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HomeMy WebLinkAboutXfinity Center Sub Comm 04/07/2017MINUTES OF THE XFINITY CENTER ENTERTAIN}�Mt qJ'+I'�- LICENSE SUBCOMMITTEE )-,,iy 3. `'� PRIL , 0 Subcommittee Members Selectman Jess Aptowitz ",- Selectman George Dentino Others present John Stanbrook, Acting Town Manager Jeffrey Mann, Xfinity Center General Manager Jim Puleo, Deputy MFD Justin Desrosiers, Firefighter/Paramedic MFD Ron Sellon, Chief of Police Steve Schoonveld — Board of Selectmen Meeting called to order at 7:04 a.m. MOTION to approve the minutes of the meetings of January 24, 2017 with a correction of the spelling of Justin D. name (Puleo/Sellon), PASSES 2-0 Mr. Aptowitz began by stated that he recommended that the list of agreed upon requirements be put in writing and passed through the legal counsels of the Town and the Xfinity Center. Additionally, any items that were talked about at today's meeting should also be included. Chief Sellon told Mr. Mann that the MPD is going to utilize the public meeting room at the new Safety Complex as an EOC for the next season, not this year. Chief Sellon told Mr. Mann that he would get him a copy of the building plans. Mr. Mann said that a similar plan was in place in the past and the Xfinity Center was able to transmit radio from that location. Chief Sellon stated that this would represent a cost savings to Xfinity. Chief Puleo stated that this remote command post would present a learning curve that needed to be planned for in advance. Mr. Aptowitz stated that the last time the group met the Mansfield team presented a list of safety requirements, Mr. Mann reviewed each item: • Two new hi -back wheelchairs and two traditional wheelchairs • Locked cabinets for EMS supplies • The back pack policy will be enforced with additional signs and searching to include clear bags. • Barricades to address approach points (outside of search area) • Enhanced surveillance (compound, and inside gates) • 1-2 misting fans will be installed • Payment to Deutsche Williams is up-to-date • Landline to first-aid (a phone line is to come from the trailer, but Mr. Mann will confirm) • Golf carts — Xfinity staff will check batteries • Defibrillator — there is one in backstage area, and a second one will be added at guest services. All supervisors have to be trained to use them. • Replacement of two laptops. There are now four that are less than a year old. The Wi-Fi issues were worked out last year. This year there has been a DAS System upgrade by Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint for the POS system for food, ticket scanning, and Fan based Wi-Fi. • Slop sink in compound — Mr. Mann stated that he is still working on it as plumbing is an issue. • Additional restrooms — Xfinity will be opening the front gate area to allow patrons to use the permanent restrooms. There will be a reduced number of port -a -johns in that area, to encourage people to use the permanent restrooms or the port -a -johns further out. Mr. Mann noted that the lot time for Jimmy Buffett will be reduced to open at 1:00 pm instead of 11:00 am. He noted, the new time has been release to Parrothead Clubs. • Lighting along path — Mr. Mann stated that he is trying to get to an affordable plan. The estimates he has received have been much higher than anticipated. • Enhancement to software by Fire/EMS— Deputy Puleo noted the upgrades. • Brewster's coverage on weekend — Mr. Mann stated that Brewster needs to be better on their staffing times. Deputy Chief Puleo added, Brewster has a coverage plan used system wide for their whole coverage on weekend. Mr. Aptowitz confirmed that the insurance of a party being transported to an area hospital pays for the transport to a hospital. He also asked if the "sitting time" could be negotiated. Mr. Mann stated, it is industry standard to pay for the ambulance company to be standing by. • Platform on the lawn — Mr. Mann stated that the existing one will remain and will be there for all shows. Chief Sellon asked if maintenance could look at it. Mr. Mann said yes and he would make sure it was leveled off by adding support. • Redesign of compound — Mr. Mann stated it is not financially possible. Chief Sellon stated it is a matter of liability issue and takes a lot of attention by police enforcement. Mr. Mann asked if the ambulance area would be an option for the compound. Chief Sellon said he would not be in favor of it because the ambulance area is not a secure area. • Alcohol enforcement - Mr. Mann not in favor of additional signage. He agreed that they cannot turned a blind eye, but feels the currant signage is good. Mr. Aptowitz stated that there are people walking around with open alcohol and it has to stop. Mr. Mann stated, it becomes a question of resources. If guests have that last drink and they are putting it in the trash just before the search, it doesn't make sense to approach them a few feet before the trash can to take it away from someone that is going to throw it out on their own. Xfinity's policy is, if we see it we have to act on it. Chief Sellon complimented the Xfinity staff as they take a lot of grief from guests about this policy and they handle it well. • Removal of brush in the rear in the facility— Mr. Mann states the golf carts can get up the path and the fire road is always open. Clearing at the fence line is an issue. Erosion is becoming an issue. Chief Sellon agrees that Mr. Mann cannot create a situation that is inviting people to use that as an entry. Mr. Mann stated that Xfinity staffs the area. Mr. Mann stated that the items on the list represent an investment of approximately $24,000 on the behalf of Xfinity. E Chief Sellon added two items to the discussion. First, he is planning behavioral and observation training to identify people that stick out in the crowd. He and his staff will be putting together a staff curriculum to be able to train staff at Xfinity Center, the schools, etc. Secondly, in the past the juveniles and adults used to be in one holding area. Chief Sellon feels that putting the juveniles & adults together is a potential liability, so going forward they will be separated. There are so many juveniles that tracking their numbers needs to take place on paper going forward because the forms that the office completes when a juvenile is taken in needs to get memorialized in MPD statistics. Mr. Aptowitz asked why couldn't a report be done on-site? Chief Sellon talked about having a booking clerk do the reports. When the booking clerks enter info, they enter what they can. Volume, liability, and protection are a potential problem. Mr. Mann asked if there was a way to get some teeth to address the juvenile problem. Sellon stated that there is a repercussion for first offenders, they have to go through a program, but there is no long-term offense. Mr. Mann stated that last year Xfinity relied too heavily on the police for people that were just being a nuisance, and not doing anything illegal. His staff is going to try to address more non-offensive matters themselves this season. Chief Sellon asked that the MPD Bike Team be advised when someone needs to be tossed out so they are made aware when someone is leaving the venue as there may be the possibility of an issue with such individuals. Mr. Mann is confused about why the Xfinity cannot have parking lot events such as a food truck fair or fun run. He cannot find it in the agreement where it says he cannot. Chief Sellon stated that he didn't know of any restriction to those types of events. Mr. Dentino asked about licenses for food trucks. Mr. Mann stated that Xfinity does have food trucks for concerts. Mr. Aptowitz asked if there would be a need for police & fire. Mr. Puleo noted that soometimes fun runs need structures to be built. Reservoir Street residents have concerns about parking. Mann asked if Xfinity could put up additional no parking signs on show dates. Mr. Mann stated he cannot put individual officers on specific streets, but he will continue to put a sawhorse and signage on Gladiola Terrace. Chief Sellon stated that Road closures, drop-offs, and traffic patterns will continue to be discussed between MPD and Mr. Mann in the coming weeks leading up to the opening of the venue for the season. Mr. Mann stated that he is looking for permanent signs stating in the area of the Rt. 140 Northbound near Longhorn Restaurant/Shaw's Plaza. Chief Sellon stated that would be a decision for Mass Highway and he will be meeting with them next week. Mr. Aptowitz asked who will pay for them. Mr. Mann said he is willing to pay for the signs if it speeds up the Xfinity egress. Mr. Mann gave a snapshot of the overall financial situation of Xfinity Mansfield. He noted, there are other venue options in the area and Xfinity is struggling to get the number of acts and quality acts at competitive rates. Mr. Aptowitz stated he wants an agreement on meeting dates between Mansfield Public Safety and Mr. Mann before shows begin this season. Chief Sellon stated that they will need to get together to discuss staffing levels to determine costs. He added, with every show there is administrative work that do not get taken care of by Xfinity. MPF cannot get any other work done during the months that Xfinity is open. Chief Sellon stated his concerns are with the liability to Mansfield and the residents. He wants to minimize the impact on the police department. Mr. Aptowitz wants to leave today knowing that if the Xfinity Center staff asks for a meeting that a meeting will be held. Chief Sellon stated there are several meetings scheduled including a weekly meeting. Mr. Mann stated that we are at a cross roads. Xfinity is either going to remain a viable amphitheater in the top tier market or Xfinity Mansfield is going to shift to become a secondary amphitheater if we push everything into alternatives. Chief Sellon stated, we have to work together. Mr. Aptowitz is asking for Xfinity, MPD, and MFD to work together to meet the needs of the business, and the safety of the community. Mr. Aptowitz stated there was an officer injured last August that the Town has been paying. Can we look at how to transfer the payroll to Xfinity or the insurance of Xfinity. He also stated that if there is a safety issue, such as lightning, and the fire commanders make a call to run late the Board of Selectmen will support that decision. Lastly, he stated that it is very hard to search, even clear bags, when 5000 people come into the show in the last minutes. Mr. Mann stated that most people do not like carrying the clear bags, so there is a big reduction in searches just by making the clear bags a policy. Mr. Mann stated that call logs indicate that the shift need is higher for a 5:30-11:30 pm shift. The number of calls before and after that time is negligible. On the shows they are comfortable with Mr. Mann suggested minimal coverage. Chief Sellon stated that the nights that the department gets hammered are the nights that Gillette also has a show. The Chief is going to meet with the Foxboro Chief and they are going split up the Towns so they can have equal option. This should reduce the number of calls needed to get coverage. Mr. Mann stated that he has had nearly thirty years of successful operations. He wants to focus their efforts and allocate resources to staff at a level that is safe. Chief Sellon spoke about his support of the plan for planters to reduce the rush/push of a crowd at the gates. Mr. Puleo stated the MFD will continue to meet and suggested bi-weekly instead of monthly. His recommendation was to not meet on Thursday or Fridays. Chief Sellon suggested Monday morning at 8:30, starting on May 15th. Mr. Mann stated that the over the course of last year the sheets for transports were very accurate and he is going to have those in advance. Mr. Stanbrook asked about the policy on marijuana. Chief Sellon stated, "the current state of the law is the current state of the law." Chief Sellon said he does not know how things will be handled at the State level, but noted that smoking of cigarettes has been allowed in the parking areas. No smoking is allowed in the seating area. Mr. Mann stated that he would like to get to an entire no smoking venue, even in the outdoor areas, but noted that it would not happen this year. Mr. Stanbrook stated that he would like to look at the venue both in operation and when it is closed. Mr. Mann welcomed him to visit. Mr. Mann stated that the Board of Health is requiring additional port - a -johns, and added, it will not stop everyone from going into the woods, but it will help. Meeting adjourned 8:14 a.m. (Stanbrook/Sellon) Minutes recorded by Nancy Griffin , 4w Ap roved