Columbus, Georgia

Georgia's First Consolidated Government

Post Office Box 1340
Columbus, Georgia, 31902-1340
(706) 653-4013
fax (706) 653-4016

Council Members

Agenda Item # 1

Columbus Consolidated Government



Council Meeting



02/10/2009



Agenda Report # 355



TO: Mayor and Council



SUBJECT: Golden Park Lease Agreement



INITIATED BY: Parks and Recreation

________________________________________________________________________________

__





Recommendation: Approval is requested to enter into a Lease Agreement with

Columbus Baseball Foundation, Inc., to operate a college league summer baseball

program for the period of February 10, 2009 through August 31, 2010 with an

option to renew for one additional term.



Background: The Columbus Baseball Foundation, Inc., will have exclusive use of

the Facility during the term of this agreement to the exclusion of all parties,

except the City, which may use the Facility for City sponsored events that are

already booked, high school baseball games or amateur baseball games etc.



Financial Considerations: Columbus Baseball Foundation, Inc., will now pay the

sum of $0.00 per month for rent to the City of Columbus and other financial

considerations as specified in the current contract.



Legal Considerations: All contracts require Council's approval.



Recommendations/ Actions: Authorize the City Manager to enter into a Lease

Agreement with Columbus Baseball Foundation, Inc. to operate for the period of

February 10, 2009 through August 3, 2010 with an option to renew for one

additional term.











A RESOLUTION

NO. _____

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TO ENTER INTO A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH COLUMBUS BASEBALL

FOUNDATION, INC. FOR THE PERIOD OF FEBRUARY 10, 2009 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2010.

WHEREAS, the Columbus Baseball Foundation, Inc., will have exclusive use of the

Facility during the term of this agreement to the exclusion of all parties,

except the City, which may use the Facility for City sponsored events that are

already booked, high school baseball games or amateur baseball games etc.; and,

WHEREAS, Columbus Baseball Foundation, Inc. will pay the sum of $0.00 per month

for rent to the City of Columbus and other financial considerations specified

in the contract; and,

WHEREAS, team has an option to renew for one additional term.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:

The City Manager is hereby authorized to enter into a Lease Agreement

with Columbus Baseball Foundation, Inc. for the period of February 10, 2009

through August 31, 2010, with an option to renew for one additional term.

________________________________

Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held

the _________day of _____________, and adopted at said meeting by the

affirmative vote of _____________members of said Council.



Councilor Allen voting __________.

Councilor Anthony voting __________.

Councilor Baker voting __________.

Councilor Barnes voting __________.

Councilor Davis voting .

Councilor Henderson voting __________.

Councilor Hunter voting __________.

Councilor McDaniel voting __________.

Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.

Councilor Woodson voting __________.









____________________________ ____________________________

Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Jim Wetherington,

Mayor











PUBLIC FACILITY USE AREEMENT



This Public Facility Use Agreement, hereinafter the ?Agreement?, is made and

entered into as of the __ day of February 2009 (hereinafter, the effective

date) by and between COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, a consolidated government under the

laws of the State of Georgia, hereinafter ?Columbus,? and Columbus Baseball

Foundation, Inc., hereinafter ?Team.?



NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises

herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and

sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged by each Party, the Parties agree as

follows:



1. DEFINITIONS. As used in the Agreement, the following words and terms

shall have the following meanings, notwithstanding any other definitions to the

contrary whatsoever:



A. ?Party,? or ?Parties to this Agreement? shall mean Columbus and the Team,

either individually or collectively.



B. ?Facility? shall mean the baseball stadium located at Golden Park at South

Commons Complex located in Columbus, County of Muscogee, Georgia, and the

parking lots adjacent to the Facility, at which the Team shall play its home

games.



C. ?Home game? shall mean any Columbus Baseball Foundation, Inc. game scheduled

to be played by the Team at the Facility during any Championship Season (to

include any playoff and All-Star games).



D. ?Professional Baseball facility Standards? shall mean the baseball facility

standards set forth in Rule 59 (and Schedule 59) of the Major League rules,

which are incorporated by reference in the Professional Baseball Agreement, and

the Official Professional Baseball Playing Rules, as amended and in effect at

the time.



E. ?Term? shall mean that period commencing as of the Effective Date and

expiring August 31, 2010 unless earlier terminated as provided hereunder.



F. ?Effective Date? shall mean February 10, 2009



G. ?Complex? shall mean the South Common Sports Complex where the Facility is

located.



2. USE OF FACILITY. The Team shall have exclusive use of the Facility during

the Term of this Agreement to the exclusion of all parties, except Columbus,

which may use the Facility for Columbus sponsored events that are already

booked, high school baseball games or amateur baseball games etc.







3. CLEANUP & REPAIRS. Columbus shall be responsible for any and all

repairs and maintenance to the Facility, including without limitation, walk-in

coolers and freezers, other major appliances and equipment, the elevator, the

scoreboard and the sound system. The Team shall be responsible for the

day-to-day operation and cleanup of the Facility and any repair or maintenance

of concession equipment. In the event of a hurricane, tornado or other

catastrophic event, Columbus shall use best efforts to repair all damage to the

Facility. To the extent the Team?s insurance policy or policies covers any

such damage, Columbus shall have a right to receive any reimbursement received

from the insurance company for the costs of the repairs for such damage.



4. PARKING. Columbus shall provide sufficient parking located adjacent

to the Facility for use by the team and its fans (without any cost or expense

to the Team or its fans). The Team shall cooperate with Columbus regarding the

use of such parking area or areas and shall permit such parking area or areas

to be used to accommodate temporary vehicular parking during other activities

held at the Complex.



5. CONCESSION. Team shall be the sole and exclusive vendor of food,

drink, and novelty items for all home games, activities and events held at the

Facility for the term of this Agreement regardless of whether the home games,

activity or event is conducted, sponsored or otherwise held by the Team or

Columbus. Team may grant concession rights to a third party or third parties

(i.e., concessionaires) as is appropriate for the conduct of its business at

the Facility subject to the approval of the City Manager.



Team agrees to conduct concession sales in a clean, professional, and

businesslike manner similar to operations in other Minor League stadiums and

agrees to comply with all local, state and federal laws and regulations. Team

may, after application and approval of appropriate licenses to sell alcoholic

beverages, sell beer at all home games of the Team, and at all other activities

and events held at the Facility, subject to the approval of the City Manager.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, neither

Columbus nor any third party shall be allowed to sell any souvenirs or

novelties anywhere on the premises of the Facility during the Term of the

Agreement unless approved in writing by the City Manager and the Team.



6. FIREWORKS & COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. In a manner consistent with the

requirements of the Columbus Department of Fire and EMS, the team may use

firework displays at the Facility. Columbus will provide the Team with all

requirements and procedures of the Columbus Department of Fire and EMS for

utilizing fireworks at the facility.







Team shall abide by all municipal, county, state, and federal laws, ordinances,

rules, and regulations and to obtain all necessary and proper licenses,

permits, and authorizations for the conduct of its business at the Facility.



7. ADVERTISING SIGNS/SCOREBOARD. Team shall have the sole and exclusive right

to erect advertisement signs and banners on the premises of the Facility. Such

right shall include the ability to sell advertising space at the Facility and

to place advertising signs on the interior surface of the outfield fence and at

other locations within and around the Facility, and to retain all monies

collected from such sales. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained

in the foregoing, the type, size, and location of all advertisements shall be

in keeping with the professional character of the Facility, the Team and

Columbus.



Columbus shall maintain the main video board located at the main entrance of

the Complex (and on similar signage located elsewhere in the Complex) in good

working condition. Team shall have the right to advertise the dates, times and

other appropriate information of the Team?s home games, activities and events

held at the Facility on the main video board located at the main entrance of

the Complex (and on similar signage located elsewhere in the Complex) without

cost or expense to Team. Furthermore, the team may erect other signs promoting

such home games, activities and events on or about the premises of the Complex

subject to the consent of the City Manager. Team will not hold Columbus

responsible for any malfunction of video board or other signage. Team

acknowledges that Columbus represents that all scoreboards at the Facility are

the property of Columbus.



8. BROADCASTING, CABLECASTING OR TELECASTING. Team shall have the right to

broadcast, cablecast and telecast its home games, activities and events without

need to obtain the consent of Columbus, and the Team shall have the sole right

to receive and retain any an all revenue, income, receipts, or benefits, if

any, generated there from.



9. MAINTENANCE OF FACILITY.



A. OPERATING REPAIR & MAINTENANCE. Columbus shall provide all repair and

maintenance services to the Facility and all non-Team equipment located at the

Facility in a timely manner, without any cost or expense to the team, upon the

request of Team throughout the Term of the Agreement. Operating repair and

maintenance are defined as those repairs and maintenance that are necessary to

improve or restore the Facility or equipment into good working order, or to add

to its useful life and final determinations as to such repairs and maintenance

shall be made by the City Manager. Columbus will coordinate any and all repair

and maintenance projects with the Team to ensure minimum interruption with the

Team?s activities. Team shall return the Facility and non-Team





equipment to Columbus at the end of the Term in the same condition as

presented, normal wear and tear excepted.



B. FIELD MAINTENANCE. Team shall maintain the playing field at its own expense

including but not limited to, the following:

Dragging, raking and edging non-turf areas;

Chalking boundary lines;

Installing bases;

Placing tarps on all specific areas as necessary;

Fertilizing, mowing and irrigation.



C. FACILITY CLEANUP. Team shall keep the Facility premises (including without

limitation, the offices, concession areas, locker rooms, suites, dugouts,

restrooms and other areas of the Facility) reasonably clean and neat at all

times. All refuse shall be removed and placed in appropriate refuse containers

at a central location on or about the Facility designated by Columbus. Removal

of all refuse from such designated location shall be the responsibility of

Columbus. Columbus shall ensure that refuse removal is made twice weekly to

prevent excessive accumulation or sanitation hazards.



D. FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS. The Team shall have the right, from time to

time, at its own expense, to make any improvements to and decorations of the

interior of the Facility, as shall be reasonably necessary or appropriate, in

the Team?s judgment, for the Team?s conduct of its business; provided, however,

that prior to the commencement of any permanent improvement or alteration, the

City Manager shall have approved, in all cases, in writing, the plans and

specifications submitted to Columbus by the Team for such improvements and

alterations. Such approval by Columbus will not be withheld or delayed

unreasonably. The Team shall comply with all permitting requirements.



Team shall not remove any property which was placed, constructed, or affixed at

or on the Facility as of the effective date or that was a replacement or

addition of property thereafter by Columbus. Team acknowledges that Columbus

represents that all scoreboards at the Facility are the property of Columbus.



10. RENT. Team shall pay $0.00 per month as rent to Columbus. The Team

agrees to provide a ?Fan Appreciation Night? to the residents of Columbus,

Georgia. The Fan Appreciation Night shall be held on a game night of the

Team's choosing and the team's obligation under this paragraph shall be

satisfied by the delivery of up to 1,500 general admission tickets at no cost

to the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department to be distributed free of

charge to residents of Columbus.











11. UTILITIES: Columbus shall provide and be responsible for all utility

services to the Team at the Facility, which includes without limitation all

electricity, sewage, twice weekly garbage pickup and trash removal, water,

natural gas and irrigation water; provided, however, Team shall be

responsible for placing all garbage and trash in a container or containers (for

which the Team shall be responsible for providing and to maintain) located

outside the Facility and for obtaining and paying all telephone, television and

internet services furnished to the Facility for the Team?s exclusive use.



12. TICKET SALES: Team shall be entitled to charge and retain all ticket,

admission, participation and other fees collected relating to the Team?s home

games and other events and activities sponsored or conducted by Team at the

Facility during the Term of this Agreement. Team shall be responsible for all

costs and expenses related to any and all such ticket, admission, participation

sales and promotional costs, including the cost of ticket sellers, ticket

takers, advance local promotion, advertising sales and distribution of tickets,

to all Team home games, events and activities held at the Facility.



13. SECURITY: Team shall pay for and provide all security within the Facility

and shall provide all security outside the Facility and in the parking areas

for all home games, events or activities of Team held at the Facility.



14. TEAM?S PERSONNEL: Team shall hire and be responsible for all personnel

necessary to conduct its business. Such personnel shall include, but are not

limited to, ushers, ticket takers, concession workers, first-aid attendants and

other related personnel. Team agrees to use its best efforts to recruit a

labor pool from the local population.



15. ADHERENCE TO LAW: Team agrees to abide by all applicable municipal, county,

state and federal laws, ordinances, rules and regulations and to obtain all

necessary and proper licenses, permits and authorizations for the conduct of

its business at the Facility.



16. TAXES AND LICENSES: Team shall pay all lawful taxes, assessments, licenses

and charges on its business operations or sale of alcoholic beverages or

other merchandise, fixtures, appliances, equipment and property owned by it and

located at the Facility.



17. QUIET ENJOYMENT: During the Team?s use and occupancy of the Facility

hereunder, and for so long as the Team is not in default, the Team shall have

and be entitled to the quiet enjoyment with respect to the use and occupancy of

the Facility, use of all assets located at the Facility as of the Effective

Date (including, without limitation, the Disputed Assets (defined below in

Section 20.C) and the enjoyment of the privileges herein granted without

interruption or interference by any person.







18. ASSIGNMENT/SUBLEASE: Team shall not assign this Agreement or sublet the

Facility or any portion of the parking area or areas without prior written

consent of the City Manager. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained

in this Agreement, the Team may grant concession rights to a third party or

third parties, subject to the approval of the City Manager, which will not be

unreasonably withheld.



19. FACILITY REPAIR AND INSURANCE:



A. FACILITY REPAIR: Team shall repair any material damage (excluding

ordinary wear and tear) to the structure, water apparatus, electric lights or

any fixtures, appliances, furniture, lockers or other appurtenances of the

Facility resulting from any act of the Team, its assigns, sub lessees,

agents, officers or employees or to pay to Columbus the cost for such repairs.



B. TEAM INSURANCE: Team shall secure and maintain during the Term of

this Agreement, the following insurance coverages:



1. WORKERS? COMPENSATION: Workers Compensation insurance covering all employees

meeting statutory limits in compliance with all applicable state and federal

laws.



2. COMPREHENSIVE GENERAL LIABILITY: Coverage shall have minimum limits

of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) per occurrence, Combine Single Limit

for Bodily Injury Liability and Property Damage Liability. This Comprehensive

General Liability coverage shall include Premises and Operations, Broad form

Property Damage, XCU Coverage, Independent Contractors, Products and Completed

Operations and Contractual Liability. This Comprehensive General Liability

coverage policy shall be endorsed to include and cover Liquor Liability.



3. BUSINESS AUTO LIABILITY: Coverage shall have minimum limits of One Million

Dollars ($1,000,000.00) per occurrence Combine Single Limit for Bodily Injury

Liability and Property Damage Liability. This Business Auto Liability policy

shall include and cover Owned Vehicles, Hired and Non-Owned Vehicles,

Employee Non-Ownership and such coverage as is necessary to protect the

parties against liability for the operation of the parking area or areas and

any other area or areas used for parking at the Facility.



4. ADDITIONAL INSURED: Team shall require and cause its insurer or insurers to

list Columbus as an additional insured (and not as a named



insured) on the Comprehensive General Liability, the Business Auto

Liability and the Garage Keepers Legal Liability Policies.



5. INSURANCE POLICIES/CERTIFICATES OF INSURANCE.Current valid insurance

policies meeting the requirements herein shall be maintained by the Team

during the Term of this Agreement. Team shall furnish copies of all policies

to the City Manager upon request.



C. INDEMNIFICATION. Columbus shall not be liable for loss by theft or

otherwise of any property of the Team or its concessionaires placed or left in

the baseball park. Team hereby covenants and agrees that it will indemnify and

hold harmless Columbus for any loss of life of injury which may occur to any

property on the premises of the Facility or that area of the parking lot

adjacent to the Facility used by the Team or its fans during the Term of this

Agreement, or any extension of this Agreement, caused by the negligence of Team

or its agents, servants, or employees. Team further agrees that the payment

and settlement of any such loss, injuries and damages shall devolve upon and be

made by Team; and the Team shall and will, at its own cost, defend any all

suits therefore brought against Columbus, and pay all attorney?s fees of

attorneys which Columbus shall select, and expense incidents to the defense

therefore, or growing out of any such suits. Columbus hereby covenants and

agrees that it will indemnify and hold harmless Team for any loss, injuries, or

damages the Team incurs as a result of a dispute between and any third party,

including without limitation over certain assets associated with the operation

of a baseball club at Golden Park (e.g., scoreboard, concession equipment,

dryers and washers, lockers, etc. (the ?Disputed Assets?). Columbus further

agrees that the payment and settlement of any such loss, injury or damage shall

devolve upon and be made by Columbus; and Columbus shall and will, at its own

cost, defend any and all threats and suits therefore made or brought against

Team, and pay all attorney?s fees of attorneys which Team shall select and

expense incidents to the defense therefore, or growing out of any such threats

or suits.



20. TERMINATION. This Agreement shall expire at the end of the Term, August

31, 2010 with an option to renew for one additional term, unless otherwise

cancelled by either party prior to end of Term



Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Team may terminate this Agreement without

penalty. The Team shall exercise this termination right by delivery of written

notice thereof to Columbus within thirty (30) days of non-renewal.



21. GENERAL PROVISIONS.



A. The Parties agree to execute and deliver any instruments in writing,

necessary to carry out any Agreement, term, condition or assurance in this





agreement, whenever the occasion shall arise and request for such

instrument shall be made.



B. This Agreement shall constitute the full and complete understanding between

the Parties. There are no oral understandings, terms or conditions, and

neither Party has relied on any representations, express or implied, not

contained in this Agreement. All prior understandings, terms or conditions are

deemed to merge into this Agreement, and this Agreement cannot be changed or

supplemented orally, but only by an agreement and signed by the Parties to this

Agreement.



C. If any provisions of this Agreement shall be declared invalid or

unenforceable, the remainder of the Agreement shall continue in full force and

effect.



D. The Parties at all times during the Term of this Agreement shall act and

deal in good faith with each other in the performance of this Agreement and in

working toward the commercial success of the Team.



E. This Agreement shall be construed under the laws of Georgia.



NOTICES. Any formal notice required to be given hereunder shall be in writing

and mailed, postage prepaid, by U.S. Certified mail, Return Receipt Requested,

addressed to the Parties as follows unless a different address is later

designated by either Party under this notice provision:



For Notices to the Team:

Mr. Howard H. Callaway, Chairman

Columbus Baseball Foundation, Inc.

453 Spring Harbor Drive

Columbus, Georgia 31904

(706) 663-5075

(706) 333-4994 Cell



Mr. James F. White, President/General Manager

Columbus Baseball Foundation, Inc.

7939 Ballantyne Way

Columbus, Georgia 31909

(706) 568-0908

(706) 577-1185 Cell



For Notices to Columbus:

Mr. Isaiah Hugley

City Manager

100 10th Street

6th Floor Government Center Tower

Columbus, Georgia 31901

Telephone: (706) 653-4029

Facsimile: (706) 653-4032





All consents, approvals, or permissions required to be obtained under this

Agreement shall be in writing and may be delivered by facsimile or electronic

transmission.



23. COMMITMENT TO EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT AND CONTRACTING

PRACTICES: Team shall abide by all federal, state and local equal opportunity

employment and contracting practices.

24. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE: In all maters concerning or affecting this

Agreement, time is of the essence.



25. ATTORNEY?S FEES AND COSTS: In the event of any dispute, claim, or

controversy whatsoever which either Party may have against the other arising

out of this Agreement, resulting in the commencement or any action to interpret

or to enforce this Agreement, the prevailing Party shall be entitled to recover

its cost and expense related thereto, including without limitation, litigation

expenses, arbitration expenses, and attorneys? fees not to exceed fifteen

percent (15%) of the amount in dispute, whether incurred at trial, or in any

proceeding to review by appeal or by certiorari any of the forgoing.



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be

Executed in several counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original

and all of which, taken together, shall constitute a single instrument, by the

appropriate officials and the necessary seals to be affixed thereto on the

________day of February 2009.





COLUMBUS, GEORGIA COLUMBUS BASEBALL FOUNDATION, INC







By:____________________________ By:?________________________________

Isaiah Hugley Howard H. Callaway

City Manager Chairman of the Board











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