Brentwood City Council Approves Increase in Spending for Special Events

The Brentwood City Council unanimously agreed on Tuesday night to the expansion of its special events on city property.

In total, the city will increase its General Fund Operating Budget by $21,000 in Fiscal Year 2016/17 while increasing the budget by $41,000 in Fiscal Year 2017/18.

Bruce Mulder, Director of Parks & Recreation, explained how the city has three categories of events which they are looking to expand Tier 1 highlighting the positive community impact.

Tier 1

• City Sponsored Programs: Events planned and funded with City resources (i.e., Summer Concert Series, Tree Lighting, Movies in the Park)

Tier 2

• Community Driven events through the Special Event permit process (i.e., Harvest Festival, Hometown Halloween, Holiday Parade)

Tier 3

• Facilitate Special Events through Event Promoters (i.e., Farmers Market, Sports Tournaments)

According to the Staff Report, on May 26, 2016, at the Park and Recreation Commission meeting, staff presented a special event expansion proposal and budget for feedback and recommendations. In addition, on July 25, 2016, staff presented the proposal and budget to the Fiscal Model Ad Hoc Committee for feedback and recommendations. Both the Park and Recreation Commission and Fiscal Model Ad Hoc Committee approved staff’s proposal to bring forward to City Council for final consideration and approval.

Staff proposed the following:

1. Increase the Starry Nights in Brentwood Concert Series from eight to ten concerts – $10,000
2. Increase the Movies in the Park from two to four movies – $500
3. Expand the Christmas Tree Lighting event experience (BANC/City program) – $1,500
4. New Snowman in the Park holiday event – $1,000
5. New Hometown 4^th of July Parade and Picnic (Better in Brentwood) – $8,000
6. New Community Center Performance/Entertainment and Dinner program – $16,500
7. Increase part-time salaries to provide programs: $3,600

Mulder explained staff was proposing two more concerts, two more movies, enhance the tree lighting budget, add a new program that extends the holiday experience at City Park, add a 4th of July Celebration and add an event that enriches lives through performing arts. In addition staff was requesting to support the delivery of these programs with additional part-time staff.

Vice Mayor Joel Bryant asked for a further explanation of the Community Center Performance/Entertainment and Dinner Program.

Mulder explained that the community would receive a nice dinner and performance which likely would include a theme. He anticipated it be a ticketed event at $50 per person/$100 per couple to participate in the formal dinner.  He also stated it’s not completely defined yet since it was going to be in the 2017/18 budget.”

Councilman Gene Clare complimented staff for the inclusion of a July 4^th event.

Councilman Erick Stonebarger said it was a great step forward for the City of Brentwood.

“You grabbed the right one ones and expanded them. I am glad you got the parks and recreation committee involved in the process. This is a good good good step forward,” said Stonebarger. “In the last year and a half the Starry Nights program has expanded and it’s really started to grow. The amount of positive going on down there and the amount of activities for families and residence of all ages just hanging out having good quality time. Everyone involved give yourself a good pat on the back because it’s a big deal for the 1,500 people to show up every night.”

Councilman Steve Barr echoed Stonebargers comments calling it “phenomenal”.

For more information, http://brentwood.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=38&clip_id=2114&meta_id=167722