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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-24-05 Parks, Arts, Recreation & Culture L , Parks, Arts,Recreation and Culture(PARC'Committee The October 24, 2005 meeting of the Parks, Arts, Recreation and Culture (PARC) Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Derek D. Dieter at 5:13 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter,Pfeifer,Puzzello,Kuspa,White Kirsits, Varner and Rouse; Mayor Stephen Luecke,Executive Director of the Department of Community and Economic Development Committee, Public Works Director Gary Gilot, Jack Dillon, Mikki Dobski-Schidler, Citizen Member Martha Lewis, Mrs. Kopola, Rick Walls, City Clerk John Voorde, Jamie Loo of the South Bend Tribune and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Dieter noted that the members of the Committee include Council Members Puzzello,Kelly,Kirsits and himself Council Member Dieter stated that this meeting has been scheduled to receive an update form Rick Walls,Executive Director of the College Football Hall of Fame. Mr. Walls stated that he appreciates the opportunity to again address the Council. He noted that he is working on reducing management expenses, expenses in general and is making staff changes. He is looking at every place where they can make adjustments. He noted that there has been tremendous exposure of the College Football Hall of Fame (CFHF). He circulated a copy of the American Football Monthly which has one page on the CFHF each month. It has a circulation of about 15,000 and goes to high school and college coaches. Mr. Walls then gave CFHF statistics from January 1st through October 23, 2005 some of which included: 33 local articles, 184 national articles, 81 local TV spots, 131 national TV spots, 70 radio spots locally and 49 radio spots nationally. He stated that the CFHF is receiving 40,000 web hits per month. Additionally there was exposure on Cold Pizza, the Enshrinement, USA Today on August 12,2005 and Weber Grills which was seen on TV in 19 states. In January 2006 the CFHF will be taking over the gift shop. In response to a question from Council Member Dieter, Mr. Walls stated that they are working on getting NCAA licensed articles to be sold. CFHF at this point in 2004 was 44,500 and in 2005 at this point is 44,612. A"Community Day" is co-sponsored by Pepsi and Meijers for this weekend where residents can visit the CFHF free. 80% of the attendance is from outside of the Michiana area. Approximately 7,000 local residents have been to the CFHF this year. He is working on corporate sponsored weekend events. Council Member Dieter requested monthly statistics addressing paid admissions to the CFHF, as well as quarterly written reports. He then inquired about catering at the CFHF. Parks, Arts,Recreation and Culture(PARC)Committee October 24,2005 Page 1 1 Mr. Walls stated that Century Center does the majority of the catering with Jersey Mike's and a hot dog place doing some also. Council Member Puzzello noted that she was downtown on Saturday and that the Chocolate Cafe generates alot of business near the CFHF. Dr. Varner inquired about the relationship between the NFF and the National Sports Museum. Mr. Walls stated that the National Sports Museum is located in New York City. There are forty-seven(47) entities who have kiosks there with CFI*being one of them. If a contract gets signed there would be some revenue resulting in royalty fees. Dr. Varner inquired about Archie Manning's efforts with regard to the endowment. Mr. Walls stated that Mr. Manning is the Chairperson of Development and works on getting speakers for the speakers program. He does not know of his efforts with regard to endowment. In response to a question from Dr. Varner, Mr. Walls stated that endowment monies are co-mingled with the NFF and it is his understanding that there may be $450,000 to $500,000. $20,000-$30,000 are for operations each year. He noted that there are 300 living Hall of Famers. Dr. Varner inquired if there are plans for a separate defined endowment. Mr. Walls stated that he did not know,however did not that they are a 501(c)3 entity. Dr. Varner stated that there should be a separate defined endowment so that it can be annually reviewed to see what progress has been made, and that this would be the business way to operate,rather than a co-mingled arrangement. Council Member Dieter asked the Mayor if he had any update for the Council on the contract negotiations. Mayor Luecke stated he has no update at this time. Dr. Varner has about the time table, noting that he thought the "drop dead deadline" was June 30,2005. He noted that he did not see the waiver option by the Mayor in the contract. Mayor Luecke stated that by the end of the year the process must be completed. He stated that the Century Center Board of Manager have not done anything as of this date, and that he waived the deadline. Council Member Dieter thanked Mr. Walls for the update and then adjourned the meeting at 5:35 p.m. Respectfully submitte.. Council Member Derek D. Dieter, Chairperson Parks,Arts,Recreation and Culture(PARC)Committee KCF:kmf Parks, Arts,Recreation and Culture(PARC)Committee October 24,2005 Page 2