City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: 12/09/2013 Item Number: J-1
JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY BOARD AGENDA ITEM:
Consideration of a Financial Assistance Sponsorship of the “Taste of the Nation”
Charitable Fundraising Event Produced by the Non-Profit Organization Share our
Strength.
Contact Person / Department:
Jeremy Green, City Clerk ’s Office
Phone Number:
(310) 253-5859
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date: _______________
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas – City Council (12/03/13); The
Culver City Chamber of Commerce (12/03/13); the Downtown Business Association
(12/03/13); Share Our Strength (12/03/13).
Department Approval:
Martin Cole (12/02/13)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (12/02/13)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (12/03/13)
City Manager Approval:
John M. Nachbar (12/03/13)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the Board of Directors of the Successor Agency to the Culver City
Redevelopment Agency (Successor Agency Board) and the City Council approve a
request from Share our Strength to sponsor its annual “Taste of the Nation” charitable
fundraising event in the form of waiving rental fees, permit fees, and providing staff in-
kind services.|1010|
BACKGROUND:
The Taste of the Nation event is a one-day fundraising event that has been bringing
together gourmet chefs for a food and alcohol tasting and auction at 9070 Venice Blvd
(Media Park) for eight years. The goal of the event is to raise money to end childhood
hunger throughout the United States, and the event benefits local recipients including:
L.A. Campaign, California Food Policy Advocates LA Campaign, Los Angeles Regional
Food Bank, St. Joseph Center, California Food Policy Advocates, California Association
of Food Banks.
At last year’s event, approximately1,800 attendees raised a total of almost $270,000.
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
DISCUSSION:
Taste of the Nation Los Angeles 2014 will take place from 1:00-4:00 PM on Sunday,
June 1, 2014. Up to 2,000 attendees and volunteer staff will convene at Media Park to
enjoy tastings from the top chefs in Los Angeles County, usually including several
from Culver City, who have contributed product, staff for their tables, and a
participation fee as a donation to Share Our Strength. The event is open to the public,
and tickets typically range from $110 - $160 per person.
The event has become almost waste free, using biodegradable plates and utensils
and volunteer waste monitors who guide patrons to the correct recycle bins. The cost
for sanitation represents City sanitation staff time to collect and remove the large
quantities of recyclable waste throughout the event.
Traffic patterns and parking will be similar to last year’s event, which went quite
smoothly due to volunteer carpooling arrangements made by event organizers and
permission from Metro to use the Expo line parking lot for volunteers and Parcel B for
oversized restaurant vehicles.
This sponsorship request does not include a request to post banners in the public
right-of-way but is a request to reduce financial expenses of the event so that a
higher financial contribution may be made to end childhood hunger.
The proposed sponsorship includes:
• Waiving the Successor Agency’s $500 rental fee for use of Parcel B, $450 rental
fee for Old Washington Boulevard for use by valet parking company to park
vehicles for VIPs attending the event, and potentially $300 for up to 50 parking
spaces for volunteers at the Ince Parking Structure, although last year no spaces
were required.
• Waiving the City’s $200 rental fee for use of Media Park and $800 for the Parking
spaces south of Media Park.
• Waiving of approximately $1,277 in fees for Finance Department, Fire
Prevention, Recycle/Waste, Valet Parking, and Street Closure permits.
• Costs for in-kind City staff services during regular business hours.
• Waiving of fees for use of a meeting space from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM, once a
month (on flexible dates) between January and May.
• As a condition of the financial sponsorship, the organizers would be required to
list the City as a sponsor and include the City’s logo, where applicable, on their
website, printed materials, signs, and in emails and press releases. City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
All other City costs will be paid for by Share Our Strength, inclusive of staff time for
work occurring outside of regular business hours.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
If sponsorship is approved, the Successor Agency and City will forego standard fees
for space rentals and permits.
Dedication of in-kind City staff time to the event would mean a reduced availability of
staff time for other City efforts but would otherwise not cause an impact to the General
Fund.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Share Our Strength Letter Requesting a Financial Assistance Sponsorship
2. Costs for Event
MOTIONS:
That the City Council:
1. Determine whether to provide in-kind financial assistance to Share our Strength
for its Taste of the Nation event on Sunday, June 1, 2014 at Media Park; and,
2. (In the case such in-kind financial assistance is determined to be at least
$1,000), consider designating the Taste of the Nation Event as a City-sponsored
event.
That the Successor Agency Board:
Waive the $950 rental fees for use of the 9300 Culver Boulevard property and
Old Washington Boulevard for the Taste of the Nation event and the $300
parking rate fees at the Ince Parking Structure.
NOTES:
|1010|To be categorized as a “sponsored” event by the City, an event must meet the criteria set forth in
Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) Section 17.330.040.B.7.b.ii. 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 waiver
of fees, or any combination thereof. The CCMC requires both (a) AND (b) conditions be satisfied.
Additionally, in order for an event to be considered sponsored, the City Council must determine, by
specific action, that the above criteria have been met.
MEETING DATE: December 9, 2013
AGENDA ITEM: JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY BOARD
AGENDA ITEM: Consideration of a Financial Assistance
Sponsorship of the “Taste of the Nation” Charitable
Fundraising Event Produced by the Non-Profit Organization
Share our Strength
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
1. Share Our Strength Letter Requesting a 1-2
Financial Assistance Sponsorship
2. Costs for Event 3
On behalf of the volunteer committee, chef, event sponsors, our local beneficiaries and Share
Our Strength, we thank you for your support in making Taste of the Nation 2013 a great
success. We could not do what we do without committed and passionate partners like you.
Allow me to take this opportunity to share a few staggering statistics. 2,665,000 low-income
children in California receive free or reduced-price school lunch. All of these kids are eligible for
other critical meals, but too many are missing out. Only 46% of children eating free or reduced-
price school lunch are getting school breakfast. Only 15% of children eating free or reduced-
price school lunch are getting summer meals. As you can see our work couldn’t be more
important.
We are thrilled at the prospect of returning to Media Park and Culver City and hope that you
will once again allow us to utilize and consider waiving the following:
Treasury permits
Fire Prevention permit
Recycle/Waste Permit fee
Street closure permit
Coordination of event staff time during regular business
Media Park rental
Parking spaces south of Media Park
Parcel B rental for oversized trucks
Valet Parking Fees
Old Washington Blvd. (closed loop) for VIP valet parking- approximately 125 cars
Additional Culver City fees that might arise
Meeting Space once a month Jan-May, 6pm- 830pm. Dates are flexible.
We understand that parking is also a concern but we believe 2013 was our most organized and
well executed plan to date. We required all volunteers to carpool and highly recommended
public transportation. With the assistance of Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation
Authority (Metro) our volunteers were able to park in the Metro station (approximately 100
cars). For our attendees (approximately 500 cars) we had clear directional signs to public
parking structures on Cardiff, Watseka and INCE as a last resort.
We hope that Culver City views hosting Taste of the Nation as a positive way to give back to the
community, receives added exposure through our marketing campaign and perhaps introduces
Culver City to individuals and businesses that perhaps haven’t had the opportunity to visit.
Again, many thanks for your support.
Sincerely,
Judy Walker
ATTACHMENT 1
1
Western Regional Director Culinary Events
2Potential Costs for the 2014 Taste of the Nation Event
Costs to be paid by SOS
Outside Expenditures:
Portable toilets, Fencing, Sinks $4,442.30
Security 252.00
Valet Parking 2,822.00
Traffic Control 999.00
City Costs
Sanitation services 1,500.00
Total $10,015.30
Fees, Property Rental Costs, Staff Time to be Considered for Waiver
Treasury permits 40.00
Fire Prevention permit 212.00
Recycle/Waste Permit fee 125.00
Street Closure/Valet Parking permit 900.00
Coordination of event staff time during regular business hours 1,100.00
Media Park rental 200.00
Parking spaces south of Media Park 800.00
Parking spaces for volunteers (up to 50) 300.00
Parcel B rental for oversized trucks 500.00
Old Washington Blvd for Valet Parking of Cars 450.00
Meeting Space once a month Jan-May, 6pm- 8:30pm 500.00
Total $5,127.00
ATTACHMENT 2|1013|