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March 18, 2002 Page 303 at the Expo for 2002 and 2003. Tentative Expo events include a rodeo, tradeshow, circus, international ballet, horse show, Arena Cross, truck and tractor pull, cat show, etc. He estimated the attendance for the 75 tentative Expo event days, including the 2002 Fair, at 321,450. Leases for those events are to be sent out in the next several weeks. Interviews are being scheduled for applicants for the Operations Manager and Sales Specialist positions. Mr. Mike Downs, Development Services Director, presented a brief construction update. Approximately 50 percent of the roofing is on both the Arena and Events Center. Footings are being poured for the Arena entrance, mechanical units are being brought in, the parking islands are in place and water/sewer is on site. Expo Pro~ect - Change Order No. 30 ($388,298) with Matthews Construction for the Widening of Old Airport Road Mr. Clifton and Mr. Downs reviewed Change Order No. 30 to the contract with Matthews Construction Company to make required improvements to Old Airport Road and Highway 49 at a cost of $388,298.00. In addition to the roadwork, the City of Concord will relocate seven utility lines at an estimated cost of $35,000.00. UPON MOTION of Commissioner Suggs, seconded by Commissioner Privette and unanimously carried, the Board approved Change Order No. 30 to the contract with Matthews Construction Company in the amount of $388,298.00 for the widening of Old Airport Road and required improvements on Highway 49 at the entrance to the Expo site. Description: To change grading and paving along Old Airport Road and Highway 49 based on drawings provided by Concord Engineering and Surveying dated February 28, '2002, and March 4, 2002. This change order request also incorporates change made to accommodate' regrading the project entrances to comply with the drawings and match the grades of the roadways. Expo - Naming Rights Agreement with Etix.com Mr. Chappuis reviewed the proposed agreement with Etix.com for naming rights on the Arena and the handling of ticket sales as presented to the Board at its meeting on February 18, 2002. He requested approval, stating the service fees by Etix.com are lower than those charged by competitive ticket companies and the money that is collected would be returned to the County to help defray operating expenses of the facility. There was lengthy discussion regarding the following issues: (1) the proposed agreement with Etix.com for naming rights of the Arena and ticket sales; and (2) the possibility of contracting with Etix.com or a competitive ticketing operation to handle ticket sales. Mr. Clifton, Mr. Chappuis and Mr. Ben Wingrove (Vice President of Sales for Etix.com) responded to questions regarding the costs associated with the sale of tickets. Mr. Wingrove discussed the typical fees by Etix.com, but advised he would have to prepare a formal proposal for ticket sales, excluding naming rights. Commissioner Privette made a motion to delay consideration of the issue until the April meeting and asked Mr. Chappuis to have proposals for ticket sales from other companies as well as Etix.com for the Board's consideration at the meeting. There was not a second to his motion at that time. Commissioner Fennel summarized the 'advantages of the proposed naming rights/ticket sales agreement with Etix.com as follows: (1) Produces revenues; (2) Reduces operating costs; (3) Customer pays less for purchasing tickets; and (4) Revenue grows as the number of events and attendance grows at the facility. He then made a motion to approve the proposed agreement with Etix.com for a period of two years ending in December 2004, with the County to have the option at that time to continue the agreement with Etix.com or take other action. Commissioner Suggs stated support for the use of Etix.com as the ticket distributor, but expressed concern about the money paid for a firm to pursue naming rights for the facility. He then seconded Commissioner Privette's motion.