The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About03/15/2005, C8 - FUNDING FOR 2005 FIESTA DE SLO FROM PROMOTIONAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE (PCC) GRANTS-IN-AID (GIA) council. MmmgD.m 3-15-05 j ac En as uEpont CITY OF SAN LUIS 0 B I S P 0 FROM: Wendy George, Assistant City Administrative Officer w Prepared By: Shelly Stanwyck, Economic Development Manager SUBJECT: FUNDING FOR 2005 FIESTA DE SLO FROM PROMOTIONAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE (PCC) GRANTS-IN-AID (GIA) CAO RECOMMENDATION As recommended by the PCC, approve granting the Downtown Association $5,000 from GIA funding for Fiesta de SLO 2005. DISCUSSION The Downtown Association is undertaking a new event, Fiesta de SLO. Scheduled to occur on Saturday, June 4, 2005 in the Mission Plaza, Fiesta de SLO is intended to be a heritage celebration that brings people (locals and visitors) into Downtown to shop, eat and do business. If successful in 2005, the Downtown Association envisions it becoming an annual event. For many years, an event known as La Fiesta took place in San Luis Obispo each spring, attracting thousands of participants and visitors. Even with the annual PCC GIA funding that the event received, the all-volunteer celebration eventually diminished and disappeared. For several years, the desire, as expressed to the Downtown Association by numerous people, to "bring back La Fiesta" existed in our community. The Downtown Association has decided to take on Fiesta de SLO as a new event in its work program that, like the Concerts in the Plaza series, has the potential of growing into a major heritage attraction to both locals and visitors. The 2005 Fiesta de SLO event has funding from the Downtown Association's budget ($4,000) and a sponsorship from the Sands Motel ($5,000). Additional funding from the GIA grant would ensure the quality of the event for the community and visitors. At the January 12, 2005 meeting of the PCC, Downtown Association Executive Director, Deborah Cash and her staff presented the concept of the new event and requested $5,000 in "start-up" funding from the PCC (request letter and meeting minutes attached). Committee members sought clarification on several issues including budgetary expenses and the management of alcohol consumption. Members of the PCC concluded that a grant would assist in starting this new cultural event and unanimously recommended providing GIA funding in the amount of$5,000. FISCAL IMPACT Because of several unfunded grants (due to returned monies or events which will not be taking place during this grant cycle) $5,975 in GIA funds are available. Staff is unaware of any other new initiatives which would promote cultural/heritage tourism at this time. i Fiesta de SLO Page 2 ATTACHMENTS 1. January 4, 2005 Request Letter 2. Minutes of the January 12, 2005 PCC Meeting G:Adndn\Ptojects\PCC\Cowcil Agenda ReponsTiesta de.SLO L ATTACHMENT 1 I FA& 4 January 2005 San Luis Obispo To: Debby Nicklas, PCC Chair and PCC Committee Members Downtown Association Fro orah Cash, SLO Downtown Association Administrator and ristn Ansari, SLO Downtown Association Promotions Coordinator P.O. Box 1402 San Luis Obispo Re: Funding Request for new Downtown Event, "Fiesta de SLO" California 93406 For many years, an event known as La Fiesta took place in SLO each spring with Phone.805.541.0286 a weekend-long slate of activities attracting thousands of participants and guests. FAX:805781.2647 Even with the yearly PCC grant-in-aid funding that it received, the all-volunteer www.downrownslo.com managed function eventually diminished and disappeared after its core group of volunteers moved away or moved on. Small attempts to revive La Fiesta in part over the past decade have not been successful. However, the desire to "revive"the event in a new form has been discussed by the Downtown Association over the years due to the number of requests by people to "bring La Fiesta back," We know this community loves parades, events in the Plaza and heritage celebrations so based on expressed interest and demonstrated ability in the aforementioned activities, it was decided to resurrect the popular celebration in a new form that could function both as a community affair and a fundraiser for the Downtown Association. Because this event would become part of our annual work program, staffing would be available and an on-going Promotions Committee would manage the event. We have named this event Fiesta de SLO and its debut is scheduled for Saturday,June 4, 2005 in and around Mission Plaza. As the PCC is aware, launching a first-time event(especially one that has a big reputation to live up to!) is costly. At this time, we have budgeted approximately $4,000 in Association budget and have landed a$5,000 sponsorship from Sands Hotel—this particular amount is to fund the parade and a part-time coordinator. In order to cover a number of costs (some are one-time expenses such a logo design, web page design, equipment purchases), seed money is needed to ensure a quality event to which the community will respond positively. Very much like our Concerts in the Plaza series, this event could have the potential of growing into a major attraction for both local and visiting guests. We are therefore requesting the amount of$5,000 to assist in developing the format of Fiesta de SLO; a budget breakdown accompanies this request. We will also be showing a powerpoint presentation of Fiesta de SLO at your 12 January 2005 meeting, describing in some detail how the event will unfold over the course of the day, what activities it encompasses and what our goal—both numbers of guests and income—is. n ��3 It is our hope that the PCC will consider this request and after reviewing the attached budget and hearing the presentation, will grant the funding that enables us to launch Fiesta de SLO successfully and begin a new tradition for the community. � �y j ATTACHMENT2.. Promotional Coordinating Committee DRAFT Wednesday, January 12, 2005 5:30 p.m. City Hall Council Hearing Room 990 Palm Street CALL TO ORDER: Chair, Debby Nicklas 5:30 p.m. PRESENT: Hunt Roberts, Justice, Newland, Nicklas, Norton, Rosene STAFF PRESENT: Shelly Stanwyck, Economic Development Manager PUBLIC COMMENT No comments. CONSENT AGENDA ACTION: Moved by Hunt Roberts/Justice to accept the Consent Agenda; Motion carried 6:0 COMMITTEE & BUDGET ITEMS Item 1. REQUEST FROM THE DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION FOR ENHANCED PROMOTIONAL.FUNDING FOR NEW EVENT "FIESTA DE SLO" (DEBORAH CASH) Deborah Cash, Downtown Administrator, introduced the new event to the committee. Its purpose is to bring people downtown to shop and also serve as a fundraiser for the Downtown Association. The funds from the event will be used for various promotional, design, beautification and parking projects. The event is community oriented; celebrating the heritage of San Luis Obispo. The event would consist of a parade, entertainment, salsa competition, La Cantina, Children's area, and vendors. The committee requested clarification on expenses, and the management of alcohol consumption with the children oriented aspects of the event. The committee felt a new grant would assist in beginning this new event. ACTION: Moved by Norton/Justice to provide Fiesta de SLO with $5,000 from Grants in Aid funding to commence this new event; Motion carried 6:0. PCC Meeting Minutes January 12,2005 oe e