Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - unsigned - 1989-05-23 218 5/23/89 City Council, Adjourned Regular Meeting City Hall Conference Room Redding, California May 23, 1989 5:15 p.m. Mayor Carter called the Adjourned Regular Meeting to order with the following Council Members present: Dahl, Fulton, and Johannessen. Council Member Buffum was absent. Also present were City Manager Christofferson, Assistant City Manager McMurry, Police Chief Blankenship, Personnel Director Bristow, Assistant Finance Director Sundin-Gruber, Public Information Officer Hastings, Science Museum Director Howe, Assistant City Clerk Strohmayer, and Secretary to the City Council Moscatello. FREEDOM FESTIVAL - Progress Update by Price Broadcasting (C-050-050) Ginny Chesnut, from Price Broadcasting, informed Council about the Freedom Festival to be held July 4, 1989 at the Redding Convention Center. Ms. Chesnut stated that the Zasu Pitts orchestra and a Family Circus will provide entertainment prior to the fireworks. She further relayed that many nonprofit agencies will be involved with the concession stands. Ms. Chesnut noted that her firm has been been soliciting sponsorships and advertising. Don Bean, from Price Broadcasting, stated that he was hired by Price Broadcasting as a consultant to develop the Freedom Festival into a self-supporting community celebration. He explained that the event will be family oriented and include a major entertainer, Zasu Pitts, who will be playing between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m, a family circus, and local talent. Nonprofit agencies have been contacted to provide concessions. Mr. Bean indicated that Price Broadcasting wants to charge $2 for the Freedom Festival. He explained that Price Broadcasting will be selling tickets to corporate sponsors who will give them away as promotions. He added that it is their intention that as many free tickets be given away to the community as possible. Mr. Bean conveyed that this will generate revenue for the event and people outside the community will help support the event. He added that this type of sponsorship is a key way to make the event self supporting. Mr. Bean indicated that their goal is to have Council encourage organizations to get involved in whatever way possible. Council Member Dahl asked if there will be a $2 admission fee. Mr. Bean responded yes, and about 20,000 free tickets will be available from corporate sponsors. Ms. Chesnut stated that if someone arrives and they cannot afford to pay, they may go in free. This is a donation, and there will be many opportunities to pick up a free ticket. Mr. Bean conveyed that corporate sponsors which do not have a retail outlet will be encouraged to give the tickets to social agencies. Mayor Carter asked if this idea can be promoted as a donation or if a charge for parking could be levied instead. Mr. Bean stated that it is their intent to consider this a donation. 219 5/23/89 Council Member Fulton expressed his concern about the fee. He noted that the 4th of July fireworks have always been free, and the event has never been such a grandiose endeavor. Council Member Johannessen stated that when the City's funds were originally allocated, Council envisioned this as a community event with no charge. He conveyed that he prefers not to have any fees because it sounds like a commercial enterprise instead of a community event. He asked how and where they intend to collect the money. Mr. Bean indicated that he has spoken with the Redding Police Department, and Price Broadcasting will set up an entry gate for people to pass through. Mayor Carter asked how much the festival will cost, including entertainment. Ms. Chesnut stated that it will cost $30,000 for the whole day. She said that their intention is to make the event self- supporting. Ms. Chesnut conveyed that they will continue to look for sponsorship support. She indicated that is was not their original intent to charge for the event. Council Member Dahl pointed out that it can be called a donation, but the public perception will be that they are paying for the fireworks. The City is already spending $12,000 of the taxpayer's money for fireworks, and now citizens will have to pay for tickets to an event which has always been provided at no cost. Council Member Dahl asked how much money from the sale of tickets is anticipated. Mr. Bean said they anticipate selling $20,000 in tickets to merchants, and an estimated $2000 will be collected at the gate. Council Member Dahl asked why Price does not just ask corporations to donate to the community. Mr. Bean indicated that donations have not been a strong source of income, and they are hoping this will encourage business to underwrite the event. Council Member Johannessen pointed out that the 4th of July is a traditional day, and the event should be free of charge. Council Member Dahl agreed that admission should be free and asked why the idea of charging was not brought up before. Ms. Chesnut indicated that Price became the official sponsor in April, and there has not been enough time to solicit sponsorships. She noted that Price did not become the official sponsor until the service clubs decided not to sponsor the event. They are, therefore, asking the populace to help defray costs. Council Member Dahl asked what the cost of the Zasu Pitts orchestra is. Ms. Chesnut conveyed that Zasu Pitts will cost $7000. Council Member Fulton asked for the total of other donations collected. Ms. Chesnut indicated that $6000 in sponsorships has been collected. She noted that they have been competing with the Air Show, Dixieland Jazz Festival, and the Rodeo for sponsorships. Noting that Price Broadcasting is calling this a donation and people are not obligated to pay, Council Member Johannessen stated that many people who cannot afford to pay may stay home because they do not know it is not a mandatory charge. Mr. Bean responded that the $2 admission is a way to give some promotional value to the ticket for the businesses in town. Mr. Bean added that there was not a nonprofit agency ready to take responsibility to organize the event and willing to bear the extra 220 5/23/89 cost. He conveyed hope that more nonprofit agencies will become involved with the concessions. Mr. Bean noted that this will also provide the nonprofit agencies with an opportunity to raise money. Council Member Dahl pointed out that the main event is the fireworks. Ms. Chesnut explained that Price is trying to create a festival leading up to the fireworks. She stated that the fireworks will be more enjoyable if there is entertainment prior to the fireworks. Mayor Carter asked how many people attended last year. Ms. Chesnut stated that Recreation and Parks Director Riley estimated that 13,000 people attended, but this number does not account for the number of people that viewed them from afar. Council Member Dahl noted that because Anderson will not be having fireworks this year, there will be many more people attending, so a "draw" is not necessary. Betty Woods, from Price Broadcasting, stated that many people will be willing to pay for a family oriented event such as this. Council Member Dahl asked what the budget for last year's 4th of July celebration was. Ms. Chesnut conveyed that the private sector donated $10,000, the City donated $12,000, and the Centennial Committee donated $5,000 which remained from the Centennial celebration. She noted that the indoors concert hosted by the Optimist Club last year lost thousands of dollars. Mayor Carter stated that those who want to see the fireworks should get in free, and if they want to see Zasu Pitts, they should pay. Council Member Dahl reiterated that their should be no charge for the fireworks. He pointed out that the cost of the festival is much higher than last year. Council Member Johannessen asked if Price intends to cancel the event, and Ms. Chesnut responded no. Mr. Bean indicated that Price Broadcasting is not asking Council to approve or disapprove the $2 charge. Price has the authority to ask for a donation, and they are only asking for Council's blessing; however, he suggested that people could be admitted free after a certain time. Mr. Bean stated that Price can take care of Council's concerns and will move forward on the plan that has been put together. He conveyed that the reason Price asked him to get involved is that Price realized the event would lose money. Mr. Bean said they may not sponsor the event next year. Council Member Fulton stated that he agrees with both Mr. Bean and Council Member Dahl. He pointed out that Price is the only corporate sponsor to step forward, and all the service clubs dropped out. He suggested that Price not charge a fee after a predetermined time. Mr. Christofferson stated that Council does not need to take a formal position on this; although Council may make an expression of pleasure or displeasure. He pointed out that the Convention Center grounds have been leased to Price Broadcasting for the day; thus, Council has no authority to act on this matter. Mayor Carter noted that Council concurs that there should be no charge for the fireworks. 221 5/23/89 Mr. Bean stated that Price would be happy to put together responses to any concerns Council may have. He added that Price is not in the position of making money on this event, it is for promotional consideration only, and all money will go back into the festival. Mayor Carter stated that a real effort should be made to get free tickets out into the community. Council Member Dahl stated that he is opposed to charging for the fireworks, and this will be seriously addressed next year. SACRAMENTO RIVER PRESERVATION TRUST - Request for Funding for Aquatic Resource Research Center (B-130-070) Trygve Sletteland, Sacramento River Preservation Trust, recalled that at the meeting of May 16, Council considered the availability of funds to help establish an Aquatic Resource Research Center. Mr. Sletteland requested that Council give positive consideration to this proposal. Council Member Johannessen noted that the University of Shasta Action Committee (USAC) has a parallel effort in this direction. He noted that Council has not funded private research grants before. He pointed out that this is an economic development proposal and research facilities should be encouraged and funds made available to meet this type of need. Council Member Johannessen suggested that the Research Center be funded through USAC, a subsidiary of the Chamber of Commerce. Council Member Dahl stated that funds could be donated to USAC and designated for the Aquatic Resource Research Center. He added that the City recognizes the importance of the Sacramento River. Mayor Carter conveyed that he supports the funding and proposal one hundred percent. He noted that it is important to have this type of research center in Redding to encourage a university to locate here. MOTION: Made by Council Member Fulton, seconded by Council Member Dahl, to authorize the donation of funds in the amount of $3,150 to the University of Shasta Action Committee for the Sacramento River Preservation Trust to be designated for the Aquatic Resource Research Center. The Vote: Unanimous Ayes REQUEST FOR CLOSED SESSION (P-100) Mayor Carter stated that Council will adjourn to closed session pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957.6(a) to discuss personnel matters. At the hour of 6:30 p.m., Mayor Carter declared the meeting adjourned to closed session. At the hour of 7:15 p.m., Mayor Carter reconvened the meeting to regular session. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, at the hour of 7:15 p.m. Mayor Carter declared the meeting adjourned. APPROVED: 222 5/23/89 __________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: ___________________________________ Assistant City Clerk