HomeMy WebLinkAboutLEPFA Board of Commissioners Meeting Meeting Minutes September 24, 2024LANSING ENTERTAINMENT & PUBLIC FACILITIES AUTHORITY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
September 24, 2024
MINUTES
At 8:07 a.m. Chairwoman Maureen McNulty-Saxton called the regular monthly meeting of the LEPFA
Board of Commissioners to order in the Governor’s Room located at the Lansing Center; 333 East
Michigan Avenue; Lansing, Michigan 48933.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Paul Collins, Kenric Hall, Larry Leatherwood, Danielle Lenz, Charles
Mickens, Charles Randall (Ex-Officio), and Maureen McNulty-Saxton
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Desiree Kirkland (Ex-Officio), and James Stajos.
OTHERS PRESENT: Mindy Biladeau, Heidi Brown, Kirby Doidge, Kasey McFadden, Paul Ntoko, and
Tristan Wright - Lansing Entertainment & Public Facilities Authority; Joe Abood - Lansing City Attorney’s
Office; and Jack Alexander- Public.
I.CALL TO ORDER: Chairwoman Maureen McNulty-Saxton introduced Charles Randall, LEPFA’s newly
appointed Commissioner (Ex-Officio).
II.ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AGENDA: A quorum was not present at the beginning of the meeting.
Chairwoman Maureen Saxton noted that the Finance Committee report would be postponed until a
quorum was established.
Chairwoman Maureen Saxton made a change to the order of the agenda, moving the Interim President
& CEO and the Vice President reports before the Finance Committee report until a quorum was
established.
------ Quorum was established at 8:13 after the Sales and Services report from Mindy Biladeau------ The
Board went back into the order of the established agenda.
Motion was made to approve the changes to the agenda MOTION: Commissioner Charles Mickens
SECOND: Commissioner Larry Leatherwood MOTION CARRIED after Commissioner Larry Leatherwood
arrived, establishing a quorum.
III. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
IV.INTERIM PRESIDENT & CEO’s REPORT: Tristan Wright discussed the following items:
A.Past Chair Acknowledgement: Tristan Wright acknowledged and thanked Commissioner Kenric
Hall for his year of service as Board Chair for the fiscal year 2023-2024. Tristan thanked Kenric
Hall for his leadership, and his guidance while he was Chair on the LEPFA Board and presented
him with a plaque.
B.Operation’s Report: The turf at Jackson Field Stadium, originally replaced 10 years ago by Bush
Turf, is undergoing another replacement. Bush Turf was the only bidder and has begun the
replacement process. Completion is targeted for November, before the onset of snow,
ensuring readiness for the 2025 season. A new lactation pod has been installed at the Lansing
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Convention Center, enhancing services for clients and customers. A press event is scheduled
for October 9th to highlight this initiative. The City of Lansing has issued a Request for
Proposal (RFP) for third-party management for LEPFA facilities, including Lansing Center,
Jackson Field Stadium, and Groesbeck. Facility tours took place on September 16 with
interested companies. Discussions focused on infrastructure, equipment, and facility
conditions. LEPFA will be submitting a proposal for the RFP.
V. VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES AND SERVICES REPORT: Mindy Biladeau reported on the following items:
A.Sales & PACE: August rental sales for the Lansing Center totaled $45,926. The new board-
approved agreement with Choose Lansing added $200,000 to the rental budget for FY25,
raising it to $1.2 million. As of last month, the sales team had achieved 84% of the budget.
Currently, they are at 75% for the fiscal year with nine months remaining. The team is focusing
on sales splits, prospecting, and attending upcoming trade shows, including a major event at
MSU. A challenge faced is the availability of short-term business dates due to previously
booked ballrooms and other spaces.
B.Event Highlights: Secured the 2028 Scottish Highland Dance National Championships. Added a
new wrestling tournament, Premier League Border Duals, in addition to existing wrestling
events for 2024 and 2025.
C.Silver Bells In The City & 5K: For the 40th celebration, Sponsorships for the event are at an all-
time high, with this year marking the event's largest revenue. Parade applications closed on
September 2nd, with all applicants notified by September 20th. There is a full parade lineup
and a waitlist. The 2024 State Christmas Tree will be harvested on November 1st and arrive at
the Capitol on November 2nd. 10,000 programmable LED wristbands will be distributed for
the tree lighting, synchronized to music, drone performances, and fireworks. Registration for
the Silver Bells 5K has increased by 300% from last year, setting it up for a record-breaking
event.
Larry Leatherwood entered the meeting at 8:13 a.m.
------ Quorum was established at 8:13 ----- The Board went back into the order of the established
agenda.
VI.APPROVAL OF THE August 20, 2024, MINUTES: Motion was made to approve the August 20, 2024,
meeting minutes as presented.
MOTION: Commissioner Kenric Hall SECOND: Commissioner Charles Mickens MOTION CARRIED
V.REPORTS:
A.CHAIRWOMAN’S REPORT: Chairwoman Maureen McNulty-Saxton reviewed discussion/action
items as follows:
1.Financial Statement Review: August 2024 (Action Item)
2.Personnel Committee- Closed Session
3.Strategic Committee Updates
4.Vice President Reports
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B.FINANCE COMMITTEE: Finance Committee Chair Paul Collins stated that the committee met and
deferred to Kirby Doidge for the August 2024 Financial report as follows:
1.Lansing Center:
Revenue: August revenue was $261,000, exceeding the budget by $11,451. Building rental and
food & beverage revenue fell short of expectations. Equipment rental surpassed the budget by
$61,000, driven by AV services for the National Democratic Convention. Labor services and
event-related expenses increased due to AV needs. Signage and promotion recognizing $16,500
for the donation of the lactation pod. We exceeded our anticipated revenue for the month but
remain $142,000 behind the year-to-date target. However, August revenue was $261,000,
surpassing last year’s August total of $250,000.
Danielle Lenz entered the meeting at 8:23 a.m.
Expenses: August Salaries/Wages and Benefits were under budget due to reduced staffing in
August, as fewer hourly event staff were needed. Utilities were also $32,000 below budget due
to lower usage, though this is expected to rise soon. Maintenance costs increased due to
additional roof repairs, and event-related expenses exceeded budget due to rental equipment
costs. Total operating expenses for the month were $491,000, $92,000 under budget, resulting
in a deficit of $63,000—better than the expected $171,000 deficit, giving us a positive variance
of $108,000. Sales and marketing reimbursements will be adjusted to $450,000. Compared to
last year, revenue is up, and expenses are down for August. Cash on hand will be managed
strategically to align with the grant reimbursement process.
2.Groesbeck Golf Course:
Revenue: At Groesbeck, power cart rentals exceeded budget by $1,000, though greens fees were
$1,500 below target year-to-date. Concessions revenue is underreported due to credit card
terminal issues, but adjustments are expected to align figures with budget. Currently, we're
$6,400 below anticipated monthly revenue, but this gap should be closed once concessions are
reconciled, keeping us on pace for the year.
Expenses: Expenses are overstated, particularly salaries, which will be reallocated in October.
Supplies, including chemicals, are above budget but expected to decrease in non-golf months.
The newly approved simulator also contributed to a $17,000 expense overage. Total monthly
expenses were $115,000, $18,000 over budget, but non-operating income resulted in a $43,000
positive net, slightly below our projection due to the simulator costs.
3.Jackson Field:
Revenue: There was no August revenue to report for Jackson Field.
Expenses: At Jackson Field, salary allocations are still being adjusted. Utilities were below
budget due to the Lugnuts' schedule, balancing out last month's overage. Year-to-date, utilities
are under budget by $2,000, though an increase is expected. Maintenance expenses are higher
due to approved concrete projects, but this was anticipated.
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Overall, monthly expenses were $11,000 under budget, and once salaries are fully allocated, we
expect this variance to narrow to around $6,000-$7,000. Year-to-date, expenses remain $11,000
below budget, with operations proceeding as expected.
4.Budget Update: Kirby shared updates on the 2024-25 budget amendment; no action was
required at this time.
Motion was made to accept the August 2024 Financials as presented for Groesbeck Golf Course,
Jackson Field, and Lansing Center. MOTION: Commissioner Larry Leatherwood SECOND:
Commissioner Kenric Hall MOTION CARRIED
C. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE: At the request of Interim President and CEO Tristan Wright,
Commissioner Kenric Hall moved to enter a closed session to discuss the open President and
CEO position. MOTION: Commissioner Kenric Hall SECOND: Commissioner Larry Leatherwood
Roll Call Vote: Yays: Commissioner Collins, Hall, Leatherwood, Lenz, Mickens, Saxton Nays: None
MOTIONED CARRIED
Mindy Biladeau, Heidi Brown, Kirby Doidge, Kasey McFadden, Paul Ntoko; Joe Abood, Sherrie Boak,
Charles Randall, and Jack Alexander exited the meeting for the closed session at 8:38 A.M.
At 9:16 a.m. Mindy Biladeau, Heidi Brown, Kirby Doidge, Kasey McFadden, Paul Ntoko; Joe Abood,
Sherrie Boak, Charles Randall, and Jack Alexander re-entered the regular monthly
Commissioner Paul Collins moved to return back into the regular monthly meeting session.
MOTION: Commissioner Paul Collins SECOND: Commissioner Kenric Hall
Roll Call Vote: Yays: Commissioner Collins, Hall, Leatherwood, Lenz, Mickens, Saxton Nays: None
MOTIONED CARRIED
Chairwoman Maureen Saxton announced that the Board has made an offer to Interim President
and CEO Tristan Wright to become the President and CEO of the Lansing Entertainment and
Public Authority. Tristan Wright has accepted the offer depending on the negotiations of the
contract. A press release will be announced once details are finalized.
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Commissioner Paul Collins moved to appoint Interim President and CEO Tristan Wright as
President and CEO of the Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority subject to
negotiating a contract. MOTION: Commissioner Paul Collins SECOND: Commissioner Kenric Hall
MOTION CARRIED
D. STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE: Committee Chair Charles Micken reported that the
Strategic Committee did meet in September and discuss stadium updates, rebranding, and
strategic plan updates. M3 presented the proposed rebranding; hard copies were distributed for
review. Brief discussions included the lactation pod installation, third-party management, and
updating strategic plan/timelines. Tristan provided an update on the third-party RFP, noting that
proposals will be submitted in hard copy to the city’s purchasing department by October 3rd;
LEPFA will be submitting a proposal.
G. VICE PRESIDENT/STAFF REPORTS:
1. Heidi Brown- Administration: Heidi Brown provided a brief update, announcing the hire of a
new HR Payroll Coordinator, set to begin on October 7th. She also reported that Executive
Chef Dan Ray resigned on September 19th. Leadership training with Lisa Fisher, based on "The
Five Dysfunctions of a Team," is ongoing, starting with VPs and expanding to the rest of the
LEPFA staff. A flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinic will be held for staff this Thursday.
Preparations are in progress for LEPFA U in November. Heidi is also working with the
Healthcare Committee on benefits, including healthcare and FLSA updates effective January
1st, and continues to monitor the Michigan minimum wage increase. Updates will be
provided, as necessary. Heidi also thanked the Board on behalf of the staff for extending an
offer to Tristan Wright as President and CEO and congratulated Tristan.
2. Paul Ntoko- Foodservice: Paul provided a brief update on food service and Groesbeck
operations. September has been challenging with cooler weather affecting activities, but
leagues are continuing as long as possible. Fall rates will begin next Monday. At the Lansing
Center, preparations for fall are underway. Paul acknowledged the resignation of Executive
Chef Dan Ray, highlighting his significant contributions over the past three years. He echoed
Heidi's congratulations to Tristan and expressed happiness for Dan’s new role. No further
updates were provided.
3. Tristan Wright- Operations: Tristan added to her report that in the Admin report, she has
provided additional updates, noting that utility expenses are now being tracked using updated
charts. She also highlighted the success of the Mayor's Golf Outing on September 13th,
praising the team's excellent work in maintaining the course and managing the event. Both
the mayor and event team were incredibly pleased, with hopes for a repeat next year.
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4. Kirby Doidge-Finance: Kirby Doidge reported that the audit team will be on-site from
September 30th to October 4th.
VI. COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF COMMENTS:
1. Commissioner Charles Mickens- Commissioner Mickens shared that he attended the Lansing
Regional Sister Cities' 30th anniversary celebration last week. The event was held at the
Lansing Center, and he commended the staff for their excellent work; especially Paul Ntoko
and his team for the diverse international cuisine. He expressed gratitude for the enjoyable
experience.
2. Chairwoman Maureen Saxton- Chairwoman Saxton expressed her gratitude to the staff,
particularly Tristan, for their excellent collaboration during the interim period. She
congratulated Tristan on accepting a new position, pending final details, and thanked
everyone for their hard work and cheerful outlook throughout the transition.
3. Commissioner Larry Leatherwood- Commissioner Leatherwood inquired about the timeframe
for finalizing the matter. The response indicated that while specific timelines are speculative
at this stage, the goal is to complete the process as soon as possible. Efforts will begin as soon
as LEPFA’s legal team is secured to facilitate the proceedings.
VII. OLD BUSINESS: No report.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS: No report.
IX. AJOURNMENT: At 9:36 a.m. the regular monthly meeting was adjourned. MOTION:
Commissioner Larry Leatherwood SECOND: Commissioner Kenric Hall MOTION CARRIED
Respectfully submitted,
THE NEXT MONTHLY MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR:
TUESDAY, October 22, 2024
8:00 a.m.
LOCATION: Governor’s Room
Kasey McFadden, Recording Secretary