Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutXfinity Center Sub Comm 04/22/2016Notes For Xfinity Sub -Committee Center Meet* 1V E 3 April 22, 2016 ? OFFICE Present: Sub -Committee Members: Selectman Doug Annino Selectman Olivier Kozlowski Others In Attendance: Town Manager William Ross Police Chief Ron Sellon Lieutenant Frank Archer Lieutenant Sam Thompson Fire Chief Neal Boldrighini Deputy Fire Chief Jim Puleo Tracey Whalen, Minutes Clerk By Phone: Jeff Mann, General Manager Also Present: Bill Clemmey Meeting Called To Order at 7:43am 2016 APR 29 A 11: 43 Mr. Ross has put together a summary for the Board of Selectmen, which he had asked member of the Sub -Committee and Public Safety officials to review. Ms. Whalen forwarded the summary to Mr. Mann via email. Chief Boldrighini followed up with Mr. Mann with regards to the status of Xfinity's EMS carrier to which Mr. Mann explained he is in the process of reviewing services and contracts of other providers and that no decision has been made. Mr. Mann noted LiveNation is doing its due diligence as this clearly will be an additional cost. Chief Boldrighini stated in fall disclosure that Brewster Ambulance has contacted him for general operational information. The Chief then noted his Department's concern with regards to the VIP Experience in terms of the helicopter landing, explaining there is no mechanism in place to address any type of emergency fire situation. The Department will require some type of suppression agent brought in. Deputy Chief Puleo described it as a two -wheeled unit containing an ABC extinguisher rated at 200 lbs (looks like handtruck with cylinder), which will allow to reach the situation safely. It was noted that XI'mity's normal provider will have access to this and can be rented. Xfinity Sub -Committee Meeting April 22, 2016 Chief Sellon expressed concerns that his Department has been unable to contact Aegis. At this point in the process Lieutenants have typically sat down to review and plan public safety processes for the Xfinity Center season. Mr. Mann referenced Aegis coming in-house as part of a new LiveNation initiative. All planning and security will go through Mr. Mann. Chief Sellon has a letter addressing his security and safety concerns for Mr. Mann which Ms. Whalen will forward. Mr. Mann will reach out to Bill Shinkwin to set up a meeting between Xfinity/Aegis and the Town noting he envisioned all concerns being addressed in table top exercises mentioned at the Sub -Committee's previous meeting. As Mr. Annino was not able to attend the Sub -Committee's previous meeting and asked a few questions regarding the VIP Experience and the helicopter. Mr. Mann will send photos of helicopter for Mr. Annino also explaining that the landing site is approximately two and a half football fields. Chief Boldrighini stated Xfinity has done a good job with the area. Mr. Annino had concerns specifically noting lighting the area and pedestrian traffic. Mr. Mann explained the area has a natural barrier on two sides and due the trucking zone no one is allowed in the area. Jersey barriers and personnel will also be present. Again, Mr. Annino would like it to be well lit. Mr. Mann explained golf carts will be transporting patrons from the site. Mr. Annino asked about the noise level but Mr. Mann noted it will have to be played by ear commenting it is surprisingly quiet (path comes in over Route 495 and parking lot) and will avoid neighborhoods. On a side note Mr. Mann noted that Xfinity met with residents and neighbors from Reservoir Street, regarding the traffic plan, where it was felt to be very successful. Xfinity is also reaching out to Norton Estates. Mr. Ross addressed concerns the Town has with regards to the flux in security and EMS and not having these two issues tied down at this point. He noted that the two Chiefs need to feel comfortable at this point in the game and he is not hearing that. Mr. Ross is hesitant to make a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen. Both Chiefs agreed with Mr. Ross. Mr. Mann did not feel security to be in flux explaining the same folks will be in place, they are just getting a paycheck from a different source. Mr. Mann noted that EMS will simply be an expansion of resources (ambulances) at a minimum and was not concerned. Chief Sellon explained the concerns for him are that there are no plans in place and no understanding of resources at this time. He equated it to basically writing a blank check with immense liability for the Town. Chief Sellon would like documentation and a formulated plan for both Fire and Police security of where resources are and how they will be utilized. Mr. Mann has no issue noting he is open to tweaks and did not feel there was any type of major overhaul needed over last year as the same people are in place utilizing the same general plan as before. Xfinity Sub -Committee Meeting April 22, 2016 Mr. Ross has stated that he has been approached from representatives from Aegis concerned about being interview again and referencing pay will be different Mr. Mann adamantly denied this stating it is a rumor which he has also heard and is simply not true. The process Aegis is completing is to only ensure they are enrolled and properly placed on the payroll. Chief Sellon again explained the reasons for the Town's concern stems from the need to do a better job of planning with regards to training, which has yet to occur for this season. Chief Sellon reported that Town Counsel is concerned with the number of custodies raising issues of the Town's liability. As Aegis has to deal with patrons the Chief would like to set expectations through training on the Town's process as the bottom line is to reduce custodies and reduce liability. The best way to accomplish this is through an explanation of safety issues, process and formalized training with EMS and security (Aegis) so that everyone is operating from same playbook. Mr. Mann will schedule something for next week to get the ball rolling. Mr. Annino asked if the Chiefs were satisfied to which Chief Boldrighini noted it is clear from the dialog there has been nothing etched in stone with regards to EMS. Chief Sellon noted there has been no dialog with regards to security requests made, referencing changes within the Compound and staging platform and is looking for more information on that status. Mr. Mann stated money has been allocated for Public Safety stating it will get what it needs but he must try to keep the cost down. In terms of EMS Mr. Mann noted it is hard to negotiate when companies know he has to change. Both Chief Boldrighini and Mr. Ross stated he does not need to change providers and that only inventory available was questioned. The Town never told Mr. Mann he could not supplement and Mr. Ross thought Mr. Mann would have gotten the message. Mr. Annino expressed his concern that if the Sub -Committee goes into the Board's meeting next week with both Police and Fire not happy and security and EMS unresolved he will not move forward with a recommendation. Mr. Kozlowski stated both Chiefs need to be happy before the Sub -Committee can make a recommendation. Chief Sellon asked if security (Aegis) is moving in house (LiveNation) will Bill Shinkwin and Ed Holston still be in charge to which Mr. Mann agreed but will now be employees of LiveNation. Nothing operationally is changing and Aegis will still exist. Mr. Annino asked how Mr. Mann will address drinking and problems associated with it in the lots. Mr. Mann referenced back to his previous presentations noting the venue has more police, security and ABCC officers than any other venues and that arrests are at an all-time low. Chief Sellon noted Town Counsel wants more signage and that no alcohol in the parking lots to be printed on tickets. Mr. Mann did not think that could be done. Xfinity Sub -Committee Meeting April 22, 2016 Mr. Annino wants to avoid what happened at the last Board meeting and to do that there needs to be answers and a plan for no drinking in the lots and how it will be enforced as it will be the number one issue. Mr. Mann stated that if the recommendation is to have no drinking in the lots and to strictly enforce that will lead to a disaster. Chief Sellon reminded it is the law. Mr. Annino stressed the importance of going into the Board's meeting next week with answers and it cannot be "its looking better and arrests are down". Again, Mr. Mann explained that in order to strictly enforce no drinking in the lots will lead to skyrocketing custodies and will cause huge traffic problems. Mr. Mann is happy to enforce the policy if it is visible, again referencing statistics. Mr. Annino stated we can look at statistics all day but in real life it is different. It is not the intention that the Town is discouraging people from coming but there needs to be a team. Mr. Annino stated the Sub -Committee needs to convince the entire Board that this is taking place so any notions and fears can be dispelled. There needs to be a security plan with conviction that is backed up by both Chiefs and the Town Manager. Chief Sellon will have Lieutenant Archer submit capital & equipment requests to Mr. Mann for response for planning purposes. Chief Sellon requested that a representative of Xfrnity's security contact Lieutenant Thompson no later than Monday (4/25) noting he can't game plan if he doesn't know who is on the team. Mr. Mann asked about FAA rules with regards to drones where Chief Sellon said he would follow up. Mr. Mann asked about the status of the traffic plan to which it was agreed to keep it fluid and should be included in the periodic meetings. Mr. Ross will sign off on the revised traffic plan. It was decided to meet again at 7:30am Wednesday, April 27`x' Meeting Adjourned at 8:44am. Signature Date Xfinity Sub -Committee Meeting April 22, 2016