Today is April 9th. Um, and I would like to call the Crossroads Cultural District meeting to order at 3:8 p.m. Can I get a roll call vote?
Um, Kaitlyn is not here. Uh Hannah >> present. >> Awesome. Um do we have like a list of everybody? >> Uh the the um calendar invite or I can
just I can call it out if you want. Um Tess >> present. >> Christy, >> yes. >> Caitlyn is on her way. >> Excellent. Bella >> here. Michael >> here
>> and Sarah >> here. Excellent. Um, do we have open seats on this committee? >> No. >> Okay. >> Um, the first thing on our agenda is to is
the discussion about the Greenfield parking benefit district money uh be being able to be used for the electrical and kiosk on the common. So Hannah or and or Christie, do you guys want to >> Yeah,
>> sure. >> I don't know if anybody here even if everybody here even knows about this. So, let me give the back. The backstory is that um so you guys know that the art swap came and talked to Amy, my my boss and I about the art swap and they were
looking for money and we were like there there is no money. And I and that's when and I were like, "Oh, there might be some money in the Crossroads Cultural District that could be used for this." And so that's where that idea came from. And then there became this idea of like, oh, what if the parking benefits
district, which you'll hear more about in a minute, could cover the costs of the bulletin board and the electrical work. And that would give the cultural district, us, more money to do more art specific things. >> And so then they met the parking benefit
district. Are you at committee? >> Uh, we are uh sort of yes. appointed in the ordinance is the head of economic development, the head of the recreation department, the head of DPW, the head of the GBA, and then all projects also have
to be approved by the parking and traffic commission. >> Great. >> Okay. So, then you guys met? >> Yeah. So, we met and and I wanna I wanted to add something too because I think I said this in like our very first cultural district meeting and I want to
bring it back up now, which is um there are like some existing pools of money, the cultural district, the cultural council, and the parking benefit district, but the more we all kind of work off of each other and know what one another are doing, the more we can
leverage what we have to kind of do cohesive work. So, um, the parking benefit district, I don't know if we ever really talked about what that is. Um, so a parking benefit district kind of high level is a
designation from the state similar to the cultural district. It has to be around a certain drawn area. Um and it is the sequestering of certain funds from that area's parking positive
parking revenue. Um so like not tickets, not permits uh to be used for certain things and a town can designate all different things. So when we wrote the ordinance, it was specifically for infrastructure, public
art, and maintenance >> and like cleanlin. I can't we didn't say cleanliness, but it was something like that. The only thing that our parking benefit district in Greenfield is not for is events. And so, and that was on purpose in part
because we knew the cultural district and the cultural council were largely funding that and we wanted to make sure that we were sort of filling in some of the gaps there. And so, for the first year that the mayor approved the parking benefit district, she seated it with
$50,000, which is incredible. >> Going forward, including 2025, which um we will get funds for. I don't think we have them yet. it is 10% of that parking revenue. And so in 2025, I think, or 2024, that shook out to be
about $24,000. And so that's what we're thinking 2025 is going to be, but it can grow because it's a percentage. And so thus, the more people that come downtown, which is of course impacted by all the work that we're doing, hello. Um, the
more people we bring downtown and the more we get the business community to get excited about people parking downtown, which you wouldn't think you need to do, but we do, um, the more money there is in that fund. And so it all sort of starts to feed itself,
right? So, um, we we have had a little bit of like stop and go and getting the parking benefit district um, >> yeah, >> like project ideas off the ground. Um, but I think Christy, myself, and Amy
Kaine, who's the director of economic development, um, I think we've got it down to like where we can figure out how to get these projects sort of through the approvals process a little bit faster. Um, and so a couple of things that came up in the cultural district,
namely the infrastructure around electrical and the bulletin board to us felt like something that really could come out of the parking benefit district, which would reopen up those funds for events and other things. So that's where we are now. And we met
yesterday or two days ago and decided that like >> Fantastic. >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean it seems like because we all had a lot of discussion about objectives and kind of good use of these funds but also like different perspectives about like whether >> and like Yeah. I mean that's like
pennies from heaven to have somebody else be covering the cost of those kinds of projects. >> Yeah. >> Um >> Yeah. So do we as a committee >> I I'm trying to remember if we voted on
the electrical last time, right? voted on the electoral and the >> one board. So we would >> so we should vote and vote >> to claw back those funds for other things. >> Yeah. >> Um >> so if anyone wants to make a motion >> I'll make a motion.
>> Do we want is there more discussion? >> We can make a motion and then we have discussion. If there's any additional >> I make a motion that we um res resend the bulletin board for 470674 and the electrical work for 6,000 that
was voted at our last meeting. Um because it can be paid for out of the parking benefits district. >> Okay. Was there any further discussion or >> I'll second that motion and then >> Yeah. >> All right then. Let's take a vote.
>> Oh. Oh. Can I ask one just one question? So, because you're on that council, is this sort of like an informal like is there any process we need to know to make sure that gets to that council? Like, do we need to put in a request of that council or No. >> No. >> Okay. Awesome. Cool.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Because it's already taken care of at that level, right? So, now we're just taking care of our own internal business. Yeah. >> Wow. >> Um, so I vote I Mike >> I. Um Sarah, >> hi >> Christie.
>> Um yes, I I do have a comment. >> You have you have a comment. Do you want to make your comment before we finish voting or >> Yeah. I didn't get a chance to to speak. So can you just can I just say one thing? So, I am in favor of this as long as we transition this amount of money,
which if I added correctly is 10,7674 um to support public events within the district and um once this vote is done, I can talk further about that, but I vote I. >> All right. Bella,
>> I Tess >> I. >> Okay. So, unanimous. >> Cool. >> All right. So, uh, if I remember correctly, yeah, the next thing on the list would be now we can talk. >> Chrissy, did you >> Well, I think what we're talking about
the next thing is, right, is allocating the money. So, um, Chrissy, did you want to go ahead and say something about reallocating to public events? >> Sure. >> Yeah. I mean, we've been talking about this for several months and I feel like we are at the crucial time now um that
we need to, in my opinion, act on this. There's lots of different organizations that um run events throughout downtown the cultural district and obviously um having this um parking district cover the 10,07
um as I think Tess said was pennies from heaven or or thousands of quarters from heaven. And I um I have been a firm believer since I've been on since we started this um district that we continue to support events that happen
in the district. So that is what I would like to do is to move forward with um the public opportunity to submit and I have tenative timelines put together. I certainly haven't run that through Susan because I know that Susan, I'm going to thank you in advance because this means
that there's a little bit more work on your end. Um, but as a committee, um, I really want to see this money available for people, um, to apply that. Um, obviously there's some things that we agreed on last time we met, like the
sunset on the green. I think that was Sarah's project. Um, we kind of earmarked money for that. So, I do not want to um, remove that. Um, because we had earmarked 500 for for her fun. Basically, I thought it was a picnic.
>> Yeah, the picnic pock look. I've worked more on that budget since to go over it. If we have time during this meeting, I can talk about that. >> Okay. Were you done, Christie? >> Yeah. >> Okay, Hannah.
>> Yeah. Um, I I agree. I don't want to like I don't know. Uh I definitely agree with opening it up for events. I also still want to reiterate my feeling that it is important to maintain the cultural
district being different from the cultural council. >> Yes. And I think one of the most important different two of the most important differences there to me are the district committee deciding certain areas of activation or certain like
aspects of activation within which things are happening and maintaining slightly higher amounts of money that are being granted out. I really, really, really would so love us not to get into
the like 80 applications for 200 bucks. Like like to me when I think about bigger events like like Beef Fest, like Pride, like Cranky Fest, like the arts walk, like we're focusing on the pocket park and then inviting
organizations to either apply within that or inviting organizations to apply at that kind of level of of management is feels really important to me. Mhm. So, just to clarify, it's more more on the organizational side, less on the
individual artist. It's not >> unless it's within a context, like we're like, we're going to do a a series in the pocket park and we're looking for people to host things within a, you know, >> right, >> five dates or something like that. I
think I think that kind of curation absolutely >> is sort of how I conceptualize this. >> That makes total sense. And the fact that everything has to happen within the cultural district really yes kind of I think will help focus it. >> Um I would actually like to go ahead
since this makes sense at this time and mix the next item on the agenda into this discussion which is the application of the arts walk people for us to support the art swap programming because that is in fact existing >> right
>> an existing event within the district. Yeah, please. >> And if you guys if anybody wants a proposal or any of the other documents we're talking about, they're all attached to today's meeting invite. >> Well, I'll reiterate what I said in
email. I mean, I appreciate if this seems exactly in line with what we should be investing in if you know, we're talking about especially particularly that it is not a one-off event, but a series of events, you know, something that underscores
>> continuous activity across a period of time in the district. >> I should also add that the mayor did give her approval for Court Square to be closed for >> they are okay. Amaz. >> Yeah,
>> love that. Sorry. >> Wow. >> Um, so for me personally, you know, I've looked through this proposal when Susan sent it out. I there wasn't a single line item that was problematic. I mean, if anything,
you know, even the print and advertising for 6 months is low, like, you know, but um yeah, it's I think it's it's certainly in line with what we ought to be investing in. Um I do have one question.
So, the So, Hawk and Reed is sort of just like voluntarily being open at that time like >> I don't know. >> Okay, we don't need to know. Yeah, I know my own. I would take that with a grain of salt. >> I would act I would actually give the caveat that in all likelihood Hawk and
Reed will not be open. Got it. >> And that that's an assumption that they shouldn't necessarily make. >> I would also add to that though, and this is equally assumptive, Jackson used to work at Hawk and Reed, and it could be that he has access
>> to opening the bar that we might not know about. So, Hawk and Reed is technically available for rent, >> but I don't know if that I don't know if that's what they're sort of talking about here, but he in particular has more access than many. >> That is true. Um, Chrissy also has her
hand. Chrissy. >> Um, again, I'm just trying to be fair to everyone. I feel like this arts walk application should be reviewed when we receive all the other applications because it has come in before anyone else just because of tradition. So in
the past they have also received money from the cultural district but other people who have applied in the past um have not been notified that there's potential funding. So I think that um we can obviously accept this um to review
with whomever else applies as well. I just want to be caveat on that one is their first event is in May. >> So, we can't really wait until the next meeting. >> I'm confused about like are we actually embarking on an LCC style RFP to
encourage proposals from other like >> that's still under discussion. >> Okay. Because my understanding is like this is so different because it's a sustained we could have just as easily a month ago said how do we get pe more
people into the district? Oh, we have a a monthly arts walk. Let's fund it. >> I mean I I Christie totally like I'm you know like an open meetings municipal person. And I get like the the fairness issue, but this does feel very different
from just the cast a wide net, which I don't support. I don't think this committee should be do doing what the LCC does. Like I just think that's outside of our purview. So >> I don't know how we deal with this now
that they've sent it in. >> But I think time is of the essence, you know, and it's kind of very >> good. Then you Christie. >> I just have a question. Um, if we were to fund this,
how much money is left with what we just read? >> We have um the only thing that we're holding on to the budget right now is $2,500 for marketing, $500 for the um sunset on the green picnic. So that's
$3,000. So we have a $13,127 remaining. Not including that. Not including that. >> So if we were So we have about $10,000 after that. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, so I I would put forward that I think me
personally I would certainly fund this and I wonder if we put a pin in this but let Jackson and Charlotte know thus that they could execute and then seek additional grants for the rest of the the money a
after this and kind of like get that out the door, but at least let them know like that we're going to sort of tacitly approve this so that they know
funded artists walk without them even asking. >> I think we should I think there should be no tacid approval at this time. I think we should either approve or or >> I just mean like let them know but yeah. >> Yeah. um Christie. >> So um again I am trying to be true and fair to everybody in the community. So
that's why I think it's important that we um open the door for those that we want um to receive applications for. We can set whatever parameters we want, but we need to decide that today. >> I have a proposed um timeline that I just want to share with you guys. And
obviously I have not talked to to anybody about this, but just looking at the calendar and knowing that this event is in May. So um if we were able to release the um the request for for proposals by April 24th and again Susan,
there's one that we did with Christian um in the past. If you can't find it, let me know. Um and then give them a couple weeks to return it. So have it due May 8th. And then we would need to meet outside of our normal meeting time. I just threw down the date of May 12th
as a review and a vote to decide and then if possible by May 15th that Susan can then award um a contract and let them know that they're going to be funded. So that actually will give time for uh Beef Fest if they want to apply
for Cranky Fest if she wanted to apply. And this is in May. I don't know exactly what day on this proposal. I didn't see an actual date on here. It's the last it's either the fourth or the last >> last Friday. >> So, and that would qualify for them then. So, that would meet that. And it's
just an expedited process, but I think it's achievable for people who are already thinking about events and plans. And Pride obviously is an easy easy one. They're familiar with um this project. >> Can you say what dates again for the RFP to go out?
>> Sure. Can you let me get my microphone closer? Um again >> this is just up for discussion. I said April 24th as a release. >> Okay. >> May 8th as the due date.
I suggested this date which we can change May 12th for us to meet again to review all these applications and then May 15th which is a Friday to notify them that they've been awarded. And then that gives us time too because
I thought we had Yeah. the 2500 we have earmarked for marketing so that we can we can work on some of that stuff um and get out >> um I would like to propose a middle ground which is that we vote today to
fund the arts walk we take the remaining money and put it out as you say my concern is if we do not get appropriate >> right >> uh applications that's it we run out of time so I would like to at least have one thing in our pocket that we can fund
that we're behind and that we then go ahead and put out a call and then that call could be out for longer. We just have to we have to make the decision on what we're funding by June 30th. >> Just make decision funds don't
>> No, we already have the city already has the funds. >> Well, let me ask you this then. Could would it be okay to have a rolling having a rolling application because if we make the deadline too late, we will lose be fast. We will lose other things that come before the application
deadline. >> I've already lost Winter Carnival. >> What's that? >> I've already lost Winter Carnival. >> Yeah, >> because we took so long. >> What? But what do you mean? I mean, >> like for funding. >> No, I know. But um Sarah, go ahead.
>> Yeah. So I just I'm just trying to understand. So we just have to decide on the applications that we're funding by June, but the actual money doesn't need to be spent till when? >> Doesn't matter.
>> So it so any so even if the events for this year like BFest don't get in, they can get in for next year. Like they could try and fund be something for BFest for next year as long as their application gets in this year for June. It can't be. I don't think
>> No, I'm pretty sure they can. >> Can be retroactive. Yeah. I mean, I think it's I think the the choice is up to us because again, we already have the the money, >> right? >> And there are no rules like there are for the cultural council. There's no I mean, we know it has to be encumbered by
a certain date. That's the only date we have to stick to. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Yeah. I tried to get more information out of them this week of like I know there's a final report due on July 11th and they just I asked so many specific questions and the only
answer they gave me was funds have to be encumbered by June 30th. So it was sort of like their way of saying do what you want. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Cuz go ahead and finish and then Christie is your hand still up. >> Okay. >> Yeah. cuz my feeling would be that
we could we should have either a rolling submission date or something later so that people who don't already have established events but want to be a part of this process so this can fund new things have an opportunity to like learn about it and be able to apply and like a
two week deadline while it does open it up to be more public or whatever like doing something in in a in a few weeks or within the month is um you're not going get a lot of of of new submissions. I don't think that people who have really thought through what they want to do. Um, so it'd be great to
find a a middle ground. Um, if we can have an opportunity to have round one and then round two and that's all done before June, then then great. Um, and I'm also just in fair and honesty happy to like table my idea and like throw
that into the general review if that's like what we want to be doing if we were if we're kind of resetting everything. I don't want to just like be pushing my thing through while everyone else I could I could throw it in under the RFP if that's what we want to do. So, um, yeah. Anna and then Christie. Um,
three things. I just lost two of them. Uh, One question was, "Do we have to wait two weeks to put the RFP out?" And that's a capacity question, I think. Um, fine if we do, but if there's any way to
help get it out faster, let me know. Um, cuz that feels like an unnecessary delay. Um, this the next question is like I I agree about this is going to be wildly unpopular. I'm just going to say it. I agree about opening
it up to people who don't know about the funds. I also feel like we are sort of still kind of like stumbling through how we want to do it. And I am wondering if we want to either invite certain people, certain or
certain events to apply and or decide to allocate to certain events that are happening. And again, I know I keep giving this example, but it's because I'm I'm overly focused on the fisk pocket park. Like as
opposed to throwing the 500 back into the pool, what if we decided we're going to go give 2,000 to a series of which the sunset picnic is one and invite applications for other activities within
that 2,00. And then there's a t there's an amount of space there for for new people to jump in to get familiar with the cultural district. But there's a parameter that we've already decided the money on which gives us actually even more time to fund things
in that space and it doesn't open it up so broadly that we are at the mercy of a grant pro process that feels like sort of fair but sort of not. Um, and I would also put out there like there are things happening right now. Like one thing I
was thinking about applying for if we opened it up for this is I have a business owner who is ready to spend $300 out of her own pocket to hire Maria from Greenfield Records to DJ on three Saturday nights in the summer. And I was
going to bring it to us and say, could we save that small business owner 300 bucks? And we decide to do that. But maybe, you know, music on the street, s summer nights, you know, summer Saturdays is something that we're just going to put money into and Maria's
going to do it for $100 a night and that's amazing cuz she's a great DJ and we're just going to like proactively reach out and and tee that up for five nights instead of three or whatever. So, I just feel like we in this room could could figure out a way to encumber the
funds and still leave space for applications while getting stuff done in a quick manner. >> Christie and then Tess, >> you can let Tess go first. >> Yes. Um, I agree with Hannah's wildly unpopular statement. I mean, I'm still
kind of confounded about like this committee. My understanding is that we're not the LCC. We're not a straightup grant makingaking organization. And I think it's completely appropriate
to expect that our committee has done the strategic thinking about the district itself to say these are the things we want to invest in. Like that's okay. Like I don't see how we are considered just sort of an additional
pot of money. you know this is not these are not municipal funds these are state funds that come to the district has a function and a purpose and we can articulate what that is um so I I'm trying to wrap my head around this sort
of call for things without that like you know underpinning of okay we think strategically this is these are the most important things that we want to to happen in the district whether it's you know closing down the street for
you know asphalt painting series and DJ series and busking and you know and this and that like it it doesn't feel yeah I feel like if I wanted to be on the LCC I would have put my hat in the ring to be on the LCC and I didn't and you know and I know that we've now gone
four months of meetings without making that decision in part I love that the parking benefit district is going to fund the other stuff but I also do think that like it's entirely appropriate and reasonable for our committee to want to invest in infrastructure stuff too, >> not just events per se, but it feels
like an appropriate middle ground to say, okay, let's like roll up our sleeves and say what are the five activities that we want to see happen in the district, still potentially invite people to apply, but encumber the activities irrespective of who is going
to actually get money to execute those activities. Like >> that seems like a potential path forward. um um Christy and then me. >> So that's exactly what we've been talking about for months is to say we
want events in Pocket Park. Submit your application. We want music down at the Mohawk Plaza. Submit your applications. Like we're saying the same thing. We just need to make action. And I think that's where I'm feeling very flustered right now with this group. Well, part of
it is is we uh we had a thing that we were going to spend money on. The fact that we now have a whole bunch more money puts us back a step or two. Not in a terrible way, but >> but I feel like we haven't had that conversation. Like >> all like I would not vote like that
doesn't feel thoughtful to me. like we haven't had the conversation of like okay let's look at a map and look at the calendar >> I would say >> and overlay the map of the calendar and say like these are the things >> I agree with the idea of setting up the
parameters of an event >> and then soliciting applicants to run an event within that framework um >> whether it's geographic this it's
reverse >> and I agree like I think the pocket you know the Mesa Beach pocket park thing is a natural >> um and you know the common is a natural even energy park >> skate park >> but I I personally also do not want to
just open the floodgates so I think and I also would like to brand those event cultural district prevents presents not prevents >> the cultural districts Good sense. It's summer at Mesa Beach or
whatever whatever it is. It's not Mesa Beach anymore because Mesa isn't even there. But >> we could call it that though. That'd be kind of cool. >> Yeah. Um >> I refer I've heard it referred to as the gay beach. >> Sarah the same. >> Yeah. I I uh I agree with like the better the parameters we can come up
with, the more focused this would be. And I think that's what Christy is saying as well and like would be the goal of this this meeting now that we're kind of resetting with all this new money which is um great. I would say like that was sort of my idea with like the sunset on the green idea is that it
would be one of many things like I had like one idea for what could be an event for sunset on the green this you know pie potluck idea but other people I mean that would be great that I would love to open it up with a very specific thing of like every you know pick a day
like whether it's a Friday, Saturday, Sunday from this time to this time throw in your applications for what event you would host for a sunset on the green in the Fisk Pocket Park. These are the goals. It can't be, you know, more than this many people or whatever. Um,
that kind of thing I think would be really specific and I think would be really fun. And that's like a goal that I had joining this was to like reinvigorate these spaces with more regular activity throughout the year. And I think also people doing things not just during the summer, if there's a way
to do those. Um, I don't know what they are, but like >> proposals that extend into other spaces during like the fall and the winter because I do think there's a bit of a, you know, things kind of drop down uh, once the weather's not as nice outside. So,
>> so I think we're all, it sounds like we're all pretty much on the same page. Now, I want to say we only have 20 minutes left today. So the question is, what can we accomplish today that sets us up for the next meeting or I will put out the wildly unpopular idea, do we
schedule an extra meeting in like two weeks so that we can actually um figure out what we're actually doing and that meeting will be specifically to talk about >> these event parameters and then if we can nail down what we want as a
committee want to do for these event parameters, then we will have the information to to put out a call pretty much immediately. I hope after the after that >> meeting. Yeah. And I I did find the old one. He just did like a Google form basically. >> Okay. >> So, you can have that as a
>> um and I mean I would actually and this is and we can have more discussion, but I personally think it would behoove us to go ahead and vote on the arts walk. >> Agreed. Agreed. >> In advance of the rest of this funding conversation. So um
>> I need to figure out other stuff too personally. >> Yeah. >> Um so I wanted to just ask one thing if you wanted to add on any setting any parameters or any stipulations for them in terms of fund funding this because Amy has told me that like a lot of a lot
of people worry about them because they're not the best with follow through >> which I do too. >> Yeah. Yes. >> I know nothing about them. >> They are they are not great with follow through. So um Bella did you have a comment? Yeah, I don't think it's fair to to
approve one thing like this without without opening up an application. >> Then we'll >> is can I ask just a clarification? I mean the the Greenfield Arts Walk as a as a an event that's you know I'm the
only analogy I can make is how we did things in Northampton and that was a it was a program of the Northampton Center for the Arts. Is Greenfield Arts Walk a program of >> who owns it? mad house these folks. >> But can I say something about that that's really important and we own it? >> We don't. Yes.
>> I mean like I don't understand. >> We want to own it and I think that is incredibly important. Like why doesn't this committee say like we're going to invest $3,000 in the 2026 art walks which are every Friday and if these people really are going to follow
through and take you know apply for that but it's our program like >> well the problem is the the lack of followthrough is in their organization and coordination so if we are owning it who and they don't who is going is that
gonna be us you know so >> um that that's my concern around that part of it. >> I mean, I feel like that's a conversation worth having with them, but for me is like separate from deciding whether or not we're going to like fund this as they've put it out there. But it
is an important conversation that they also want to have. Then if everyone feels good about it, I feel good about putting it back into the pot um for conversation in the future. Um we could potentially ask them to come in and talk to us about it. I don't know if that's
really going to help in terms of gauging their capacity. Um, >> in like 60 seconds or less, can somebody here who has been around the block say what Arts Walk used to be like or has it ever been realized in that in the way that cuz when I read this I'm like this
sounds great. Like in Northampton we did it and we all like >> So the art this is the fifth year of the arts walk. It was started by the folks at Mad House, Charlotte and Jackson who never really intended to own it long term. They over those four years kind of got some artists involved, kind of got
some businesses involved. Last year there was a more concerted push to get uh more organizers involved. JJ White, JJ White, JJ White, myself uh more as an adviser than an organizer, I will say. Um
>> and so it's coming back this year with a little bit more oomph. The GBA is working on having businesses be open late on those Fridays so that there's this like concerted effort. So I do think that there is renewed vigor around it. I still don't think they want to own
it themselves but because they started it that wasn't quite clear to people until last year. >> So it just needs a producer. It needs >> needs a producer needs a little more like like buy in. But this part of it is what they're they get excited about. And
so like this is the part they want to do, but then there's all this other stuff around an arts walk proper that doesn't quite have a home. >> Do you happen to know why they have what this insurance cost is for? Is this for because of alcohol?
>> No, they they just um they have to have event insurance for the city to have >> square. Oh, okay. >> And so so um this is the price breakout for the first six events. So it's, you know, it's like, oh,
that means you can't cover that under their insurance policy. Anybody who does an event, yeah, we always have to >> I mean, there is a scenario, maybe not within the next six weeks, but there's a scenario where this committee does say like we own it and we act, you know, we
hire producers, we brand it, like it's reasonable somebody could say, "How about this is our thing?" >> Yeah. It's it's the arts walk like arts night out, you know. >> We'll say and Hannah might agree or not agree, but I used to run a first Friday when I was at the GBA and
>> um it was a massive time s massive like trying it was, >> you know, like a halftime job trying to get people involved. So >> well and al and I will say the Northampton model was you paid >> you you as a business like I paid $175 a year
>> here will be begging >> you because you got stuff you got you got a flag to put outside your business you got on the postcard you got on the socials you got you know you got stuff for it >> but there was like here it's the opposite you're begging people to be involved and because you're begging people to involved it's a chicken and egg thing people don't want to be
involved because there aren't any people there aren't any because you're not involved you know >> but I think there's there's also more and I I don't want to move I know that Bella made a good point I think about fairness and I also like there is a move from the parking benefit district side
as well to offer more things like little flags that say I'm a late night I'm an open late night spot or I'm at this or that like the co-producing and co-branding I think is just happening now >> and part of that to me like I want fairness around things and I also want
there to be some organized driving of things forward. And so, yes, I think it's important to open up and but honestly, like saying we're not going to fund this today and let this existing thing move forward >> just just because we're we're also going
to open it up for others, like that's the kind of delay to me that is not necessary. And and like I feel like we do a lot of that. And so saying like we're going to fund this and that still leaves 11 grand to Bella's point that we
need to open up get an RFP out there make sure people know that they can apply for you know things on Mesa Sunset Gay Beach and you know like other downtown events specifically for you
know whatever and you know livening up the streetscape which constitutes like music or vending or whatever. There's an RFP for that and it's open and it's $11,000 which is still more than like we ever see.
>> Well, you can a motion can be made that we make that we take the vote. >> I am that motion. >> Okay. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> All right. So, we will take >> What is the vote? What are we voting on? >> We're voting on whether to fund the arts walk today.
>> Yeah. I I say yes. We could fund the arts walk. Bella, >> no. >> Sarah, >> how much was it? I've >> 2442 >> for a full year of programming
>> for um six events. >> It's mostly insurance off. >> Yeah, half of it, almost half of it is insurance. >> Uh I guess I'm just not ready to vote. >> You can abstain. >> I can abstain. Oh, yeah. Okay, Christie.
>> No. What are they putting in? What is their match? >> It's yes or no. >> Yes or no? >> No. Like you didn't ask for discussion. >> We just had a whole discussion. All right. Go ahead. You make >> you make the motion and then you ask for discussion. Go ahead. >> No. My my my question is what are they
putting in >> as their match for this? Like we're giving them almost $2,500. >> I'll answer that. I mean, to me, they're putting in a fifth year of trying to get something off the ground. They've brought artists together. They've brought business owners together.
They've asked for support. Um, the GBA has signed on to support. So, I feel like they for all of their flakiness, they also have kept something going and really want to see it succeed. And I think putting money into a piece of it that would activate Court Square, which
is something that that we get asked about a lot at like an event level is is worthwhile. So, I feel like they're putting in a lot of sweat equity. I don't know about other money that they're putting in necessarily, but I think they've shown that this has some
lasting power and I would like to see it really move forward this year and see if that lasting power can be umped. So I think that's a lot that they've put into that. Sarah, >> yeah. So when we fund something, what is
the accountability of the event that we're funding? So like or like project that we choose. So like if we say we're funding this, it's outside the RFP. So we're really kind of funding this as our arts walk that they're doing for this. Um >> not ours yet. or well okay if we decide
to do it but like what happens if nothing gets done or you know if they aren't able to secure the venue at Hawk and Reed or you know does that money then just go back like what's the accountability model for this kind of uh
funding >> they have to pay it back right >> if someone >> I don't think they do >> well do they get paid before they do it they get paid before they encumber a cost like they don't get reimbursed You do get paid. I think you get paid before,
>> but that doesn't that doesn't mean that we can't stipulate that if something doesn't end up happening. >> We can certainly we have we make the contract, right? So, we can certainly make the contract that says, >> you know, this has to happen. >> You could do 50% up front, 50% at the end.
>> And I would even suggest actually that read is uh a mandatory portion of this. >> What? because I don't because I think it's hugely important or at least we need to hear a conversation about what's replacing it
>> if it doesn't. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Um so we >> we have the power over the contract >> street writing contract in all likelihood.
>> Uh Christie, we only have eight minutes. So, uh, as far as Hawks and Reed, I think we can say, um, we could ask like four Phantoms to be like a replacement because they're local selling alcohol on the common. >> Um, and then I I would support a
friendly amendment to the um motion to deduct the costs that are not associated with actual cultural stuff, which is the insurance. And I'm pretty sure that the city would probably wave the vendor licensing fee for $60.
No. >> So, um, the >> they won't. Susan says, >> "Okay." So, then the amount then would be, um, $1,375, which is, um, majority of that is for cultural costs.
>> I don't remember what Robert's rules are about a friendly amendment that we have to vote on the friendly amendment. It has to be accepted. Yes. >> Yeah. >> What is the rule on the entrance to Christiey's point? Like that's needed because of the the Huxen Reed venue or
is that like something square? >> Yeah. Closing Court Square. So if someone gets hurt. >> So if we did like is there a plan for Court Square? What if we didn't close court square? That would save us,000. >> My understanding reading this is that
they're hosting on Court Square that Hawk and Reed. >> Oh, right. having an artist then move from market. Yeah. Okay. >> Right. >> And it's not I mean >> I mean as a >> insurance part of it. >> Yeah. As a former business owner like I feel like
I don't feel like nickel and dimming them on the insurance. I feel like that is the barrier and we have state money to remove barriers to the implementation of cultural events and activities. >> Yeah. I wouldn't support removing the insurance. It was more for me I was just more of like an education moment. Like I was like, "Oh, is every event that applies
for this kind of thing needing insurance because it's on public grounds? Like if we did something at the park and didn't close stuff down, do you still need insurance?" >> Like that kind of stuff. I just didn't know Square itself because it's a road. I mean, you don't need Do you need that insurance at Energy Park?
>> Yeah. >> Yep. >> Yeah. >> Do you need it at the pocket park? >> That's what I was about to ask. Yeah. >> Yeah. I would imagine >> it depends like I have flexibility depends on what's happening at the during the event. >> Yeah, >> that's actually a crucial piece of
information going forward because if every event we host in all of the locations we're talking about requires $1,000 of insurance. >> Well, this is for six months. >> Oh, that's this is okay. Never mind. Never mind. >> It's not that much. >> And I'll also just say to that really
quickly that if an organization like the GBA has an insurance provider, We we pull a one day event license for 25 bucks. Whereas if you don't have an insurance provider, you're buying it outright and it can be like 1 to 600 depending on the insurance provider.
>> Can the support mad house? >> Sorry. >> Um okay. So we we still have the friendly amendment on the table. You still are trying to put that friendly amendment through Christie. >> Yeah. I didn't withdraw it. >> Yeah. Okay. So we vote on it. Is that right? I haven't done a friendly amendment in a long time.
>> Okay. So now we're voting on it without the insurance. Is that what the amendment wants? >> We're voting on removing the insurance, >> right? >> Is that right? >> You even finish the first vote though. >> No, we didn't. >> Yeah. >> Um I vote yes to fund them. Um that's
the finish of the first vote. And that is >> Or they voted. We voted >> that you voted yes at the very beginning, right? >> Oh, you said I thought Okay, that's right. >> But when we >> or or did you vote? >> We didn't vote. Okay. So the motion and a second and then I Yes.
>> So that's four of us who voted yes and three people who voted no and one extension. So that means it passes. >> So now the friendly amendment I got to brush up on my Robert's rules. Um so now we would vote on it.
>> Just the amendment. Any second? >> Um yeah. Did anyone amend? Did anyone second the friendly amendment that we remove the insurance? >> Could we find A second. >> What's that? >> Can we find out if there's a way to get that cost reduced with this partnership
with the business association? That seems like something worth finding out before we >> we can't pull I can't cover. >> That's for their own event. >> Like Okay. >> I don't feel comfortable covering
>> their event because that would still be in our name. >> Got it. But I'm happy to go to them and see if they shopped around a little for their for their coverage. $1,000 for six events. >> So I don't hear a second on the motion.
So the motion fails, right? >> Um >> so the vote passes. >> Okay. which and now we have two minutes um to see if we can schedule a meeting in two weeks or do we feel like we are comfortable doing it again a month? We
really need two weeks, right? >> All right. I think >> so that we can figure out the other 11,000. >> Today's the n the two weeks would be the 23rd. Yeah, that's spring break which is going to be difficult.
>> Okay, so um >> it could be next week. >> What about next week? >> Let's see. That would be the 16th. Yeah, I can't do the 16th, but I could do the
>> Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday? >> Yeah. >> Uh I could do Wednesday. Can other people do Wednesday? Uh 15. >> This is 15 tax day. >> Well, um
>> or we could do it at a different time. >> I mean, I I normally have to be in my office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but I could I could um >> I know it's an unpopular day, but what about Friday? I can't do Friday.
>> Okay. You can always zoom in if possibility. No, not for my I mean I welcome the opportunity to find some reason to fake work from home, not go into [ __ ] ad. Sorry. >> What about Monday?
>> So yeah, so Wednesday is great. Wednesday is great. I don't want to be the barrier. So everyone do the 15th. Sarah did did ask about Monday. >> Monday. >> Monday is better for >> the 27th or the 13th? >> The 13th. >> 13th. >> I can't meet I have capital.
You can't meet at this time or you can't meet all the hold >> the 13th cannot meet. >> So Wednesday >> meet on the 15th. Is it going to be at 3 this time? >> I can meet anytime on that's best for you. >> Yeah. I mean it's best for me. I could
do 2:30. >> I mean three is fine if we went. Can everyone do the same time? Three. >> Yeah. >> I can't. >> You can't? >> No. >> Um can you do earlier later? Yes, I can
do um I I'm I'm free until 3. >> I can't I can't do before that on on the 15th. I can do I can do Thursday. >> You can't do Thursday. >> Yeah, >> you can't do Thursday. >> You guys, your lives are too busy.
Sorry. Um >> then let's try the next week, which is in fact two weeks. That's even just one week away. Oh, that was spring break week, though. That's totally >> Yeah. I mean, Michael and I will be out of town, but we I mean, we could zoom in. I guess >> we could zoom in. >> Are you only vacationing out of town,
though? >> Yeah, we'll be in >> We'll be in San Francisco. >> Country zoom in. >> What was Tuesday? Tuesday the 14th was not an option. >> I believe that is so I could do I mean, yeah,
>> Tuesday at 3. >> Can everyone do that? >> Sure. I I I am not I'm not available. >> Uh other times on the 14th >> on the 14th
>> four or I could do noon >> four. >> Can people do four 14th? Yes. >> Four o'clock works for me. >> Everyone. Four. Four on the 14th. >> I'm free at 4:30 on on the 14th.
>> Mike, do you know what time? >> Yeah. do 4:30, but I'd only be zooming in for half an hour. >> What if we split the difference into we say 4:00 and you show up when you can show up? >> Okay. >> It's just it's just so hard you guys to
>> Yeah, it really is. >> Okay. >> So, four o'clock on the 14th. >> Bella, just send your stuff to Susan, your thoughts. >> Yeah, you can always do that. We won't have any votes until you're here at any rate. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Okay. I I I wouldn't be offended if he
does. >> So, everybody mark it and and I will >> You're gonna send out a thing? >> Yeah. I'll see if I can book this >> and I'll be on Zoom. I apologize. >> Am I allowed to ask anyone to talk after the meeting's been closed about just a few things that I had questions on as I
was putting together the budget for the Sunset on the Green or does that count as talking about things outside of >> No, that's totally No. >> Okay. >> I have to run though. I'm sorry. >> Okay. Well, make a motion to adjourn. Second. >> Everyone in favor say I. >> I.
>> I. >> Hi.