IS IT TRUE? Part 2 June 21, 2011 VenuWorks Duties and Temporary Contract

IS IT TRUE? Part 2 June 21, 2011 VenuWorks Duties and Contract

IS IT TRUE that the only contract between the Evansville Redevelopment Commission and VenuWorks that the City County Observer was provided by virtue of our Freedom of Information Act request is not really a long term contract at all?…that what is in place is a “Contract for Pre-Opening Consulting Services”?…that this contract expires on October 31, 2011?…that this document was entered into on February 24, 2011 with a stated goal to execute a “Definitive Agreement” within 30 days?…that it has now been 120 days and unless DMD is holding out on the CCO which we do not suspect that there is NO DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN VENUWORKS AND THE ERC TO RUN THE ARENA?…that this explains why there has not been any announcement of any dated and ticketed event for the Arena yet?…that execution of a DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT will void this temporary consulting contract?

IS IT TRUE that VenuWorks is paid only $8,500 per month plus expenses under the temporary contract?…that VenuWorks has taken the first step and hired an Executive Director for the Evansville assignment?…that if a DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT is not reached that the ERC is responsible for any severance that is due to be paid to the Executive Director?…that the ERC is responsible to provide VenuWorks with local office space until the Arena is opened?…that all indicators are that this space will be in the old Rug Merchant storefront on Main Street above the now closed Taste bar?…that the ERC has already approved a nice sign to hang in front of the Main Street office?…that all correspondence for VenuWorks is specified to be sent to their corporate address in Ames, IA?

IS IT TRUE that the Pre Opening Operational Tasks assigned to VenuWorks are paraphrased as follows?

A1 Provide personnel for all communications
A2 Submit complete marketing plan for advertising and sponsorships
A3 Submit written recommendations for Policies and Procedures to Operate the Arena
A4 Recommend marketing and event booking strategies
A5 Prepare a written list of supplies needed to start up the Arena
A6 Recommend a booking and rate policy for the Arena
A7 Recommend cost savings for the Arena
A8 Recommend strategies to solicit 3rd part vendor relationships (food, parking, tickets, etc.)
B1 Represent the Arena’s interests
B2 Implement booking and rental rate policies as approved by ERC
B3 Negotiate, execute and deliver in the name of VenuWorks all user agreements. If agreement is for more than one year then ERC approval is required.
B4 Negotiate, execute and deliver all vendor service contracts all of which are subject to the approval of ERC
B5 Implement all advertising and sponsorship sales consistent with the advertising plan approved by ERC
B6 Maintain accurate accounting records
B7 Issue timely financial reports to ERC
B8 Develop and implement a marketing plan for the Arena

IS IT TRUE that there have been no reports of any agreements that have been approved by the ERC for any of the tasks delineated in A1 through B8?…that we can therefore assume that there are no events booked, no vendors lined up, no rate structure in place, no long term contracts with tenants such as the Evansville Icemen or the UE Purple Aces signed, and no structural documents in place to secure recurring events like the Jehovah Witness convention, the Shrine Circus, Guns and Hoses, etc. etc. etc.?…that this really seems to be behind the 8-Ball when it comes to avoiding last minute rushes as we have become accustomed to with this project?

IS IT TRUE that the agreement is in paper form but that the CCO will digitize it soon and post a link to it on this website?