The Tulsa Public Facilities Authority does not believe it has legal authority to cancel contracts entered into by ASM Global, including for Saturday’s Trump campaign rally.

ASM Global executive Doug Thornton says the company does not discriminate against potential bookings as long as they meet parameters set by clients — in this case, the City of Tulsa.

Thornton tells TPFA that ASM Global reached out to officials upon receiving the Trump campaign’s request and were told there were no public safety concerns.

Thornton adds state officials were consulted about whether the rally, a “full capacity event” met reopening guidelines, and ASM received no pushback.

Thornton says after hearing concerns from health officials, ASM Global requested a written safety plan from the Trump campaign that refers to CDC coronavirus guidelines.

Rally attendees will be given masks and encouragd to wear them “for the duration” of the rally. All BOK Center employees will wear masks. Anyone entering the building will have their temperature checked.

Thornton says there will be hand sanitizer stations throughout the building, many concession items will be prepackaged and there will be plexiglass panels separating workers from attendees.

Thornton adds the arena has been sanitized in accordance with CDC guidelines and cleaning will continue through the rally.

Thornton says BOK Center employees have been told they do not have to report for work if they are worried about infection or are part of a vulnerable population. “If anyone feels uncomfortable, they shouldn’t be here.”

Thornton adds all employees are being given a serology (antibody) test before they report for work.

TPFA Vice Chair George Sartain asks what happened to ASM Global telling the authority there would be no events until maybe October.

Thornton says that was part of a financial update last month. Touring acts are still on hold nationally. Trump campaign approached ASM Global since last month’s update. (A previous version of this tweet was deleted because of a typo.)

Thornton says there is no agreement with the campaign to use the Cox Business Convention Center this weekend.

TPFA member Kathy Taylor asks about the financial impact of the campaign rally, like buying masks for employees amd the potential impact on future bookings.

Casey Sparks with ASM Global says campaign has already paid in full for two weeks of staffing costs, additional expenses.

Thornton says campaign paid a total of $460,000 to ASM Global.

Taylor asks how many employees have refused to work. Sparks says about half. Thornton says that has them turning to another staffing organization.

Taylor now asking about ASM’s contract with the city that requires them to follow practices “customary in the industry” and take reasonable precautions.

Thornton says with neither the city nor the state raising objections, “our hands are tied.”

The TPFA meeting has come to a standstill after Taylor asked about financial incentives ASM receives. Members are unsure whether her question was too broad and violates open records law because it was not an item on the agenda.

Taylor proposes a resolution to mandate the strictest possible coronavirus measures for events at BOK Center, Cox Center until the state and Tulsa health departments develop specific guidance.