CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
October 2, 2023
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: James Makshanoff, City Manager
Submitted By: Benita DeFrank, Neighborhood Services Director SUBJECT: RATIFY AN ACTION TAKEN BY CITY MANAGER AWARDING AN AGREEMENT FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND PERFORMANCE SERVICES TO AKA PRODUCTIONS PRODUCER FOR SERVICES OF LOS TIGRES DEL NORTE IN THE AMOUNT OF $175,000 RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
Ratify an action taken by the City Manager, awarding an agreement for entertainment and performance services to AKA Productions Producer For Services Of (F/S/O) Los Tigres del Norte in the amount of $175,000; and, Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and any subsequent amendments, subject to review by the City Attorney.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On August 30, 2023, The City Manager conditionally signed an agreement with AKA Productions Producer F/S/O Los Tigres del Norte in the amount of $175,000 to expedite the process, pending City Council approval (Attachment 1).
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for the agreement with AKA Productions F/S/O Los Tigres del Norte in the amount of $175,000 is available in the American Rescue Plan Fund, Summer Concert Series within the Health and Wellness Category, account 191-4115-52285-10042.
PREVIOUS RELATED ACTION:
On May 15, 2023, the City Council authorized the use of $400,000 of ARP funds (Health and Wellness) for the Summer Concert series.
DISCUSSION:
Pomona City Code 2-984 requires that any retroactive contracts must be ratified by the City Council. On July 30, 2023, The City Manager conditionally signed an agreement with AKA Productions Producer to expedite the process, pending City Council approval. Council’s approval will demonstrate the City’s continued commitment towards offering enhanced family and youth services to the community. In this regard, the Neighborhood Services Department’s Community Services Division is recommending the approval of this action, will testify to the success of the milestone event as the major highlight of the six Summer Concerts in the series, which occurred on various summer nights from June through September of 2023.
City of Pomona staff worked with AKA Productions to schedule Los Tigres del Norte as a special addition to the 2023 Summer Concert Series. Los Tigres del Norte is an internationally renowned performing norteño band from Mexico established in California. Based on Los Tigres del Norte’s schedule and limited availability, staff were able to draft an agreement for entertainment and performance services to AKA Productions Producer for Los Tigres del Norte to headline in downtown Pomona on 3rd Street in front of the Fox Theater at 301 South Garey Avenue. Due to the widespread popularity and tour schedule of Los Tigres del Norte, City staff were provided only one viable date in September to make the performance happen.
Due to the widespread popularity and tour schedule of Los Tigres del Norte, staff were advised with little notice and provided only one viable date in September to make the performance happen.
As a result, on Friday, September 8, 2023, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM an estimated 10,000+ attendees experienced the City’s single largest event in Pomona’s proud history. Since the late 1960s, this family band has detailed the struggles and triumphs, romances, and heartbreaks of working people, families, immigrants, outlaws, politicians, and farmers. Over more than 70 albums -- including 22 number ones -- they turned norteño, an accordion-based polka music indigenous to Northern Mexico, into commercially viable pop music, infusing the tradition with boleros, cumbias, rock rhythms, waltzes, and sound effects.
Other notably community benefits gained from the monumental event include but are not limited to the following key points, which all effectively supported Pomona’s vision.
United Pomona families, communities, and kids through live music and family centric enrichment activity offering.
Facilitated harmonious diversity and economic prosperity.
Afforded business activity for local vendors, owners, and shops.
Reached 21,297 social media accounts and promotionally shared Pomona brand 6,133 times.
Reported to be a once in a life time fun-going experience through the showcasing of decades of traditional, well known, and beloved musical arts.
Increased Health and Wellness connecting new bonds and strengthening past relationships.
Exposed youth and younger generations to timeless traditions and broadened cultural awareness.
Successfully created lasting and treasured memories for the Pomona Community.
Promoted vibrant community with progressive citizens leading, testing the limits of progress, and striving to provide a high quality of life for all of Pomona.
This allocated amount of $175,000 from the City’s ARP Expenditure Spending Plan will be reported in the respective quarterly report to the US Treasury under the ‘Provision of Government Services’ expenditure category.
COUNCIL PRIORITIES & GOALS:
This item supports the 2021-22 City Council Priority 4: Safe and Clean Community; Goal M: Improve safety and cleanliness at parks and public spaces.
Prepared by:
Loreal Tatone,
Management Analyst
Attachment No 1. – City of Pomona Agreement
Ratify An Action Taken By The City Manager Awarding An Agreement For Entertainment And Performance Services to AKA Productions Producer