RESOLUTION NO. xxx-2026
RESOLUTION OF THE FORT BRAGG CITY COUNCIL APPROVING AN EVENT PLANNING COMMITMENT FOR THE 2027 FORT BRAGG BLUES FESTIVAL; WHEREAS, the City of Fort Bragg has established attracting visitors and events during the shoulder season as an economic-development goal to extend visitor activity beyond peak travel periods, support local businesses, and strengthen the City's tax base; and WHEREAS, the Third Annual Fort Bragg Blues Festival is scheduled for April 30 through May 2, 2027, with programming in downtown Fort Bragg and at Noyo Headlands Park; and WHEREAS, Pam Bell Productions has produced the two prior Fort Bragg Blues Festivals and has submitted an Event Planning Commitment and Contract to provide comprehensive planning, production, marketing, execution, and post-event reporting services for the 2027 festival; and WHEREAS, the 2027 festival is expected to build upon the success of the prior two years by growing in attendance, programming, sponsorship support, and regional reach, creating additional opportunities for overnight stays, visitor spending, and increased sales and transient occupancy tax revenues; and WHEREAS, the proposed agreement includes project and timeline management, talent acquisition and artist relations, financial and revenue management, sponsorship development, ticketing strategy, marketing and public relations, volunteer management, on-site operations, and post-event analysis; and WHEREAS, the agreement provides for a total direct City financial commitment of $53,500, consisting of a $50,000 base service fee and a $3,500 allocation for initial artist and talent booking deposits, payable in two installments of $26,750; and WHEREAS, the agreement further provides for a contingent incentive payment not to exceed $10,000 only if the festival generates at least $40,000 in Adjusted Net Profit before payment of the incentive, thereby leaving at least $30,000 for City retention and potential reinvestment in a future Blues Festival; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and administer the festival within the Council-approved budget, the City's purchasing authority, and all applicable laws; and WHEREAS, approval of the agreement advances the City Council's strategic goal to invigorate economic opportunity and community vibrancy by supporting the continued growth of an established cultural event that brings residents and visitors into downtown Fort Bragg during the spring shoulder season and strengthens the City's tax base; and WHEREAS, the 2027 Fort Bragg Blues Festival is a temporary event involving no permanent alteration of land, and approval of the agreement is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15304(e); any event-specific permits or approvals remain subject to applicable environmental review and regulatory requirements.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Fort Bragg City Council does hereby authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Pam Bell Productions for Blues Festival (Amount Not to Exceed $53,500); and The above and foregoing Resolution was introduced by Council member ______________, seconded by Council member ______________________, and passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Fort Bragg held on the 24th day of August, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
RECUSED:
Jason Godeke
Mayor
ATTEST:
Diana Paoli
City Clerk
- 2 -