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Action Item: Consideration of Modification to the Special Events Grant Policy 2502.
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Meeting Date: February 5, 2026
Contact Person/Dept.: Edgar Varela, Office of Economic and Cultural Development
Phone Number: (310) 253-5752
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [x] General Fund: Yes [] No [x]
Attachments: Yes [] No [x]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - GovDelivery (02/02/26)
Department Approval: Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager, (XX) _____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Economic Development Subcommittee consider modifications to the Special Events Grant Policy 2502.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The City Council requested staff to investigate policy changes to the Special Event Grant Policy to provide automatic support/sponsorship for specific annual events to streamline the grant process and afford funding certainty to producing organizations.
Multi-Year Approval
Section V, Item B-2 of the Special Events Grant Policy allows for the City to enter into multi-year agreements with grant recipients. Staff recommends that the Subcommittee consider a modification to the Policy to allow for multi-year awards for Signature events (large scale/high impact) up to three years. Funding for years two and three would be contingent on the approval of the City's fiscal year budget for each year.
Staff would also like the Subcommittee's direction on performance measures that should be included in after-event evaluations relative to maintaining approval status. Additionally, staff recommends removing the "preference" language relative to limiting the City's contribution to only 25% of the event's budget to allow for discretionary funding relative to community impact.
Direct Cash Funding
Staff requests the Subcommittee to consider modifications relative to providing direct cash disbursements in addition to City services grants and permit waivers. ...
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