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HomeMy WebLinkAboutXfinity Center Sub Comm 02/24/2016Notes For Xfinity Sub -Committee Center Meeting February 24, 2016 Present: Sub -Committee Members: Selectman Doug Annino Selectman Olivier Kozlowski -- c Others In Attendance: r Town Manager William Ross Police Chief Ron Sellon - `J': Deputy Fire Chief Jim Puleo Dr. Michael Valkanis Justin Desrosiers, EMS Coordinator n c rn General Manager Jeffrey Mann Tracey Whalen, Minutes Clerk Meeting Called To Order at 7:32am Mr. Ross explained to Mr. Mann (since this is his first season) that the license meetings typically review issues and experiences from last season and work through those in order to provide public safety for patrons and citizens of the community throughout the Xfinity Center season. Mr. Ross noted the Town looks at this license as a partnership as the Xfinity Center is considered a part of the community. Mr. Kozlowski explained that once a DRAFT license is completed, it is presented to his colleagues on the Board of Selectmen for review. Police Chief Sellon noted the Board believes in transparency. Mr. Mann agreed with the format but was slightly concerned with regards to the public forum and divulging of sensitive information. Mr. Annino stated that safety and the success of the Xfinity Center are the primary goals. Mr. Mann gave a brief summary of his background where he has worked in several major markets organizing events such as the Democratic National Convention and US Figure Skating Championship. Mr. Mann also assisted in the reshaping of the 2014 Academy of Public Safety and is proud of that. Mr. Mann then went through a presentation for the Committee. The following was noted: Vinity Sub -Committee Meeting February 24, 2016 Economic impact to Mansfield $14.7 million in output, 179 jobs and $2.4 million in labor with just 30 nights of operation, Xfinity pays 4.3% of all commercial property taxes in Town 2015 saw: 30 shows, over 420,000 guests • Spoke to the entertainment hub: Xfinity Center, Deutsche Bank, Gillette and Plainridge Casino and spoke to need of promoting as destination, increasing visitor spending • Threats to the business include: perception (negative press), Boston as a strong market (losing shows to Gillette, Fenway), cost of doing business (amphitheater vs arenas) • Mr. Mann noted Xfinity Center has become an extremely expensive venue to play ranking first amongst its venues in 2015 for operating cost per person. This affects ability to update/renovate, fan facing initiatives. Would like to place four new LED screens two of which would be located on the lawn bringing better ambient lighting and making lawn crowd more attentive to the show. • Mr. Mann noted areas causing cost increases to be: o Police: 80.2% increase in costs for Police between 2000 and 2015 noting we should be able to better predict the crowd and potential incidents using past data, 27 year track record of running events together. Pointed out there has been a 59.26% increase in Police staffing from 2012 to 2015 o Fire: ambulances constantly coming/going, sirens and Mass Casualty incidents noting that in head to head shows (2013 vs 2015) there was a 220.4% increase in transports and that the Xfinity Center went from 3x the national average in transports to 5x the national average last year o Mr. Mann felt that not all shows are equal predicting medical needs (conducted an exercise breaking shows into genres: Boy Band, Mellow Classic Rock, Classic Rock, Country Easy, Country Tough, Hip Hop, Soft Rock, Alternative, Festival and Tough Big Shows) • Moving forward Mr. Mann noted the Xfinity Center would like to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests with as little impact as possible on the Town. He would like to accomplish this through better use of assets, staggered start times based on need and reduce/eliminate need for mutual aid • Was concerned with police staffing levels where 72% of detail is on when first car arrives and last car exits but is appreciative of the visual as a deterrent. Thanked Chief Sellon for working to revise the trespass policy as not every issue is a crime. Xfinity is working to create a centralized dispatch location where security will have its own dispatch. • Recognized the duty to care for guests but didn't want to place a burden on Town resources referencing Event Medical vs Emergency Medical. Would like to have best care onsite noting Xfinity will be hiring a medical director to coordinate activity on site including: staffing, ambulances, physicians, equipment and supplies: Alive and Well at Live Events — Dr. Andrew Bazos and felt a 50% drops in transports is feasible Xfinity Sub -Committee Meeting February 24, 2016 Chief Sellon agreed there has been an increase in the staffing of Police but felt that Mr. Mann and the Xfinity Center are focusing too much on the reaction to the problem instead of solving the issue - drinking in the lots. The Chief applauds the efforts of creating a fan experience in order to create a cultural shift to the higher end client and felt at that point there would be a drop in number of officers. But at this point and time from May through September all of his resources are focused on build up to the show, activities during the show and the aftermath of the show. Mr. Mann felt there has been some success with push in the lots to get patrons into the show earlier but noted there are shows he is less concerned about which could have lower staffing levels. Chief Sellon also felt traffic to be a major problem , where training and communication are primary issues (especially in the lots). Mr. Mann noted there is a revised traffic plan but was not ready to present at this time. Mr. Mann would like the Town to look at reducing police detail as the night goes on and stated that he discovered focusing detail at egress is much better if handled at the entrance/exit (referencing pedestrian traffic). Chief Sellon explained shifts are cut early but officers must complete the job before leaving. Mr. Ross asked Mr. Mann to keep in mind that once the crowd is arriving all officers need to be there as it is a tough venue to get into (traffic). Mr. Mann hoped the new traffic plan along with new and increased amounts of signs will improve that issue. Chief Boldrighini clarified that the Xfinity Center is a very specific venue to those Mr. Mann is comparing his numbers to (in terms of transports) in Boston as those types of venues utilize public parking. Although the Chief is happy about the push in the lots and does support it, he reminded that he did state last season that it would push medicals up as patrons drink faster and harder. The Chief asked Mr. Mann to look at costs for Foxboro and he would realize there is a cost savings here in Mansfield. Chief Boldrighini felt Mr. Mann did not fully understand the issues created through the use of Events EMS and its number of ambulances. The Chief reviewed the history of medicals at the Xfinity Center where it was initially a "clinic' but as time has gone on and the concert experience has changed it became overrun and unfortunately there was a death. An ambulance service was instituted which then became reliable on the Town, which then decided to change things drastically and was reactionary to what the patron is bringing in. He felt there are always things to improve on but does not believe the clinic is the avenue to pursue and he will not support that. Mr. Mann felt it is time to be preventive and 5x the national average could not continue. Mr. Kozlowski asked for the number people seen compared to the number of transports to which Mr. Mann stated he would get those numbers. Chief Boldrighini felt over the past years it would be 18 — 20% but that this past year the number has jumped up to 30%, which again noted he Xfinity Sub -Committee Meeting February 24, 2016 predicted this is the end result of the push. Mr. Kozlowski would like to see those numbers compared to other venues nationally. Mr. Ross explained that for a number of years there has not been a great tolerance of change and it has been difficult. Mr. Mann gently requested a change with checking drinking in the lots as he felt it is very intimidating and swarming presently, By no means will he tolerate underage drinking but felt the lots to be fairly under control where outside sources (buses and drop offs) were the issue. Chief Boldrighini disputed that his staff called a Mass Casualty and also noted problems with utilizing Sturdy hospital. Mr. Mann asked why the Xfinity Center can't achieve what the rest of the country is doing. Deputy Chief Puleo noted it will create more conflict bringing in someone from the outside as in the past when someone was brought in it was to contradict their diagnosis and puts them on defense. Mr. Mann explained the goal is to reduce transports and that the Xfinity Center will hire a doctor locally but that it would not include Sturdy. Deputy Chief Puleo also questioned why the Town was not included in the decision. Mr. Desrosiers stated the Town does not make the patients up. Mr. Armin felt Mr. Mann and the Xfinity Center needed to change its mindset where the focus should be on the culture of the venue and should question why the Xfinity Center is different than all those others venues. He truly does not believe that it is due to the Town transporting too many patients. He suggested questioning the acts booked noting dumping on the Town is not the answer. Meeting Adjourned at 9:44am. Signature Xfinity Sub -Committee Meeting February 24, 2016 Date