08-12-02 Parks, Recreaction, Cultural Arts & Entertainment

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Recreation,Cultural Arts and Entertainment Committee August 12, 2002 Page 2 behind $280,000 with representations that they will be current on the lease by the end of this year. He noted that the City Attorney had sent four(4) letters to bring the lease current last year. Mayor Luecke concluded his remarks noting that he will meet with Mr. Levin on Tuesday. Mr. St. Clair stated that they have been trying to get payments since it would impact their budget. His department is currently comparing their lease to other leases on single A baseball franchises. The Mayor stated that the stadium is not a profit center and that is has been on of the best facilities in the country. If necessary the City Administration will terminate the lease and seek a new team. Dr. Varner asked about the specifics of the who, what, when, where of how the payments got so far behind and whose responsibility was it to do the collection. He inquired who receives the payments. The Mayor stated that they got behind during the negotiation process in 1999 and stopped making the monthly payments. Payments had been going to the City Attorney's Office but now are going to the Community Development Office. Dr. Varner asked for a written summary of the transactions beginning in 1999 thru the present. Council Member Coleman request a monthly report"from this day forward". Council Member King inquired whether financial statements were requested from Palisades since in the private sector these documents are reviewed. The Mayor stated that they do not receive financial statements. Council Member Pfeifer inquired again about where the checks are sent and why they got behind. Mr. St. Clair stated that the City Administration knew they were behind in their payments and that where the payments were being sent were not a factor in the delay. Dr. Varner again voiced concern about the cash flow of the team since the regular season will be ending next week. He requested the dates and a time line on the payments and the actions taken by the City. Council Member Coleman thanked the Mayor and Mr. St. Clair on their update on the stadium. Under unfinished business, Mr. St. Clair passed out a 2-page summary on the O'Brien Skate Park (copy attached). Dr. Varner noted that with school soon to be starting that the attendance would be affected. Mr. St. Clair stated that they would have evening and weekend hours. Council Member Coleman adjourned the meeting at 5:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Sean Coleman, Chairperson Parks, Recreation,Cultural Arts and Entertainment Committee KCF:kmf Attachments