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PARC JANUARY 28, 2013 <br /> PERSONNEL& FINANCE <br /> 4:54 P.M. <br /> PARC Committee Members Present: Henry Davis, Gavin Ferlic, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Tim Scott <br /> PERSONNEL& FINANCE Committee Members Present: Dr. David Varner, Val Schey, <br /> Karen White, Henry Davis <br /> Other Council Present: Derek Dieter, Oliver Davis <br /> Others Present: Greg Downs, Kathryn Roos, Scott Ford, Paul Gifford, Mark Neal, John Murphy <br /> Agenda: Bill No. 13-14 Recommending Century Center Board of Managers <br /> Update Century Center RFP—Scott Ford <br /> Councilmember Henry Davis, Chairperson of the PARCS Committee, took the lead in this joint committee <br /> meeting of the PARCS and Personnel & Finance Committees. <br /> On the agenda was consideration of Resolution No. 13-14 initiated by Henry Davis. In his explanatory <br /> letter filed with the resolution. Mr. Davis advocates public discussion of the findings in the AECOM report <br /> prior to extending the current management contract for Century Center or advertising an RFP for <br /> management of the Center beyond the current contract. The AECOM report was commissioned by the <br /> Redevelopment Commission to analyze and report the Center's economic impact on the community as <br /> well as an analysis of the management of the Center, the Morris Performing Arts Center and the Palais <br /> Royale. Henry goes on to say the resolution will formally trigger these public discussions so that informed <br /> decisions reflecting the best interests of the city can be made. Ultimately the resolution is all about <br /> transparency and communication. <br /> Henry Davis opened the discussion asking why Global Spectrum's contract to manage the Center was <br /> extended even though financial losses at Century Center continue to mount. He went on to question the <br /> issuance of an RFP before discussion of the study or receiving Council input. <br /> Valerie echoed the same sentiments suggesting an RFP was premature to discussions about <br /> management performance. In fact, she said any decisions regarding the expenditure of public dollars <br /> whatever their source without Council review and discussion would violate her sense of stewardship of <br /> public dollars. <br /> Gavin Ferlic asked if there were any specifics in the RFP that were found objectionable? <br /> Scott Ford, Director of the Department of Community Investment, responded saying the RFP did not <br /> preclude Council input. Operating losses were indeed a concern; but they were to be compared to what? <br /> He said performance measures were established and there have been input opportunities from all <br /> interested stakeholders. He maintained effective communication needed to flow both ways. Scott noted <br /> actions such as the issuance of the RFP were taken because of time concerns. Global Spectrum's <br /> contracted was extended until July 1, 2013 so the City could get input, evaluate the AECOM report and <br /> develop an RFP so decisions could be made to allow a 3 month management of the Center transition <br /> should that be necessary. <br /> Greg Downes, President of the Century Center Board of Managers, argued that input has always been <br /> welcome, meetings are open to the public and decisions are not made behind closed doors. <br /> At this point Valerie Schey asked her amendment establishing a timeline be followed by the City <br /> Administration, Century Center Board of Managers, and the Board of Public Works to facilitate greater <br />