09/16/2003 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Counci[ Minutes of 9/16/2003 insure the basketball courts are appropriately installed. Although the funds for this project were borrowed over two years ago, it appears doubtful that this project will be completed this year. He would like an explanation as to why the specifications on file were inadequate. A discussion of vending and gaming contracts for the Recreation Center. He brought this issue to the attention of Mr. Jesse in a memo sent last November. A portion of that memo read: "I had the occasion to recall an earlier discussion with Recreation Center employees regarding vending services at the Recreation Center. Specifically, the quality of the current vending and video services was placed into question. I recently stopped by the Recreation Center and noticed that none of the machines were being used during a fairly busy time. I further noticed that the quality and selection of games was debatable with one machine being Ms. Pacman, a game that's been on the market for nearly 20 years. I understand that other vending companies are out there and may be able to provide a Beater selection of games and products at perhaps a better price. For instance, I understand that other municipal recreation facilities have contracts that require game rotation, insuring that we do not have older machines on the premises. With the state of the video game mazket and constantly evolving technology, I am certain that our patrons would enjoy a greater, varied and updated selection leading to an increase in revenue. During these tough financial times, it might be a good idea to look into this. Can you share your thoughts with me?" Despite his inquiry of November 2002, nothing really happened in this particular area for nine months, save for the presentation by the current vendor a few years ago whose presentation was largely reduced to explaining why games twenty years old and older were left on the site. This is a disappointment because an opportunity to generate revenue at the Rec Center was lost. Revenue at the Rec Center is extremely important at this point in time as there aze a lot of needs. At the commission meeting, an exceptional presentation was made by two individuals who seem to work together for not only video games but also vending services. The Rec Commission agreed that it's really time to move on with this particular issue. Following the meeting, he made a request of the Law Director, pursuant to the request of the commission, for legislation authorizing the process to obtain proposals for revenue-generating contracts. Mr. Dubelko and he discussed this further and decided to expand the scope of the ordinance to include snack vending machines at other city buildings. The Service Director has been requested to conduct an inventory of current machines. After that survey is complete, a package proposal for the entire city will be sought. By one estimate alone just for the video games, the commission was advised that the Recreation Center could possibly generate $20,000 to $25,000 a year. Currently only $5,000 is generated. Joe Rice and Associates, business and investigative consulting services, sought a second contract with the city to develop and implement a physical security plan for the Rec Center. Cost of the plan was stated as $1,935. An eazlier phase of the plan by Mr. Rice, which was the initial awareness program for Recreation Center employees, also cost just under $2,000. He questioned why this service contract appeared to be split into multiple contracts, each less than $2,000, which would be the threshold required for City Council approval. The commission was advised that this was a stage two of a three stage process and that this was not a split. The commission 11 .~_w ... ~ ~~n ..