The vote, in which Councilman Ed Liverman was the dissenting ballot, came after about an hour closed session.
The initial term of the agreement is for 90 days and will continue month to month, according to a copy of the draft.
The operators must have three major events per month. The city will pay to the operators a management fee derived from gross profits, if any, from each event. The management fee is not defined in the contract and is something the attorneys must still work out, Mayor Emery Doughtie said.
The operator will pay to the city a rental fee for use of the venue.
Under the contract the city will receive a facility fee of $2 per ticket and $2,000 per day where the stage or auditorium is used. The contract also includes a schedule of revenues the city will receive from rentals of other parts of the venue and all parking fees will be collected and paid to the city.
Branham said she was pleased. “I’m excited for the city and our community to have the opportunity to get the theater up and running again.”
With Old Crow Medicine Show named the first act for the theater on November 11, Branham said the string band falls within the many requests she has been receiving for different acts. “We’ve had a lot of requests for different genres. We’ve had constant requests for bluegrass.”
Liverman said following the meeting his vote was not against Branham and Cunningham. “I just don’t think financially it’s significant enough for the city.”
Liverman also said he’s not 100 percent sold concerts are the answer. “It’s time to look at some different things. It’s time for us to think outside the box.”
City Manager Paul Sabiston said he believes the agreement will help the city get through the end of the year and will help the city meet some expenses. “Really, we’ve got a ways to go. We’ve got to get credibility established. We’re willing to make a little bit at first to get the venue back on its feet. If it’s successful, we can add to it where the city gets more of a share.”
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