HomeMy WebLinkAboutCivic Center Board Minutes 11-18-21CIVIC CENTER BOARD OF MANAGERS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021
CENTURY CENTER – RECITAL HALL
8:30 A.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBER ABSENT
Greg Downes Aaron Perri Linda Doshi
Randy Kelly Michael Neises
A.J. Patel Jill Scicchitano
The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m. by President Perri.
CONSENT AGENDA
Perri entertained a motion to approve the consent agenda, including the 1) Minutes of the 8/5/21 meeting;
2) Claims 8/1/21 to 10/31/21 and (3) Financial Report 9/30/21. Michael Neises motioned to approve; Greg
Downes seconded; and motion carried.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Perri introduced Philip Nadasdy, the new Executive Director of the South Bend Museum of Art. Perri reported
that Broadway shows have returned to the Morris. Umphrey’s McGee was a self-promoted concert 11/14/21.
The next Broadway show is Cats 12/2-5/21 and more shows are scheduled. The first esports tournament
was held at Century Center. The bonding capacity for the new Hotel-Motel Tax will add 2% allocated to the
Mishawaka Sports Complex, Potawatomi Zoo, Morris improvements and the Capital Development Fund.
Bonds will probably be issued Spring 2022 which will make up the majority of the City of South Bend’s $30
million commitment to Morris improvements. Discussion followed on whether the timing will hurt interest
rates. The bond rating is high and the bond will be backed by the City General Fund.
VENUES REPORT
Century Center
Jeff Jarnecke reviewed Century Center year-to-date financials through 9/30/21. Revenue of $1,639,859 less
expenses of $2,066,1933 with a net deficit of $426,334 which does not include the Hotel-Motel Tax Board
subsidy. Q4 will be strong, although a few events cancelled, postponed or decreased in size. Positions are
not entirely filled while the number of events are down. The 10/31/21 account balance is $1,687,299.07.
More is being paid for the cost of labor and food, although prices are being honored in current contracts.
A slight deficit is expected for the year.
Current projects include new water heaters, improvements to Suites 16 and 18, additional esports equipment
and dedicated bandwidth, reimaging operational spaces/kitchen, airborne mitigation technology, and
customer experience/POS equipment. The City awarded $1.8 million to prepare Century Center and the
Morris for disasters to provide more fresh, clean air to ensure safer conditions, and gas or diesel powered
generator as a power back up at Century Center and the Morris wired for a whole house generator.
Esports events are booked through June 2022. Staff are working with Visit South Bend Mishawaka to sell the
Bendix Arena. Xfinity is the new naming rights sponsor. The new name will be the “Bendix Arena powered by
Xfinity.” The Bendix Arena will receive $40,000 per year for three years. There will be more bandwith for
streaming. Umphrey’s McGee streamed their performance at the Morris 11/14/21 which was paid by the
relationship with Xfinity.
Morris Performing Arts Center
Jarnecke reported that the Morris had slow Q1 and Q2. He reviewed the year-to-date financials through
9/30/21. Revenue of $997,207 less expenses of $801,708 with a net profit of $195,499. The Morris received
$667,000 for the Shuttered Venues Grant Program. An additional second grant was awarded for $333,000.
In 2022 the Morris will become a non-reverting fund with the City of South Bend. All monies will be kept by
the Morris and will not go to the City General Fund.
Civic Center Board Minutes
11/18/21
Pg. 2
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Projects in the existing building that total $9.1 million are planned for 6/27/21 to 9/30/31 include replacement
of the HVAC system, new lights and water by Amaresco; new floor concrete; new seating by Irwin Seating;
plus a planned endowment fund to make future improvements. The chairs can no longer be secured to the
original concrete. Sound cables will be run in troughs below the floor. New suite opportunities will be
available with the new seating arrangement. Depending on fundraising, updated renderings will be available
in January 2022 and ground will be broken for the new building to the north in May/June 2023. A suggestion
was made to have heated sidewalks outside the Morris to melt snow.
The Morris was awarded the GBAC Star accreditation for cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease
prevention for facilities. The Century Center is working on being certified.
The Morris 100 celebration will kick off with the Downtown South Bend “First Fridays” on 1/7/22. New social
media and digital channels will promote the 100th anniversary with “Morris Moments” and “Humans of the
Morris.” There will be new usher attire and special events. A free community festival is planned 10/1/22 with
outdoor concerts and fireworks. An inside performance is planned 11/2/22. Dr. Marvin Curtis and Kareemah
Fowler and the Equity in the Arts Committee are working on a long-term strategy to be truly impactful on the
Morris.
The 2022 budgets were approved by the South Bend Common Council. Last minute changes not affect VPA
except park staff received a pay rate increase.
Discussion followed on hotel room nights, rates being higher than in the past for Notre Dame football
weekends, and how the hotel industry is cautiously optimistic.
OLD BUSINESS
Morris 100 Campaign Update
Greg Downes gave an update on the Morris 100 Campaign. The goal is to reach $20 million by the end of
the year. There are $4 million outstanding in asks. The City has committed to $10 million, The Raclin,
Murphey, and Carmichael families have committed to $5 million. The 2022 Society includes donors who
pledge $100,000 or more. The fundraiser scheduled in August was cancelled due to Covid concerns.
Downes and Perri have a number of presentations scheduled. Grant requests have been completed.
NEW BUSINESS
Hybrid Meeting Policy
City Attorney Aladean DeRose presented on how all public meetings used to have to be in person. Electronic
participation at meetings was allowed since Covid. No more than half the meetings per year can be electronic
participation. Members cannot attend more than two consecutive meetings by electronic participation. A budget
cannot be adopted at a meeting held by electronic participation. Jarnecke added that at future meetings
everyone might have a laptop computer at the table. Aaron Perri asked to entertain a motion to approve
Resolution No. 21-01. Greg Downes motioned to approve; Michael Neises seconded; and motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, President Perri adjourned the meeting at 9:20 a.m.
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