Summit-Lease
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
5:53 PM
IX. NEW BUSINESS
1. Request by Chef's Pantry Catering to enter into a lease for the Summit Restaurant.
Mr. Steinman: indicated that Association has spent many years on trying to find a solution to the opening of the Summit Restaurant. Mr. Lenny Templeman, of Chef's Pantry Catering, approached me recently about the possibility of opening the Summit Restaurant. I have been to several events catered by Lenny and his wife, Donna, and recently they served approximately 150 dinners for the Security Patrol banquet that occurred in September. They did a great job. Mr. Templeman would like to get his base of catering into the Summit Restaurant. He's in a couple of locations now. In exchange for having his business there, he would like to serve reasonably priced lunches and dinners Monday-Thursdays. He would then like to have the facility for Friday, Saturday and Sundays for catering which he will promote very heavily since he would have a location. He will also consider doing special events when there is a program in the Starbright theater. The snack bar will remain functional seven (7) days a week for the golfers. We are looking at a different proposal here since he wants to be open for general business four (4) days a week. I would like the Board to discuss this today and determine if this is a proposal we should pursue.
Ms. LeVasseur: remarked that she has enjoyed Chef's Pantry Catering too. Would Chef's Pantry Catering be the only caterer allowed to use the Summit room Friday-Sunday?
A. Mr. Steinman replied "yes, that's correct". We have a list of four (4) caterers in the community. Those
other three (3) would still exist but they would only use Desert Vista and Mountain Shadows facilities.
Mrs. Cullen: asked if there was an issue regarding a liquor license.
A. Mr. Steinman replied that Chef's Pantry wants the right to serve liquor and he would have to acquire a liquor license of his own. That procedure is through the City and takes awhile as we've learned. At this time when they (all caterers) serve liquor at an event, it is Sun City's license that is used.
Mr. Lenny Templeman – stated that when they do catering events, they currently use Joe Kelly's liquor
license to complete all their liquor services. However, they will acquire their own liquor license for that location if they lease the Summit.
Mr. Robey: mentioned that you would be able to open up anytime and still use Joe Kelly's liquor services. Or would you want to wait until you have the liquor license and then open up?
A. Mr. Templeman answered "we would do whatever is necessary to make sure the facility is up and running and supplying the community."
Mr. Steinman: commented that you could open the restaurant and not have liquor Monday-Thursday. But the catering events would still use Joe Kelly's liquor services.
Mr. Lenny Templeman – indicated that there are still some scenarios to discuss. Sun City probably wouldn't want to give up their liquor license. There maybe some contingent fees that we could work out.
Mr. Baer: stated that it looks like we would need a lease with Chef's Pantry. Is Mr. Winkel going to handle the details of the lease and then have it brought back to the Board?
A. Mr. Steinman replied that he believes there should be a small committee formed including residents, and negotiate the terms and present it to the Board at a later date. We currently have an 80 page lease to start from and that took months to complete.
Mr. Caroccia: noted that the lease Mr. Steinman was speaking about was regarding the Vista Grille. I think a new lease would be appropriate and less complicated than what we had the last time. Your (Mr. Templeman's) food at the Security Patrol banquet was excellent. If I wanted to rent the Summit on the weekend in order to have a family reunion, then would I have to use Chef's Pantry Catering? If that is the case, then you have a monopoly on the prices you charge for the service. How are we going to be able to control the issue?
A. Mr. Templeman responded that he maintains his menus to be very affordable with a full range of prices for different set-ups from budget catering to high-end catering. We are not out to overcharge. We're here to supply the community and make a living. Our service and pricing have proved that over the past five (5) years. Additionally, the residents/others still have the opportunity to use other Sun City facilities with the other caterers.
Mr. Steinman: added that the market will also control the situation. He won't have any business if he
overcharges.
Mr. Baer: asked if we can expect a motion from Mr. Steinman at the December meeting to form an Ad Hoc
Committee?
A. Mr. Steinman replied "yes, I believe that's the way to do it". I would like to have a Board member volunteer to become involved with this project because my 'plate' is really full at this time.
Mr. Robey: remarked that he would like everyone to know that Lenny's last name is "Templeman" not
"Templeton". Mr. Templeman has written that "Sun City Summerlin residents will have a high quality,
affordable dining experience in their backyards. Chef's Pantry will promote and market the Summit Restaurant to ensure high occupancy on a consistent basis; therefore, increasing room revenue for Sun City Summerlin.
Chef's Pantry will allow Sun City Summerlin to do any credit check and background check as necessary." applaud you.
Mr. Caroccia: stated that he would like to be on the committee.
Ms. LeVasseur: commented that she would also like to be on the committee.
Mr. Steinman: noted that Mr. Caroccia and Ms. LeVasseur should find other people in the community to assist them with this project.
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