09-01-04 Personnel & Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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eommitt. c.R42ort of tI PzuonniL arid 9i ianaz C_.:ominLttEE of tI (:ommoi2 eounad The September 1, 2004 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Derek D. Dieter at 4:31 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter, White, Varner, Kelly, Kuspa, Puzzello and Pfeifer; Mayor Stephen J. Luecke, Frederick B. 011ett III, Director of Budgeting & Financial Reporting Tom Skarbek, Century Center Executive Director Brian R. Hedman, Century Center Director of Finance Tom Davis,Executive Director of the Youth Service Bureau of St. Joseph County Bonnie C. Strycker, Executive Director of the South Bend Regional Museum of Art Susan R. Visser, Executive Director of the Studebaker National Museum Rebecca J. Bonham,John Farrell,and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Dieter welcomed everyone to the Committee meeting and noted that the Committee is composed of Council Members Kelly,Puzzello, Varner and himself Century Center (Fund#670) $3,184,271 1.7% increase Century Center Executive Director Brian R. Hedman introduced Century Center Director of Finance Tom Davis to the Committee. He noted that usually the President of the Century Center Board or its Treasurer are present,but they were unable to attend but send their greetings and regrets. It was noted that the Vice-President of the Board is present, Council Member Roland Kelly. Mr. Hedman noted that the last couple of years have been difficult and that there is a $113,218 deficit projected for 2005. They are looking at beefing up sales and implementing more efficiencies in order to decrease the deficit as much as possible. He noted that the Commercial and Business Bureau (CBB) is part of the Chamber of Commerce, where in other communities they are separate. The Century Center was able to get the CBB to agree to specific goals. He added that CBB gets $600,000 while the Century Center gets $90,000 in funds. Council President White inquired as to how many major conventions are held each year. Mr. Hedman noted that in 2004 they will have more than 30, and in 2005 there will be more than 40. In response to a questions from Council Members Pfeifer and Dieter, Mr. Hedman stated that their goal in expansion is that South Bend must be a destination site with major attractions within a four mile radius. Another hotel in the downtown would help immensely since conventions are not interested in booking hotels out on Grape Road. It has been suggested that they go after getting a Hilton or a Weston in the downtown. Mr. Hedman stated that the Century Center is over 28 years old. New "stuffers" in mailings are using the theme"There's no place like home". He noted that 85% of their business Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting of September 1,2004 Page 1