale.

00:12:54,270	Okay. Did you happen to have any net revenues on any of the ticketed events or the net income or loss, quote unquote, like Benghazi, for example? Um, I did not put that on here, but I can get that to you and I can just email it to you if that’s fine.

00:13:11,070	And if you want to disperse it to the authority board, then. You can do that, that at least. So we get some ideas. Sure. You know, again it’s this is it’s probably as much information at this point in time.

00:13:25,300	Um, so we can know make sure we know what we’re asking for going forward and what we want to see for improvements out of Oakview Group. Okay. Can. This document that you have. So this is all the events for this year year to date. Is that right through through the end of March. Not all the events. No.

00:13:47,970	Um, the, the two ticketed um or excuse me, the two boxes up there, those are just ticketed events that we’ve had. Okay. Through March at this point. So no, there’s there’s a lot more. These are net of fees. Is that right? Uh, the ticket revenue column is the base ticket price, facility fee and online ticket fees as one total.

00:14:08,670	So then out of that ticket revenue, then the promoter will get their cut of the the show. And then we would get our cut with if if it’s facility fee, online ticket fees, whatever the contract might read. So does this report that we have aligned with the financial report that we have.

00:14:29,770	Are they over the same period? Is I’m not sure. Is this January through April 1st for ticketed events. Up here? Yeah. So generally what we have in the financial report that I presented is the shows that have settled with the promoter up through the end of March, acknowledging that there is a timing difference and being able to get everything reseeded

00:14:51,370	through. Um, what we don’t have in the financials is all of the benefit from WDA and state basketball. I’m not sure if Amanda has that in hers yet either. Um, but then I think we’re also still waiting on some reconciliations for like, the home show and the sports show yet.

00:15:12,070	So those would not, in its entirety be acknowledged in the financial statements. Okay. So that and so I was looking at event revenue of 1 million. 323 two 3296 and I was looking at the revenue of on here of 1,000,005, 9890 901 so there’s a difference. Um, so I assume that’s a settlement issue, right? That’s because obviously of.

00:15:33,100	Settlement, there’s some timing that is within the settlement. So when we reconcile the operating accounts for the event center that they’re using for ticket sales accumulation and then paying out for the promoter, um, those items haven’t been taken place yet for the month of March.

00:15:52,130	And so what we’re seeing in the financials that, that you guys are looking at from me are that is the net proceeds that the city has recognized as revenue after sales taxes have been taken out, after we’ve acknowledged, um, the fees that are that we’re paying to promoters and to vendors that are within the event center. Okay.

00:16:12,400	So just so I understand, this is not an accrual financial statement. We’re looking at this as a cash basis. Financials. This is a cash basis. Thank you. There are different sources of information right. Yeah. Eric’s coming from City Books Amanda is coming from the ticketing software. So for example the March concert for the symphony is listed on Amanda’s report.

00:16:29,430	We haven’t actually signed our settlement and gotten my money yet. So it’s not in the financials. I get that. I guess I just would have I was under the assumption the city was on an accrual type of financial reporting.

00:16:47,130	So so yeah, the the information that um, we are doing our accounting on, on an accrual basis, there’s there’s no balance sheet items listed there to acknowledge the timing in the the actual cash changing for accounts payable and accounts receivable. There are still some billing items that will need to be reflected in the revenues. Um, once you settle then it would get to accrual correct.

00:17:05,300	Once it’s just not closed at this point in time. Correct. And also in some of the ticketed revenue there are there are some fees that Amanda is showing here that actually don’t belong to the city, that come out of that ticketed revenue.

00:17:20,300	So this is more of just what the gross ticketed sales were to the consumer, not necessarily. What is City Share, which is why I asked, like, I would like to have some of those we talked about the other day of some of those events, what those net numbers are, because that would help more understanding for this board, which is what we’re

00:17:40,430	going to expect out of Oakview Group in the future. Go ahead. What would be a typical timeline for closing out the books or having like a hard number for each month? Typically, um, we get month end closed by the seventh working day of the month.

00:18:04,030	Um, that’s assuming, you know, all of the things that we have the information, but we’re, we’re pretty good about that 5 to 7 day range. Um, typically, depending on the timing differences still do exist.

00:18:28,430	Um, periodically, because we’re working specifically with the event center, working with third party, um, vendors, um, promoters, if you will, um, that they have a timing that exists for us, like a show may take place on the 15th, but we’re working with their regional or national finance office, and we don’t actually settle the show till maybe the 28th, 29th, or even sometimes into the following month, depending on what their workflow looks like and when they reach out to us.

00:18:48,730	So once it settles, then it goes into accrual, and then you collect. Correct? Okay. Then we start to move all of the recognizing all of the revenue coming into the city. And um, recognizing all of the expenses going out to the promoter.

00:19:08,570	Anybody else? Anyone else have questions? These are great questions, by the way. I’ve probably asked them before, so it’s good for everybody else to learn. Okay. Thank you both.

00:19:33,030	So at this point in time, we’re just I would ask if we can we would receive the preliminary March statements knowing they’re not I mean, it’s April 1st, so there’s no way they’re finalized yet. But, um, and if we decide that we need to move our meeting to a little later in the month so that we can. So this will be a question I think we’ll actually want to put to Oakview Group as to when they would have their closes done.

00:19:45,830	So we might be able to look at, you know, more current numbers. Anyway, I would entertain a motion. To approve. I would second. Any further discussion. So in my experience on these, normally. You just. Accept. Or receive the report rather than approve the report. We’re we’re right now we’re just receiving it because it’s not final.

00:20:12,530	Right. Sherry just moved to approve. I think we want to amend that to receive. So amended. I will second okay. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. Roll. Members. Monique I walked. Yes. Wilson. Yes. Gardener. Yes. Grossman. Yes. Mayor. Schmitz. Yes. Next item is mission statement and policy discussion. And we’ve got some sample mission statements.

00:20:47,830	Um, we certainly don’t have to take action yet, but, um. I will entertain anybody’s comments or thoughts. Maybe I’ll start out, um, appreciate Chad’s effort last month to get us started.

00:21:13,600	And I think when we discussed it, there was potential to maybe shorten it or break it into two different pieces, one being a mission statement, one being more of a vision statement. Um, you should all have a sheet in your packet. And Sherry, I think Whitney might have shared this with you as well. Um, for your use online, but I started out at the top with the original mission statement that was there.

00:21:33,700	And then kind of separated it to a mission and a vision. And then, just for context, offered the Elora Center’s mission, which is very similar to what we’re talking about here. And then the following half dozen or so that are there, the ones that are italicized, those are just to keep the conversation going.

00:21:53,170	By no means are they, um, I think there’s one that I missed in italics, but by no means are these final or anything else. I just wanted other people to think about it, offer their comments. If we want to try and wordsmith this on our own here, um, if there’s one that stands out that everybody thinks is appropriate, great.

00:22:11,430	Um, but I just wanted to offer a little more context so we weren’t, um, just left with one option, I guess. I thought it would be easier to have them printed in front of you, rather than try and read and keep up and take notes along the line.

00:22:35,100	So if anybody wants to, um, offer suggestions or edits or maybe it’s a blend of all of these, maybe we go back to the original one. I, I’m personally not tied to any of them. Just wanted to offer them up. And it’s not that we have to formally decide today, given this was just handed out today. Um, but we want to keep the topic forefront.

00:23:01,600	Um, so that we can ultimately develop that as we move forward. And, and, uh, I think it would be it would be wise. I mean, my view is it’d be wise if we all took this back and maybe came back, provided whatever comments or edits we have.

00:23:22,270	Uh, back to Jason before our next meeting, and then maybe we can have what those look like. Uh, that would be my thoughts, but I certainly listen to everybody else. In crafting these. I try to be mindful of a couple of different things. Number one, in no particular order, the economic driver that is the event center, but also the entertainment venue that it is.

00:23:40,700	And so there’s I think that we’d all agree there’s a a balance between the two. Um, it’s role in the community. It’s to stimulate economy, drive the economy.

00:23:56,900	But also for those of us that live here and call Bismarck, Mandan and the surrounding area home, it’s a place for entertainment and activities and events, and it’s all things. It’s the Belle, the exhibit hall and the arena together. So rather than calling those out separately, just trying to meld all of that into something that made sense. Is that is that plan okay with everybody okay. Yes. All right. Then we’ll move to other business.

00:24:22,070	Um, and I’ve already made one commitment, so we’ll certainly address that. Um, and but I want to ask anybody else if they have any other business first. Members. No. All right. So we all have received, um, some letters from some local caterers, um, with their concerns, which I’m not going to dispute. Concerns exist.

00:24:50,200	Um, but I do want to make sure everybody understands that what the plan is from a capital standpoint, is, is basically to fund the kitchen improvements at the building, not some separate location. Uh, those dollars are essentially all coming from Oakview Group, not from the city.

00:25:12,830	There might be a timing item related to a couple hundred thousand dollars, but the group is the one who actually put it in their RFP that they would want to capitalize the kitchen facility. So make sure everybody understands that, um, how they determine how they can justify. That’s not on me to determine if that they can make that work, but that’s how they came with that.

00:25:31,200	I said I would allow comments from the caterer, so I will allow those to you to however you choose, you want to come forward. Um, just this present your concerns. Um, we’ll listen. We certainly need to obviously give guidance to open Group. And I think Jason’s had some conversations with Oak Oak View Group as well.

00:25:52,730	Um, around this topic. So go ahead, stay who you are and who you represent and sign in. Please. I’m Michelle Kaufman, representing 1603 events and the paddle trap here in Bismarck and Mandan.

00:26:23,200	Um, thank you for just giving us a chance to to speak our piece about this. I think we were all just a little thrown off when we got called into a meeting. And I think that we got a lot of, um, kind of mixed messages and maybe some false information in that meeting as well.

00:26:36,270	And so I appreciate you guys in your communication so far about this. Um, I think we all just wanted a minute to, to speak to you guys because in the meeting, you know, we had some questions and concerns and, um, the avg rep in the meeting said you need to take those directly to the advisory board. I this isn’t my decision.

00:26:51,030	So that is why we came directly to you guys. That’s why you received letters. You did. And I think why we’re here today. So obviously this is, you know, your decision, their decision. You know, we totally understand that. We just want to make sure that our point of view is taken into account with that.

00:27:06,530	Um, we just would like to have you guys take a minute to reconsider the plan to exclusively cater food from the event center. Um, going forward. Um, you know, we were told in the meeting that our services will only be needed until that kitchen is completed, and then they will be doing all the food, catering exclusively out of that

00:27:23,470	facility. Um, you know, all of you have been so supportive of our small businesses in the past and, you know, know all of us fairly well.

00:27:38,070	And what we do and a lot of us have built our staff and equipment around this large amount of business that we do, and a lot of effort into serving the Bismarck Event Center as a part of our business models that have evolved over the years. Um, I think that there are very few redundancies in the products and services that all of us offer.

00:27:55,730	So it allows a lot of choices with people that are booking events at the event center. Um, I know a lot of our repeat business is from people that we’ve spent many years building strong relationships with, and they choose us because we have those relationships. We’ve served them all in the past. We’ve done their event in the past.

00:28:07,970	We know exactly what they’re looking for. Um, you know what works and what doesn’t. So there’s a huge learning curve that we’ve already undertaken in making sure that all those people are served well, um, I know that, you know, you responded that, in fact, you will be making the investment

00:28:26,370	to build out the kitchen. Um, I don’t know how conversations go, then about the ongoing expense of the kitchen. Obviously, that comes out of the operating revenue for the event center, but just making sure that, you know, those numbers are figured in as well.

00:28:41,300	Um, you know, we know how expensive it is to constantly replace and repair kitchen equipment. And, you know, we do it all the time. So there isn’t just a one time expense, but an ongoing one.

00:28:59,630	And then, um, just that she said in the meeting that this is the first project has ever done where they haven’t come into a situation that is already fully built out this way. Um, every project that they’ve done already had a kitchen and an in-house catering commitment from the get go. Um, she mentioned Fargo might be a little bit different that they did that, but then they also still allow outside catering. It’s kind of a hybrid model.

00:29:14,130	And that was a bit unique. So it’s not typical and that this is how it’s done at every single event venue where, you know, they come in and then they start exclusive catering.

00:29:30,970	So I think that there’s also an opportunity for an atypical type of response in that we still support our small local businesses that have been doing this for for many years. So far. That’s it. Any questions of Michelle? Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Tom Boucher I’m with Taco Del Mar a little bit better. Um, like Michelle said, thanks for giving us a chance to come up and talk. Even though it wasn’t a part of the agenda.

00:30:17,370	Would have been real easy to not hear us out on that. Um, when things are maybe timely or not so timely in making a decision on the circumstances of what’s going to happen with catering at the event center, it’s kind of hard to know and what to

00:30:28,100	speak to in the sense that not knowing what you guys are at with your decisions and communications with them, we really just know the one side of what Oakview Group represented to us when we sat down with them.

00:30:43,570	So pardon me, um, if I, you know, kind of just speak blandly to wherever it may be at, um, the Civic Center is, uh, like you guys said, a source of community, um, and a source of what a lot of people are involved in, in entertainment, inside of the community.

00:31:00,500	Uh, just like for community, you know, having dinner, breaking bread, sitting down with family when you have a meal is also a part of community. And so in that sense, when you think about our community and you think about how it ties in with simply catering at the Civic Center, it’s also us as a group coming in and providing the food that people are enjoying in sitting down with their families and

00:31:15,230	having a good time with, um, so I think that’s important to consider. Um, after seeing the financials up top there, um, I can understand why you guys are headed in the direction you’re headed with a third party management group and what you’re looking to do with it. So I understand that.

00:31:33,470	And I also understand and wanted to make you aware, if you aren’t that they are charging a 17% fee to us as caterers when we come into their. I don’t know where that 17% fee has gone in my, um, past of paying it. I’m assuming it goes to the city and helps pay off those expenditures of the Civic Center itself.

00:31:51,430	Um, that being said, I guess my my thoughts are two for you to consider. Um, number one, I think we are a part of this community and we provide value in social capital to the people who come to the event center, sit down and enjoy themselves with their families.

00:32:09,230	And I think it gives them options to reach out into the community, to come to us and say, we’d like you to provide for my daughter’s wedding. We’d like you to be here for the 50th anniversary of our parents, or we’ve got this convention going on and we’d like a local, uh, local community member who we know to come in and provide the food

00:32:25,870	for that event. And I think that’s an important consideration about the groups around our community that we want here in the long term to provide for those people in those circumstances, in their lives.

00:32:44,230	Uh, so if a hybrid model could be considered or there could be a compromise between whatever kitchen is built and the caterers still being able to come in from the community and be a part of it, that would be appreciated. Um, it would also help us continue to operate inside of Bismarck, Mandan, um, and help us to continue to provide that social capital for the community.

00:33:01,900	Uh, number two, with the 17%, I think that’s important for you to consider, too. If you do that and you do decide, like, hey, we want these people to be a part of our community still and still be a part of this.

00:33:14,170	Um, what are you going to do with that? That’s another thing. Just to kind of not forget of an agenda item. Um, obviously it’s a she told us a bit of their experience of taking over event centers all along I-94. They’re a bit of a behemoth in that matter.

00:33:30,200	What happens with that money? Um, would it be reduced to help us? Um, again, come into the Civic Center and contribute? Because, um, I’ll be honest, and I can speak to my experience only in that I do lose business due to that 17% where people turn around and they say, no, I with that 17%, we can’t afford to

00:33:44,030	have you come in. Um, or would there be a reduction or would it stay? But I just think that’s an important thing to note that you guys probably want to consider that in that.

00:33:59,570	So in closure, if you’d consider those two points it would be awesome and continue to be a part of the community center and awesome to be a part of providing that social capital for those people. And think about that 17%, and thanks for the opportunity to speak. I appreciate you guys. Does anybody have questions for Tom? I’m not going to let you just off, you know okay. Somebody has a question. Well, thank you for your comments.

00:34:16,400	Is there anyone else. Maybe if I can. Yep. Mr. mayor, just to address the question, about 17% and Amanda could probably get to this even better. But I it’s my understanding that percentage on top of the catering fees is to help cover the event center staff time that goes into the setup and the teardown of some

00:34:34,470	of those events and activities within. Um, if I’m wrong, Amanda, please clarify. I’m getting kind of a head now this way. So it helps cover the staff time that we incur when other events are going on in the facility. And. Coming back. To the microphone, please. Yeah, yeah. This is we’re we’re also learning here.

00:34:58,270	So that that could be um I’ve been operating Taco DeMar for about two years now. And in the number of caterers I’ve done there they’ll put tables up. Um, and then I tear down and I do all the setup.

00:35:15,570	And so, you know, 17% of a $5,000 caterer or something like that to put tables up. I’m sure wherever you guys are at on that. Um, but nonetheless, at the end of it, I’m still tearing everything down. And it’s done there.

00:35:28,730	Now, I don’t know what has been done with these people in the past, and maybe I should be a little more adamant about what I want out of my 17% contribution to that. But that’s been my experience with what I have. It’s largely that one piece. Thank you. Thank you Amanda. You. Yeah. Yep, yep.

00:35:48,770	Um, the reason we put the percentage on there is obviously because it’s taking it off of our revenue to be the sole provider for the caterer and the building, um, to cover the garbage is to cover that labor that’s providing for that. Yep. There’s minimal setup typically. He’s absolutely right. But there is additional expense that our staff is still having to put towards that event.

00:36:02,330	So it’s just to help try to offset it to to provide something back to us. Thank you again. I will anyone else who wish to speak. I’m Heather and I’m with Lady J’s Catering. You guys have probably seen me before. Um, and I think that they both spoke very well to everything that we are concerned about.

00:36:38,630	And I think that, um, there was a lot of, there’s a lot of misinformation both ways. Um, I was also under the understanding when we had that meeting, um, the way the, the gal, the representative from Oakview spoke was that it was going to be a cost to the city that they were just providing

00:36:59,430	things like the plates and the chauffeurs and things like that to the kitchen, but that the kitchen itself would be provided, um, through the city, unless that had changed since that meeting. But was anybody else under that same understanding when she spoke? Yeah. Or like a split, which it doesn’t matter.

00:37:18,770	It doesn’t matter. Um, but either way, we just like I said, we do appreciate you hearing us out. Um, we just want to be able to continue to serve the community for years to come.

00:37:35,070	And, um, I think the three, you know, that have spoken here, um, we will obviously find a way to make it work, even if we’re not allowed to continue coming into the event center. But it does have a chance of ruining some of the catering that is available in the community overall. Um, because some of those really do depend on those really large events at the event center can hold to do that.

00:37:50,770	And, um, I’ve always looked at the 17%, not as as the setup fee. I’ve always looked at it as a privilege to be able to come into the building and provide our services there. And so for me, I, um, I get where that’s coming from.

00:38:08,830	This gal also did indicate to us that, um, Oakview do does run similar ones, like she does work with the Fargo Dome, which they still allow outside catering for a percentage as well. And so that, I guess, was where our hope was more coming for was that we would still be able to provide as an option to the community, um, going forward.

00:38:23,230	I just, you know, obviously from our end, we don’t know how far in everything is signed and how the talks and stuff have been made. Um, but we wouldn’t need, you know, she she asked, like in the next few years, while this kitchen is being built, like, what else do you want for

00:38:34,970	the 17%? Do you want us to have the Schaefer’s on the tables? Do you want us? We don’t want any of that. We come as self-sufficient. We come with everything we need. We come with our staff. We come with our our warmers. We come with our Schaefer’s, um. And all of us each do something different.

00:38:49,170	That’s what makes it so unique and so wonderful, is because then we’re able to offer the community all these different options that families and businesses have become accustomed to.

00:39:04,400	Um, and like Michelle said, a lot of them, you know, they come to us because they’ve worked with us for years. Um, and so our concern really is, you know, yes, it is a concern for our business, but it also is a concern for the community and the consumer going forward. Not so much on the side of it where you guys are having concerts and stuff, but on your event side.

00:39:19,330	Um, and so we do appreciate, like I said, the opportunity come up to speak for you to read our letters, to consider, um, what we have to say. But obviously, yes, we know ultimately it’s the decision of the city moving forward.

00:39:36,400	But we appreciate you taking us into consideration as a business of the community, um, to be able to help us continue to move forward with our businesses as well. Um, and maybe not have to compete against something much larger. Um, so we do appreciate you. So thank you very much. Thank you. Any questions? Okay. Thanks. Is there anyone else who wish to speak? If not.

00:40:03,230	Um, thank you all for coming. And I do appreciate your letters. And do know that the process has been very long and drawn out for where we’re at today. Um, but, you know, the. So whatever. I wasn’t in those meetings when the Oakview representative was speaking to all of you, but, um, the the capital investment is for the physical plant.

00:40:24,430	That’s at least how we’re driving it. Yes. The city will own it, but we have to pay it back. If they leave. Um, because of that. So that’s just so you have a little transparency around that.

00:40:41,500	Um, I’m going to turn Jason is I have charged Jason with some questions that he has put forth. So I’m going to let Jason, because knowing this was coming. Yep. So, uh, committee members, I did have a discussion earlier today with Brad Murphy. Uh, Brad is the general manager for Oak View Group. That will be, uh, managing the. Pull your mic in because. He’ll be managing the event center.

00:41:00,430	Um, so my discussions with Brad this morning were related to a hybrid model. And the question flat out question was, are there other examples in the Oakview, uh, portfolio where they do have local caterers? And Brad said, absolutely.

00:41:17,500	He said, without a doubt, until the kitchen is complete, they’ll be relying on the locals to fulfill all the needs because there is no kitchen available other than concessions. The idea of what I’m hearing is a hybrid, where there may be a choice for the the guest or the, uh, the the the entity renting the facility to choose from locals or from, uh, in-house catering.

00:41:38,630	Uh, Brad said that certainly something that they would consider going forward. Um, the other thing I think is worth mentioning is at this point, no design has been put forth towards the kitchen. And so we’re not down a path where we already have ordered ovens and all of that stuff.

00:41:56,300	And so this idea of a $3 million commercial kitchen being established inside the venue is it’s a significant change for us, but it’s also not a guarantee that that’s exactly what it’s going to be when we’re done. And so I would say through conversations with this group, with the management company, with the architect, that’s going to be helping us work through that process.

00:42:12,830	There’s gonna be a lot of opportunity to ask those questions. Is this the right size and shape? Is this the right thing for us going forward, or could there be a way to perhaps limit the investment into a kitchen, recognizing that we have a willing group of people that

00:42:27,330	might help offset some of those in-house? Um, forever expenses that would be incurred with equipment and maintenance and all of those things. So I realize everybody here would love to have an answer today, but I, I would just ask for some patience and and some continued conversations going forward. Uh, to my knowledge, we have not initiated Mr.

00:42:48,570	Hubbell or his staff to embark on that discussion of what the, uh, what the kitchen might look like in the future, but I know that is going to be one of our top priorities, and we will hopefully get to that sooner rather than later.

00:43:07,030	So with that, if we could just continue conversations, I think if for anybody that knows me, I support the local guy as much as we can, and I appreciate everything that you’ve done to this point.

00:43:22,770	And, um, keeping the keeping the economy here, keeping the businesses thriving, keeping the people employed, that is certainly part of an interest that I have and, um, can’t commit to one thing or another at this point. But just know that we appreciate all the feedback, and we’ll be thinking of you as we go forward with the discussions. And I guess I could add to that.

00:43:35,570	I mean, I think one thing that is that was clear and in all the processes, as we did the RFPs and had conversations with the two finalists, um, guest experience is what they’re going to be most concerned about.

00:43:58,070	And so they’re probably going to control what those experiences feel like within whatever process goes through with food and beverage, because they’re about the building and the guest experiences. So if they are so inclined, and I would have to imagine as big as our facility is that there’s going to be situations where there’s going to have to be more than one provider of food and beverage.

00:44:14,570	If we truly activate the building where I would envision it happening, um, you know, they’re going to have some rules that they want to have followed. It’s going to be their role to do that. And so just as Jason said, you have to be patient as we work through this. This is new for all of us.

00:44:28,600	And trust me, I’ve got three people sitting in the back behind you who are all experiencing a fair amount of their own, um, change in life and anxiety as we move forward to. So we’re this is about the community, and it’s not just about Bismarck, by the way.

00:44:43,900	It’s about the Bismarck Mandan region and what we can do and and bringing in conventions, which is where that will feed everybody’s table more so than the local wedding. So anything else? Maybe a question, if I may, for the groups that are here. Anybody care to share? Not dollars but number of events.

00:45:05,900	How many times a year are you providing service inside the facility today? Or staff in the back? Are we talking once a month? Once a week? That’s a great question. We did two very large events for us in March alone. Um, three days total. Plus we catered to WDA and to state both, um, for the referees.

00:45:29,300	Um, and then we just did the wrestling this past weekend as well. Um, so for my business, if I were to do a percentage, it’ll probably cut a good 15 to 20% out of my business a year. Okay. Thank you. Which is huge when you’re really small. So. Mr.. Mister mayor, I would just go on the record.

00:45:53,370	Sorry, Michelle. Um, I’m saying that, uh, I definitely will do everything I can to support trying to find a hybrid model for you guys. So. Awesome. I was just going to answer to the number of events, um, for us at 1603, in the paddle strap.

00:46:09,470	And we work together because, um, I would say it’s probably only 6 to 8 a year, but it’s those big three day conferences where we’re doing, you know, upwards of $100,000 for a client over a three day period of time. And then, you know, we use both of our businesses to make that happen.

00:46:27,700	You know, between all the breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, social hours afterwards and all that stuff. Okay. Thank you. Yeah. Go ahead. A quick question. Um. Did they indicate, um. Can you come to the mic, please? It’s one of them.

00:46:49,570	It’s a question that it’s probably down the road, but it’s just maybe something to keep in mind as you guys are moving forward with the discussions with them of having a hybrid model. Um, something that I think was a concern for all of us was how they are going to staff that, um, and staff their events. I know they probably have a plan.

00:47:09,430	Maybe they fly people in, I don’t know, um, but something like a big group like that does not have that. Us people do have is family and friends. I have, you know, a normal staff of 38 people between the full time and part time.

00:47:27,970	But when I do large events at the event center where we’re doing multi-day things, like Michelle said, she’s utilizing two businesses to staff it. Um, I have a whole list of reserved people that just come in to help me for those 2 or 3 days. How are how does the city with the Oakview Group, how do they plan to do that when it’s not an everyday thing? You know, it’s not a guaranteed hours.

00:47:45,100	You know, she was talking while we plan to, you know, pull from the moms that want to get out of the house on Friday nights and, and make some money. That’s not what our city is. This isn’t Grand Forks. This isn’t Fargo. Um, we have other big venues that are doing things like that.

00:48:03,600	You know, BSc with their energy center. Now that’s going to, you know, that’s pulling from the event center because they’re holding bigger things that the event center used to. Um, and they don’t need any other caterers. They have their set up there.

00:48:18,100	But um, if Oakview View is running this and managing it, they’re talking about pulling people from, you know, the colleges and the high schools and stuff to run those things. And I feel like you guys have seen some of that already within the Event center. And we’re already not being able to staff some of it.

00:48:34,230	Um, and so maybe, you know, for sure that might be a way to kind of present with that hybrid is some of that staffing, because then are they going to have to pay to bring people from outside for large things? You know, then you’re paying for lodging, you know, your per diem and that kind of stuff as well.

00:48:51,800	And like I said, maybe I mean, I’m sure it’s stuff you guys have thought of, but, um, we have that support here because we’re local and we have family and friends that live around here. Okay. Thank you. Uh, I’m Clinton Goring, the general manager of the Ramada by Wyndham and Bismarck here. Um, we also do catering there as well.

00:49:20,970	We do anywhere between 6 and 12 events a year. Um, so, yeah, it’s kind of a big hit for us. I don’t necessarily want to give a a revenue number, but it’s it’s a big hit for us, I would say probably close to about 15 or 20% as well. Thank you.

00:49:47,700	Similarly to him or Michelle, who just spoke, um, anywhere from 4 to 10 times a year, typically for me, just have to consider for a smaller business, the size that the Civic Center is obviously hosting is a larger group of people, and that’s a significant chunk of our business as well. Okay. Thank you. All right.

00:50:07,170	Is anybody else have any questions? I think, you know, this is something we have we have some ongoing processes still in place. So okay. Sorry. Just one more I think this is my last one. It’s just something I’m like, okay, I’m going to ask you might not know yet either in the new phases of it.

00:50:22,470	Um, when Oakview runs their kitchens, does that revenue from that go to the city, or does that go to Oakview. Goes to the city? Okay. The so we would be competing against the city essentially like the small business. The Oakville Group is hired to manage on the city’s behalf. So the building, the facilities, everything inside will still be like the city’s.

00:50:47,470	Percentage that they’re taking off of it a month or anything like that. Obviously. They have incentives built into their contract. Right? Okay. That’s what I was thinking. Okay. Anything else? Any other things from the members? Go ahead. Chad. Yeah, just going back to these financial statements.

00:51:16,000	Sorry to be a pain about this, but it would be helpful for me if when we’re looking at these reports, if we can at least have reports where the numbers are matching. Um, like this, 1,590,890 901 um, should be the event revenue coming in.

00:51:43,570	I recognize that we haven’t received some of that money, but maybe there could be a column there of what we’re waiting to collect or something like that. Just so when we’re looking at the numbers there, they’re jiving back and forth. The forecasted income. Go ahead, Eric.

00:52:01,900	But I think we’re going to see a difference in reporting as we get into, because Oakview Group is actually going to be providing though some of that information is is the way it’s being built, I believe. Right. So you’re you’re asking to have like a excuse me, similar to like a, an accounts receivable type. Yeah. Anticipation that’s coming. In. Right. Okay. Or or conversely, if the ticketed revenue is $1.

00:52:25,700	5 million. But out of that we’re giving $200,000 to the promoter. Or because Benghazi was one of those where we shared some of the ticket revenue back, we’d have the gross revenue, and then a line item showing that out to performer. Right.

00:52:45,970	What my my expectation would be is if we’re looking at a $1,590,000 number for the event center, um, that that number is somehow going to correspond up in this income column. Okay. Somehow there’ll be some way to reconcile that between these numbers. I think part of the problem. Is we’re on day one of the month.

00:53:05,600	And so I think if we’re having this meeting two weeks from now, those numbers would be much more in alignment, right? Correct. I. Once we get through the month end process, our revenues and expenses that we’re going to recognize as a part of that process for the show settlements.

00:53:26,670	And and that activity is going to significantly change our, our promoter expenses and our revenues for show recognition as well. Right. And if we have to change the date of this meeting so we can have reports that, um, where the numbers are matching, I think that is worth doing. Sure. Plus the goal will be that these will be out in advance of the meeting in the future.

00:53:45,200	Correct? I got asked what I wanted on the agenda, so I’d like to start the process. I think it’s a good start. It’s a good start. I had toyed with the idea of presenting end of February numbers because those are are much more final.

00:54:05,030	Um, but knowing that the month of March was extremely busy at the event center, I thought there was value in providing that information today. I think it’s good. You know, it’s our first conversation, you know, talking about this. So, um, I think it was a good to see what it looks like.

00:54:21,570	And, um, and I think from here on forward, we’ll, we’ll find a, uh, a good way of doing this, so. Sure. Not that it’s not good that you’re doing a great job. So. Okay. I will I will see what I can put together for, for next month with the trying to show some of the timing things that we’re waiting. Thank you. Yep.

00:54:35,930	Okay. Anything else? Mike, did you have anything else? Then we