CITY OF MENIFEE
SUBJECT: Memorandum of Understanding with Golden State
Concessions and Catering, Inc., and Inland Empire
Community Foundation for the Independence Celebration
Event Beer Garden
MEETING DATE: June 3, 2026
TO: Mayor and City Council
PREPARED BY: Kori Jones, Senior Management Analyst
REVIEWED BY: Mariana Mitchell, Community Services Director APPROVED BY: Armando G. Villa, City Manager
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with Golden State Concessions and Catering, Inc., and the Inland Empire Community Foundation to host the Independence Celebration Beer Garden on an as-needed basis through June 30, 2031.
DISCUSSION
The Menifee Independence Celebration is a time-honored community event hosted the Saturday prior to the 4th of July and in partnership with the Lake Menifee Women’s Club. Inviting an average of 13,000 residents and visitors each year, the Independence Celebration remains one of the City’s most well-attended and anticipated events. The celebration reflects strong volunteer involvement, interdepartmental coordination, and the support of many local businesses and non- profit organizations as a shared commitment to fostering community pride.
This year’s event is scheduled to be held on June 27th at Wheatfield Park and will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with enhanced music performances, a themed parade, crowd giveaways, interactive activities, and an expanded fireworks display.
As part of this year’s event, a beer garden will be included as a designated component of the overall celebration. The beer garden will be located adjacent to the main stage and will be fully enclosed with controlled access. Entry will be limited to a single access point with ID verification, and the operator will provide all required fencing, staffing, and security to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and to maintain a safe, family-friendly environment throughout the event.
City of Menifee Staff Report
MOU with Golden State Concessions and Catering, Inc. and Inland Empire Community Foundation for the Independence Celebration Event Beer Garden June 3, 2026
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As part of the Memorandum of Understanding with the City made on March 5, 2025 (“LMWC MOU”), the Lake Menifee Women’s Club holds exclusive rights to organize and operate the beer garden at the Independence Celebration, including the right to forfeit this exclusive right to allow another organization selected by the City to operate it. For the 2026 event, the Lake Menifee Women’s Club elected not to operate the beer garden. While there is no anticipated cost impact to the City budget, and thus no requirement for competitive bidding or procurement under the City’s Procurement Rules and Procedures, staff sought to ensure a fair and transparent selection process for parties interested in providing a beer garden by issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP).
On January 26, 2026, the City of Menifee issued Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 2026-07 for Beer Garden Management Services for the Independence Celebration Event (Non-Profits).
Proposal responses were due on March 2, 2026. One (1) proposal was received in response to the solicitation. Following a comprehensive and objective evaluation process, the City selected Golden State Concessions and Catering, Inc. and Inland Empire Community Foundation/Thunder Cares, which is the non-profit foundation of the Lake Elsinore Storm. These vendors were selected based on their experience and ability to meet operational and regulatory requirements.
As there will be no monetary exchange, the beer garden will be operated through a partnership established by the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Menifee, the Inland Empire Community Foundation, and Golden State Concessions and Catering, Inc.
Under this MOU, the Inland Empire Community Foundation and Golden State Concessions and Catering, Inc., would be responsible for all aspects of beer garden operations, including setup, alcohol service, staffing, security, and compliance with all applicable laws and permitting requirements.
While the RFP only contemplated organization of the beer garden for 2026, staff recommend entering into the proposed MOU for a period of five (5) years, which would enable staff to direct Golden State Concessions and Catering, Inc. and Inland Empire Community Foundation/Thunder Cares to organize the beer garden by providing annual written notice. This structure would enable a consistent backup vendor for the remaining term of the LMWC MOU and subsequent years where City seeks a vendor to organize and operate the beer garden. Since the services would be the same annually to those indicated in the RFP, staff believe the award of a longer-term MOU to the successful proposers is appropriate for this no-cost MOU.
The proposed MOU with Golden State Concessions and Catering, Inc., and Inland Empire Community Foundation has a five-year term that would end on June 30, 2031. For each year after the June 27, 2026, Independence Celebration Event, the City is to provide written notice to Golden State Concessions and Catering, Inc., and Inland Empire Community Foundation by February 1st that the City desires for these organizations to organize and operate the beer garden for that calendar year. If the City does not provide said written notice to Golden State Concessions and Catering, Inc., and Inland Empire Community Foundation by February 1st of a given calendar year, they will not organize and operate the Beer Garden.
City of Menifee Staff Report
MOU with Golden State Concessions and Catering, Inc. and Inland Empire Community Foundation for the Independence Celebration Event Beer Garden June 3, 2026
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MOU Highlights
•5-year term ending June 30, 2031; however, the Lake Menifee Women’s Club will retain the initial exclusive right to organize and operate the beer garden, and the right to forfeit its exclusive right to organize and operate the beer garden for each event year during the term of the LMWC MOU.
•All costs and operations are solely the responsibility of vendor •Security guard oversight throughout the event
•Fencing to enclose all areas of the Beer Garden
•Portable restroom and handwash station inside fenced area •Adequate event lighting and power supplied by the vendor •Vendor to maintain all permits, licenses, and insurances necessary to operate the beer garden
Either party may terminate the proposed MOU with ninety (90) days written notice, as per the MOU terms.
The inclusion of the beer garden is intended to enhance the event experience while continuing to support nonprofit partnerships and maintain a well-managed and regulated environment.
STRATEGIC PLAN OBJECTIVE
Community Engagement and Social Infrastructure
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Memorandum of Understanding