Agenda Packets - 2001/03/05 - Laserfiche WebLink

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M:\MasterFiles\1999 thru 2010\2001\City Council\Work Session Packets\03-05-2001 W. S\Item 03--Banquet Center Agreement Memo--Kathleen Miller.doc Through increased awareness of the facility and outstanding service, weddings and corporate trade has increased each year since its opening. Customer Service Excellence in the area of customer service has been the primary goal of Innovative Images Marketing and Management and Elegant Thymes Catering. From first contact with a prospective client, the staff of both companies strives to be professional, friendly and helpful. Banquet Center Overview Page three This philosophy has paid off with the recent addition of three corporate clients: Minnesota Department of Transportation, Minnesota State Department of Children, Families and Learning, and the University of Minnesota Extension Service. Upon completing evaluations, each client gave our facility a very high rating. No matter how large or small an event is each client is given individualized attention to every detail. Though the diligent efforts of Innovative Images and Elegant Thymes staff, we have gained an outstanding reputation for excellence in service. This is evident through “word of mouth” advertising and referral clients, especially from the wedding reception trade. Value to the City of Mounds View As most people know, it takes a business at least 3 – 4 years to get of the ground and begin showing a profit. Through a contractual agreement with Innovative Images Marketing and Management, the City of Mounds View has had an ideal situation. Not only does Innovative Images bring its experience in marketing and event planning to the center, but also over 25 years of community involvement and awareness of the dynamics of the city and surrounding communities. This is extremely advantageous to the City of Mounds View when dealing with the residents of the City. Groups such as the girl scouts, boy scouts, Irondale High School band and athletic groups, Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, local church groups, senior citizens, and other non-profit groups have used the center for a wide variety of activities from the “Me and My Guy Dances” for the girl scouts, to the Blue and Gold Banquet for the boy scouts, swing dances for the band, Harvest Ball for the senior citizens and more. The school district has held many activities in the center including four ALC graduations. The DARE graduation was held there as well. Do these activities bring in revenue for the City and for Innovative Images? Definitely NOT! But they do bring good will and people into the center. As General Manager of the facility, I firmly believe that participating in events held in the center is good public relations, especially when the residents know that their tax dollars have been used to build a facility. Why do I believe that? I believe it because I am an active volunteer in the City and a taxpayer as well. Unfortunately, non-profit activities do negatively affect the “bottom line”. These are trade offs that I feel are necessary. How much would it cost the City to hire a Banquet Manager and Assistant? A full time Banquet Manager employed by the City of Mounds View at a salary level comparative with other banquet centers would be the following: Manager’s Annual Salary (40 hours/week) ...................................................... $38,000.00 Benefits (FICA, workers compensation, unemployment insurance, PERA)......... 5,700.00