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City advances Paramount operating arrangement; VenueWorks highlights local programming and staffing plan
Summary
City staff presented terms for a proposed AP3 LLC operating agreement for the Paramount Arts Center, including an initial $322,500 operating account funded from interest on a $25 million state appropriation, monthly reporting requirements, protections for incumbent hourly employees during a 60-day evaluation, and contract provisions to preserve community programming; VenueWorks representatives described plans to retain volunteers and local arts partnerships.
The Board considered details of a proposed operating agreement for the Paramount Arts Center on Dec. 11, advancing first-reading approval of an arrangement that would place operational control with AP3 LLC and a VenueWorks management subcontract.
City staff outlined financial mechanics: an operating account would be seeded with $322,500, described as approximately six months of operational pro forma expenses, funded from interest on a $25,000,000 state conference-center appropriation. Staff said departmental finance and the Department for Local Government had approved use of interest earnings for activities related to the conference-center project; the funds are not a fee or profit paid to third parties but are intended to support theater operations and venue-management fees.
Contract terms discussed by staff include: AP3 and subcontractor (VenueWorks) monthly fees paid from the operating account; monthly financial statements due to the city by the 15th of each month; incumbent hourly employees to be offered contractor positions for a 60-day evaluation period (excluding executive director/mission-based roles); and an exhibit requiring AP3/VenueWorks to engage PAC Inc. or a 501(c)(3) to advise or continue community, educational and youth programming within 30 days if PAC Inc. is not available.
Representatives from Paramount (PAC Inc.) thanked the commission for the 60-day provision for staff retention and urged preservation of youth education series, Festival of Trees, the Paramount Players and other local programming. Maychart Cook, regional vice president for VenueWorks, described the company's portfolio (roughly 30 accounts and 52 venues), said VenueWorks employs venue staff (not city employees), and emphasized a community-focused approach that retains volunteers and local programming.
Cook pledged to avoid turning the Paramount into a pure concert venue and described VenueWorks's approach to pricing and food-and-beverage partnerships that aim not to "gouge" customers while supporting venue revenue. Commissioners asked about operational assurances and were told that contract language includes surety and programming requirements; first-reading procedures were advanced at the meeting.
The board recorded a voice vote advancing first-reading approval of the AP3/VenueWorks arrangement; separate adoption attempts for a full five-year AP3 control contract earlier in the meeting lacked a motion and did not pass at that point.
