HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/21/1999, C4 - USE OF COUNCIL CHAMBERS BY FIRST NIGHT SAN LUIS OBISPO Meefiry Dde
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CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
FROM: Ken Hampian, Assistant City Administrative Officer '
Prepared By: Wendy George,Assistant to the City Administrative Officer
SUBJECT: USE OF COUNCIL CHAMBERS BY FIRST NIGHT SAN LUIS OBISPO
CAO RECOMMENDATION
1. Authorize the First Night San Luis Obispo organization to use the Council Chambers on
December 31, 1999, with limitations on the type of entertainment, prohibition of food or
beverages and appropriate level of event supervision.
2. Authorize the City Administrative Officer to approve future requests by First Night San
Luis Obispo to use the Council Chambers for its New Year's Eve event.
DISCUSSION
First Night San Luis Obispo is a community celebration of New Year's Eve through the arts,
emphasizing family entertainment in a non-alcoholic environment. First Night has been held
nationwide for over twenty years, although last year was the first occurrence of First Night San Luis
Obispo. As part of last year's preparation, First Night San Luis Obispo requested that the City be a
co-sponsor of the event and that the organization be allowed to use the Council Chambers as an
event venue. The City Council approved both these requests. Although concerned about setting a
precedent for unusual uses of the Chambers, the Council agreed that because the City was a co-
sponsor of First Night, it would be appropriate to approve the request. However, the Council set
several stipulations on use of the space, including limiting the type of entertainment allowed (small,
non-amplified groups),prohibiting food and beverages and clearly defining how the event would be
supervised.
Once again, First Night has requested the use of the Council Chambers, since the former approval
was only for December 31, 1998. Last year, staff was reluctant to recommend on-going future use
of the Council Chambers without any knowledge of whether or not it could be a.successful First
Night venue. Based on last year's very positive experience, staff'is comfortable recommending use
of the Council Chambers again this year, with similar requirements as before. Additionally, staff
recommends that the Council allow the City Administrative Officer to approve such requests from
First Night in the future. This authorization will allow the City to continue to control how First
Night uses the venue,but will reduce the amount of administrative effort required for approval.
CONCURRENCES
The Parks and Recreation Director concurs with approving this request.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
Attachments
First Night request
C4-1
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August 30, 1999 ived
AUG 3 11999
City Qf S.L.0
Wendy George Acfrhij7jStrat,, .
City of San Luis Obispo n
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Dear Wendy:
First Night San Luis Obispo would like to include the City Council Chambers as a
venue for this year's celebration of the New Year through the arts. First Night will
take place from 3 p.m. until midnight on December 31, 1999. It will include over
35 venues in the downtown area—all alcohol free.
We'd like to begin performances at the City Council Chambers at 3 p.m. and
close the venue by 10 p.m. There would be three musical performances, all
classical in nature, beginning with the Irish Potato Heads from 3 to 5 p.m , the Tri
Sonatoria from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and finishing with the Millennium Trio from 8 to
10 p.m. No food or drink will be allowed inside of the City Council Chambers.
We would also like permission to access the bathrooms located in the hall area.
I hope this answers any questions you may have conceming First Night. If you
need further information, please don't hesitate to give me a call at 781-6668.
Since y,
Since
Jit
h Bean
i i
rector
207 Madonna Road m San Luis Obispo, California 93405 0 www.firstaightsl
Phone: 781-6668 m Fax: 781-6669 0 Courtesy of GST Telecommunications 4-2