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Parks Commission recommends renewing concessions agreement with FLAW after questions on transparency
Summary
Commissioners recommended the city renew its concessions agreement with FLAW for Fenway concessions, approving a recommendation to council contingent on receiving FLAW's revenue/expense report; a resident pressed for greater financial transparency from FLAW.
The Forest Lake Parks and Recreation Commission on Dec. 17 recommended that the city continue its concessions operating agreement with FLAW for Fenway Park concessions, while commissioners and members of the public raised questions about FLAW’s financial transparency.
Staff presented the proposed renewal and said FLAW owns the concession equipment (grills, refrigerators and other inventory) and has operated the concessions under a 2025 agreement. Under the current arrangement, FLAW pays the building’s utilities and retains concession revenue; staff told the commission the city is seeking the group’s revenue and expense reports before forwarding a final recommendation to council.
Iren Plautz, identified as FLAW’s vice president, said concessions typically run on weekends during tournaments and are generally break‑even; she said the organization purchased the equipment and helped build the stand with the school district and some city funds. “We can get that report to Kyle,” Plautz said regarding requested financials.
Resident Steve (last name Gedeke) pressed commissioners on FLAW’s larger finances, citing its charitable‑gambling receipts and arguing for greater transparency and revenue‑sharing best practices. He said FLAW reported large top‑line charitable gambling receipts and urged the city to request audited financials and a profit‑and‑loss statement; staff said the P&L request was outstanding and that FLAW had been asked to provide it.
Commissioner Karen moved that the commission recommend the agreement continue as it did last year; the motion was seconded and the commission approved the recommendation by voice vote. Staff said the agreement would go to the city council for final approval upon receipt of the revenue/expense report from FLAW.
Next steps: staff will follow up to obtain the requested financial documentation from FLAW and will include the commission’s recommendation and any financial materials in the report to council.
