HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.2 - 2362 Splatter 2019 Recommendation
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STAFF REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
DATE: January 8, 2019
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM:
Christopher L. Foss, City Manager
SUBJECT:
Changes for Splatter 2019
Prepared by: Tegan McLane, Cultural Arts & Heritage Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City Council will receive a report on Splatter and proposed changes for the 2019
event.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Receive the report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Splatter 2019 is budgeted to bring in $40,255 in revenue. Expenses are budgeted at
$83,959. The projected General Fund subsidy, as reflected in the approved two -year
budget, is $43,704. Changes and modifications being proposed will likely improve the
event's net impact on the General Fund.
DESCRIPTION:
At its March 6, 2018 regular meeting, the City Council requested that Staff return with
an item on the future of Splatter, the City's end -of-summer festival at Emerald Glen
Park.
Since starting the event in 2015, Staff has been fine tuning the event to reduce the net
impact on the City's General Fund. Some of the changes included removal of the
tasting pavilion, the elimination of the grand finale show, and the shifting of alcohol
sales to a non-profit partner, Dublin Rotary. These efforts have resulted in an
approximate $45,000 in savings in the four-year period.
Event Year Attendance Revenue Expenses Net Impact
2015 $ 61,181 $ 156,338 ($ 95,157)
2016 $ 36,921 $ 99,660 ($ 62,739)
2017 $ 50,563 $ 103,368 ($ 52,805)
2018 $ 45,326 $ 85,366 ($ 40,040)
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At that March meeting, Staff was directed to reevaluate event. To determine which
elements of the event could be eliminated or changed with minimal impact to the public,
Staff solicited feedback through a community survey, with volunteers distributing
surveys at the event, and an online version available and publicized via the City’s
website.
A total of 117 surveys were returned. The survey results showed high satisfaction with
the overall event (97%). There was relatively little interest in changing to a different
day/time format. When asked about the possible event format changes the responses
were as follows:
Two-day event 34%
Longer event 32%
Shorter event 19%
Different weekend 7%
Different Park 3%
Most elements of event were popular with the majority of survey responde nts. However,
one element that was not popular was the carnival games. Although the games have
been a feature for years and offer local non -profits a fundraising opportunity, the games
are showing wear and are no longer exciting to the public. Staff plans on eliminating
them to save the cost of tenting, game supplies and staff time to prep and manage the
games area. The non-profit game operators can be encouraged to shift toward
operating activity booths to raise funds. The carnival ride vendor could be con tracted to
bring and operate more exciting and professional games, if those are desired. In
addition to carnival games, Staff also plans to eliminate of one of the four stages and to
program the Stage near Gleason for both music and Culinary activities.
With the elimination of the carnival games and one stage, Staff proposes reducing the
festival’s footprint in the park. Arts and craft vendors, which have been along the
promenade between the Rose Garden and the Sideyard Stage, would be relocated to
the Farmers’ Market area. This area was built to support tented shopping, so it is more
accessible for load-in and provides more spacious walkways for customers. Art
activities and/or food booths would be relocated to East of the Amphitheater stage.
These changes would allow fewer festival staff to efficiently manage the event and
would make it easier for the public to visit all areas of the festival.
Staff also plans to increase use of both individual volunteers and groups. Volunteers
can assist with many assignments within the event.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
Assure the City’s long-term financial stability.
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:
N/A
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ATTACHMENTS:
None.