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Home My WebLink About03-31-93j 286 Board of Directors Chamber Little Rock, Arkansas March 31, 1993 - 1:45 P.M. The Board of Directors of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, met in special session with Mayor Jim Dailey presiding. City Clerk Robbie Hancock called the roll with the following Directors present: Directors Priest, Roy, Sharp, Lewellen, Mason and Adcock - total 7; Absent - None. With a quorum present, Mayor Dailey declared the meeting in session and announced the purpose of the Special Meeting was to consider a Resolution to support the Arkansas River Festivals and to make appointments to the Civil Service Commission. (The Notice of Special Meeting was filed with the City Clerk.) Consideration was then given to Resolution No. 8,882, entitled: A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT THE ARKANSAS RIVER FESTIVALS CONCEPT AND PERMITTING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH ARKANSAS RIVER FESTIVALS, INC.; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Attorney Richard Taylor, a member of Arkansas River Festivals, Inc. Board of Directors, explained the concept and responded to issues raised at the Agenda Meeting on March 10, 1993. (1) One concern was whether or not Arkansas River Festivals would affect Riverfest (held annually in May on Memorial Day weekend) or other activities at Riverfront Park. Mr. Taylor stated that nothing that Arkansas River Festivals is doing is intended in any way to impact or diminish the contribution that Riverfest makes to the quality of life in central Arkansas, or any other activities in the Park. The hope is that Arkansas River Festivals, either formally or informally, can work with the other efforts at the Park to use it on a year round basis. (2) Should there be any profits, how would the money be used? First - some reserve would be kept to provide seed money for subsequent festivals for the type planned for this summer; second - to assist in general cooperative efforts with other organizations that are conducting activities in the Park, such as making a contribution to money booths, fencing, etc., that can be used by all organizations; and third - for general park improvements. In response to a question by Director Lewellen, Mr. Taylor stated that neither he or any other member of the Board of Arkansas River Festivals, Inc. has any connection with the August in Arkansas Festival held in August, 1992. (Note: The August in Arkansas Festival still has outstanding debts and Mr. Taylor made it clear that Arkansas River Festivals is not liable for those debts and has no ties with that Festival.) Director Mason stated he found it ironic that this group has no experience in conducting festivals but expects to put together a concert in less than six months, whereas professional groups take 18 to 24 months to plan a festival of this nature. Mr. Taylor responded that there are a number of people that are putting in a tremendous amount of time, effort and commitment to achieving this activity. Director Mason then asked the question, "Can we stipulate in this Resolution here that fifty cents of every dollar that comes in will be returned to the City up to $60,000, which would be used for police or whatever ?" Mr. Taylor 1 Minutes March 31, 1993 said he had no authority from his Board to agree to such a stipulation, but he did commit that there would be strict accounting procedures and a strict financial structure. Director Roy and Director Adcoc1r asked what type of support the City of Little Rock has given to Riverfest, Inc. and if the request from Arkansas River Festivals is similar. City Manager Charles Nickerson responded by stating that there is a substantial commitment from the Parks Department in terms of preparation of Riverfront Park for Riverfest. Police internal security is contracted with Riverfest and Little Rock Police provide traffic control outside the perimeter of the Park. Sanitation and Parks services have been consistent in Riverfest. Director Sharp referred to the fourth paragraph in the Resolution which states that the Arkansas Constitution forbids the City from entering into any partnership agreement, particularly one that can impose liability upon the City. Assistant City Attorney Steve Giles explained that if there is a financial liability incurred by the festival, the City of Little Rock could not be a part of an agreement that would subject the City to payment of that liability. The Park rental fee and police overtime are part of an exchange that would not be prohibited by the Constitution. Director Mason questioned the minority participation on the Board of Arkansas River Festivals. Mr. Taylor stated that there are now three minority members on the Board. Three others were invited but turned down the invitation. Director Mason also asked if Riverfest and Arkansas River Festivals had ever considered joining together to bring about the music festival. Mr. Taylor responded that Arkansas River Festivals would have to prove itself before other groups would consider joining forces. Director Adcock questioned what age group would be targeted for this festival. Mr. Taylor stated age 16 and up since there would be no special activities for children. Director Adcock also asked if there is a Director for this event. Mr. Taylor said the Board has gone through an extensive interview process, but no one has been hired yet. In response to Director Sharp's question regarding weather conditions during the festival, Mr. Taylor responded that corporate sponsorship will take care of the base of the organization and the directors are checking on inclement weather insurance. Director Mason requested that Mayor Dailey refrain from voting on the resolution due to a conflict of interest. (Note: Mayor Dailey had served as Chairman of the Arkansas River Festivals Board of Directors, but is no longer a member of that Board.) Director Roy objected to Director Mason's request, stating he didn't think there would be a conflict of interest and that the request was inappropriate. Mr. Barry Haas, 3900 Doral Drive, spoke against the Resolution. He questioned if this is the wisest potential expenditure of these funds and suggested using that money to hire more police to fight crime. He also suggested that the use of special festival money might put vendors at great risk and recommended the use of U.S. currency instead of festival money. He concluded by asking how much the City of Little Rock was out financially for the August in Arkansas Festival in 1992 and was that at the expense of some other program. Mayor Dailey stated that the approximately $32,000 was for park rental and did not come from an existing fund, but would have been money available. Mayor Dailey then outlined the dollar value of the proposal for Arkansas River Festivals: $24,000 - Advertising & Promotion Commission (office space & staff); $35,000 - security; $9,000 - c, w LALOX61 Minutes March 31, 1993 sanitation; $23,000 - park preparation: Total - $91,000, minus $24,000 - A & P Commission, leaving a balance of $67,000 for the City's share; deduct $30,000 for income from park rental, leaving a net cost of $37,000 for in -kind contribution by the City of Little Rock. Speaking in support of the Resolution, Mayor Dailey referred to his previous tenure on the Board of Directors in the 1970's when the City was very supportive of the group putting together the beginning stages of Riverfest. Director Priest also spoke in support of the Resolution, stating "sometimes we have to take risks for us ever to be successful. ..... I think this is a vision that deserves our support." The Resolution was then read in full. There was a motion and second by Directors Lewellen and Priest, respectively, to adopt the Resolution, and the Resolution was adopted by the following roll call vote: Ayes - Directors Priest, Roy, Lewellen, and Mayor Dailey - total 4; Noes - Directors Sharp, Mason and Adcock - total 3; Absent - None. The next presentation was Resolution No. 8,883, with the title being: A RESOLUTION MAKING REAPPOINTMENTS TO THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION; (Reappointing Gene Goss and Jerry Jones.) and after the reading of the Resolution, there was a motion by Director Priest, seconded by Director Roy, that the Resolution be adopted. The Resolution was adopted by unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present. There being no further business to be presented, Mayor Dailey declared the special meeting adjourned at 2:30 o'clock P.M. with the Board of Directors to convene in regular session on Tuesday, April 6, 1993, at 6:00 o'clock P.M. ATTEST: AP ROVED: �.. i►�c�.ea�lt, I City Clerk Robbie Hancock MA or Jim Dailey �J 3