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HomeMy WebLinkAboutComcast Center Sub Comm 02/04/2013Meeting #3 of the Comcast Center Entertainment License Subcommittee: „, _,�� February 4, 2013 OFF !CE Mr. Ross called the meeting to order at 8:10 a.m. Present were the follo n :E3 2ll P 2: 50 William Ross, Town Manager Olivier Kozlowski, Selectman Jess Aptowitz, Selectmen Arthur O'Neill, Chief of Police Bruce Montgomery, General Manager, Comcast Center Also present were Karl and Bill Clemmey. Mr. Ross presented a packet to the Subcommittee which included a copy of last year's license which had gone through a review and formatting corrections. The packet also included draft minutes of meeting #2 and the draft indemnification agreement. Mr. Ross indicated that a copy of the fill Service Zone Plan would be available within a few days and that comment was invited as to the Comcast Center portion of the plan . Command Center Mr. Ross explained that he had spoken with Chief of Police Doreen Olko in Auburn Hills about the Palace, which uses a combined command center. He explained that the center is staffed at different levels depending on the event and that the outdoor facility associated with the Palace does the same. Mr. Montgomery inquired how the staffing levels were determined, and Mr. Ross indicated that the combined command would meet to share intelligence and would plan staffing based on that meeting. Mr. Ross believes that this is a process that should be considered and stated that Chief Olko asked why the Town wouldn't do it. Mr. Montgomery stated that he had checked with the Garden and that there is no command center. Chief O'Neill will contact the Garden and confirm this. Mr. Montgomery stated that of the 30 venues owned by Live Nation, he doesn't know of any that use the command center structure. He will inquire about the DTE Center. Mr. Montgomery stated that there is an emergency response center in the current plan. Chief O'Neill stated that there is a dispatcher on duty for all events, that the group meets to discuss and plan for events, and uses a command post system. He expressed his concern that a committee will complicate something that he believes is already working. Protective Custody Chief O'Neill provided an update on the evolution of the protective custody bill. Ile stated that there are differences of opinion among area police chiefs as to what can currently be done. He is of the opinion that juveniles can be taken into protective custody. He is also concerned about the Governor's bill to raise the juvenile age to 18. Mr. Kozlowski indicated that he believed that it was clear that the bill was meant to apply to CHINS juveniles. He stated that Representative Barrows filed the one -line amendment to the bill clarifying this. Mr. Montgomery stated that the first show is in mid- May and the Committee agreed that this is something that needs to be resolved relatively quickly. 1 License Agreement The Committee then began a review of the License Agreement. Mr. Montgomery stated that the dates in Paragraph 4 should be May 15th through October 15 . Mr. Montgomery stated that he was not aware of when or if the Identity Tour is coming to the Comcast Center. Mr. Aptowitz asked if there were any other parking lot events planned, and Mr. Montgomery indicated that he believed the Mayhem and Warped Tours would be booked. They are not electronic dance music and have not been subject to sound complaints in the past. Mr. Montgomery stated that there was an issue with the facing direction of the stages at one of the concerts years ago, but it was corrected Chief O'Neil stated that these concerts present very little problem with parking lot issues because people leave the lots to get into the event. Mr. Kozlowski stated that Paragraph 7(f) needs to be amended to reference EMS services and that the deadline for submitting these agreements is March 15, Mr. Montgomery stated that he has never submitted documentation required under this paragraph. Mr. Ross stated that the service rates in Schedule A need to be reviewed and revised . Chief O'Neill will look at this. Paragraph 9(b) - The group discussed the submission of the schedule of events and the requirement to notify the Licensee within 1 0 days of receipt if minimum security is inadequate. Chief O'Neill stated that this has never been done this way. Mr. Ross stated that the issue with this provision is for events that get scheduled during the season, after the main schedule is set. Mr. Montgomery stated that the work is ongoing and worked on right up until the day of the show. Chief O'Neill stated that requiring the letter is too labor intensive. Mr. Ross stated that that perhaps it should be adjusted to reflect what is currently being done. Mr. Aptowitz suggested regular weekly meetings - internally with Police Chief, Fire Chief And Town Manager, perhaps every Monday. Mr. Ross acknowledged that this was his vision as well. Mr. Kozlowski asked how far in advance these decisions have to be made, and Chief O'Neill stated that it is probably about two weeks. Mr. Kozlowski asked if evolving situations, i.e. weather or a sell-out, are followed and plans adjusted. Chief O'Neill stated that the system has worked very well. Mr. Montgomery asked if the suggested changes are meant to address inadequacies of the current process. as he is unaware of anything to suggest that the process isn't working. Mr. Kozlowski stated that the goal is to clean up the license to make it accurately reflect what is being done. Mr. Aptowitz stated that it is the Committee's goal to put into writing what is currently being done informally. Mr. Ross stated that it is important to have some structure to the process and involve all of the necessary individuals. He asked if the Fire Department and Events EMS are involved in the plarming meetings, and Chief O'Neill indicated that information is shared with the Fire Department, Mr. Ross expressed his concern that there are other parties that need to be pulled into those planning meetings because they provide services during the events as well. He stated that he does not understand why there is a disagreement about doing so. Mr. Montgomery stated that, until three years ago, the Fire Department's role was fire protection only. Now that they are involved with EMS, he stated that he agrees there is a need for more communication with the Fire Department. Mr. Ross does not understand the resistance to periodic meetings with everyone in the room. Chief O'Neill stated that he is not resistant, and wants to make it clear that this is what is being done. 2 Mr. Kozlowski asked the group to consider striking the phrase "within 10 days" and "in writing" and suggested that language requiring a meeting 48 hours before an event unless its determined that there is no need to meet. Mr. Ross suggested , as an alternative, that there be a meeting prior to the start of the concert season to discuss all shows and needs for those shows. Mr. Montgomery suggested the written communication should be by email and Mr. Ross thought that a meeting could be scheduled if one of the group believed it was necessary. Mr. Montgomery suggested that he and Mr. Ross work together to draft the language. Mr. Kozlowski expressed his concern that if last minute information causes the Police or Fire Chief to add staff and Live Nation disagrees, that the Board would not be able to abide by the 10 day appeal period provided for in this paragraph. The Board could hear the appeal on an emergency basis. Mr. Montgomery suggested removing the appeal procedure, as he does not anticipate that they would be appealing any decisions on a show -by -show basis. Mr. Kozlowski, Mr. Aptowitz and Mr. Ross all indicated their concern with taking away a due -process right provided to the Licensee. Mr. Ross suggested conferring with legal counsel on this issue and thought that language could be drafted which would provide for an appeal process and compliance with the open meeting law. Paragraph I1 (d) - Computers. Mr. Ross asked if the computers were being replaced when necessary, and Mr. Montgomery indicated that they had been. Mr. Aptowitz asked if the internet issue had been repaired , and Mr. Montgomery indicated that it required additional bandwidth, which has been taken care of. Chief O'Neill commented that he thought the Agreement is, over all, in good shape. He stated that he believes that the concept of a command center is for an internal discussion and not for discussion with the licensee. Closing Remarks Mr. Ross indicated that a draft of the Plan would be completed and forwarded to Mr. Montgomery for comments as that document relates to the Comcast Center, Mr. Bill Clemmey asked to be heard by the Committee. He asked the Committee to consider adding a detail officer or security employee to monitor pedestrian traffic through the path out of the Comcast Center Parking lot. He stated that pedestrians are trying to cross the street at locations other than at the crosswalk, putting themselves and the detail officer at risk. He stated that the parking lot attendants have, on many occasions, attempted to direct the pedestrians to use the crosswalk. Mr. Karl Clemmey asked the Committee to consider allowing him to go on the record concerning the injunction preventing him from entering on the Comcast Center property. Mr. Kozlowski indicated that it was not the Town's place to be involved in this private legal matter. The Committee approved the minutes of the January 14, 2013 meeting, The meeting concluded at 9:46 a.m. Minutes taken by Deb Herbert i Minutes of Meeting #4 of the Comcast Center Entertainment License Subcommittee: April 16, 2013 Mr. Ross called the meeting to order at 8:04 a.m. Present were the followirfg: 3;;_ I \ U OFFICE Olivier Kozlowski, Selectmen Jess Aptowitz, Selectmen William Ross, Town Manager Neal Boldrighini, Fire Chief Ronald Sellon, Police Chief 29H FED 211 P 2: 50 `: (- T T S Also present were Lt. Sam Thompson of the Mansfield Police Department, Deputy Chief James Puleo of the Mansfield Fire Department, Lt. Todd Jackson of the Norton Police Department, and Norton Selectmen Robert Kimball, Jr. Mr. Ross indicated that he invited the representatives from Norton to bring them in on the discussion as a neighboring community. Mr. Kimball stated that both the Town Manager and the Chief of Police are on vacation. Motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss the placement of security at the Comcast Center Venue, under Exception 4 of the Open Meeting Law, and that the purpose for the meeting would be frustrated if held in open session, and to invite Lt. Thompson, Deputy Palen, Lt. Jackson and Selectman Kimball into the session. (Aptowitz/Sellon). The motion carried in a roll call vote as follows: Ross - aye Aptowitz - aye Kozlowski - aye Sellon - aye Boldrighini - aye The meeting adjourned to Executive Session at 8:10 a.m. The Subcommittee re-entered the open session. Motion to Adjourn (Ross/Aptowitz). The motion carried in a roll call vote as follows: Ross - aye Aptowitz - aye Kozlowski - aye Sellon - aye Boldrighini - aye The meeting adjourned at 9:11 a.m. Minutes taken by Deb Herbert