 |
         |
      |
 |
      |
| Volume XXV, Number 11 | August 13, 2004 |
By Iretta Tiger
MARCO ISLAND, FL — On July 12, the tribal council held a special meeting at Marco Island. The subject of the meeting was the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel.
The first item on the agenda was a resolution permitting The Cordish Company to find funding for Seminole Properties. Seminole Properties is owned by Cordish and not by the Seminole Tribe. Seminole Properties is a subsidiary of Power Plant Entertainment, which is owned by Cordish, is leasing the property where the shopping center (attached to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel) is built. The council did pass the resolution with one member of the council voting against.
The next two resolutions were for licensing agreements to the Hard Rock Café and the Hard Rock retail store. The agreements are for fifteen years each and with the tribe’s agreement to the licensing agreements, the tribe waives sovereign immunity. Waiving sovereign immunity would give the Hard Rock businesses the right to sue the tribe. Both resolutions were passed.
The fourth resolution on the agenda concerned the memorabilia the tribe leases to showcase throughout the Seminole Hard Rock hotels. The resolution provides the tribe with the option to challenge the value of the memorabilia. A few more resolutions were passed, basically they were in regards to gaming devices and parking passes. After the resolutions were discussed and voted on the council then moved to the topic of handling disorderly tribal citizens.
Since the opening of the Hollywood Seminole Hard Rock, there have been 37 incidents. Jim Allen, CEO Gaming Operations, asked the council’s opinion about the current procedure. The council agreed that the current procedure is very effective and approved to keep it.
Food and beverage department have been given permission (from the council) to cut off those who have had too much to drink. This includes tribal citizens. In one incident, a tribal citizen dropped the names of council members and continued to be served.
Chairman Cypress spoke directly to Allen, “Hard Rock is a business and you’re the man in charge. It doesn’t matter who it is, the chairman or the president, whoever it is you’ve got to treat them like a regular customer. If the customer disrespects the business then they will be dealt with accordingly. Everyone must realize that no one will be given special treatment. Each customer is important but each customer has to follow the rules.”
Each of the council members voiced their agreement to Chairman Cypress’ statement and gave authority to Jim Allen to handle those who are out of line as best as he sees fit.
The final subject to be discussed was discounts on room rates for tribal citizens. Council agreed that there will be no discount for tribal citizens regardless of who you are. This will be in effect for several years and those who do try for a discount will receive a memorandum explaining why there is not discount.
Allen stated that there is an $89 room rate out there somewhere but it is up to the individual to find it. That room rate (if you can find it) is open to everyone, but once again it is stated that this is NOT a tribal citizen discount. There is no such thing.
| Home · History · Culture · Tourism & Enterprises · Government · Services · Employment |
Copyright © MMIV Seminole Tribe of Florida
6300 Stirling Road
Hollywood, Florida 33024
Phone: (800) 683-7800
URL:
All questions/comments: tribune@semtribe.com
Webmaster: webadmin@semtribe.com
Web site maintained by Seminole Tribe of Florida
Page Updated: Thursday, August 19, 2004 9:02 AM