Committee of the Whole Meeting 11/10/2025 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCNJc3ce-CI Automatic captions; not audio-verified. [5:30] Council [5:42] Committee, the whole meeting for the city of Highland Park, Illinois, November 10th, 2025. Uh Gita, the city manager's birthday. [5:49] Happy birthday to you. [5:54] Thank you for choosing us to spend it with. [5:58] We're so appreciative. Um, and quickly, um, just want to welcome Diane back after the birth of baby Rob. [6:06] Yes. [6:07] And congrats to you and to your husband and much joy and delight and a little bit of sleep at some point. So, welcome back. We're delighted that you're back. [6:16] Congrats. Um, may I have a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held October 20th, 2025? [6:24] Oh, we should do roll call. That's true. [6:26] All right. Thanks, Ashley. Thanks for keeping me on task. Council member center. [6:31] Council member Buffman here. Council member Ross here. Council member Tapia here. [6:35] Council member Lower here. Council member Blbert here. [6:38] Mayor R here. We do have a quorum. Thank you. Uh now I'm seeking a motion to approve the minutes of the October 20th, 2025 meeting. [6:45] So moved. Second. Any comments, questions, amendments? Hearing none. All in favor say I. [6:52] I. Thank you. Minutes are approved. [6:55] Um under scheduled business, we have two items. Uh the first one is 2026 city sponsored events. And I want to be clear and I think may get to this as well. [7:05] This is simply to discuss the events, not the location of the events, just the events, music, food, attendance, the usual sort of metrics. So take it away. [7:16] Great. Thank you, mayor, council members. Um so again, just like to recognize Diane Larson, our communication, our marketing [7:23] coordinator, and Aaron Jason, assistant city manager. Uh so included in the packet is a staff report pertaining to [7:30] this topic. This is a followup from the September 25th committee the whole agenda when we first presented the proposal for the slate of 2026 events. [7:40] Uh so this evening what we're going to do is just provide a very highlevel overview of the information that we presented at the last meeting. So just [7:48] um an overview of the first three bullet points that you see there. And then the policy feedback that we were requesting this evening um is uh for city produced [7:57] events um the world music fest um as well as October Fest and our recommendations pertaining to those two types of initiatives. And then you can [8:06] see under the last bullet point uh major events organized by third parties and um whether or not the city should consider [8:14] funding those or organizing um or otherwise organizing and supporting those as it pertains to um next steps. [8:22] Um so we are um seeking your feedback on some of these policy discussions because they do impact our budget and uh [8:30] coordinating and organizing these events um started several months ago. So, uh, we have an RFP, for example, on the [8:38] street right now, request for proposal, um, seeking, uh, consultant services to help administer events that we coordinate in both the Ravenia district [8:46] and downtown district. And so, we do work with, um, uh, our consultants as well as partner organizations, business, [8:54] community, and residents in coordinating and administering these events. And so, um, we are moving forward at this time. [9:02] Um, in terms of 2026 and the first quarter, we are going to be coming back to the city council at a committee of the whole meeting to talk specifically [9:11] about Port Clinton. Um, looking at future investment and specifically as it pertains to the place of remembrance. um [9:18] your policy feedback is going to help inform our consultant who um you've given us authorization to enter into [9:25] contract with and as part of their endeavor of seeking public feedback and specifically communications from victims, we want to make sure that we've [9:33] got your policy feedback to help drive that process as we move forward. So that meeting will be scheduled um early in [9:42] the first quarter of next year. Um so for right now, I'll turn it over to Aaron and Diane. Thanks. [9:53] All right. Okay. So, we're going to just take a look at the screen here. We've got an overview of events from 2023, [10:00] 2024, and 2025. You can see what our attendance trends have been. Um, we are happy to follow up with any questions [10:08] that you may have regarding attendance, why the numbers may have increased or decreased. We're happy to um answer those via email or at the end. Um but [10:17] this is just an overview of these last three years worth of of events. [10:21] Can we go back? I'm sorry. I just wasn't done. One more sec. Okay. All right. Thank you very much. [10:27] So we want to do a quick recap of the event. Uh Stew and Bruce. We had not had this event when we last came before our [10:34] council. Uh so really quickly, Stew and Bruce is a unique event. It is a uh spotlight event. It highlights our local [10:42] restaurants. It allows them to create a special menu item and we they participate in a contest. There's not a lot of other competing events that match [10:51] this event's uh description in the Chicago metro area unlike other events like Oktoberfest or Pumpkinfest where [10:58] there are several competing events in the area. Uh we had a good attendance this year, 1.2,000 for a 4-hour event [11:05] that is on track with past years. our plans for 2026. And we'll go into this more detail a little bit later on in the presentation, but briefly, we'd like to [11:14] extend our hours uh from four hours to six hours. I would like to invest in additional heat towers and fire pits. [11:21] We'd like to include more intergenerational programming. We discuss the potential we have to license and set up live streams for major [11:29] sporting events if they happen to occur at the same time as Susan Bruce again this year. and we want to ensure that vendors are in fact offering a stew option. [11:40] So quickly we're going to go through these are the next slides that we're going to talk about our approach for 2026 including diverse music lineup, arts integration, intergenerational [11:48] programming and site enhancements. So the next three slides are going to be a recap of what our entertainment was for [11:57] 2025. So you can see these are the different types of this is a highlight reel kind of if you will of our diverse [12:05] music we had from 2025. We had a lot of Latin influence music. We also had some reggae and some Chicago blues. [12:16] This was our multi-generational approach to 2025. You can see we had 60s7s 80s we [12:24] had previous slide there was 90s. We had music that would appeal to young children and their families, vocal jazz, doing dueling pianos, yacht rocks. So, [12:32] we tried to approach a wide range of age groups with these acts. [12:39] And lastly, we did integrate local performers into our 2025 event series. [12:44] You can see Uptown Music Theater, Highland Park Players, and local Steve Kesler, his Saturday tune band. So, our [12:52] plan for 2026, and we'll again go into this in greater detail, we want to cons continue to seek out high-quality performers that represent a diverse array of genres with broad appeal. We [13:00] want to continue to platform local performers and arts groups. And we would like to apply a world music theme to the [13:07] downtown concert series. And real quick before Diane goes on to arts integration, I just want to point out in in relation to diverse music lineup, [13:16] Gita mentioned or city manager Newkerk mentioned that we're out for RFP. It's not just for event management, it's also for music management. So that is for [13:23] both um Levidia district and downtown events. Those are out active RFPs right now. [13:31] So for 2026, we want to continue integrating some of our local partners into events. For example, the art center. We'd also like to invite the the [13:39] library and the park district. Uh they would be doing things like programming in the plaza. Um we the art center is [13:47] really great, especially at the vintage car show. They do the little car painting activity with the kids. Uh we want to continue to invite participation from local performing arts groups. One [13:56] thing of note for 2026, it is Bitterjuster Music Festival's 20th anniversary and we would like to invite them to participate in the Taste of [14:05] Highland Park specifically to program that transitional 5:00 p.m. to 6 p.m. hour. [14:10] One thing new for 2026 as well, uh we have worked with Amanda, our communications manager, Bennett has worked with the cultural arts advisory [14:19] group and we they are supportive of us integrating a capture the heart of Highland Park photography installation at Port Clinton Square during the week [14:27] of the during the week prior to the Taste of Highland Park and concluding at the taste intergenerational programming. So this [14:35] is programming that is going to appeal to a wide range of audience ages. So, Taste of Highland Park, we want to extend Saturday hours. Friday would [14:43] still be 5 to 10. Saturday, we'd like to extend on the front end 3:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. And those hours of 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. We would populate that with [14:52] family, children, and family focused entertainment. Again, would invite Bitter Jester to program the 5 to 6 p.m. [14:58] transitional hour. Vendors do have the option or will be given the option to open either at 3 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. There are some vendors who don't want to be [15:06] open the entire day. Some of them only want to be open for that more adult centered portion of the taste. And again, engaging our local community partners. [15:16] Same thing here for downtown concerts at Port Clinton vintage car show. Same thing. And Stewen Brews. Again, extending those hours. And we would also [15:25] like to invest in additional fire pits and explore the possibility of adding a s'more station for those kids who don't necessarily want to have the more [15:33] adventurous stews on offer from our local restaurants. or if you're a 47y old kid who likes That's true. [15:40] What are the hours for the vintage car show? [15:42] Vintage car show um to be determined for 2026. This past year it was 12 to 4. [15:48] That's when our exhibitors were available, but we are open to amending those hours for 2026. [15:55] Site enhancement as budget allows. We'd like to add a large festival tent to the taste of Pilot Park, similar to what we had at Susan Bruce. Incorporate misters [16:04] fans and additional shade structures to help keep that area cool. [16:07] Reconfiguration of the plaza. And the same thing here with what we talked about for stews and bruise. If there happens to be a major sporting event [16:15] overlapping with the taste of Highland Park, researching the potential to live stream those sporting events. Vintage car show. We want to discuss and or we [16:23] want to explore the possibility of not only utilizing the entirety of St. [16:28] John's lot, but we would like to close down Central Avenue between Central and Park to increase that St. John's. St. John St. John's, I'm sorry. Excuse me. [16:35] Yes. St. John's between Central and Park Avenue to increase that event footprint. [16:38] That is something that we have heard consistently from our exhibitors that would allow for more exhibitors and additional seating, space structures, etc. And we've talked about what we want to do for students and crews. [16:51] So, this is more just to save the date. [16:53] You all know hopefully about our enhanced holiday lighting this year. On the 22nd, we are bringing in an enhanced holiday display. It will be installed [17:01] this coming Friday, the 14th. We've got an upgraded tree and manora display. And we've also got two photo vignettes. You can see one up there, the little reindeer. There's a reindeer family. [17:12] There's four of those little guys going into Port Clinton. And there's also a large um collage photo frame. We're having more entertainment this year, [17:19] including the Highland Park High School choir. DJ Julian's going to MC the event. The fire department is going to escort Hanukkah, Harry, and Santa to their meet and greet photo stations. [17:31] We've got free popcorn and cocoa. Two face painters. Anna and Elsa from Frozen will be there. And we've got a giant snow globe photo station. [17:41] So, this is we've come to the part where we're requesting feedback. So, I'm going to talk to you about World Music Fest and October Fest and then Aaron will talk to you about these third parties. [17:50] So, World Music Fest, we're not budgeted for it. It was last held in 2023. And our recommendation is though instead of [17:58] holding this as a additional standalone event, we would like to incorporate elements of world music into existing events specifically into the downtown [18:05] concerts. We'd like to theme those concerts around world music. So, a recap for you. You can read up here from 2023 [18:13] how many visitors we had. Overall, we had positive feedback on the event. [18:17] However, people did note that there they felt there wasn't enough time for each performer and that the set lacked cohesion and that visitors only attended for one particular group and then left. [18:26] Our recommendation is to theme the entirety of that downtown concert series at Port Clinton around world music and food with a different genre each way [18:35] each week which gives each performer ample time to shine and it spotlights a Highland Park restaurant on an individual basis. So examples of this [18:44] would be we do a Bollywood night with Indis or we do a Ukrainian Eastern European night with Cafe Dhaka. We have [18:53] multiple Latin themed restaurants. We could do multiple Latino nights like a tahhano night or a tango night or mering [19:01] and salsa to get people out there and dancing. [19:03] Cleans once upon a Yes, we did. We are absolutely yes we absolutely we could definitely [19:12] involve Klesnner and we've got once upon a bagel or or we've got the new Amy coming in shave its m Rocky market so [19:20] there's tons of different options there and then lastly October Fest currently [19:27] there is two thou $20,000 budgeted in the draft budget as a sponsorship uh the event producers from 2025 are not interested in co-producing for 2026 [19:36] staff does not recommend reverting this event back to a city produced event. [19:39] However, if that is council's recommendation that we do revert back to a city sponsored event or city produced event, we recommend it be held in Rividia District. [19:50] So, here's a recap of last year. It was a one-day event. It was a 12-hour event held at Jensen Jensen Park and Dean Avenue. Um, we had about 2,000 people [19:59] over 12 hours. And you can see our previous city produced events at the lot in 2024 cost us $45,700. [20:06] and we had 1.5,000 over 10 hours. [20:11] Then just more information on Oktoberfest. Up at the top you can see the estimated costs for each location if [20:19] we were to host um Oktoberfest. And these numbers don't include city staff or event management costs. Um so again, [20:28] staff does not recommend Oktoberfest reverting back to a city produced event due to staff time and budget constraints. However, if council would [20:36] like us to bring it back, we will bring back a wonderful event. We'll make it work. It will be fantastic. But we do recommend having that at Jensen's [20:44] Jensen. It provides adequate space and it doesn't require as much infrastructure to be brought in. Um, so then to present October Fest as a city [20:52] produced event, we would need an additional $20,000 allocated for the event within the budget. [20:59] I will turn it over to Aaron. [21:01] Great. May Mayor, do you want us to pause and talk about those two considerations before we go to the next or what's most helpful to you? I think it might make sense to to start with those [21:10] two. Great presentation, Diane. Thank you. Um and but Okay. So, I just want to make sure we don't get bogged down and miss the second half. So, um [21:19] Well, then we can keep going. I'm happy to keep going. Unless you want to What do you guys want to do? You guys okay? Keep going. Keep going. Keep going. Okay. [21:26] Great. Then next up is Portland Art Festival. We started talking about this uh at the last meeting on September 25th. These two are kind of interchangeable. Port Clinton and Arts [21:35] on Sheridan, both run by Amber Productions. We're seeking the same recommendation for both of these events. [21:40] Um one is, as you know, on the footprint on Central 1st, Second all the way through the west side of the tracks. [21:48] Arts on Sheridan is on the east side of the tracks, Sheridan Road. Um Portland Art Festival is a two-day jury event. [21:55] They receive over 17,000 visitors. um annually. Pretty exciting. We have not done a previous sponsorship for them. Um [22:03] their costs have risen. One of their concerns is the increased security that we require now in um increased infrastructure that we require in [22:11] regards to barricades and things of that nature. Um for arts on Sheridan, they did just bring this back last year, but it is a two-day art festival. They got about 4,000 in 2025. Again, same thing. [22:21] They're looking for that $20,000 scholarship or sponsorship. Um, we've talked to Amy Ander and she is amicable [22:28] if council is willing to do like an up to 20,000 in inind expenses. Um, that's what staff would recommend for both of [22:36] these. Um, waving vendor fees and offering in-house assistance as we can with providing barricades. We utilize [22:43] most of the bar. We bought I think 52 more water barricades this summer and we use them all. So we might not have the additional barricades, but we may be [22:50] able to provide water service or something along those lines in the system that way for them to help save dollars. So that's those two events, [22:57] Porton Art Festival and Arts on Sheridan. And then the third is the Randolph Street Market um Highland Park Shindig. So this is the vintage shindig. [23:06] Um it was held in Highland Park the last two years, most recently on September 13th and 14th. This year it was held at [23:13] the art center and community house combined as well as the outside um areas of those um facilities. This is a paid [23:20] ticketed event which is different than anything else that we sponsor or um produce. This year the event cost was $12 per person. They do have an [23:29] outstanding invoice for vendor payments to us this year. Um but they have said to us it's expensive to put on this [23:36] event. Um, and we went back and forth kind of what what their expenditures were, but we recommend if we do want to [23:44] look at keeping this in the community and having and highlighting this event, especially because we do have so many vintage vendors within Highland Park, it [23:51] is nice for our business community that we support them with in kind support through the use of the marine um, and potentially fee waivers in the future. [23:59] So to help offset um entry costs and the fee wavers, we're looking at this is more like the fee wavers at the marine for the city, not necessarily vendor um [24:08] fees. I did meet with the team um last week, myself and Parker Ford met with them at the marine. We toured the marine space upstairs, downstairs, outside. Um [24:16] they were really interested in partnering with us. They understand that they would have to use um Catering by Michaels for any of their concessions vending etc. So, what they would do is [24:25] put together an actual formal ask from us. What I'm asking council tonight is, can we entertain that ask? Um, are you [24:33] interested in partnering with them? And then staff would work out with them with the city manager in terms of if they do have a door cost, they said to us, we'd [24:42] be willing to split that with you. And maybe that's something that goes into like the art restoration fund or something along those lines that we can discuss at a later date with you. But we [24:50] again are looking for your feedback on inind sponsorships to these three events. [24:56] So I'll go back to all of them. Mayor, that's our whole presentation. [25:00] That was amazing. Okay, so that's all the questions. Um if you don't mind, I'm just going to lead off with just some comments. Thank you again [25:08] for good presentations. Um thanks for highlighting the stews not having a lot of stew. I thought that was like an issue for a lot of people on social [25:16] media. Um, and love the samores. Um, and the comment that I saw also was same restaurants, same food. What makes the [25:25] stews and brews? So, I don't know the com I can't remember what your numbers were from prior years or the first year if we had more stew and if [25:33] that was a good thing and if people liked it more, but I guess I should have started with an overarching, you know, we do these events for a couple of [25:42] reasons, vibrancy and to support our business district. So I think with we should have this conversation with those [25:48] two goals in mind. Um so well looks like more people came to steast. Hold on. Stews is down below. [25:56] Stew was even with last year mayor but as you know it was also Cubs and homecoming and homecoming. [26:04] Okay. Um I mean I think at the end of the day we have to ask ourselves how much money are we spending for how many people to get together? is this [26:12] achieving our goal of vibrancy and more importantly is this achieving our goal of bringing people into the downtown. So I I just sort of that's like my my [26:20] macro. Um October Fest with all due respect to our dear friends I thought that was like the worst event I've ever [26:28] been to and I'm sorry to say that it seemed very non Octoberfesty. It was more just like tents with guys selling beer and and I don't know what else was [26:36] happening there. I found it to be depressing and I don't know if it's because we had given them money that I was depressed but it just really irked me and felt like a this is not unique. [26:47] There are October Fests all over the place. B it wasn't vibrant. It didn't really bring a whole lot of I mean it [26:54] just it I won't go into much more detail than that. You got the gist. So I I am not in favor of continuing with Oktoberfest only because I don't think [27:02] it's unique and I don't think it's worth the money. And if we do continue with October Fest, because I suspect that's going to be the majority's opinion, I'm [27:11] happy to help us plan that because I've been dragged to enough of these things that I can say there's more that we could do. This really wasn't it. So, um, [27:20] all right. So, that's that. Um, I love the idea of the arts integration, um, and bringing families together. [27:27] Obviously, that's to the vibrancy piece, but also to our downtown. Um, and I think that is something that we've heard from several of our council colleagues [27:36] that there's just not enough for families with kids to feel like they are included in these things. [27:41] So, you you support the donation the in kind contribution of what to where the arts? [27:48] Yes. Um, I think so. I think so. Um, you know, in the past I remember maybe before anybody was at this table um Amy did ask for contributions. [27:59] Yes, she did. And um I can't remember I think every year Carolyn was like holding her off or maybe a few times we gave her contributions because she fled [28:08] her cake whatever it is. So I think we just need to kind of come up with one way or the other what we're doing and why. I think the con I don't know if it [28:16] evolved whether it was a straightforward contribution to her the ticket but at one point the art center was collecting [28:25] a donation right at as people that was one year cuz it was I remember it was 5year cover charge and it was for [28:33] security I don't know what happened with that I just back several years ago the city used to give I think upwards of $40,000 as did many other municipalities [28:41] so that's going to be my next question was she does these every single weekend. [28:46] Do some municipalities give her money and some don't? [28:48] Um, yes, I can speak to that, mayor. Um, so some municipalities recruited her to put on an art show. So that's different, right? [28:56] This is her hometown. She wanted to do it here. This is her This is her original um event, right? [29:02] Gleno gives them 40 barricades. Wilmet um Amber charges them a fee for the event. They're one that recruited them. [29:09] So they paid them 15,000 in23 um a little over 18,000 in 25. Deerfield is [29:15] charged um 12,000 again a community that recruited them to have a festival there. They also give them event barricades. [29:23] Northbrook gives 20 barricades and allows parking in metro lots overnight at no charge. We already do let their vendors park at no charge. And then [29:31] Evston, which is um arguably the closest to Port Clinton in terms of size and attendance. [29:37] They give nothing in kind. No dollars are provided. Um they charge for barricades. They charge for staff time for public works um police and [29:44] paramedics. They also charge permits for food, liquor, and event tents. Um they do provide refuge removal and parking [29:53] spaces. Uh well, actually they charge for parking spaces. In 2025 alone, it was $5,800 for the parking spaces. So, [30:01] can I just tell you that the Northbrook numbers are on this agenda for tomorrow night discussion, so don't rely completely on them. [30:11] Okay. Um, I mean, I understand she's our homegrown gal and and has brought a lot to the community, but more to the point, she achieves the goals, right? Like [30:20] 17,000 people in two days, brings the vibrancy, supports our businesses. I think that's um a win all the way along. [30:28] I'd be inclined to give her the inkind stuff and not charge stuff. Um but I also don't know that we should be sending more money for white. The [30:35] Randolph Market vintage shindig. I know um people like this. To me, it doesn't really achieve either of our goals in [30:43] terms of bringing vibrancy or helping the downtown, especially if we're putting it at the marine. Previously, we had some sort of like vintage thing at [30:52] the Merine and you know, people liked it, but again, giving money to somebody to make money that's not giving it back [31:00] to the community to me who's not achieving our goals, that doesn't really work for me. So, those are just my opinions. Um, let's go around the table. [31:08] If anybody wants to say something, mayor, before you go around the table, can I add one thing? They do plan to do um a trolley or bus service from the [31:17] metro station from the CBD to the marine um with the idea of also promoting shopping in the CBD uh shopping and [31:26] dining in the CBD. So I just want to clarify that I did not say that out loud and I should have earlier. That's okay. [31:31] Clarify you thought it and it's also not us giving its inkind use of the marine. They would there would still be a charge for them with Cater Michaels. They still have to contract with them for you know staff to [31:39] be in place and whatnot on that day cleaning etc. Right. Okay. Uh, but she owes us money, so I already am not too keen on the whole situation. Um, okay. [31:49] Council member Bloomberg. [31:50] Thank you. Um, just briefly, I I won't speak to everything. Um, I had been uh opposed to the arrangements made for [31:58] October Fest last year, and I haven't really changed my feelings about that, the reasons for that. But I also want to [32:05] note, we gave them more money than they actually were interested in our Yes. We agreed to give them an amount of money [32:14] that was more than they were willing to settle for. Um, that is absolutely correct. [32:20] Was it that they wanted 10 and we gave them 15? The staff recommendation. [32:24] The staff recommendation was they did ask for 15. We recommended 10. Okay. Yeah. And the whole event was 20. [32:30] Either way, they got the amount of money that they thought they could run this with, and it didn't go well. I'm not interested in in throwing more money in it. I have one other concern about it. [32:41] Most of what we're promoting as as a municipality are arts related, event [32:50] related. There's music and and I I think that's great. Octoberfest focuses on drinking. That that's really the thrust [32:59] of what Oktoberfest tends to be about, whether it's in Highland Park or in Germany or anywhere else. And while I to [33:09] to quote a famous Supreme Court justice, I like beer, um I don't really want a festival in Highland Park revolving celebrating beer. [33:17] Yeah. I it I it doesn't do it for me. [33:20] Um with regard to Amy Ander, I think she does a great job. I think she obviously does a great job by the numbers and I'm [33:29] very uh interested in supporting the arts, but that's not for me quite what that [33:36] means. Um, this is a commercial enterprise. Um, she's very successful at it for good reason. She does a great job [33:45] with it. I understand some municipalities are paying for that. [33:49] Others are charging a vast amount for that. We supply a lot of infrastructure for this to be a very big art festival [33:57] and it's been very successful. So my inclination is to sort of stick with what we've got. My feeling about [34:05] supporting the arts has to do with finding resident theaters, resident uh music groups, things of that nature. We [34:12] we had uh Apple Tree Theater at one time. I think the city at one point cut back uh contributing to that or [34:21] supporting that. I feel very differently about that. Um I do agree with these having these events in Highland Park. I [34:29] am comfortable with that. This does not fall under my opposition to the city helping with commercial events. These are city events [34:38] and I think they're important to have with those limitations that I've expressed. Thanks, Council Member Brooklyn. [34:47] Uh thank you. Um, so I'll start with um my comment on Steu and Bruce. Uh, I thought that it was a it was a fun [34:55] event. Um, but I do think that, you know, the Cubs game definitely affected a lot of people from showing up. Um, I do like the ideas though of the s'mores [35:04] and more familyfriendly. Um, if we do it again, I think that would definitely bring out more kids and families, especially if you started earlier in the day. Um, so I would be in favor of that. [35:13] Maybe just change it up. add, you know, whether it's like a magician or other like family friendly type of um things for the kids to to see because right it [35:22] it did seem more geared towards the adults and you know, yes, I brought my kids with, but they just wanted to watch the Cubs game um that night. So, um and [35:32] then that also goes with, you know, the Port Clinton infrastructure, the urban play space, and what we envision for the future too to bring out, you know, more [35:40] families. Um, as for the World Music Fest, I think that's a great idea to integrate it on the Friday night um the [35:47] Friday concert series with um other with restaurants um that go in line with with the music. October Fest, I was there as [35:55] well. Um I thought it was also it was also a rainy day. I remember so that didn't help matters. And um I I so I [36:04] guess my question is that so the the co-sponsors they didn't want to do it again at all. It's not that they don't want there to be an October fest. They don't wish to produce it together. [36:13] Produce. Okay. So, okay. So, in that both still want an October fest. Both neither wants to work and they don't want to work together again. [36:22] Okay. So, um I would would have said if it was where it was and we were giving the 20,000 again, I would have been in [36:29] favor of continuing it where it is. I don't know necessarily to add it on as another um city sponsored event. Um I think Susan Bruce does that um with the [36:38] the fall events. So um as for the arts on shared and Portland art festival um I [36:47] another question on that. So if we gave her so we give her Amy the barricades and other inind already. Is that correct? No we don't. Okay. [36:56] We only give like parking parking for Okay. So, if we did that, I would be in favor of if we're giving her, you know, just the barricades and [37:03] helping in that way because she does do so much for Highland Park and brings out a ton of people. So, um So, are you comfortable up,000? [37:12] Up to 20. Yes, I'm comfortable with that. And um the Randolph barricades cost 20. [37:20] So, this is what why I was mentioning vendor permits is the biggest place where we'd be able to help her in. Can you remind me how much the vendor permits are? It's it's [37:29] 144 145 for her for the Portland 14,500. Yeah. 1400 14,000. So she pays over 14,000 in vendor permit fees. [37:39] Well, they pay it is a pass through expense but she is looking at it as she will still collect that she because right now she doesn't [37:47] say to them this $60 is for the permit that you need from the city. She does it as this is your entry fee. [37:54] So she's not changing her entry fee for um the vendors who already been participating. She's just not passing on that 60 dust and she can use that 14,000 [38:02] plus towards additional infrastructure or security that she needs because we will not have enough barricades in house to provide them all for her. I can't [38:10] tell you a set expenditure of like what the barricades cost. I'd have to work it out, but it's it's more of a timeline. [38:16] Uh, and I'm sorry because I think I What we just felt what we just felt was reasonable is if you're comfortable with the $20,000 value, we'll figure out on [38:24] the staff end what to use inhouse to get to that number. Yeah. [38:29] Because there's a it's more like the staff time put them out back and it's Yeah. No, that's helpful. So, I'm [38:38] comfortable with up to 20,000 and then you figuring out exactly what Yeah. in kind support. [38:44] And then for the Randall Vintage Market, I guess my concern with that um is I know like and just had like there's other types of these vintage markets [38:53] that are going around in town. Um so I don't necessarily see helping with that one or having it at the marine and not [39:01] even in um the central business district or raven. So I'm not necessar not necessarily in like if she wants to have it, she can rent the marine and do it. [39:11] Yeah. I don't think we need to give her tax, right? Yes. So, I don't know. That's where I'm at. [39:16] I'd be thankful. Thank you, Council Member Lmore. [39:19] Um, so first of all, I have to say I'm really sorry. I don't know where I left my list in the car of all the notes. So, [39:27] I have a few short notes that I have here, but it's only on the early part. [39:32] So, please pardon me if I'm disorganized tonight. Um, so I'm going to follow your outline because that'll make it easier. [39:39] World Music Fest. Um, number one, it's not budgeted. So if there's anything else we want to do, we have to find the money somewhere. So I am not in favor of [39:47] it being as a standalone event. I do, however, love the idea, and I agree with Council Member Brockman, of pairing it [39:55] with the Friday night things. Um, and I I think that's logical. It's nice because in Port Clinton, we couldn't have that many vendors anyhow. So, if we [40:05] have two or three restaurants because that's their type of music, I love that pairing. So, I think that works really well. I also, and I know we're not [40:14] discussing them tonight, those were kind of sad. Okay, they're very nice. People come. There's no way there were 150 [40:22] people on average at every one of those events. There's no way. I only went to three and the three that I went to were [40:29] 50, 70. They were not 150 people at every event. So if we can give it a theme, maybe we can help it both in [40:37] terms of music and in terms of food and tying it to our community. So I think I love the suggestion by staff of making [40:45] that the way that this event works. Um so not as a standalone um October Fest. [40:52] Well, this isn't going to surprise anybody, but um I and I think this is a philosophical question um for us as a [41:01] council in that we decided we want vibrancy to be a major pillar. And so, how do we define that vibrancy? And to [41:10] me, it's twofold. And that's why location was something I did want to get into, but I understand we'll get into it [41:16] another time. um but dollars and um and I really want to thank you guys because I was I I needed to see numbers and I [41:26] still may refer you back to a different slide because to me it's quantifiable and this year to judge the October Fest [41:35] I think those two guys pulled us out of once we decided we wanted to do it as a council they pulled us out of a hole and [41:43] they did it on with very little time they had horrible weather and I was not at the event. So I I can't speak to that [41:51] point, but I can say that the attendance numbers even with the bad weather still bear out the fact that there were a lot [41:59] of people there and what I've heard from the community and they tried that um what was it like a ripoff or something. [42:07] In any event, I think they came up with a lot of ideas. I do want to be clear and I'm glad you clarified that they don't want to work together, but they [42:16] both are very interested in doing this event. Um I would like to see um the city do the event with one of them and [42:26] and um I think that that is the way to do it. I don't know how this got dropped. Um [42:33] we voted to drop it last time. We voted not to spend the money on it. Yeah, we voted not to spend the money and I we ended up spending the money on it and [42:41] it was well, we didn't spend as much as we do on our major events that are downtown, right? [42:47] And I think that in keeping with vibrancy when you have an event that even on last minutes notice terrible weather and being thrown together still [42:56] had over a thousand people, I think 2,000 I think. No, it was it was a,000 1.2. [43:04] It was 2,000 over 12 hours. 2,000. Yes, it was. [43:09] And the middle four hours were the rain and it was really bad. [43:13] So I I think when you have those kind of numbers, I don't want to give up that event. So one overarching comment I do have, which is I think whenever we're [43:21] having an event, whether it's 12 to 4, 3 to 5, once we've done the setup, not to take advantage of having that setup [43:30] there and doing an evening event is just plain. It doesn't make sense. It's a waste. We've already done the work. [43:37] We're going to break it down. So, let's keep it there and have an evening event. [43:42] And similarly, I love that you're extending the hours like 3 to 10. I think for some of those events and not [43:49] every vendor will want to participate from 12 to 10, but stews and brews or stews, people take their kids there for [43:56] lunch. October Fest, if it's brought ribs, they'll take their kids there for lunch and dinner. So why start it at [44:04] three? Again, you've got the same cost of setup and breakdown. So why not maximize those costs and spread it out [44:12] over a longer period? I know there's probably staff time. [44:16] So I would say it's not our staff time, it's the vendors and whatnot who are there. And if you're coming to our event at noon expecting all the food vendors [44:23] to be open, we know they will not be, right? That is we used to have a longer event and they unequivocally across the board said please don't do that anymore [44:31] unless they only sold alcohol for the unless they what unless they only sold alcohol because because they can't drink that much food [44:40] over that much time if they're having a hard time staffing having staff for two shifts. I would simply ask that you still check with [44:48] them because and I only checked with the two or three vendors and they all said certainly on the back end meaning the [44:55] nighttime the 6 to 10 hours but even on the 12 to 3 but I love the fact that at least it's for 3 and so it's early afternoon. [45:04] Did you talk to the non-alcohol vendors though? Um, like the beer vendors I could see would be more than happy to stay there for 12 [45:11] hours, but I could the food vendors, right, are like this is too long and and I mean then you have tables with nothing. It's just oh it was bad. [45:21] Okay, so in any event that's my comment in terms of longevity and time frame. [45:26] Um, I also know in speaking to both of them separately from October Fest, they couldn't do it for 20. the fact that [45:34] they tried to do it for 15. It was they spent the 35 and that was a Jen's Jensen and this is one of our big events. I [45:43] don't think we should be looking at it is any different than Susan Bruce. So there are a couple of things I'd like to see some parody with. If we're going to [45:51] do a big event, do a big event and the budget should be similar and we have to either find the money or not. So that's number one. And it the same thing goes [46:00] with whatever we end up doing with budgeting or charging the permit fees. I just want to make sure we're clear across the board for everybody. [46:09] Be consistent. [46:10] Well, if you aren't, what we hear you is that you support the city doing it. And if that is the case, yeah, we were we're estimating $40,000 that we would spend on [46:18] and so that's great. So that's why I come up on that one at Jen Jones. would be about 76,000 to close down central and that's only for 4 hours. [46:28] But I don't want to close down central period. [46:30] So that is not something that ever enters into my budgeting and I know that's just my budgeting and so there are certain places like you have it if [46:39] you have the vintage car thing at the lot. That's why I think it's important to figure out where you're going to do it which we'll do it in [46:45] which we will talk about revenue. That's true. That's one of the reasons. Well, I'm open at either venue for October [46:54] Fest. Um, but I think you'll probably hear about why from others. So, in any event, um, I I would say 40,000 would [47:01] take care of it, says Jones Johnson, but anyhow, so that's one. Arts on Sheridan. [47:06] Um, I do not support the up to 20,000. I agree with Council Member Blumbberg. Um, people are charging for these events. [47:14] People are making money on these events. [47:16] I hate to say you got to pay to play. I I think that we make money off of our permitting fees, right? [47:23] And I think for us to host these events, we have a lot of costs, whether that's police or whatever it is that we're providing. You know, they may bring in a [47:31] lot and they do a great job. They're making money off of this. And I I I don't see why we shouldn't have our [47:38] permanent fee in there. So, I am not in favor of it. I was going to say be in favor of barriers, but I didn't understand it. So, I am not in favor of [47:47] the up to 20. I would love to see some kind of inind thing. I don't know what that is. If you told me the barriers cost $5,000, [47:56] uh, and we do that, I'm in for that, but I'm not much money. Um, you know, whatever we do, I think it's got to be [48:03] even. I don't like the idea of the shindig being at the marine. I agree with the mayor. It does not go to our main thing. If they want to do it at the [48:11] marine, God bless them rent it out and do it and have their own but if we want the vibration downtown and I think that's the theme for bigger [48:20] events. I really would like to see us use downtown and and then we use Port Clinton for lovely [48:27] smaller events, but that's just where I come from. And I think that that hit um vintage show I told you about the hours [48:36] October Fest um two days. Oh um that's two days grand [48:43] auction day downtown entry fee. Um if we are sponsoring any of these and there's an entry fee. I don't like the idea of our [48:52] name being on it if they're charging an entry fee. [48:55] I agree. I think as as a city we provide something to our right residents if they're charging a fee then I don't [49:02] think we can partner with them on that like if you can't come into the Fort Clinton art festival unless you pay [49:11] money yeah like the Randolph Street market charges and they can do that but then I don't want I don't [49:18] but it's not a city sponsored event right okay great thank you council member center thank Thank you. Uh I'll go bottom up uh [49:27] just to keep things interesting a little bit. I I agree uh mayor with your comments on Randolph Market as well as yours. I think uh we're all kind of same [49:37] all thinking the same thing around the importance of the location relative to uh downtown. So I would unless I meet [49:44] you guys uh on the arts piece um so help me understand the 145 vendor fees right [49:54] which was cited for Port Clinton right assuming arts on sharing is much smaller just because of a lot less okay [50:02] that is paid by the artists right go theoretically [50:10] the charge is $60 per vendor So, it's not just food vendors, it's it's also, you know, each artist pays $60 plus their food vendors. [50:16] Um, for most of our special events, those vendor permits are purchased direct from the vendor to the city for other events. [50:23] Poor Clinton charges it as part of instead of breaking it down as an additional fee for their vendors. Um, they just say this is the cost to be in it. Then they provide us all the [50:32] information we require for the vendor permit and make a check direct to the city. But if I don't understand correctly, ABDOR is effectively asking for us to [50:40] reimburse a cost that they're already getting paid for and then they're going to redirect those fees and as an offset to other cost in their paying off. Correct. Correct. Literally, that's it. [50:49] Yeah. So, look, I you know, again, like I think we all love the the events. They're fantastic [50:57] to continue to support the art. She does a great job. Uh I think 20 each is very rich and more than we need to offer. Uh I in kind or cash. [51:06] Uh yes, both. Both. Okay. [51:09] I mean, yeah, I think I'm more in line with council member liter of, you know, something more in the line [51:16] like fiveish and some sort of value, understanding um city in kind. Thank you. [51:22] Understanding city manager. You guys can kind of figure out what that means. Uh but yeah, that that feels like a lot of of foregone revenues to us. [51:31] Sure. [51:32] Okay. Uh I also agree with council member Lidor on October Fest. I actually think the metric showed that it was a [51:38] pretty successful event considering uh what they faced and the challenges that they face. So I would be supportive [51:45] of the city sponsoring that. Um did you go? I did for the beginning. Okay. [51:51] I was with my kids so they got they got a little uh fancy right. [51:56] But I thought it was I thought it had the the infrastructure of what they set up. I thought it was going to be a good day. Obviously, I maybe had different experience than you may or I wasn't [52:04] there later on and uh so I I can't speak to the rest of the the day, but but I thought it had a lot but you're supportive of it. Okay, great. [52:12] Okay. And then the world music uh council member Tommy, what's your favorite sport? Right. I had a thought. [52:20] Um it's the World Cup this year, right? And when you guys were talking about live streaming sports, we at the World Cup, we don't know if the World [52:29] Music Fest, you said day and night, like is there a way to do something really cool around the world like in Europe where people gather and [52:37] scream and watch soccer? Yes. [52:40] Especially investigated especially depending on the times of games are and there's different days a little bit trickier. Yeah. [52:48] 10 a.m. Sunday and you can figure out what kind of works are on the calendar. But I'd love to explore that. Be fun. [52:56] America as part of current programming. Yes. America 251. [53:00] America for Council Member Ross. Uh my turn. [53:08] Uh I had a question, but I don't know where it uh where what peg what [53:16] feel free to just go. Yes, but uh there was a slide where it showed and I love Bitter Jester and kudos to him for the Emmys. [53:26] Yeah, he's won. I'm just a massive uh fan. [53:31] Um it is largely um rock and and I rock and roll. I I'm Where were we thinking to use him? [53:43] because um so we're looking to integrate that into the taste the taste their their um preview concerts like their competition [53:51] concerts are the two weekends before the taste and their finale is the taste so it's ideally situated for them to be part of the taste so they won't have the separate [54:00] no they'll still have their separate I'm sorry to clarify they'll still separate events this is like a teaser to the grand finale the following weekend to to [54:07] incorporate them to have an hour kind of in that pass okay so it just be like an hour in there right and we talked to Nicki And that works best for his artists as well. [54:15] I I'm I I I was just blown away by um what Noah Platkin sort of you did with [54:24] the the bands that he brought to Portland Square, the bands he brought to um October Fest. I just thought um I he [54:31] he really knows what he's doing with music. Just such a great variety and um really interesting original music. Um I [54:41] I I really think it's he's just a great resource that we should be using as much as possible whenever we are using music. [54:47] Um there is one on here. So I'm just want to make that comment about him and um the uh tree lighting. I know that's [54:56] not on there, but I I I beg that we have um a better uh and I love what you're doing with um the tree lighting, the the [55:04] different um activities, just a better throne or chair set up for Santa. [55:12] We have backdrops, we have because it was like last year was like a plastic chair covered with like red fabric. No plastic chairs. [55:21] Okay. My husband was like, I'll bring a chair next year. [55:25] the uh uh and we are Jewish, but nonetheless, the um anyway, World Music [55:32] Fest, I went to um all I think all but one of the Portland events, and I I [55:39] think that the ones that didn't have the food vendors did not uh go as well. I I felt like that was lacking there. There were people who had uh vendors who had [55:48] signed up, but uh for one reason or another dropped out. Um I maybe we could have a better system for that because it really helps to food and drink at these [55:56] things. Um and I was I was just once again blown away by the the the talent [56:04] that was that performed. Um whether it was Radio Free Honduras, I bought their CD uh or or any of the others, whether [56:12] it was jazz, it was it was absolutely beautiful. And I think um if we could sort of up our up it I don't want to [56:19] offend with with saying you know advertise better. I know you try to advertise but just as much advertising as we can because there's really ravenia [56:27] quality you know music that happened last summer. Um the uh and and so I I I [56:34] just love those. Uh the stews and bruise was um utterly handicapped by the World [56:41] Series games and homecoming. Um, that was a double punch. I wrote double punch attendance killer. Uh, it it it was just [56:50] and it it seemed, you know, pretty avoidable. I mean, we knew when homecoming I I certainly we know when homecoming is happening. The the World [56:59] Series games was another uh issue obviously, but I think what I heard was a lot of parents weren't there, you [57:06] know, because of homecoming. Um, and I I support um doing it again and just [57:14] trying to coordinate this better. Uh, October Fest, I went repeatedly to it morning. I mean, just I I just kept [57:22] going back to try to check in at different hours. [57:25] Um, it absolutely poured. It poured. Um, and I heard that the organizers lost [57:32] significant money on this. They did. Um, I spoke to Norah Platkin who brought the music. He had brought, I want to say, [57:40] six uh, incredible acts. I heard some of them, music acts, but they ran for cover. They need better stage and and [57:48] tent. It was more the tent was more like a booth. Uh, and the musicians needed to protect their equipment. [57:54] Uh, so um, I I feel it was really only an issue because of the rain. And as far [58:01] as the stage is concerned, I I beg that, you know, if if it's a uh ADA, you know, [58:09] accessibility, uh lower the stage. I mean, just have a lower the stage. Have have a shorter, you know, ramp or [58:18] something to it. Um and uh support the city organizing. [58:24] I I do support it. We've only tried it once. the city organizing or the city funding a third party. Wasn't that Were those the odds? I'm in favor of [58:33] having it and I we've only tried it one year and the weather was abysmal. Uh and I felt so sorry. No, we've had it we had it. [58:41] I'm sorry. In Jen's Jensen two years, I think at the in Jen's Jensen and I like the idea of a [58:48] vibrancy before event happening in the Virginia business district. I like the location. I like, [58:56] you know, all of that. I just think there were so many pieces. [58:59] Well, right now we have two officials don't support the city funding or organizing. One supports the city funding, not organizing, and to support the city organizing. [59:10] And don't forget every Thursday we have vibrancy in John Johnson with the food trucks. [59:15] I I just support doing it again. I I don't feel that at doing it once it it was a new thing in terms of new [59:23] location. Okay. No discussion of location, but but um it it it I think it's worth um trying again and whatever [59:33] works to you know make it happen. I I think I agree with council member uh Literau that that you know funding it [59:40] appropriately would would help. Um but I think it's worth trying again. Um and I [59:46] I feel like a lot of people put time sweat and effort into that blood, sweat, and effort whatever the expression is. [59:54] Um I would like to see since it's uh you know I guess a you know basically [1:00:01] beerfest also food um more alcohol purveyors at it right you're supposed to have multiple beer vendors not just one [1:00:09] multiple um alcohol so that there's really more Tony choice sorry about that [1:00:17] um uh more choices of of alcohol because I thought that was the point of October Fest um poor with the art festival [1:00:24] trying to get through these. Uh I I I'm really not a huge fan and I'm [1:00:34] apparently alone in this of of charging um vendor fees. I think the the problem with the fees is that the the fees that [1:00:41] we charge at $60 is is that you that the organizers it's harder for them to attract, you [1:00:49] know, vendors when they have to pay a fee. Um, I'm willing to discuss a compromise number on what what you know [1:00:57] I I hear some of council prepared to spend 20, some don't want to spend that. [1:01:02] I I feel like we could meet somewhere in the middle. [1:01:05] Although she didn't seem to be lacking anybody and hasn't for however many years she's been doing it. It seems like she has plenty of other. So yeah, [1:01:13] I think arts on Sheridan is another story. I I'm personally not a fan. It doesn't seem very art centered. Um, so [1:01:23] I'm not sure why it's called Arts on Sheridan. And I I feel like the Portland Art Festival is just so much that [1:01:30] um and and the Arts on Sheridan feels more like, you know, handbags, candles, you know, who's the who's [1:01:38] so uh and Randolph Street Market. [1:01:43] I'm sorry, Council Ros. I just want to make sure I understand correctly. So support poor Clinton in kind. We heard we had two effect elected officials [1:01:51] indicate approximately 5,000. So do you want us to put you in that ballpark? Uh for the inind for clinch and artfest. [1:01:59] Um I'm I'm willing to go higher than that. Maybe 10,000. I mean I'm open to discussion on that. [1:02:06] Uh the Can I go to the Randall Street March? Sure. [1:02:10] I it it is um fabulous fun. Um but for [1:02:17] sure more about I would say a female oriented um crowd. Uh and I ask has anyone gone to it other than than me? [1:02:27] And I know that Nette went I I either saw you there or or talked about I I don't know if we ran into each other but [1:02:35] uh you know with only two I think it's problematic to weigh in on something you haven't seen in person. That's my view. [1:02:43] I went, you went back back to the sort of overarching vibrancy. [1:02:51] So, I uh and I did want to share that, you know, people it it's famous in Chicago. People were thrilled who know [1:02:59] it in Chicago were thrilled that it was in Highland Park that they didn't have to go downtown for that. Uh I agree about it not being a city sponsored event and and charging for entry. I do [1:03:08] agree with that. Um, and I'm I uh it it it's um I'm sorry that you know I I would like to see it in Highland Park. [1:03:19] Um I I think that it puts us you know helps put us on the map. Uh I'm I'm not [1:03:26] sure that I've heard any support other than than mine for for working with them. I just hope she comes. [1:03:33] Yeah. You know, I I would hope that if we are such a great market that she would come and we don't necessarily Yeah. And then we just Well, she has to make money. [1:03:42] She can charge people to come. That's and charge people to come on her own. [1:03:46] Yeah. I I I I hope I hope that something is possible. Um, I think that without, and I'll say it again, without if if [1:03:54] we're putting events on and we're voting on it, with all due respect to all the hard work that everybody does at this table, I do feel you should show up and and see it. [1:04:04] Um, and and I didn't want to spend $12 to look at stuff. I just that was part of I'm just saying I mean I I I [1:04:13] it was I she might have given you a comp given that you're mayor. I don't know. [1:04:18] But but in any event, uh I don't think $12 is it was too heavy a lift just to see to see it. And [1:04:27] I am just Joe Resident saying I didn't want to spend 12 bucks to go see her stuff. [1:04:32] Regardless, I I just think it that whether it's Randolph Street Market or anything else we do, if we're voting on [1:04:39] it, we should go and see it. What wasn't our event? [1:04:43] It was not our event. though that we didn't give them. [1:04:46] You know, I there's lots of stuff that happens in this city that aren't our events. I still think we we have some [1:04:53] obligation to check it out. Um and I agree and I do think people do. Um I'm going to end the event in the because of [1:05:00] time, but thank you for your observations and your input. I appreciate it. Council Matapia. [1:05:06] Yeah, just remind me again. Arts and Sheridan, Portland Art Festival, and Randolph Market Vintage Shinding. Which ones charge? only the right off. [1:05:15] Okay. The volume. [1:05:17] So that's a clearcut one for me. You know, it's ticket price saying we should not be taxpayer funded. So that's a clear-cut one for me. [1:05:26] You know, I feel conflicted about the the ones by uh Amy Andor because there's [1:05:32] something about a homegrown business and the investment and all that she does around not only the festival but just in general, [1:05:40] right? And I don't know, I I am partial to putting some support um if nothing [1:05:48] else is a tip of the hat to a homegrown business that has been Are you in the five category or the 20 category? Okay. [1:05:53] Yeah. So in kind or in cash? In kind. Thank you. [1:05:56] Yeah. And and it's it's more of a symbolic thing. I don't think it's a material thing, but I think it's a recognition. Okay. [1:06:02] But for it to be material, I think she is running a for-profit business and you know, so I think it's a tip of the hat. [1:06:09] and thank you Amy for all that you do kind of thing. Okay. [1:06:12] All right. So, um, World Music Fest, I'm I you know, you heard me last time advocating for that, but I think that the the staff done a really good [1:06:20] analysis and it's it's deconstructing the World Music Fest from one day to throughout the whole summer. And I a global lens, pun intended. [1:06:28] Yeah. And all summer there'll be a a multicultural thing, which I think it's a much better rather than just putting all your diversity eggs in one basket, [1:06:36] you spread them out, right? So, I think that's brilliant. a good statement from us. [1:06:40] Yeah. And I and I I know we're going to talk location um another time, but I think that that deconstructed that way on the Friday nights. I think that's [1:06:49] really good. So, great. I think it's a good move. Thank you. [1:06:52] Um the um yeah, you know, Susan Bru, I know you don't have it up here because that's already budgeted for, correct? Okay. [1:07:02] The 25th council agreed to the budget events we already had included. [1:07:05] These are the remaining finish. We might have a chance to come back to that when we have the location conversation or [1:07:12] No, not for 26. We're moving forward as planned, but we'll come back for a larger longer term conversation about location. [1:07:21] October Fest. You can weigh in. [1:07:23] Okay. So, the last one left is October Fest. So, let me let me deconstruct this a little bit. Can you show the the attendance uh table? [1:07:33] It's really interesting. Yeah. So um attendance for uh 2025 and where we have October Fest. [1:07:43] Wow. [1:07:45] You know it's 2,000 2,000. So yeah, there were it was makeshift in some ways because it was last minute. It was not [1:07:53] budgeted to the amount that they really needed compared to how much we budgeted for. So for $15,000 [1:08:00] and for very little compressed time and for first time doing it where they did, they still and with the rain, [1:08:08] they still pulled 2,000 people. So if we're going to go by metrics, right, the experience might have been uneven. [1:08:15] Different people's experiences might have been I liked it, I didn't like it. [1:08:17] I went on the back end of it. Uh, and they had a kick-ass band and people were dancing and having a really good time. [1:08:25] And to with all due respect, um, councilman um Tony that um, close enough. [1:08:35] No, Blumbberg. I'm sorry. Yeah, Mr. Tony. Mr. Tony. [1:08:40] Um, they're all drinking events. I mean, you know, October Fest, yes, the branding is about drinking, but if you [1:08:47] look at Stews and Brews, it's food and drink and music. If you go to that was not my point. I I agree with you. They all include [1:08:55] No, but but but but the point that you put on the table as making the argument to support, not support it. And I think Stews and Brews or Taste of Highland [1:09:02] Park or October Fest, they all have the same common template. It's food, it's drink, it's music, and it's people. So, [1:09:11] I don't know. I don't think that disqualifies it as a argument of whether we should have or not because it's I don't want to you know the quote was I don't want us to be encouraging a [1:09:19] drinking branded event but they're all drinking branded food event and music because that's what's happening that is [1:09:26] the event that's the design of the event I don't see how it's any different and and when you go to October Fest I mean I'm I don't do much beer I don't you [1:09:35] know I'm more it's not my fault but my point is my point is I went to October Fest because it was a fun time. Even I didn't see it as a drinking event. [1:09:45] Uhhuh. [1:09:45] And there was a lot of kids there. They didn't see it as drinking events. There were a lot of families that went that didn't see it as a drinking event. I just want to I don't think that's a fair [1:09:52] anal way to go at this as it's a drinking event and the other ones are not. I think it's comparable to the other events. So we should evaluate it [1:10:00] on its merits. Is it a good event at that and you know should we fund it or not? So [1:10:07] what do you think? So I So the other thing about October Fest and I had to [1:10:13] talk a little bit about location because Yeah. Because [1:10:21] the the two years we had it here, it was well well tended. There was a a true beer hall tent which gave it that [1:10:30] October Fest feel, right? that was not executed over there because of the of the surface, you know, the footprint [1:10:37] and and they didn't have the budget to do it. So, it didn't really reflect an October Fest fear [1:10:44] fear feel which we which I would advocate for because I'm in favor of it. Mhm. [1:10:50] But I I'm acknowledging that it maybe fell short of a fully branded October Fest with the beer hall concept because that's really important. and over at the [1:10:58] lot we were able to replicate that and it was a it was a vibe. It was a big stage total vibe and and so so I that's why I supported [1:11:07] so I supported because of the vibe that we were able to accomplish two years in a row and they had music they had food and they had beer and they had a beer garden [1:11:14] and a beer tent and all that stuff and and they had really good German type bands that were fun and it was it was an event [1:11:22] and it was and you can make it more kid-friendly with other kid type of events. more money for October Fest and you are in support. [1:11:29] Yes, but I want to make clear that there's some challenges of doing having it having it there at Jensen Jensen. [1:11:36] So save that point and we will talk locations when we talk locations. [1:11:42] I'm not kidding. Like I hear you. I totally appreciate what you're saying. [1:11:46] I'm making a distinction about my support for it, right? I believe we should have it and then we got to think about how to make sure it elevates and lives up to what it needs to be. But [1:11:54] with that in mind, I am supportive of a city sponsored event as long as you can pull up a brand new Do it. Well, don't do it halfway. Exactly. [1:12:02] Uh I'm going to call on Aaron first. Yeah. [1:12:04] And then I'll come back piece that was on my do want to clarify. We are asking for recommendation for location for October Fest for next year. And just to [1:12:12] clarify for um council member Tapia, we've already looked at what the site plan was done by the private um event producers this year. We would do it differently. [1:12:21] So we we would we would look at that bringing that full beer hall vent. [1:12:25] So you're thinking you could still do it at Jens Johnson? [1:12:27] Yes. Doing what we've done before at Jens Johnson, but just for for cost considerations, too. And I and I am confident in our [1:12:35] staff that we will if if you charge us with coordinating an event, it's going to be exceptional. Yeah, I would suggest just for cost [1:12:43] considerations, especially since this is not budgeted at all, that we look at Jensen Jensen from a financial perspective. Also, just from adding [1:12:51] additional vibrancy to the Ravenia District was wellreceived. It's well received by people in that area as well. [1:12:59] You you me first and then I'm going to come back to you if that's okay. [1:13:02] Um I again, you know, we're semi- discussing location. I'm I'm in favor of of [1:13:12] expanding and working on on Jensen Jensen Park. We we know we can do food truck Thursdays well there. Um there's [1:13:20] no reason we can't do October Fest well there and I do like the vibrancy for the Ravenia business district. Okay. [1:13:27] Um but but it was the there was the um Port Clinton um piece and I um with I I [1:13:35] know the the concept is world music. So I don't know that it fits in there, but I kind of like the idea of of throwing [1:13:44] in a a you know if if there were uh some I don't know if this complicates things, but a Nashville night with with [1:13:52] barbecue, you know, from from a local, you know, vendor. Um it's world. What part of the world? So, yeah. [1:13:59] Yeah, we're part of the world. There you go. Um, it would be, you know, it'd be nice to have a Nashville one just one night. Great. Thank you. [1:14:07] So, since footprint is part of this particular discussion, I do want to put another option that's for consideration. [1:14:15] My worry about having it at Jensen, uh, even though I'm supportive of something that would add to the vibrancy of that district. So, it's not about that. [1:14:25] But why would we consider closing down Roger Williams for a, you know, October Fest event to really make it different? [1:14:35] Because if we do the Jensen Jensen, it's not going to be that differentiated from the weekly food trucks Thursdays. It's going to feel, oh, that's just a food [1:14:44] truck Thursday with some German stuff on it, right? But if you make it special and you close down the street, like we're considering closing down Central, [1:14:50] why not close down? It's a good question and we have looked at it and it really comes down for our public safety concerns. Roger Williams is the major [1:14:59] thoroughfare for emergency vehicles um which is different than the central business district which has more options [1:15:07] for large emergency surface vehicles like fire trucks and engines like to cross the tracks to get to the entire east side of that. [1:15:14] Otherwise, they're running through residential neighborhoods where those streets are and I totally respect the analysis but I'm just curious but during co we did [1:15:22] close it. So, but it was still the same safety issues. So, right, we didn't love it. We didn't love it, but we were people. [1:15:30] We also closed it west of the tracks, not east of the tracks, right? So, just close it west. So, just call west of it was closed right. [1:15:40] What if we just closed west of the tracks? So again, there's an issue with um competition between restaurants and [1:15:48] claims of favoritism and that we are doing this to support a particular business. [1:15:54] And there's other businesses in the area who are hesitant to say anything but feel very strongly that they are [1:16:03] secondass citizens in comparison. I'll leave it at that. So what you're saying the mayor is that if it was going to be equitable we would do east and west but [1:16:12] if we did east and west we have the safety issues. Yeah. Okay. For sure. [1:16:18] I got to throw in here that Evston this summer did an art festival that I went [1:16:24] to. Um it was um uh Rotary was part of organizing or something. So was it right by their building? [1:16:31] It it closed. [1:16:33] Uh Doug and I went to it. It was really stunning to see because they closed like four major streets, right, in in in Evston and it was it downtown? [1:16:46] Downtown, right? That that makes sense cuz there's all kinds of parallel streets there. [1:16:51] This is literally the only artery that goes across the train tracks through this entire district. [1:16:58] I'm with you, Chief. Like we closed for poor Clinton Art Festival several streets, but there were other closed a lot more than we did. [1:17:06] Okay. [1:17:07] I'm going to call in. Yep. Chief closing it west the tracks. What that allowed us to do was from station 32. We [1:17:14] could go north on on uh Burton east over the tracks and then access that entire neighborhood there. [1:17:22] 33 can access from east or the west. Um and yet we also have the ability to go Highland west north to um and then north [1:17:32] or south on Green Bay. So but you're slowing down response time. [1:17:36] It's not ideal burn by us but but at the same time [1:17:44] I think we have options and we'll explore those and I hear what you're saying that you like having it in a more open area and not as confined as [1:17:53] it feels special, right? Because from a branding perspective, if it feels more like another food truck ser with a German flavor to it, that's very different than an October Fest that has. [1:18:02] So, oh, this one is closing down this part. [1:18:06] And it's in a you know, you wanted a differentiated experience. Councilman Bloomberg. [1:18:13] Although I'm not in favor of the the program, the event, I I clearly see the [1:18:19] image you have in mind and I'm clearly concerned about several establishments to the east of the tracks that are [1:18:26] significant contributors to the Revinda district. [1:18:30] Um, I'm going to throw this out there and chief, you're probably going to be upset with this or maybe not, but what [1:18:37] about the possibility of closing uh from west of that stop sign, closing [1:18:46] Roger Williams, and then closing east from St. John's east. [1:18:53] You would have an open area to move fire trucks in between. The problem I understand is that you will still have pedestrians, [1:19:00] but I would think that is not too different from what you're facing with other closed street festivals in general, which I'm not asking for immediate. [1:19:09] I'm going to call time out. We're going to talk locations. We have incredible professionals on our staff who know how to do this and we still need to talk [1:19:16] about the spring cleanup and dinner is waiting. So, um, I'm going to say thank you for this very thoughtful uh, conversation. Yeah, I'm just going to [1:19:25] summarize just to make sure everyone's on the same page. So, World Music Fest supporting the staff recommendation, not a standalone event incorporated into [1:19:33] other programming. We heard everything about World Cup soccer, which I love, and everything else. Um, October Fest, [1:19:40] so the majority support for the city to organize. Um, and then we will come back with site and components and everything. [1:19:49] Great. um arts on Sheridan and the Port Clinton Art Festival. [1:19:55] So, it looks like the majority support um some inind at 5,000. I I heard only up to 5,000 in kind. [1:20:07] Okay. Um and then the Randolph Street Vintage Shindig um the majority do not [1:20:14] support an inind contribution or or wave. Great. Thank you. Thank you. Susie wanted to see sausage making. [1:20:21] There's a broughtwurst joke in here somewhere. I'm not sure what it is, but thanks for listening in all of that. Um, [1:20:30] we're going to quickly uh try to talk about the spring cleanup program and get council feedback whether we're going to continue with the program in 26 or not. [1:20:38] Um, oh, go ahead. [1:20:41] Yeah. So, we do have a PowerPoint on this and I know I talked oneon-one to elected officials and I know everyone has read the staff memo. Yes, you have. [1:20:49] Really, I think what we're looking for is um are you interested in us continuing this program um in 26. [1:20:59] So, let's just do feedback around the table. [1:21:01] Correct. Because you've read the staff report, although we have some great images. Some great images. [1:21:06] Thanks for chat GBT. We wanted to identify really what does spring cleanup look like in terms of the amount of work that's generated and um [1:21:15] that's amazing. you know finally got me to use chat GPT I was like please let me use the slide everyone absolutely the [1:21:21] weight of 276 adult elephants excellent thank you go so um [1:21:28] I appreciated the data that you provided and I almost wonder like I here I am undecided I personally think we don't [1:21:37] need to continue to do it given that we have the one big bulk item every single week you could but I also know from online how people just love this thing [1:21:46] and they just love to pour all their garbage onto their front lungs. The part I don't like is the fly dumping and the [1:21:53] friends and family dumping. There's no reason for us to be paying for other people's trash to get picked up. What was the first thing you said? Fly dumping. [1:22:01] What's that? [1:22:02] People just go, "Oh, Highland Park. I'm going to go dump all my crud on somebody's front lawn because it'll get picked up tomorrow." So, that's, you [1:22:09] know, it's not that house's stuff. It's just random people's garbage out there. when we see like 15 toilets outside. Come on. [1:22:16] Nobody can. [1:22:19] So that's that's I don't know where I land on it. I know the public likes it. [1:22:23] I personally am like we can communicate better in terms of leaving bulk items out and but I you know the one line that [1:22:30] really caught my attention was for basically a month Highland Park looks like a trashy. Yes, I'm in favor of it keeping them. Keep it. I'm in favor. Okay. [1:22:39] Really like keep it. But I do want to say if these things are real, I think that there's nothing wrong with [1:22:47] saying to people there'll be a fine if you know you're letting cause and family come in. [1:22:54] We just can't. [1:22:56] Then don't then I just say do it because something they love. Yeah, they do love it. They love it. I say keep it. [1:23:04] I I feel conflicted except that I've come down on the side of not keeping it partly for the reasons that you've [1:23:11] mentioned, but also because it encourages the unnecessary accumulation of garbage in landfills. Among other [1:23:19] things, we now have this lovely access on Facebook to the Highland Park free box where you can put out a lot of stuff [1:23:27] that you would otherwise throw away and other people use it, right? That along with the fact that I can put one large item and large doesn't [1:23:35] have to be gigantic, but it can be. I can put one large item out every week and not have to do this. [1:23:42] So, I I really would like to ask everybody to reconsider. I know people like it when [1:23:49] you drive around town. As much as I hate anecdotal evidence, it's impossible to ignore that for four weeks there's [1:23:57] massive amounts of garbage on people's front lawns and a lot of it gets picked up by scrap people. But it doesn't [1:24:05] it's not a contributing valuable thing as a community. [1:24:10] It's convenient. I get it. But it's not really good to be dumping this much crap in landfills all at one time. [1:24:18] My favorite pre-market offering was two bags of tortilla chips. Um, partly I think it's pretty clear that people want to keep it. [1:24:27] So, thank you for putting together the great memo and everybody read it and now we know what all those elements look like. [1:24:35] Um, okay. So, we will do closed after city council. We will grab dinner. May I have a motion to adjourn? [1:24:43] Second. All in favor say I. [1:24:45] I. Thank you. So, Susie, we're back at 7:30. Okay. Where are you? In there in the big room. [1:24:54] Thank you. I have a question.