00:00:12,500	It is, uh, my dates right April 9th. Were 2024 were in the tom Baker room at the City County building. This will be the board of City Commissioners regular meeting.

00:00:29,900	Um, However, before we start, I would ask, Uh, Chaplain Tim Lucas to come forward for invocation and then lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mhm. Thank you. Our gracious Heavenly. Father. We come before you. Tonight, first of all in praise for all that you give us Not only as individuals, but as a city. And as all of humanity. We ask your favor on this meeting tonight. We ask for clarity of thought we asked for discernment.

00:01:02,770	And we asked for wisdom. Over these commissioners as they make decisions as they guide the city. We. Thank you for this opportunity. We praise and we thank you. In, Jesus holy and Precious name. Amen. If you would stand for the pledge, please.

00:01:33,170	I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Chaplain. And I’m going to give a plug to the chaplaincy program. Uh, there’s a fundraiser. On May 16th at the Radisson at 7 A.m.. It’s the mayor’s Prayer breakfast.

00:01:58,230	It’s their one of their primary methods of raising funds to help support their mission in supporting our first responders and all those individuals who are some times affected by an event that require first responders so Um, just as a little PR. If. We can call roll to bring the meeting to order. Mr mark here, Mr here, Mr Connolly here. Comm. Cleary here, Mayor schmitz here.

00:02:23,300	Excuse me. Um, is it this point in time? We have public comment for anything that’s on the consent agenda or a regular agenda item that is not a public hearing Anyone who wish to speak, Please come forward, sign in and tell us what topic you’re speaking to. Good Evening, mayor and commissioners.

00:02:59,330	I am here to speak. About The item about events and next steps forward. With the event center. And I have been Paying careful attention. To news and our meetings. And I’m concerned. I don’t want this to become With, the decision making and outsourcing Of accountability.

00:03:48,230	The commission, the city And, the event center need to be working together on moving forward. This is a problem that affects all of us, and it is mistaken to think that if you hire And, outside consultant or an outside management team that is going to take care of everything because it will not There are a number of issues right now that are ongoing and could use Some concerted Work

00:04:13,430	and yes, a type of consultant might be useful in this. I think of it as more like someone who is good at training organizational change. Healing. Difficult work environments, which means On the ground. Involvement of everyone.

00:04:47,100	Some of the kinds of things I can see are There has to be morale difficulties at the event center. You, Don’t Lose your leader, whether you’re happy or sad about that, and everything settles down. That’s not the case. The. Other thing is, it is clear from the findings of the subcomittee that there have been some issues about communication and about different kinds of staff, having been treated differently over time.

00:05:11,770	Those kind of things have got to change. In a positive direction. Well. That doesn’t just happen and you don’t just say well The, The person who who encouraged that kind of behavior and in part engaged and it is gone, so everything’s going to be fine. No.

00:05:33,900	Everybody at this point is used to working in a dysfunctional environment, and they need help in. How. Do we get to a more functional one. And. I am sure that there is a very big desire to do that. But. That’s not something everybody knows how to do some outside help, maybe support from the city Commission? Yes support from other city staff. Yes.

00:05:56,570	All of those are needed and that that needs to happen. The. Other thing is communication. It needs to get better. And again. People may need some help in. How. Do you do that What kinds of bad habits are there when there’s bad communication And how do you institute some better ones and that again? Could happen with a very good training exercise.

00:06:21,530	And I would say that this kind of training Probably could involve more than the event center. This. This kind of concerns show if Acted upon and in an appropriate way You show support from the city and the City administration and I would say at this point that is a very big need people at the

00:06:48,270	event center work very hard as a member of the Citizen Academy, I toured the event center. I saw their video showing how hard these folks work and they were working hard in a very difficult frat work environment.

00:07:10,370	How about recognizing that work and what would be so bad about helping that environment be better so that it was more fun to come to work and people got recognized for the things that they contributed, and things could Could keep moving forward in a good direction.

00:07:36,770	These are knowledgeable, hard working people and they deserve To be given that kind of recognition and respect the idea that somebody’s going to come in and maybe fire everybody I don’t think is a good way to go. The. Other kinds of things I can see from the sub committee report. Obviously. It might be really good to bring in an outside firm to audit the books.

00:07:59,870	It seems like there is some confusion and uncertainty about what what actually is the financial status of the event center. Will it be good to get a better better handle on that I. I can see that And. Of course Auditors usually make recommendations and it, of course, behooves the Organization receiving the audit report to try to address them. And, of course, some of them are picky and maddening. I.

00:08:20,430	Remember the state agency I worked at that seemed to attract. Uh, one of their departments seemed to attract and awful lot of Interest from the auditor, and that was because they were a money making side of the organization, which is not unlike what happens with the event center.

00:08:44,070	But they tried to to address those Recommendations, and they found that even some of them were were kind of worthwhile. OK, so an audit might be good. The. Other thing I can see from that report is there are some concern about profitability of events and mix of events, and it sounds like out there in the event center world, especially kind of regional event centers

00:09:05,630	like Bismarck and Fargo and Grand Forks and Minot. Uh, There are some changes afoot. It’s getting harder to attract some kinds of events, and maybe some changes need to be made.

00:09:35,770	That might be a place where somebody who is an outside business consultant who particularly has some experience in dealing with event centers, might be able to offer some helpful suggestions. There. I could see One thing That’s occurred to me, too, is maybe what’s needed is a staff retreat. Get. Everybody together in in, you know, off site. And talk about? Well. What kinds of things are important to you.

00:09:58,830	What makes you stay what kinds of things would make you happier? What would you like to see going forward and I can tell you from some of the HR and business kind of email newsletters. I get Um one of them may be fast company. Had an article about what staff really want in terms of Uh, You know what makes them stay? What makes them happy? Recognition. Respect.

00:10:29,700	You know even more than money, although getting adequately paid, of course, is A concern, but money is not going to take away all the issues. And having step say, Well. What would be meaningful to you. That might really be helpful because I don’t know that any of us knows So. I hope going forward.

00:10:58,500	We see more of a coming together, Not A. Oh. That’s not my issue Somebody else can deal with it approach to things we all need to be involved, and we need to Show.

00:11:20,400	The people at the event center that we support their work and we care about them, and we want them to succeed, and we will be glad to do What we can Whatever we can to help them do better and to help them. Have a good environment there. I think that is the best thing we could do. Thank you. Thank you. Again. This is public comment Anyone who wishes to speak, Please come forward. Second call for public comment.

00:11:51,500	Third and final call for public comment. Here in and seeing no further public comment. Public comment period is now closed Commissioners. What are your wishes with the consent agenda. Move to approve. So I can We were in discussion. Here in honor call roll. Mister Zinker? Yes Comm. connelly. Yes. Mr Cleary? Yes Mr Marco? Yes, yes.

00:12:22,970	Moving into the regular agenda. First item is to receive a report from the city of Bismarck Human Relations committee, and I’m not sure who is leading the presentation. All three of US mayor. OK, well, welcome. Good Evening mayor and commissioners. Uh, jason Grune. Pleasure to be here with you this evening.

00:12:44,330	Um, we just wanted to take a little bit of time to go over our annual review from last year for the events and co ordination of what the Human Relations committee was able to achieve. Just a short, um, overview the mission of our committee is to create an atmosphere of inclusion, equality and accessibility through education and outreach to recognize the value of a Community.

00:13:08,700	Um, the Bismarck Human Relations Committee has the following goals and objectives as defined in its strategic plan. Um, to exhibit leadership in the areas of civil and human rights to educate the public about civil and human rights to identify issues of principal concern in the area of civil and human rights to recommend priorities and objectives about issues of

00:13:28,570	community concern to the city commission and to advocate for compliance with federal and state laws regarding civil and human rights, including North Dakota Century Code Chapters 14-02 0.4 for human Rights and 14-02 0.

00:13:55,770	5 for In Um, the Bic Human Relations Committee was created through Bismarck Ordinance 52 08 and receive final passage on October 8th 2002. The Committee’s purpose is to promote acceptance and respect for diversity through educational programs and activities and to discourage all forms of discrimination, including protected class discrimination, AD a violations or other statutory or constitutional violations. So. This committee is, um, achieved through appointment through the mayor and the board of City commissioners. Our meeting.

00:14:19,870	Time is public and we like to open that up to everyone. We meet on the third Monday of each month except on holidays at 5:15 P.m. in the fourth floor Mayor’s conference room of City County office building in downtown Bismarck. We do accept public comment also 2023 committee members. Um I’m the outgoing chair.

00:14:41,700	Um for that last year, vice chair to Jorgensen, Geraldine, Abe Darcy and Nicole Ralph, Sasha Shetler, Serge Anna Woos and Carl Jung and Gabriella Abu Asi. So skipping ahead. Uh, last year we were able to do two humanitarian of the year awards, the Bismarck Human Relation committee accepts applications for individuals and organizations within the city.

00:15:08,530	Last year We recognized sister Kathleen Atkinson for extensive work as an individual with her ministry on the margins. Um And just extensive work throughout the community. And, then for the organization we were able to recognize the Dream Center for its work in the community also so Thank you for allowing me to speak. And.

00:15:31,830	I’m Sergey Nowitzki and I get to talk about the fun that we do, and that’s being involved in events in the community. So. I’m Just gonna talk about all the community events that we had in 2023 going kind of how we went throughout our year, the first one being the Martin Luther King JR Day celebration.

00:15:50,030	Um this event is one that’s held in our community at Trinity Lutheran Church that talks about the dream and legacy of martin Luther King Junior and we were there to be able to sponsor the event as well as have a a booth there to talk about our mission and different things that we do in the community.

00:16:08,700	Um, our next one was families around the world. Families around the world is an event yearly at the library, and what it does is it really focuses on diversity in Bismarck and celebrating that, um, at our booth, we had an activity for kids, which was rock painting.

00:16:28,730	We were also able to talk about our mission of inclusion and diversity in our community with the people that were attending the event. Next a summer event that we do is we, um, attend and have a booth at Capitol Pride on the capital Pride event focuses in on celebrating the LGBT Q community, and during that event, we were able to talk about the importance of inclusion as well as diversity

00:16:51,100	in our community. Um, we were able to visit with those people attending handout, swag and brochures detailing what our mission is. An event that was held this year, um, that we were a sponsor for as well was the considering Matthew Shepherd event? That event was a concert that was held on the anniversary of the kidnapping

00:17:12,770	of Matthew Shepard and the murder of him. We are able to, uh, at that event also have a booth and talk about our mission and how we’re involved in the community and how people can get involved. And our last thing that we started last year in January.

00:17:33,100	We’re now, uh, a little over a year old is our podcast and we really encourage anybody to listen to the podcast. He and I are the host of these are your neighbors? Um Comm. cleary Act actually been on the podcast with us. So. The podcast is on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 10 A.m. on Dakota media access the radio station, which is 102.

00:17:58,170	5, but it’s also streamed through them as well as this year we were launched on all major streaming platforms so you can listen to it on Spotify on apple podcast or on Amazon music whenever you’d like, Um, we’ve had 20 what 29 guests. 29 guests since January, including as I said before, um Comm.

00:18:21,630	Cleary jason, who’s on our committee, Um, former Senator Oban sister Kathleen Atkinson has been on it. We just taped with Jim Bernard from the Dream Center. So. What the podcast is for is for people that we feel are change makers in our community, So we have them on and talk about them and the changes that they’ve made and how they’ve impacted the

00:18:37,030	community of Bismarck. And I’m gonna talk to you guys a little bit about just what we have coming up in the future. Some of it might sound repetitive because we are already into April. So. Uh, we have also done some of these things again in 2024 that Sergi Ona just talked about from 2023.

00:19:00,570	We will shortly be opening up applications for the humanitarian of the Year Award for an individual and a business. You can find those on our website and we will be letting everybody know once those are open. Um, our goal as a committee is to host.

00:19:20,370	Um, at least four events throughout the year within our community as well as planning. Um, at least one event of our own. We are definitely on our way with that, Um, since January we have once again attended and sponsored the MLK event.

00:19:43,370	Uh, we have actually worked with the city emergency manager on a project helping, um Compile a list of potentially underrepresented communities and then connecting them with the point of contact in case of an emergency in the city. We just last week attended. Um, we had a booth at the High Plains Fair housing event that they had they had showed a movie, um called owned. And. Then.

00:20:01,030	We will be at families around the world again with a booth, which is on April 22nd at the library, and we’ll have another event or a little tabling event for Children in the community participate in We plan on, uh, sponsoring and being a part of capital pride again.

00:20:19,700	Come June as well as, um, We’re not 100% Sure what it looks like, but we know we’ll be a part of the Juneteenth event as well. Um, And that’s right now what we have planned And, then, uh, we did just recently host our community. First Community Conversations Forum. We really want to extend our gratitude for those of you who showed up? Um and we’re able to be there and just allowing us to have that conversation.

00:20:40,430	Afterwards we received, um, some really great feedback. Um, a lot of people found it to be a worthwhile event and then we also received a lot of feedback on how, uh, the community feels like we can move forward and even make it, you know, a little bit better of an event. So.

00:20:56,670	We are excited for our next one. And then on top of that, we just plan on continuing to, um, record or these are your neighbors podcasts? It’s been super exciting this year. We’ve actually had people reach out to us asking if they can be a guest on our podcast, So.

00:21:15,730	That’s pretty exciting um, but that I believe wraps up our annual report, and we just really wanna thank you for your continued support of our activities and, uh Thank you. Thank you Comm.? Does anybody have questions? Comm. clerk. I don’t have a question, but I was able to be at that community Conversations Forum and I thought it went Really. Well.

00:21:32,300	I look forward to more of them. I think that there was a lot of really great conversations that came from it and the speakers that you had were like such a good mix of, you know.

00:21:49,400	Areas that you You Don’t see presented, um in front of citizens all the time, And I think that they brought a lot of good perspective and it was a very interesting thing to be a part of so Mr Mayor and commissioners and I went as well and II. I do think it was. It was well attended. It was nice that and I think what some of it was what I was hoping for.

00:22:04,430	To begin with is this They have a lot of those different conversations with those, uh different individuals within our community. But, then also being, um, able to reach out to you guys or your your team, uh, to be able to help connect some of those individuals to other services that are being provided as well. So. Um, I thought it was, uh, very well attended.

00:22:23,500	You guys did Very good job with that. Um and I. Yeah, I look forward to seeing how how you guys progress with that? Thank you. Mr Conley. I was there as well that night, and, um No. A lot of the people that I know were there as well and it was a good discussion. Hello. A.

00:22:45,330	Lot of people had questions and answers one of the questions that was posed to me was, um, in the area of the, uh, What. Does sponsorship mean for the organization and things and I’ve been looking at different things throughout the entire part of Bismarck because that’s one area where, like when I watched your follow up meeting and everything in the

00:23:06,630	discussion that went along with Is. How can the conversations be more productive going into the future? So? Um, look forward to the events going forward. Thank you. Thank you for your report and thank you for what you’re doing. Next item is a public hearing, second reading and approval of Ordinance 6574 amendment to the 2023 Budget Ordinance.

00:23:36,670	You, don’t Dmitri, You’re gonna make a presentation. Yes. Good. Evening Mayor commissioners. Um So what you have, um is basically, uh, every year at the end of the year we look at our budgets and we see if there’s any sort of overages that were caused by unforeseen events, uh, such as the snow storms.

00:23:57,630	That happened, uh, kind of late. 2022 early 2023 that caused their budgets to be in excess of what they were originally appropriated. There’s also other factors such as when we collect hotel motel taxes.

00:24:19,400	They are normally uh, dis It out based on a 7525 split to the CV B and the event center, and so in this, uh we, uh, actually ended up collecting more hotel motel taxes than we anticipated from the state. And. So. We are distribution was higher than we originally appropriated. Um as well as and then the street lights is kind of similar to the snow.

00:24:38,030	Uh, snow events that you know there were some polls that were knocked down and that need to be replaced. And, so there was some excesses due to unforeseen circus. And Therefore, in front of you. You have the budget Amendment ordinance, um, that you know, I would like to request approval. Obviously. It already happened.

00:24:59,930	Um, we have obviously had conversations with Budget committee about these items in the past, and so, um, without if you have any questions, I’ll I’ll be right here. Mr Jeremy question before we open public hearing. OK? This is a public hearing, so anyone wish to speak to this topic. Please come forward Sign in state your name. I can call for public comment. Third and final call for public comment. Hearing and seeing no public comment.

00:25:34,230	Public comment period is now closed. Comm.. What are your wishes move to approve. Second Is there any discussion? EN will call roll. Fisher Connelly? Yes Comm. cleary? Yes. Comm. marquardt. Yes, Comm.? Yep. Yes. Next item is consider a request for resolution receiving bids and ordering preparation of engineers statement on awarding contracts for city contract.

00:26:03,630	Concrete contracts Parts a one a two and B OK? Thank you mayor and commissioners. Can. I get the share link up. Mayor and commissioners. Uh, we opened bids this morning on our concrete. Sidewalks driveways and curb and gutter we bid. This is three parts part A.

00:26:42,900	One is our new construction driveways and and sidewalks Part A two is our gap Sidewalk. In part B is a combination of hazardous sidewalks or or replacing hazardous sidewalks that are out in the community as well as a portion of that is used for city departments such as public works, utilities or service ops, uh, to replace concrete that might be in the

00:26:59,030	right of way that was damaged for some curb stop repairs or snow plow damage the multiple bidders. Um, on the parts. Uh, part a or a one or low bidder is Strata Corporation with a bit of $1,494,649 are low bidder.

00:27:25,170	For part a two is knife River, Central North Dakota division with a bid of $244,792.95 in our low bidder on the part, B portion was also knife River central in D division with a little bit of $1,103,172.95. Is not in the agenda memoir recommendation is to award uh, these three parts Comm. marquardt mayor and commissioners gabe So. I. Remember, BY, Um So.

00:27:50,100	It’s a lot higher than what the engineer’s estimate is. Mayor Comm. Comm. marquardt part B is is a difficult project in the sense that the contractor, uh, signs up for it could be a million dollars worth of work.

00:28:07,300	Or in this case, you know slightly over a million dollars worth of work, but it is also based on how many potential hazards we receive at the city. So there’s some risk, I think from the contracting industry. Uh, that you’re you’re running all over town. There might be three on the north side of town and and five on the south side of town. It’s not a very efficient way to put that concrete out.

00:28:20,230	Um so in that respect, I think we see increase. Prices for that particular Project than what we had expected this year. Uh, but you can see both bidders, I guess bid part B at a similar dollar amount. So.

00:28:36,270	It is what the market Is expecting and it will look for ways in the future also to to try to find ways to make that project more efficient to hopefully get some of those gains back in the future. Yeah, And. That was the only concern that I had is that our engineers estimate was a 747 versus the one point 1 million. So thank you, Mayor and commissioners.

00:28:52,270	If this is approved when we send out our hazards, if if a hazard is notified to us, and we inspect it, Uh, we give the owner of that property the ability to hire their own contractor, and we’ll tell them if you work with the city’s contractor. It will cost you, um X to Y. Whatever.

00:29:07,130	That amount is, uh, if you want to bid this or have your own contractor do this work, They have that opportunity to do so, Um, so at least we’ll give them a dollar amount and if they can find a different contractor that can do that more efficiently, uh more power to them to do it that way. OK? Any other questions. Commissioners.

00:29:26,370	What are your wishes? Move to approve is presented. Second Is there any discussion? You know, we call roll. Mr cleary? Yes. Comm. marquardt Comm. Zanker. Yes, Mr connelly Mayor schmitz? Yes. Next item is to consider approval. No. Excuse me consider a request receive bids and award contract for highway or for project 2024 pavement crack. Ceiling project.

00:29:57,870	Go ahead, gabe mayor and commissioners, uh, Highway Construction Project 167 is 100% sales tax funded Crack ceiling project so between, uh, co ordination with engineering and public works service ops. We’ve kind of divvied out which roads each of those entities will be responsible for. This project will apply a high grade crack ceiling.

00:30:18,630	Uh, material on the arterial roads and the snowplow routes on trying for like a three year cycle. But. This is our first year doing this project, so we weren’t exactly sure what the bids would be. And so he’s See on the bid schedule here of a variety of the contractors also didn’t know of this. How to how that could shake out.

00:30:32,600	Uh, but our low bidder with this project, we did have four bidders on this project, but the low bid is Roadway Services Inc with a bit of 100 $8640, and our recommendation is to award Make sure there’s any questions. Move to approve is presented. Second Any further discussion. Here. N will call role Mr. Marquardt. Yes? Yes.

00:30:58,130	Mr Connelly? Yes! Mr Cleary. Yes, mayor Schmitz? Yes. Next item. Consider approval of development agreement and purchase agreement. Relating to 2712 Hamilton Street. I think this is you again, gabe. Mayor and commissioners.

00:31:24,770	Uh this item is is the property on the screen here, which is addressed as 27 and 12 Hamilton Street, also known as Lot three, Block one Fairview Cemetery Edition. This property is just south of Century Avenue in Hamilton Street in North Bismarck. The city originally purchased a portion of this property to construct Hamilton Street as part of the 2007 Century Avenue reconstruction project and then purchased the remainder component, which is now lot three block one Fairview cemetery addition in 2011.

00:31:45,630	To secure a stormwater channel across the property of the property was platted previously in revolutionary edition in 2013, and now has subsequently been rep. Platted as Lot three Block one Every Cemetery edition In 2022 all the previous platting actions encumbered this property with the necessary storm, water and drainage easements and the city then placed this property on

00:32:04,970	the available properties for sale list in April of 2023. The City has received an offer from the adjacent landowner to the, uh, West. Uh, order of lot two block. On Fairview cemetery to purchase this property that adjacent owner is the Fairview Cemetery Association Inc, and they intend to lease a portion of lot to for the development

00:32:23,730	of a future of of a funeral home site on a portion of lot two. The Funeral home site would include a driveway access across lot two across the lot three to access Hamilton Street, Uh, but Hamilton Street at this. Excuse me this parcel at this point in time does not have an improved street.

00:32:41,170	It’s a gravel road that is Hamilton Street. There’s not a water main that runs down Hamilton Street. And. Also. There’s a sewer line adjacent to it has not been improved through all of Hamilton Street. So. There’s a couple of reasons why the lack of those facilities affects the sale price that we would expect to venture.

00:32:56,100	Uh, for this type of property. If it was, um Fully provided with all those city services. So the second part of this agenda. Memo is an accompanying development agreement. In addition to the purchase agreement that The Fairview Cemetery would move forward with that we would allow for the construction of 150 Ft.

00:33:17,430	Of Hamilton Street initially, which would give them enough to install their first driveway onto Hamilton Street, uh, but then leave the remaining 400 or so feet of Hamilton Street’s construction to be triggered by some other action, most likely a neighbor to the south, the southeast, the Southwest, requiring a street and and water main improvements and at such time that those neighbors need that

00:33:36,170	this neighbor would also participate, Uh, in the improvements through our Assessment policy at that time. Um so I guess with that, Uh, I did provide a revised purchase agreement from what was in the agenda.

00:33:52,870	Um, the main changes in that purchase agreement were setting a firm closing date in ironing out some of the contingencies that they need to see, uh, have approved before the closing date. Uh, we also clarified some of the closing expenses and the title company. Uh, Responsibilities. So with that said, I.

00:34:12,500	Take any questions you have, but I recommended City Commission action would be to approve the development agreement and purchase agreement related to 2712 Hamilton Street. Lot three, Block one Fairview Cemetery edition, and if that is a favorable recommendation, I would advise that we remove the executive session Item three G on today’s agenda, which is also relating to the same item. Um, but if the commission wants to approve this, you won’t have to have the executive session.

00:34:27,070	But if you’d like to discuss we do have an executive session reserved for the end of this meeting. Um, if it’s your desire to To to counter with something else, but Seth recommends approval. Commissioners. You have questions. What are your wishes? I’ll make a motion to approve as presented, which includes removal of item three G. Do.

00:34:53,700	We have any discussion. Hearing N will call roll. Mister Zanker? Yes Comm. Connelly? Yes Mr cleary? Yes. Comm. Marquardt Mayor schmitz? Yes. Next item item of discussion on next steps for the Bismarck event center as we move forward and find what what? What our next steps are, I. Guess I don’t know what they are.

00:35:20,000	I don’t know if any of us do yet, Uh, mayor Comm., Um, after our last meeting on April 1st, Um I pretty much turned the reins over to Amanda and, um, have her come up and kind of give us the overview of What.

00:35:36,900	She thinks the 30 60 90 days look like and then I’ll throw a couple other zingers at the end. Amanda. Thank you. Mayor Commissioners. OK. We did a little bit of, uh, brainstorming on our end, So.

00:36:04,270	We sat down as just a management team kind of looked at a 30 60 90 Day outlook Taking us to 30 Days May 9th 60 days would be June 9th and then our 90 Day outlook. Of course taking us to July 9th. So, Um, a couple different ways. I’m gonna approach this. We’ve got just kind of an outlook over general concepts that we’re looking to do in the next 30 60 90 days and then a little bit more specific, just kind of addressing the subcomittee findings.

00:36:22,700	Things that were brought forward from February and March and things that we want to address that we’re looking to, um, enhance and have some, um, changes with with the 30 60 90 outlook. So 30 starting with our 30 Day, um in the next 30 days, just at the event Center alone.

00:36:40,370	Um, we’ve got 48 events in the next 30 days, so we still got a pretty heavy schedule moving forward, Um, taking us through May 9th, and that includes our exhibit hall, Our Arena and our bell. Um, one of those Key ones that falls right in the cusp of that 3030 to 35 days would be our Williston Basin Petroleum conference. So.

00:36:58,600	That is one notable event that we want to just make sure is included in, um, discussion as we move forward with what we’re looking to do. Um, couple of big events that we’re looking to to put on the radar. Um, we are looking to announce a full arena event this evening.

00:37:17,770	Um, after I guess commission would take a look at the executive session that we’re having. So. That would be a potential announce that we would be making um as soon as possible as soon as you guys would, uh, move us to, um, negotiations further on that and approve that, and then we have another arena event that will be announcing next week.

00:37:34,230	That will be, um, later this fall. We’ve got some brainstorm sessions taking place in our 30 day outlook where we’re looking at some additional ancillary income. Um, if that’s paid, parking a V needs budget items, things that we can look to do.

00:37:53,500	Uh, we also have our ticketing services RFP that was just put out today and that is due May 3rd and the deadline on that is to have a recommendation back to you guys by the June 11th meeting. So. Our ticketing company is out for RFP as of today. Moving ahead. 60 Day Outlook. We’ve got 22 events from May 9th to June 9th. So.

00:38:13,200	We’re closing down a little bit on some of those, uh, crazier event schedules. Um, just going off of a recommendation from the subcomittee findings. We would like to, uh, move forward with your guys’s approval, and, um Hindsight or, uh, outlook I should say on possibly economic impact risk assessment studies something like that to help move us forward, even in even beyond 60 days, but that could

00:38:32,530	start being looked at in that 60 day window. We’re looking at prioritizing prioritizing our funding for capital improvements. Uh, our budget, of course, is coming up very soon. So looking at putting some money into the building. Um, I have had multiple events reached out to me in the last.

00:38:52,870	Oh, probably two weeks more specifically, uh, mentioning the value that they receive from the event center. Specifically the customer service that they get what they enjoy about the event center.

00:39:07,170	Why they like to come to us to have their event, but some concerns brought forward with the building, knowing that in order for them to keep their event in Bismarck, they would like to see him hand some enhancements made to the building and that was made very clear with a couple of our key. Long term tenants that we’ve had in our building for 15, plus years that they’ve hosted their event. Then on our 90 day. Outlook. We’ve got 15 events to take us June 9th July 9th So.

00:39:24,200	We’re able to put a little bit more, uh, pen to the paper during that time, um, Also looking to, um That maintenance supervisor position looking to rehire and what that might look like with their vacation time running out in July, moving us into September October time frame when we would be able to actually have somebody back

00:39:43,400	into the into the building. More specifically on our sub-committee findings. Looking at alcohol Sales. Uh 30 Day outlook will continue to research other point of sale systems to gather additional costs.

00:40:04,300	Uh, since the initial fact finding process started, we have implemented internal controls with utilizing our cash registers, but we really need a P OS system with sufficient Internet in the building that could help support that, and that is one big need is getting that Internet need tied in with the um P OS system so we can effectively move forward with that.

00:40:22,900	Along the along the same lines of alcohol sales moving that forward 60 to 90 days would then be looking at, uh, with the wishes be to move all of our third party vendors to appoint a sale system, so that would be something that I would ask that you would take into consideration.

00:40:38,970	And then with that we would have to look at modifying, possibly some of our vendor contracts that are currently in place where they might already have their current P OS system and we would be looking to have them utilize something that possibly the the city would own or whatever you guys Think would be, um, something we could discuss, with, with best opportunities moving forward for that.

00:40:55,630	Uh, research has shown that it is not uncommon for other venues to manage their own point of sale systems and have all their third party vendors alike on that same system. Work environment was another topic that was brought forward from the subcomittee.

00:41:15,370	Our 30 Day Outlook is we’ve been having department meetings with HR to chat about personnel, operational and other thoughts that have come up from the initial HR feedback that was brought forward our 60 to 90 day. Outlook is we’re working with HR to help facilitate a group conversation with other, uh departments altogether and gain additional understanding with one another. How to find a solution in moving forward, and Leanna has been helpful in With those conversations Leanne and brandy.

00:41:37,100	I should mention Contracts lease agreements are 30 Day outlook. Of course we are continuing to use Docusign our 60 to 90 Day outlook as we had mentioned earlier with conversations in January, February and March when we’ve been talking about this is deep diving into a little bit more of our lease agreement and making sure that makes sense

00:41:54,330	for our industry. Along with not only the lease agreement is our insurance portion making sure that that aligns with regional event centers and making sure that we are not putting ourselves out there that makes it unappealing for people to have their events in our building that we are aligning with industry standards.

00:42:12,500	Also doing an operational evaluation where we can take a harder look at our events, Labor ancillary income and some, um, profit loss sort of. Outlooks. Written policies are 30 to 60 Day Outlook we have on our docket to do our CPR training and building emergency plan, training and getting those out to full time and part time employees.

00:42:33,230	At this point they have received the document that we’ve had put together for, um Many months, but now it’s just coming time to all get back together and make sure we’re all on the same page. With what that looks like. And. That’s what I have kind of the the Quicken, um, cooking fast version of our manager.

00:42:52,500	Outlook from when we all met, representing our departments to take in a little bit closer. Look at the subcomittee findings and how we want to move forward with addressing some of those needs that were brought forward and how we would like to do that, Um, together as our team. Mr Marquardt.

00:43:10,200	Mayor and commission Amanda. So with some of the Internet stuff. Have you been Working in Ju in conjunction with the IT to see what we need in there because I know if I remember last it was a a large dollar amount that would need to kind of update that building, but have you since visited with

00:43:25,600	him and and kind of had some of those conversations. Yeah, I think, um, Comm. marquardt. We actually just had a meeting yesterday where we sat down and and started just visiting more IT related conversations.

00:43:43,730	We haven’t specifically looked into what that dollar amount might be to enhance and what level that even needs to be brought to, But. I think that’s something that we can put on our, um Maybe. It’s a A 60 day outlook there getting US past petroleum conference getting us past some of that where we can look a little bit closer at that, Um, and even at our meeting yesterday, when we were discussing many multiple I

00:43:59,170	things we had said this is something that we probably need to do more often just to get us all continuously talking about our WiFi and Internet needs that are coming up from vendors and making sure that we are capable of providing what they’re asking. Good. Thank you. Mrs. Did you have anything? Anybody else? Um, Amanda.

00:44:25,370	I appreciate the play by play or overall. Look at this. Um, understandably, I think, um I think we’ve talked a lot about the point of sale system as Comm. marquardt mentioned the the Internet and that sort of stuff. Understandably. As.

00:44:45,130	You pointed out the the events kind of trickle away in June, so I think that it makes sense to circle back to that and kind of really focus in on it once you kind of get through that that like main busy focus, I would like to see you know, or a follow up on some of that stuff.

00:45:03,770	Maybe once we hit that 60 day period of, you know, We’ve gotten with it and what that looks like, as far as I know, there’s a Ton of variations of point of sale systems. And. How. Would that work if like we’re wanting one that multiple third parties use and how that shakes out in other organizations, um, is interesting.

00:45:24,870	So, um I appreciate, Um all that’s going through. Uh, I you and I had a lot of conversations about Docusign when I was working with the committee, Uh, do we feel like that is getting easier as we go? Uh, is that process starting to streamline for you, or where are we at with that? Yeah? Um Comm. cleary. Thank you I would say.

00:45:43,300	It is working. Uh, there’s definitely hiccups that were encountering. Um and Janelle will work with some insurance issues and all that we might have a client or a promoter or whatever it might be. That has some additional questions that they need to have answered or some clarification.

00:46:01,000	Um, so that is something that is being provided as far as support. I think we’re just still having that that hang up of, um Some events are coming to us and saying some of the requirements that we’re asking are something that they just they don’t have to provide another venues, and some of them are doing regional events.

00:46:17,630	Some of them are doing national events. So. That’s Why I Wanna really kind of dive into that a little bit closer and say, you know what is in our policy that makes it, um, comparable to our region and and other venues that are are like us and what makes us stand out that is hard for them to

00:46:31,970	get on some of these insurance, and it’s not that it’s completely unattainable. It’s just something that I think we need to talk through. And. Just.

00:46:48,370	Make sure that we are meeting the needs of our industry and not setting ourselves apart, so we make it unappealing for events to want to work so hard to get their insurance, But. We make it. Um, just as if they’re going to another regional venue, And. It’s a simple policy. Is it primarily the insurance.

00:47:06,030	That’s the Hang up for most of those are and cause I know you and I had had conversations about, you know, um, the who’s allowed to sign things and then as far as like doing Business in North Dakota is some of that getting ironed out and making more sense. Or. Is it just the insurance that seems to be the hang up primarily or I would say insurance Comm. clear. Excuse me is probably number one filing with the secretary of State is sometimes still.

00:47:23,270	Uh um, a hiccup that we’re running into with some of our more national companies and things and we’ve worked with, um The attorney to Work through some of the different ways that they can still fall under the, um like an umbrella or something to to be able to have business in in North Dakota, But.

00:47:42,500	I will say that it’s It’s probably one of those three things all the time for the it’s the the signing authority. It’s the doing business in North Dakota, or It’s The Insurance portion that is usually the hang up that we’re dealing with, um, kind of the back and forth communication between, um You know Attorney Combs us and then

00:48:00,600	back and forth with the promoter to make sure that we’re all getting something that’s approved and can move forward. OK, Thank you, Mhm. I think this is a great start to the next 90 days, I’m gonna say I mean obviously, we’ve got to go beyond that.

00:48:19,800	And that’s gonna be probably our bigger challenge as to how we move forward in a collaborative event process. Um, but this is a group. This gets us. I. Think through my concern some big steps for the next 90 days anyway, so I look forward to what we could do. And and I Comm. Z.

00:48:40,070	You may have some comments I, I would like to suggest that as we go forward as to how the event center may look into the future that we were you and Jason were closely together as to how we can develop that process. Yep. Mr er So Yeah. Thanks, Amanda.

00:48:58,200	By the way for that I had to take some notes there so Um, just for my perspective. I mean we’ve talked about a few things at the event center, and I think it’s um as Amanda and her team moves forward for the next past the 90 days to the 1 26 7 months from now, a year from now, I think we need to give them some direction as to what

00:49:15,800	type of events you want to see in the event center. Um do you? Do? You? Wanna try to target some big names and spend some big money Do.

00:49:33,370	You want to, uh, you know, I, I reason I bring it up is ironically, I was in Grand Forks this weekend for basketball and the day before the basketball tournament they had Chris Stapleton at the las, right. Um, Granted. There’s a bunch of people from Bismarck, who probably took that trip and went up there. Um, I was in the LA Center on Saturday afternoon. And.

00:49:50,430	Yeah, it’s a little bit easier to host that type of Event when you have a A venue that seats um 17 18,000 people. Whatever that holds right it. It helps with ticket pricing. And some of those some of those types of entertainers have guaranteed money. So and I don’t know what that is.

00:50:06,970	It can range from anywhere from a million dollars a man to help me out here if I misspeak, so you kind of might have left the podium a little quick. Um, but it could go from anywhere from a million dollars to two or $3 million. I mean? I think we need to, um, provide some direction as to what we wanna see.

00:50:23,570	I mean any comment that you hear from the event center? From the outside is one is too expensive. Two. We never have any big concerts. We never have any big shows. Um, couple of the comments from previous meetings where we gotta make sure they’re profitable, which is always the the final goal. Right.

00:50:42,430	Um so I think we need to provide her some direction there. Um, and her team there. The. Other thing we need to talk about is the facility itself. Um, you know, on the prior to the situation Happened. We were bringing a package to the commission for a renovation of the locker room changing of a couple of air handlers that are new. Um, a small addition.

00:51:05,630	Um so are Can. We bring that back to the table. Can we can we look at those things. And then, um, if you don’t want to look at it if that’s too expensive And the maybe the $450 Million. Question is do we build a new facility? I don’t know.

00:51:24,900	I can’t make that decision alone. That’s us as a commission who needs to make that type of decision. Obviously. It’s not a 90 Day decision, right, but it’s something that we have to put on the horizon as to whether we’re going to upgrade our current facility. Or What path we go.

00:51:47,170	Um I think those are all valid concerns and considerations. I think It would be Behoove us that you know, the five of us sitting here unless we’re gonna one of us are gonna quit our Full time job and take on a research as to how we move forward and help Amanda by ourselves might be difficult. I think this is where where we need to lean on.

00:52:07,570	Jason is our city administrator to provide Amanda that support and they come back with some recommendations as to how they see we could move. Move forward to that next step beyond the 90 days. And.

00:52:25,130	It might take 100 and 20 days or 100 and 80 days to develop all that, because I don’t think we’re gonna We’re not gonna Rectified. Yes. And and some of that is maybe facility orientated. How does that What do we need to do do we need to look at what that cost is and what we can afford to to do.

00:52:40,000	I think there are some improvements that when you look at no question about it, So? I don’t know that would be my recommendation. I mean Jason’s our city administrator. He’s a man of support and we should lean on him. Mister Connolly. Talking with some of the businesses too. They’ve seen over time.

00:53:00,130	Um, some of the changing There’s a lot more events, but their events that don’t encourage people or have that draw to where they’re traveling, where they wouldn’t spend the night or spend time in the restaurants and those type of things.

00:53:16,500	So if the events I know there’s been a lot of changes since 2020, but if we can find out what’s working for people and what those parameters look like to where we can have more of those conferences and more of those type of things to where Um, I know, like in the long term care area they’ve talked about maybe getting more local and keeping things here, um, for their administrators, those type of things in the past, but they actually that’s their chance to get away.

00:53:38,370	Um, and they actually go out of state. Well. Could we be that for some other state For their type of business that they run is that that’s their way to, um Relax a little bit. I don’t know what those might be.

00:53:54,500	But that might be some of the things that they can look at because they enjoy those times. Comm. zinker. So, Uh, mayor commissioners and just specifically to that commission Comm. Conley is there are I mean there’s a group of people that already work to try to bring those types of events to our city? I mean between the staff at the event center and the CV B? I mean they’re always looking to

00:54:14,230	recruit that type of that that type of event to the event center where they travel, and they come. I mean, they’ve There’s countless of, um of them that happen. I mean the firemen deal? Uh, event that was in the parking lot. You know those types of things.

00:54:31,670	Um So I mean that’s that work goes on. Um, I. Just want you to know that, you know, it’s like nobody’s sitting and waiting for the the inbox and the email to say, Hey. We.

00:54:49,970	Wanna Take your spot or or use your event we, You know there’s people out there trying to market it and and actively approaching that, um, in summer, those events take some negotiation, too. So that’s where you know we have. If we’re looked at being those events and that really do attract the crowds to the I mean I think we just we We gotta be ready to maybe take some bold statement steps.

00:55:05,370	I don’t know what they are, but so, with that being said, Mayor, I mean are you OK? If if the staff works on that and brings some ideas in the next 30 days, I think that’s appropriate. I would like jason to be a part of that, though I think I mean I think that would be that? I mean? I think that’s what we need to try to accomplish.

00:55:19,370	That’s how we’re gonna make some bold statements. So don’t even Throw the box away. Brace yourself. I mean right, Go big or go home. We don’t know I’m OK with going bigger going home.

00:55:38,600	We think it’s better to look at what All of the ideas are and kind of like what? What are the opportunities And. Where is the benefits. What’s What’s too big. I mean we don’t know until we look at them, right? So. I think that I I, the more we can explore. I think the better. I mean Comm., Mark mayor and Comm.. So.

00:55:53,600	You know what has happened in the past is that you know, with me being on the finance. Uh, side and Comm. anchor with the event center. There was times where if there’s a promoter or something like that that’s coming through, there might be a chance where we can snag one of these artists off.

00:56:09,670	Um, if they’re going through this, that or the other, but keep in mind. Some of that is we need to know in about, uh, maybe a half a day or or what? That decision may be because they’re trying to schedule all their stuff, and some of those Some of those events that you know the ones that we had in the past were a

00:56:27,170	million million plus, so we have to make sure that that We have an understanding or a process of something like that would come up and and how we need to move forward with that, so we can get some of those, um, those larger, um, entertainers that that me or me? Not come

00:56:44,770	through. I mean it. Some of it is is a timely aspect as far as it Yeah or nay, and it’s, uh, there’s been times where it was within about three or four hours where we had to try and make a decision.

00:57:03,970	Unfortunately some of those those didn’t uh uh, come and, um, but it was it to a point where we need to have a process set up for, uh, what that looks like, um in moving forward, and how much so I think that’s part of. I. Think that’s part of what we need to try to accomplish is what that Of that process and how we would go through that.

00:57:17,900	You know, I mean, just say tomorrow we have to make a meeting and make a decision that’s kind of hard. But But if we have a process in place, maybe it isn’t so hard so OK any other comments. I think this is good information. Good steps. Yeah, OK. All right. Um So item. G is gone. But.

00:57:43,500	I Think we have item H now, which is Another executive session if we make the appropriate Comm., mark, mayor and commissioners before we go into executive session, I just wanted to, uh uh, let you know that, um if you haven’t already or the people in the crowd, uh, will would not be running for

00:58:00,500	another term. So, um I think what would be appropriate? Um, for, uh, budget Uh, budget Committee as we need to appoint someone else for that that’s gonna be, um You know? Not, not short term like I like I will be. I think we have to have someone that’s gonna be there for the next two years.

00:58:32,600	Um, I think we’ve got it? My team and and Dimitri’s team. I Think we’ve got it set up nice to be able for someone to be able to step in and to do that, but I think also be aware of the scheduling aspect of that, Um I with my current job and one of the reasons why I’m not running

00:58:49,630	for another term. Um I don’t believe I’ll be able to fulfill that as as how I would like to, so I think we need to have a discussion. Um As far as who is to to take that portfolio over. So And we, um But Because. This is kind of news to all of us.

00:59:09,900	At least, that request part of the request. I kind of heard something yesterday that you had made the decision And and I think and mayor, um apologize for interrupting. But I think if even if we have that discussion or at the at the next meeting, I think would be fine. But.

00:59:24,830	I just wanted to put that because I would like to actually ask Dimitri for some input. On on how he would Proceed, and maybe he gives him a little bit of time and and the rest of us a little time to think about who that might be. If.

00:59:40,030	You don’t mind that is perfectly fine, OK? But I just thought I’d put that I do think there’s value to that from a continuity standpoint in moving forward. Yes, I think we need to make sure that it’s it’s stable, moving forward as as you well know, and and just from the some of the conversations that we’ve had, uh, here tonight, there’s some big lifts that need to be

00:59:55,830	handled through that the whole budget and the budget process, But. Um, I think we need to make sure that someone is going to be there for the duration of of this year and into 25 as well. I? Certainly respect that. And. I wanna thank you for your service. Now.

01:00:11,530	We get the chance later to you. You’ve given the city a number of years in a couple of different roles and thank you for your service. Thank you. All right now all Um You have a motion to move to executive session. I’ll move to go into executive session under north Coast century code 44-04 Dash 19.

01:00:43,130	9 regarding contract negotiation and negotiation strategy. Is there any discussion? Oh, my here and then we’ll call roll on that. Mr connelly? Yes Comm. Cleary. Yes Mr Mar. Yes Mr Zer. Yes,