SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve increased funding for Special Program Fund Special Events (181-99865) by $275,000 from unappropriated retained earnings to assist in funding City Centennial Celebration Events including a major concert at Coachman Park ($200,000), and a downtown parade with fireworks ($75,000). (consent)
Body
SUMMARY:
The City Centennial Celebration Committee and City Council have been working for over a year on developing a plan to recognize and celebrate the City's one hundred years of existence. It is designed to be an exciting year of remembering the past, celebrating the present and anticipating the future for the citizens of Clearwater.
City of Clearwater will partner with the community and community groups throughout the year to celebrate the City and have fun doing so. Staff will reach out to existing partners and others who may want to join the party including the Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Phillies, Ruth Eckerd, Morton Plant, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, our event sponsors and many others to make this a memorable year.
Each month from January to December there will be a special event that will recognize the centennial and place emphasis on who we are as a City.
At the August 18, 2014 Council worksession, staff received informal direction from Council to move forward with planning a major concert at Coachman Park to be held in April and a community parade to be held on Memorial Day weekend. In order to do this staff is requesting additional funding to seed and produce these two events for $275,000. Additional funding required to produce both events is to be generated through ticket sales, sponsors, beverage sales and vendor revenue.
Prior Funding approval of $150,000 has already been set aside and being used to fund all of the other year long activities associated with the events including centennial book, window clings, rotating art display, logo contest awards etc.
A first quarter budget amendment will provide a transfer of $275,000 from unappropriated retained earnings to Special Events 181-99865.
This item supports the City Strategic Vision by providing opportunity for community engagement throughout the year by celebrating the wonderful place we call home, City of Clearwater.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
A first quarter budget amendment will provide a transfer of $275,000 from unappropriated retained earnings to Special Program Fund Special Events 181-99685.
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS:
N/A