City of Culver City, California
Joint City Council/Redevelopment Agency Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council and the Culver City Redevelopment Agency
discuss and provide comment on the 2009 Taste of the Nation event; authorize the
use of City/Agency staff to assist the Share Our Strength organization in the
production of the event; designate Taste of the Nation as a City- and or Agency-
sponsored event; and the Agency authorize the expenditure of $15,000, for Agency
approved expenses, reimbursement to the City for staff time and fee waivers and
other related expenses and consider an additional request of $3,255 from the
Economic Development budget (Account No. 55090200.610200 “Marketing
Services”) above the budgeted and appropriated amount for a total authorization of
$18,435.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
Taste of the Nation
For the past four years, the Taste of the Nation event has been conducted in Media
Park near downtown Culver City. As proposed, the event will take place on Sunday,
June 7, 2009 bringing together the finest chefs for a food and wine tasting event.
The event is managed and promoted by Share Our Strength, with the goal to raise
money to end childhood hunger throughout the United States. Over the prior years
staff has worked with Share Our Strength to conduct the event due to the positive
marketing impacts and public exposure it creates for downtown and Culver City as a
whole.
Meeting Date: 12/15/08 Item Number: J-1
AGENDA ITEM: JOINT ITEM - Discussion of and Comment on 2009 Taste of the
Nation Event; Consideration of Authorization to Provide Staff Services, Waiver of
Redevelopment Agency and City Fees; Designation as a City- and/or Agency-
Sponsored Event; and Authorization of up to $18,435 in Expenditures and Waivers.
Contact Person/Dept.: Jeremy Green Phone Number: (310) 253-5764
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [ ] General Fund: Yes [ ] No [X]
Public Hearing: [ ] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: Share Our Strength (12/9/08); Master E-Mail Notification List
(12/10/08).
Department Approval:
Sol Blumenfeld (12/04/08)
Agency Counsel Approval:
City Attorney Approval: Carol Schwab (by
H. Baker) (12/10/08)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by N. Kimball) (12/10/08)
City Manager/Exec. Director Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (12/10/08) City of Culver City, California
Joint City Council/Redevelopment Agency Agenda Item Report
This year, Share our Strength plans on an even farther reaching marketing
campaign. Some of the marketing opportunities include City recognition in all Taste
of the Nation marketing materials, and advertisement of the event in local and
national broadcast/print media channels. Staff believes these to be highly effective
in improving awareness of downtown amongst a desirable demographic.
As the event has become more popular, the request for City/Agency assistance has
increased. Tonight’s discussion is intended to allow the Council and Agency an
opportunity to discuss the City/Agency staff and resource efforts and provide input
and direction if desired. The requests for assistance are defined in Share Our
Strength’s letter dated October 31, 2008. Staff believes the benefits realized by
providing assistance are greater than the costs incurred by the City/Agency. Costs
incurred by the City/Agency are further described below.
Use of Media Park
The Ivy Substation and Media Park are located at the easternmost portion of
downtown Culver City. The Ivy Substation and Media Park are located in the City
of Los Angeles, but are used and managed by the Agency pursuant to a long-term
lease between the Agency and the City of Los Angeles.
The Redevelopment Agency policies regarding Media Park use are silent regarding
the allowance of alcohol in Media Park. However, pursuant to the terms of the Media
Park Lease with the City of Los Angeles, the Taste of the Nation event in the past
has been allowed to serve alcohol as part of the City of Los Angeles’ permit process
for special events. It should be noted that staff is in consultation with City Attorney’s
office and Agency Counsel regarding the issues involved with alcohol in Media Park.
Staff will be returning to the Agency within the next 60-90 days to discuss and
receive comment on a proposed policy regarding alcohol at special events in Media
Park and whether such policies should include a provision to allow only City- or
Agency-sponsored events to have alcohol at Media Park.
City/Agency Sponsorship
Share our Strength requests that the Agency allow the organization to post
banners in the public right-of-way to advertise the event and to pay for the costs of
the banners and provide a waiver of fees. This expenditure was not approved for
the 2008 event.
Section 17.330.040 of the Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC), relating to Signs in
the Public Right-of-Way, provides for certain exceptions to posting signs in the
public right-of-way (which is generally prohibited). One such exception is for signs City of Culver City, California
Joint City Council/Redevelopment Agency Agenda Item Report
relating to the “promotion of civic events and activities” where those events and
activities are “organized or sponsored by the City or Redevelopment Agency.”
(CCMC Section 17.330.040.B.7.a)
To be “Sponsored” by the City or Redevelopment Agency, an event must comply
with CCMC Section 17.330.040.B.7.b.ii. confirming that the following criteria have
been met: The City and/or Redevelopment Agency 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 of the foregoing.
The CCMC clearly requires both (a) AND (b) to be met. In addition, the use of City
staff resources, equipment, etc., for an event does not in and of itself constitute
participation in the event by the City in an “official capacity” in the planning,
preparation or promotion of the event. Further, in accordance with the recently
adopted City Council Policy regarding Community Organizations, in addition to
meeting the above-referenced criteria, in order for an event to be considered City-
sponsored and/or Redevelopment Agency-sponsored, the City Council and/or
Redevelopment Agency, must determine, by specific action, that the above criteria
have been met.
In summary, in order to be eligible for a banner, the City and/or the Redevelopment
Agency would need to take both of the following actions:
1. determine that the Taste of the Nation is a City- and/or Agency-
sponsored event; and,
2. determine to support the event in an amount no less than $1,000,
which may take the form of a fee waiver.
Share our Strength requests that the City and Agency consider whether to
designate the Taste of the Nation 2009 a sponsored event, based upon the above
criteria. Should the City or Agency take both of these actions, the Agency shall
include appropriate language in the License Agreement to reflect these actions,
thereby granting the request for banners.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
The Share Our Strength October 31, 2008 letter requests increased assistance from
the Agency for this year’s event. Last year, sanitation costs were $871 and provided
two sanitation staff. For 2009, the request is for at least 2 additional sanitation staff
and additional equipment, increasing the costs from $871 to $1,500. Last year’s City of Culver City, California
Joint City Council/Redevelopment Agency Agenda Item Report
request for valet services for VIP attendees was also underestimated. The request
for this year has been increased to allow three times the number of VIP attendees as
provided in 2008, increasing the expense from $1,260 to $2,060. Share Our
Strength is requesting $2,000 to pay for the cost to produce three large banners.
Last year the Agency did not approve this request. Finally, this year Share Our
Strength requests costs to provide an additional three-compartment sink at a cost of
$500. A complete table of cost comparisons for the 2008 event and the proposed
2009 event is included as Attachment 2.
City Costs:
Approximately $1,056 in City fees from the Finance Department, Public Works and
Fire Prevention are requested to be waived and approximately $1,500 will be
incurred in in-kind costs (Public Works and Sanitation staff time). In addition, if
designated as a sponsored event and the City/Agency decides to allow a banner in
the public right of way, the request includes a waiver of the $237 sign permit fee and
$464 in in-kind costs for Public Works staff to install the banner. This equates to a
total of $701, which would bring the total City cost to $3,257.
Agency Costs:
Staff believes that it will be necessary to utilize one staff member for approximately
80 hours to complete all of the tasks. This equates to Agency costs of
approximately $4,400 (assuming an average fully burdened hourly rate of $55 for a
Management Analyst).
In addition, Share our Strength is again requesting an expenditure for portable
toilets, security costs, fencing around the perimeter of the park, traffic control
services, costs for a three-compartment sink, valet parking service for 200-350
vehicles, and $1,000 in miscellaneous fees to allow for any additional expenses that
typically occur for a total of $8,778.
In addition, if designated as a sponsored event and the City/Agency decides to allow
a banner in the public right of way, the request includes $2,000 in costs for the
production of the banners. This would bring the total Agency cost to $10,778.
The total cost of the request, including staff time and fee waivers, is approximately
$18,435 ($15,178 Agency, $3,257 City). For the Agency, this is comprised of $4,400
in in-kind costs and $10,778 in direct expenses. For the City, this is comprised of
$1,293 in fee waivers and $1,964 in in-kind costs. This is approximately $3,435
more than the $15,000 appropriated (in Account No. 55090200.516600 Special
Events & Meetings) for the Taste of the Nation event in the Adopted 2008-2009
budget. There are additional funds available in the Economic Development budget City of Culver City, California
Joint City Council/Redevelopment Agency Agenda Item Report
(Account No. 55090200.610200 Marketing Services) that can be administratively
transferred to the appropriate account to cover the additional expense; therefore, no
budget amendment is needed. However, the City Council/Agency Board may
decide not to approve all of the expenses, waivers, and in-kind costs requested by
Share Our Strength as transferring the additional funds from the Marketing Services
account would reduce the amount of funding available for other marketing services.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Share Our Strength’s letter dated October 31, 2008.
2. Costs table for 2008 and 2009.
3. Minutes from March 17, 2008 Redevelopment Agency meeting.
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Discuss and provide comment on the Taste of the Nation event;
2. Designate Taste of the Nation a City-sponsored event; and
3. Authorize the use of City staff to assist the Share Our Strength Foundation in the
organization, marketing, and production of the Taste of the Nation event in Media
Park, provided that the Culver City Redevelopment Agency reimburses the City
in an amount to be $3,257 for such services.
That the Culver City Redevelopment Agency:
1. Discuss and provide comment on the Taste of the Nation event;
2. Designate Taste of the Nation an Agency-sponsored event;
3. Authorize the expenditure of staff time and expenditures to conduct the Taste of
the Nation event in the amount of $15,000 as budgeted
OR
Authorize the expenditure to be $_________________;
City of Culver City, California
Joint City Council/Redevelopment Agency Agenda Item Report
4. Authorize reimbursement to the City in the amount of $3,237_for anticipated
expenditures related to the Taste of the Nation Event from the Economic
Development budget, Account No. 55090200.516600 “Special Events &
Meetings.”
MEETING DATE: December 15, 2008
AGENDA ITEM: Discussion of and Comment on 2009 Taste of the
Nation Event; Consideration of Authorization to
Provide Staff Services, Waiver of Redevelopment
Agency and City Fees; Designation as a City- and/or
Agency-Sponsored Event; and Authorization of up to
a $18,435 in Expenditures and Waivers.
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
1. Share Our Strength’s letter dated October 31, 2008. 1-3
2. Costs table for 2008 and 2009. 4
3. Minutes from March 17, 2008 Redevelopment Agency 5
meeting.
PO BOX 7465
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607
949-481-7792
www.strength.org
October 31, 2008
SOL BLUMENFELD
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CULVER CITY
CULVER CITY, CA
Dear Sol,
We truly believe that Taste of the Nation, Los Angeles has become synonymous with
Culver City and are excited to return again this year.
We have all of the resources in place to begin planning Share Our Strength
®
’s Taste
of the Nation
®
Los Angeles 2009. As we enter the 21
st
year, we know that this year
will once again bring the finest chefs together to help end childhood hunger. The
event will be held on a Sunday, June 7, 2009. We are hopeful that this year will mark
our fifth successful year in Culver City.
As a host sponsor you will set the industry standard for community engagement while
attracting attention and recognition from current and potential clients, business
leaders, community groups, and your own employees. Taste of the Nation Los
Angeles will not only engage these constituencies for a common cause, it will
Position Culver City as the leader in the local component of a nationwide fight
to end childhood hunger;
Communicate the city’s marketing message to a key audience: high-income
earners who are well-educated, enjoy comfort and style, and care about the
community;
Serve as a positive public relations opportunity through local and national
broadcast and print media channels;
Strengthen and reinforce customer relationships in your market through a
turnkey national/local campaign; and
Demonstrate your exemplary corporate citizenship, and your dedication to
improving the lives of children and working families in Culver City and the
greater Los Angeles area.
Share our Strength to provide:
Category exclusivity
Recognition in all marketing materials
Local and national broadcast and print media channels
Opportunity for representative of Culver City to judge the celebrity chef cook-off
Recognition during opening remarks
One full-page ad in event program
Logo and link on event Web site
10 volunteers to help with clean up throughout and after the event.
Procurement of all required Los Angeles paperwork, signatures and permits will
be secured by Share our Strength
ATTACHMENT 1
1
PO BOX 7465
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607
949-481-7792
www.strength.org
Culver City to provide:
Meeting Room for 10-12 monthly volunteer committee meetings.
A Culver City liaison at meetings and on site all day the Saturday before the
event and day of the event.
A license agreement allowing for use of Media Park and Canfield
Redevelopment Agency parking lot on June 6 and 7 for event and event set up.
Notification to parking lot users of lot closure.
4 crew members for 8 hours to empty trash during and after the event.
Recycling receptacles, normal trash cans in the park and dumpsters for both
recycling and regular trash
Garbage collection services for the event
Assistance in securing all Culver City permits and fees and provide and
information for LA permits process.
Valet parking service at City/Agency costs for 250 - 300 cars.
Parking or parking passes for 80-100 volunteer cars on day of the event and for
15-40 volunteers on the day before. Parking for volunteers for day of event to
be in a separate lot from event guest parking.
Storage for items delivered, as available, in the Ince parking structure.
Power and phone lines to the stage and auction area from Ivy Sub Station.
Costs for one of two three compartment sinks, secured by Share Our Strength,
as required by County Health.
Written confirmation that The Actors’ Gang will eliminate two performances
from their regular schedule and provide full access to Actors’ Gang reserved
parking spaces on June 6 and 7, 2009 and allow limited access to Ivy Sub
Station for electrical/phone/green room. Culver City liaison to develop
agreement between the parties.
Approve plans for and execute street closures from day prior until the evening
day of the event. To include processing all permits, procuring and submitting all
paperwork and required signatures for Culver City. All LA paperwork,
signatures and permits will be secured by TON.
Communicate side street closures to tenants of businesses along Canfield
Blvd. prior to day of the event.
Costs for security services approved by Agency and secured by Share our
Strength. Services to occur from 5pm day prior to 9am day of the event
morning.
Costs for Port-a-pottys and fencing, engaged by Share our Strength, to be
placed around the park by Share our Strength.
Costs for Traffic Control Services to close off Streets for event.
Approve, produce, and install Taste of the Nation Banners in downtown Culver
City in the three designated locations across the public right-of-way.
Promote Share Our Strengths’ Taste of the Nation to customers and in local
community through posting on community calendar and other spaces on the
city website, through e-gov. notification two weeks prior to event.
.
Thank you for your assistance. We look forward to working together again this year.
ELISSA PHILLIPS
2
PO BOX 7465
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607
949-481-7792
www.strength.org
DARYL ANSEL
MARY SUE MILLIKEN
3Taste of the Nation
Request for Assistance
Comparison
Agency/City Approved costs for 2008 Share our Strength Requests for 2009
Agency costs:
In Kind Costs
staff person $4,240.00 $4,400.00
Expenditures:
Portable toilets 700.00 1,428.00
Banners (3) production 0.00 2,000.00
Security 1,500.00 300.00
Fencing 1,000.00 2,965.00
Valet Parking 1,600.00 2,060.00
Three compartment sink 0.00 500.00
Traffic Control not requested 525.00
Miscellaneous Contingency n/a 1,000.00
Total costs for Agency 9,040.00 10,778.00
City Costs:
Fees:
Treasury permits* 60.00 36.00
Fire Prevention permit 500.00 520.00
Banner permit n/a 237.00
street closure 525.00 500.00
Staff Time (In Kind Cost)
sanitation 871.00 1,500.00
banner installation costs n/a 464.00
Total cost for City 1,956.00 3,257.00
TOTAL COSTS $15,236 $18,435
* Fee in 2008 was for a Business Tax Certificate and as a non-profit organization, it is a one-time only fee.
Fee in 2009 reflects a special event permit fee.
ATTACHMENT 2
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