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CC - CONSENT ITEM: Award of a $1,000 Off-Cycle Special Events Grant and Designation of the Center Theater Group’s “Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical” as a City-Sponsored Event.
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Meeting Date: September 9, 2024
Contact Person/Dept: Luis Gonzalez / Office of Economic and Cultural Development
Phone Number: (310) 253-5767
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (09/03/2024); Center Theatre Group (09/05/2024)
Department Approval: Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager (08/20/2024)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council award a $1,000 Off-Cycle Special Events Grant for in-kind marketing and designate of the Center Theater Group’s Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical as a City-Sponsored Event.
BACKGROUND
On June 10, 2024, the City Council (1) awarded $147,075 in grants and designated 15 events as City-sponsored events through Fiscal Year 2024-2025, as recommended by the Special Events Grant Program Ad Hoc Subcommittee; (2) authorized up to $8,925 in contingency for off-cycle event support; and (3) authorized the City Manager to administratively approve applicable City permits and licenses needed to conduct the events, provided such permits and licenses are consistent with the scope of the event set forth in the grant application.
DISCUSSION
On July 8, 2024, the Center Theater Group (CTG) requested an off-cycle special event grant to promote their upcoming production at the Kirk Douglas Theater, running from November 22, 2024 to January 5, 2025. Since 2004, CTG has operated the City-owned Kirk Douglas Theatre, located at 9820 Washington Blvd. As theaters continue to rebound from the pandemic, it has become important to expand marketing efforts to attract new audiences. CTG has requested City sponsorship for in-kind marketing, which would include placement of banners in the public right-of-way, for its upcoming production of Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical, based on a popular bestselling children’s book series by Dav Pilkey.
City Sponsorship
To be categorized as a “sponsored” event by the City, an event must meet the criteria set forth in the Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) Section 17.330.040.B.7.b.ii and City Council Policy No. 2502 (Special Event Grant Program), confirming that the City is (a) participating in an official capacity in the planning, preparation or promotion of the event or activity; and (b) contributing 25% of the total estimated costs of the civic event or activity or at least $1,000, whichever is less. This contribution may take the form of funds, labor, staff time, materials, a coverage of fees, or any combination thereof.
The CCMC and Policy require conditions (a) and (b) to be satisfied. Additionally, City Council Policy requires that for an event to be considered a City-Sponsored event, the City Council is required to determine, by specific action, that the above criteria be met. This event meets the criteria for City Sponsorship because the City will participate in the promotion of the event, which will require at least $1,000 in in-kind staff time/marketing efforts. As a requirement for event sponsorship, the organizers for the events must identify the City of Culver City as a sponsor of the event in all promotional materials.
Off-Cycle Event Support
One of the primary goals of the Special Event Grant Program (“Program”) is to consolidate requests, thereby limiting the number of off-cycle event support requests. However, the Program Policy 2017-R006 provides for City Council consideration of off-cycle Special Event Grant Program/ City-Sponsorship requests.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The $1,000 in off-cycle support will be comprised of in-kind staff time (for marketing and coordination). There is sufficient funding in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 contingency for off-cycle events. CTG will be responsible for acquiring and funding all permits related to banner installation.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
MOTION
That the City Council:
Award a $1,000 off-cycle, in-kind special events grant and designate the Center Theater Group’s Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical as a City-Sponsored event.