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1 RiversideCA.gov1
RiversideCA.gov
City CouncilAugust 19, 2025APPROVE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH RIVERSIDE ARTS COUNCIL FOR THE ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS –SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONParks, Recreation and Community Services Department BACKGROUND
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2 HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING
ECONOMIC IMPACT
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3 ECONOMIC IMPACT (CONT.)Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)2024 TOT for the 4 Downtown Hotels only for the month of December is $546,405Average TOT for January through November (11-month average) is $418,044Net increase in December over the 11-month average of $295,326SNAPSHOT OF FOL STAFF TIME (HOURS) General Services: 225
Arts & Cultural Affairs -PRCS2225.5
Police: 2569
Purchasing: 493
Public Works: 968.7
Parks Recreation & Comm. Service: 120
CEDD -Other: 345.5
CMO -Communications : 302
City Attorney: 8
Charter Offices: 44.5
Fire : 615.25
IT: 100
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4 CITY COMPONENTS
CITY COMPONENTS (CONT.)
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5 MISSION INN HOTEL & SPA COMPONENTS
“LIKE” EVENTS
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6 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING Framework: Three-year timeline of transitioning primary responsibilities and management of Festival of Lights to the Riverside Arts Council. Term: 3 years through March 1, 2028 MOU (CONT.)Operational Plan: 1. Assume financial responsibility for FOL as detailed below in this MOU.2. Convene regular meetings of all stakeholders to ensure coordinated planning, information sharing, and effective joint execution of tasks necessary for a successful FOL.3. Organize and contract with vendors, programming,performers, volunteers, etc. as necessary for the event. 8/7/2025
7 MOU (CONT.)4. Plan, install, remove, and store holiday decorations inpublic spaces and select private buildings or plazas asagreed upon by the parties or in the case of privatebuildings with the consent of the private owner.5. Coordinate the annual opening Switch-On Ceremony inpartnership with the ownership of The Mission Inn Hotel& Spa and the City.6. Obtain and maintain all permits needed and regulatorycompliance.MOU (CONT.)7. Secure Sponsorships and manage budgeted eventexpenses, however, the City shall remain the “title”sponsor for the ROL.8. Develop and manage multi-platform marketing strategy.Coordinate all public engagement.9. Maintain strong lines of communication with affectedstakeholders throughout the planning and executionphases, including but not limited to The Mission InnHotel & Spa, the City, Riverside Downtown Partnership,and the Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce. 8/7/2025
8 FISCAL IMPACT The total fiscal impact of this action is $300,000 for FiscalYear 2025/26. Upon City Council approval, the followingsupplemental appropriation will be recorded from theGeneral Fund to Parks, Recreation and CommunityServices Account Number 5240000-453225RECOMMENDATIONSThat the City Council:1. Approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Riverside ArtsCouncil for the administration and management of Festival of Lightsthrough March 1, 2028;2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to negotiate and executedetailed Operational Plans pursuant to the MOU with the Riverside ArtsCouncil in the amount of $300,000 for Fiscal Year 2025/26;3. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Memorandum ofUnderstanding and annual Operational Plans with Riverside Arts Council,including making minor and non-substantive changes; 8/7/2025
9 RECOMMENDATIONS (CONT.) 4. With at least five affirmative votes, authorize the Chief Financial Officer,or designee, to record a supplemental appropriation in the amount of$300,000 from General Fund savings to the General Fund, Parks,Recreation and Community Services Department, Arts and CulturalAffairs Festival of Lights account; and5. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to transfer the City Councilapproved operating budget of Festival of Lights to Riverside Arts Councileach year, starting Fiscal Year 2026/27 and 2027/28.