Print VersionStay Informed
TASK FORCE COMMITTEE - SPECIAL EVENTS
PROGRAM - Tuesday, January 29, 2002_-4:00 p.m.

Members present: Hamerlik, Burke, Gershman, Glassheim.

Chairman Hamerlik asked reps. of organizations who had submitted supplements to their proposals to present their information.

#3 Grand Forks Lions, Red River Lions, South Forks Lions - $33,224.59
Andy Swanson, Lions Club, explained matching funds – that they were about $6,000 short and will be having about $4,400 from sale of the lots; won’t have bills for electricity until the end of December, that they have not given up on additional grants and loans; however, on their projec-tions they have estimated 6,000 sales at $5 each = $30,000 and have pledged that to the bank. He stated they will try to raise more money through ticket sales and pay back as much as they can; that one of their problems is that when try to find financing for this, all but $3,000 is really capital improvements to the greenway; that this is an improvement for that area and think project would be great for the community and a good fund raiser for the Lions, and asked committee to look favorably on this and even if could work for part of this through a loan, would be happy to pledge a percentage of their sales over years to come in order to get this done. It was noted that monies will go to this project or to charity, no administrative budget.

Burke asked if they could work with temporary system and generate revenue for a year or two and develop the bankroll to fund the capital. Mr. Swanson stated they have worked with Xcel Energy and the Greenway people and don’t think they could get that approved with the Corps of Engineers – a lot of design work has gone into this, all will be underground and all be capped so if have flood will not damage – that it would be cost intensive to put in temporary system and take it out – generators are expensive and noisy. Gershman stated he felt this was a great project and felt they were low on est. number of cars; this is a permanent improvement to the greenway (and to the city) and asked Melanie Parvey-Biby if we have some money in the greenway and if it is possible for us to give Lions a loan for two years. Ms. Biby stated there is some money in the greenway better-ments and could work something out but would have to check with Mr. Schmisek in Finance, some of that money is bonded, but have betterment dollars that could be utilized for this. Gershman stated that once this is in it could be used for summer events as well but do not think they can give a third of the budget.

Glassheim stated that the funding could be either as a loan to be repaid in two or three years or it could be a grant and become part of the City’s project – it could be a greenway expense, and if there is money, would it be available for either a loan or a grant. Ms. Biby stated that either a loan or a grant, would be up to the city council because those are dollars that are in the budget. Mr. Swanson stated they would be willing to pledge a certain percentage of that income for the next two or three years to help cover some of this, and have agreed to repay the $30,000 the first year but if can work to give portion the second or third year to get this in and started and will be a great activity for the Lions and the community.

Burke asked if there is an area where they can tie into it and make it cost less rather than having them run everything in from some point outside. Ms. Biby stated they have discussed that – there is electricity that goes to the warming house restroom on the high ground where the former Lincoln School was – but easier to trench it in off of a different source. Mr. Swanson stated they have had discussions with Xcel Energy and if can go from main source of power into warming house or bathrooms and go from there, save 100 ft. from trenching – that has not been settled but has been discussed. Gershman stated they will be meeting next Thursday to make their final recommenda-
SPECIAL EVENTS PROGRAM TASK FORCE – 1/29/02 – Page 2

tions to the council and asked if they can meet with Mr. Schmisek and get a memo back prior to that - important to do it right the first time. Ms. Biby stated they would look at options. It was also noted that the applicant’s plans are to expand in the future and plan to put a percentage aside to pay for that expansion – and that they will be needing funds for advertising as well as the loan. Mr. Glassheim stated that they could give $5,000 from Events and give $20,000 from the Greenway and loan $10,000 for a three-year period out of Greenway funds and to be repaid to Greenway funds. Chairman Hamerlik asked Ms. Biby to go back and work on this and report back to the committee.

#17 North Dakota Museum of Art - $20,000
Bonnie Sobolik asked if there were any questions re. their proposal. Gershman asked if they were looking for the City to be the main benefactor and what would happen if that doesn’t happen. Ms. Sobolik stated they intend to get as much of the same sponsorship level that they had in previous years but that their highest cash sponsor was $5,000 and they have lost that one and next highest cash sponsors are in the thousand range; that they are hoping this group will be the underwriting sponsor so that they have one more year to prove it by changing it to a different weekend – they need to increase sponsorship by $15,000 this year (not sure get the same artist fees as last year) and that they did add $6,000 to the budget this year to hire a coordinator, need to have a coordinator to do this if they are going to continue. Chairman Hamerlik stated he wasn’t sure that the jazz festival will add to the Potato Bowl and would still be set aside as a jazz festival. Ms. Sobolik stated that the Potato Bowl is scheduled for the 14th, however, should that change in the next few months, they will change it back to the 7th - not sure if an afternoon or an evening game, that they have until March 1 to sign contracts for the festival; and have no other options, that in the past they have had good support from business community, not sure if $10,000 would allow them to continue, but felt $15,000 would do it.

Chairman Hamerlik and the committee discussed procedures for recommendations and suggestion was made to pull any items that the committee felt they would not recommend for funding.

There was some discussion relative to Ap. #8 GF/EGF Chambers of Commerce Military Affairs
Committee & Golden Eagle Club - (2002 Annual Maury Rothkopf Military Appreciation Day) $5,000. Gershman reported he spoke with John Marshall relative to funding this project from the Military Retention Fund in the budget, and Mr. Marshall thought this was a legitimate use of
the money from the Retention Fund because it does benefit families and that’s the message that we want to get back to the Air Force; that he hasn’t had time to talk to Mr. Trimarco but that he talked to Mr. Duquette and feels that is where that money should come from and could pull that proposal and recommend that it come from the Military Retention Fund. Chairman Hamerlik suggested they get back to Mr. Trimarco. Gershman moved that we preliminarily eliminate that proposal and fund it from the Military Retention money. Motion carried.

The committee then reviewed and discussed the applicants’ projects and pulled the following from preliminary funding: #1 Red River Valley Gymnastics, Inc. (Olympic Gold Clinic); #12 Center for Innovation; and #18 Greater Grand Forks Symphony Association. (#4 ArtWise withdrew their proposal)

The committee reviewed the following proposals and recommended the following funding.

#2 Red River Valley Chapter American Red Cross (Frosty Bobber).
#6 Summer Performing Arts Company (Downtown SPA)

SPECIAL EVENTS PROGRAM TASK FORCE – 1/29/02 – Page 3

Gershman stated they only concern is that East Grand Forks doesn’t put any money into that, they give in-kind but no cash – that Thief River and Devils Lake had fishing tournaments and Devils Lake had 6,000 people, prizes better and same with Thief River - perhaps take a few of these proposals and put them in the $2500 or $2000 category. Chairman Hamerlik questioned when bring number of people into the city and contribute to economy and whether the City should continue to fund the same groups forever, new ones coming in – either have to contribute more money or make organizations go out on their own. After further discussion it was moved by Glassheim and Gershman to fund $2500 to the Frosty Bobber and $2000 to Downtown SPA (#6). Motion carried.

#3 Lions Club - Grand Forks, Red River, South Forks - $33,224.50
(Christmas in the Park)
Glassheim moved that we recommend giving $5,000 from the Events budget to this project, that the council approve, pending clarification, $20,000 grant from the Greenway or Greenway Better-ment funds to this project and that we recommend that a three-year, no interest, loan from the Betterment funds be granted to the project to be paid back within three years. The motion died for lack of a second. Burke moved that we grant $5,000 from this fund and that the council figure out a way to help with the rest, whether grant or loan. Chairman Hamerlik stated this committee cannot determine the grant or the loan, only our Events money of $5,000. Glassheim moved to recommend giving $5,000 from the Events budget to this project, that we recommend to the council a $10,000 grant and $20,000 loan, no interest up to 4 years, from the Greenway Betterment fund. Motion carried.

#4 Artwise Elementary Art Show - Request withdrawn

#5 Summer Performing Arts & Crimson Creek Collegiate Players - $20,000
(SPA and Crimson Creek performances)
There was some discussion re. the project and that if Starlites doesn’t come through, the idea of latching onto the buses and bringing them in is not a bad idea, and suggested $10,000 for doing lesser amount of shows. He moved that we approve $10,000 to Crimson Creek and SPA. Glassheim seconded the motion. Chairman Hamerlik stated he did not like to put someone in competition with Starlites and there was a suggestion to make it contingent. Burke stated we have made a commitment only to lease the building. Gershman stated if Starlites doesn’t come through with a letter of credit and can’t sign the lease, then may want to have this and amended his motion to say that it would be contingent upon the Starlites lease not being signed and not competing with a new business. It was noted the committee has until next Thursday to make that decision. Gershman stated that if Starlites is unable to execute their lease, that even though presentation from Crimson Creek and SPA, there is a market and concern with Starlites. Gershman moved that we allocate $10,000 if Starlites is unable to sign the lease and revert to consideration for SPA and Crimson Creek. Glassheim seconded the motion. Motion carried, Burke voted against the motion.

#7 Northern Plains Potato Growers Association - $20,000
(Potato Bowl USP)
It was moved by Glassheim to allocate $5,000 for the project, seconded by Burke. Burke stated that for events that have been funded for some time, that we ought to find a way to phase them out, reduce them over a period of time – either the event has community support and can generate support elsewhere in the community or it doesn’t and it goes away; that this money be looked at more as seed money to get new events going rather than to continue to put substantial amounts of money on an on-going basis to the same events; that if events can sustain themselves and grow and
SPECIAL EVENTS PROGRAM TASK FORCE – 1/29/02 – Page 4

can put our money into other events that could become important to the community. Gershman stated that the answer might be in between, it’s important that the large events keep getting larger but don’t preclude some new events coming in that could become larger and likes the events of 15,000 to 20,000 people coming in and if need support, continue supporting them and that there should be a weaning off process – but some of the events don’t charge a lot of money but bring in a ton of people – and not becoming an entitlement and automatic, and are better off having fewer larger more successful events than a number of little events that don’t work that well. Upon call for the question, the motion carried.

#9 Town Square Farmer’s Market - $8,000
(2002 Town Square Farmers Market)
It was noted that if they are solvent why would they need any funds or that much. Gershman stated that by their advertising they can get more people in, more vendors. It was noted that through the Knight Foundation grant they were able to hire a director for the DLG and some of that professional service would flow over there. After further discussion it was moved by Glassheim and seconded by Gershman to recommend allocation of $8,000; vote of 2 to 2. It was then moved by Gershman and Chairman Hamerlik for $5,000. Motion carried; Burke voted no.

#10 East Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce - $10,000
(Cats Incredible/CatfishDays)
It was moved by Burke and seconded by Hamerlik to fund $2,500. Carried 3 votes affirmative, Glassheim voted no.

#11 First Night Greater Grand Forks - $22,000
It was moved by Gershman and seconded by Burke to recommend $15,000. Motion carried.

#13 Greater Grand Forks Sertoma Club - $30,000
(4th of July Festival)
It was moved by Gershman to recommend funding of $20,000; the motion died. It was then moved by Burke to fund $15,000; motion died. It was then moved by Gershman and Glassheim to fund $17,500. Motion carried.

#14 UND Indian Association - $20,750.00
(33rd Annual Time Out & Wacipi)
It was moved by Gershman and Glassheim to fund $5,000. Motion carried.

#15 Downtown Leadership Group - $19,900
(DLG Downtown Projects)
Gershman stated he wasn’t convinced by the Holiday Open House, Holiday Lights Parade is fine, but is interested in the Ethnics Night at the Town Square, that is something that could be interesting – that breakout shows expenditure for Ethnics Night is $11,775, and if funded them at $6,000 that would be a 50-50 match, but that we would fund the Ethnics Nights budget as something that is new. Chairman Hamerlik stated he didn’t think we could tell them what they can have or not have, but tell them where we would like to have our money go to. It was moved by Glassheim and Burke to fund $10,000. Motion carried.

#16 Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce Major Event Task Force - $25,000
(2002 Forks Curling Classic)
It was moved by Burke and Glassheim to fund $15,000. Motion carried.
SPECIAL EVENTS PROGRAM TASK FORCE – 1/29/02 – Page 5

#17 North Dakota Museum of Art - $20,000
(SunDog Jazz Fest 2002)
After some discussion it was moved by Burke and Glassheim to fund $5,000. Motion carried.

It was noted that the recommendations total $99,500, leaving a $500 balance. The committee will meet at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 7, 2002, in Room A101 for confirmation and final action.
Verification for recommendation for #3 - $5,000 along with recommendation for $10,000 grant and $20,000 loan up to 4 years after first year with 0% out of the Greenway Betterment fund.

The committee adjourned at 5:35 p.m.

Alice Fontaine, City Clerk

Dated: 2/05/02