City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: February 26, 2019
Agenda Item: 3.H
1 of 3
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Andy Agle, Director, Housing and Economic Development, Economic Development Division
Subject: Memorandum Of Understanding for 2019 Soulstice Festival Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Main Street Business Improvement Association to co-produce the 2019 Summer Soulstice festival.
Summary
The Summer Soulstice festival (Soulstice) is an annual community event that the Main Street Business Improvement Association (MSBIA) launched in 2001 to showcase the local businesses in the Main Street commercial district. For the second year in a row, Main Street will be closed to vehicles for the Soulstice festival. Staff recommends entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MSBIA to co-produce the 2019 Soulstice festival and define the roles, responsibilities, and financial contributions of each party.
Discussion
The MSBIA has produced the Soulstice festival, an annual, free, one-day, live-music event, since 2001. The summer event was organized to celebrate Main Street’s businesses, attract residents and visitors to the area, and expand the entertainment offerings provided at the Sunday Main Street Farmers Market. The event brings vitality to the street, offers the community an opportunity to enjoy free, live musical entertainment in an outdoor setting, and provides an economic boost to the retailers and restaurants on Main Street. The 2019 Soulstice will feature live bands, a sidewalk sale by Main Street merchants, 150 vendor booths in the street, and beer and wine gardens in private parking lots.
2 of 3
For the first time in its history, the 2018 Soulstice festival included the closure of a portion of Main Street to vehicular traffic, from Pico Boulevard to Ocean Park Boulevard.
The street closure expanded the capacity for public participation in the event and allowed for additional activation of the area. The street closure was a success and MSBIA proposes for the 2019 Soulstice festival to extend the closure of Main Street from Pico Boulevard to Pier Avenue, from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM on June 23, 2019 to provide an expanded closed street environment, increase the number of exhibitors and activity areas, and better integrate the north and south sections of the commercial district. The Ocean Park Association has expressed its support of the extended street closure.
Staff recommends that the City enter into an MOU with MSBIA to co-produce the 2019 Soulstice festival, proposed to be held on June 23, 2019. Under the terms of the proposed MOU, MSBIA would assume responsibility for organizing and managing the event, as well as obtaining all appropriate permits. MSBIA would also be responsible for contracting with an event promoter and musical acts, securing the event space on private property, contracting with vendors and sponsors, and raising all the funds necessary to support the event, which is estimated to cost approximately $110,000.
The City would be responsible for providing oversight and coordination of the City’s permitting process, granting access to the street banner on Main Street, coordinating the City’s social media promotion of the event, and fee waivers and reductions. Staff anticipates that the amount of indirect City support for the 2019 Soulstice will be higher than in 2018 due to the increased expenses associated with the extended street closure. In addition to indirect support, the City is expected to provide $26,000 in direct financial assistance to support the event costs, including $1,000 from the Buy Local program budget and $25,000 from Council Discretionary Funds ($8,000 appropriated June 12, 2018 and $17,000 appropriated January 22, 2019).
Past Council Actions
3 of 3
Meeting Date Description
02/28/17
(attachment A)
Authorization to enter into a MOU with MSBIA to co-produce the 2017 Soulstice festival
05/08/18
(attachment B)
Authorization to enter into a MOU with MSBIA to co-produce the 2018 Soulstice festival
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to enter into an MOU with MSBIA to co-produce the 2019 Soulstice festival. The indirect costs associated with the event, including fee waivers, fee reductions, and in-kind staff time, are funded from various City department budgets, including Housing and Economic Development, Community and Cultural Services, Police, and Fire. The City’s direct financial contribution is $26,000.
MOU Request
Request Amount FY 2018-19 Department / Account # Total MOU Amount $17,000 Council / 01100001.532330.12012 $17,000
$ 8,000 Council / 01100001.532330.12002 $ 8,000
$ 1,000 HED / 01160004.537040 $ 1,000
Total $26,000
Prepared By: Erika Cavicante, Senior Development Analyst Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Council Rpt 02.28.2017 - Staff Report
B. Council Rpt 05.08.2018 - Staff Report