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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2a - Budget Appopriation for Movies in the Park Program DATE: April 17, 2018 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Sara Somogyi, Director of Recreation & Community Services By: Candice Cheung, Recreation Supervisor SUBJECT: SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $11,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND RESERVE FOR MOVIES IN THE PARK PROGRAM Recommendation: Approve SUMMARY For the past four years, the Recreation and Community Services Department partnered with Community Housing Options Integrated Community Employment & Social Services (“CHOICESS”) to sponsor a portion of the Movies in the Park Program. Due to the lack of consistent availability at the Santa Anita Race Track parking lot on Friday evenings during the summer, the Movies in the Park program will need to be moved to Thursday nights following the weekly summer Concert. CHOICESS has indicated that they are no longer interested in continuing the partnership if it will be on the same nights as the concerts. Because the Movies in the Park has become a valuable community program, it is recommended the City Council approve an appropriation in the amount of $11,000 from the General Fund for the 2018 Summer Movies in the Park Program. DISCUSSION Since 2014, the Recreation and Community Services Department has partnered with CHOICESS of Arcadia to host a seven-week Movies in the Park Program on Friday nights on the City Hall Lawn. The program has grown from an average of 200 in attendance initially to an average of 650 in 2017. With an overall attendance of 4,500, attendance at the movies rivals the attendance at the Summer Concert series. Due to the limited amount of parking on the City Hall site, the Recreation Department requests use of the Santa Anita Race Track (“SART”) to provide overflow parking. Due to the popularity of 626 Night Market at SART, overflow parking for three out of the Budget Appropriation for the Movies in the Park Program April 17, 2018 Page 2 of 2 2 seven movies this year cannot be guaranteed for the Movies in the Park participants. While there are some spaces that could be utilized at the County Park, the limited number of spaces, the lack of a crosswalk, and the limited street lighting in this area makes it less desirable and safe than the Santa Anita Park option. Based on the parking situation, there are three options to consider for the Movies in the Park program: 1. Continue to have the Movies on Friday nights, acknowledging that the parking and access situation may be less than desirable. 2. Move the Movies to Thursday nights following the Concert program. This option would have access to the SART Parking lot. 3. Cancel the Movies in the Park Program. It is recommended that the City Council pursue Option #2 based on the ongoing success of the Movies in the Park program and the mutual benefits that can be realized by combining with the Concerts. The Concert stage and Movie screen will be set up on opposite sides of the lawn prior to the concert so patrons can easily transition from one event to the other by simply facing the opposite direction. Vendor booths, kids’ zone activities, and food trucks will be utilized throughout the entire evening. This will allow for smooth transition from the Concerts to the Movies in the Park program. In terms of funding, CHOICESS typically contributes approximately $11,000 towards movie equipment rentals and licensing fees. They have relied on donations from sponsors in order to partner with the City. CHOICESS is not in favor of combining the Concerts and Movies to Thursday nights. CHOICESS believes the benefits and marketing opportunities found on Friday nights could not be met on Thursdays. Therefore, CHOICESS is not interested in partnering with the City. As a result, it is requested that the financial contribution historically provided by CHOICESS be funded by the City. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), and it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment. Thus, this matter is exempt under CEQA. FISCAL IMPACT The typical annual budget for the Movies in the Park Program is $5,000, with CHOICESS providing $11,000 towards movie equipment and licensing fees. Should the City wish to take over the entire cost of the movies, an increase of $11,000 is needed Budget Appropriation for the Movies in the Park Program April 17, 2018 Page 2 of 2 3 for a program total budget of $16,000. The additional budget appropriation of $11,000 will cover the costs of movie licensing, rental of the screen, projector, and sound equipment. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended the City Council approve a budget appropriation in the amount of $11,000 from the General Fund for the 2018 Movies in the Park Program.