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HomeMy WebLinkAboutXfinity Center Sub Comm 01/24/2017MINUTES OF THE XFINITY CENTER ENTERTAINMENTc.`n,lal�p LICENSE SUBCOMMITTEE s'{ T,,ti S QBE F(CE JANUARY 24, 2017 2011 1TR 10 P 3: 4 Subcommittee Members Selectman Jess Aptowitz Selectman George Dentino Others present William Ross, Town Manager Jeffrey Mann, Xfinity Center General Manager Neal Boldrighini, Fire Chief Justin Desrosiers, EMS Coordinator Ron Sellon, Chief of Police William Clemmey — owner of private parking lot adjacent to Xfinity Center Meeting called to order at 7:02 a.m. MOTION to approve the minutes of the meetings of April 27, 2016, October 25, 2016 and January 5, 2017 (Dentino/Aptowitz). PASSES 2-0 Mr. Mann asked for copies of the minutes of these meetings. Ms. Herbert will send them to him this afternoon. Mr. Mann distributed a chart summarizing the requests and his responses (included in the folder for this meeting). The responses are summarized below: • Wheelchairs— he will be trying to add 2 per year. • Will be replacing the cabinets, not just the doors • Backpack policy — they want to go full ahead with this and implement • Barricades — he would like to provide decorative planters scattered at the front of the venue. Mr. Mann will involve Chief Sellon in the process of choosing where to place the planters. The number and size of planters is still under consideration. • Mr. Mann may have approval to remove the shrubs and build a retaining wall around the flagpole which also eliminates opportunities for patrons to hide items there. • Mr. Mann expects to keep the truck prohibiting access to back stage area. • Video surveillance — Mr. Mann will be enhancing the video system and apologized for the delay. He wanted to find an expandable system; they are looking at 5 new cameras in areas where crowds gather, e.g. in the concourse and under the shed. He stated that the lawn cameras can't be addressed just now but he will continue to look at improvement. He said that there is a possibility of additional lighting on the lawn which might take care of the problem. He hopes to expand the control system in the command center with monitors and may add a second employee to monitor on heavy nights. • Misting fans —These will be provided; Mr. Mann needs to figure out how to provide them. • Mr. Mann stated that the Deutsch Williams invoices are being processed. 1 • Landline or burner — Mr. Mann believes that he will be able to provide landlines in both the compound and in the triage tent. • He will agree to a preseason checkup of the golf carts and batteries but cannot commit to replacing them at the moment. • Defibrillators — Mr. Mann stated that there is one in the backstage and he will walk fire staff through. He is considering one additional in the guest services kiosk at the front gate. • Jersey barriers — Mr. Mann stated that he is not sure what the Chief is looking for. Chief Sellon stated that it is to stagger patrons into the venue. • Cameras — Mr. Mann stated that he is working with a consultant to develop a concept which will dramatically change the look of the front and how screening is done. • Laptops — replacing 2 this year and 2 next year on a rotating basis • Slop sink — Mr. Mann is looking for portable options as there is nothing plumbed in this area • Lighting on the Path — Mr. Mann is looking into portable lights with some parking cones to better line the path. He hopes to have funds available to improve lighting inside and outside. • Weekend Brewster Ambulance issue — Mr. Mann stated that this is a larger discussion and wants to sit down with the Chief to discuss. Chief Boldrighini agreed and they will be setting up a meeting soon. • Removal of brush at the rear of the facility — Mr. Mann stated that he would like to open a secondary path for the carts and to reinforce the fence to repair damage. He is trying to take away the bushes to eliminate patrons urinating on the fence. That process exposed some erosion and Mr. Mann needs to figure out how to reinforce it. • Lawn platform — Mr. Mann feels strongly that cameras are much better solution. He is going to be defining some isles on the lawn with crushed stone. Chief Sellon believes that the root cause of their problems with visibility on the lawn is because there is a dip where police stand. He stated that if the temporary platform that has been at some shows was permanent, this would solve the problem. Mr. Mann stated that he was not aware that the platform had been removed for some shows and will make sure that this doesn't happen again. • Lawn Sections - Mr. Mann wants to add additional signage delineating sections on the lawn and believes this will help security, police and EMS to locate issues and reduce response time. There was a brief discussion about alcohol enforcement. Chief Sellon said that there is on-going enforcement. Patrons are being told to put alcohol away. He believes that more signage will encourage moderation and suppression. Selectman Aptowitz said that he has seen patrons walk by security or police with open beer bottles and that nothing has been said. Chief Sellon said that his staff is doing all they can to intervene. Mr. Mann stated the same. Chief Sellon stated that he received an initial bid for BOSAR (behavioral observation) training. His staff would be trained as trainers so that they can train Live Nation staff. Mr. Mann and Chief Sellon will discuss this separately. Selectman Dentino would like to have additional signage regarding alcohol in the parking lots. Mr. Mann doesn't think it's something that can't be cured by additional signage, but he stated that security is approaching vehicles and checking id's of individuals. Chief Sellon stated that the push into the venue is working to minimize the parking lot issues. Selectman Dentino also stated that he believes a large number of patrons are staying in the parking lots after the start of shows. Mr. Mann disagrees and believes the push is working. Chief Sellon stated that individuals without tickets remaining in the parking lots after shows have begun are trespassed from the venue. iJ Mr. Ross asked how the new recreational marijuana laws will impact the venue. Mr. Mann stated that he needs to discuss this with Chief Sellon. There was discussion concerning the venue's no -smoking policy and Chief Sellon believes that he will be able to better plan in the coming months as there are pending revisions. Selectman Dentino complimented Mr. Mann on the job they are doing with checking tickets for patrons trying to get up to the lawn seats. Mr. Mann stated that he is looking to hire a separate set of security staff for 6 to 10 of the most difficult shows to extract patrons from the lawn. He believes the crowd will react well to this as it has in other venues. Mr. Mann will introduce this staff to Chief Sellon. Regarding the redesign of the access/egress to and from the compound, Mr. Mann would like to table this and give it some additional thought. Selectman Aptowitz believes the best solution is a sliding gate. Mr. Mann indicated that the gate would have to be custom fabricated at a cost of approximately $10,000. Selectman Dentino would like to see more control of the sidewalk from the Xtra Mart. A discussion took place concerning when people are on the public way and when they are on Xfinity Center property. Mr. Mann believes there is also still an issue with pick-up and drop-off, but Chief Sellon believes that the efforts of Mr. Mann last year have helped. Mr. William Clemmey, owner of the parking lot adjacent to the venue, asked to address the group. He stated that there has been no discussion about traffic. He stated that there were some nights last season where detail officers were not familiar with the process and were alternating vehicles exiting at the pump house rather than maintaining the exclusive lane for his lot. He is recommending procedure cards to be handed out to detail officers so that everyone is on the same page. He would like to be the one to determine when the hold is released from Pump House Road and the alternating vehicle process starts, rather than the detail officers making the decision. He doesn't want it to become a shared lane. Mr. Mann stated that if the Clemmey lot is not actively releasing vehicles, then it should switch to alternating. Chief Sellon believes this is a coordination issue and that Traffic Officer Dave Kinahan should be able to address this issue. Mr. Clemmey is asking for the plan that was agreed upon to be enforced. He doesn't believe that they are emptying any faster than in the past, even with the change. His problem is with the mid-sized shows. Chief Sellon stated that he would like to take a look at the plans and schedule time to discuss this matter. Mr. Clemmey also stated that, when Live Nation gets the lane, there are times when the detail officers aren't doing too much. He believes they need to be more diligent in directing pedestrians. He suggested signage approximately 50 yards up the road better directing pedestrians. He stated that congregating patrons are not being dealt with by the detail officers. They are trying to cross South Main Street to pick up the Great Woods van in the office park. Mr. Mann agrees the signage needs to be improved, and he will be looking into it. Mr. Clemmey suggested a sidewalk and a sign at the end of lot 5. Mr. Clemmey is also concerned that, before shows, detail officers are standing in front of the lot and waiving vehicles past their lot. Chief Sellon stated that this is again an issue of coordination and he will be addressing it. Mr. Clemmey also stated that the fence running along his property is falling apart. Mr. Mann will look at it and make necessary repairs. Concerning larger shows, Mr. Clemmey would like to see the rear gate 91 closed to prevent patrons from coming down into their lot from Xfinity Center lots. He also believes that staff posted there will resolve this issue. Mr. Clemmey expressed a concern that Green Day will be on the same night that vehicles will be dropped off for the PGA golf event. He will need to expand his license for this event and perhaps a couple of others. Mr. Mann expressed his concerned about not getting the exclusive lane as quickly as he normally would and how the costs associated with that would be shared. Selectman Aptowitz believes that the Clemmey lot would have to bear more of the burden of the details. Mr. Clemmey believes it will take only 10-15 minutes to push out the extra vehicles, The Chief will meet with Mr. Mann and Mr. Clemmey to further discuss this issue. Mr. Clemmey will be submitting the application to the Board of Selectmen for the temporary increase. Mr. Mann briefly discussed restroom facilities and submitted charts with the calculation of required facilities (included in the folder for this meeting), He believes that they are meeting the needs of the venue. He stated that last season they dedicated ladies port-a-johns and believes that this was successful. He believes that they are meeting the toilet requirements. They are conscious of the fact that there are issues and will be addressing them appropriately. Selectman Aptowitz believes that the group has made good progress on the requests. Chief Sellon and Chief Boldrighini feel the same way The group discussed the possibility of the next meeting taking place on February 21, 2017 Meeting adjourned 8:33 a.m. Minutes recorded by Deb Herbert 4