Each week, Louis Dettorre will provide the PublicCEO Staff Report of the Week. Nominate yourself or a colleague by e-mailing ldettorre@publicCEO.com. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The city of Glendale has played host to as many 50,000 people for their annual “Cruise Night” held downtown. City officials from nine departments, members of the Downtown Glendale Merchants Association, and several community service organizations have worked together since 1994 to provide one night of free family fun that brings the public together. Typically the night’s activities surround live music and hundreds of classic cars and hot rods.
According to the staff report, funding for Cruise Night has been allocated from the city’s Redevelopment Agency funds since 2010. Since this is no longer an option because of its elimination, staff has been forced to scale the budget back from approximately $103,000 to $42,840.
Attendance is not expected to be at its all-time highest, but staff feels that Cruise Night will remain attractive by utilizing local music and entertainment talent, operating their own sound and stage equipment, and cutting the event space slightly from five to three blocks.
Cruise Night has a long history and remains highly anticipated in the classic car owner’s community. Additionally, this one night event has been credited as the “largest draw” to expose dining and shopping options. It is projected as the largest one day sales generator of the year.
The staff report submitted by the Director of Community Services and Parks, Jess Duran requested that the Council approve the appropriation of $13,222 from the general fund in FY11-12 and $29,618 in FY12-13 to offset car entry fees and sponsorship funding demands. Cruise Night would essentially be funded between fiscal years because the event is held in July.
The Council approved the request and Cruise Night will be held on July 21, 2012. According to the minutes the motion carried with unanimous consent. The Council increased the event space to four blocks as opposed to the requested three.
Each week, Louis Dettorre will provide the PublicCEO Staff Report of the Week. Nominate yourself or a colleague by e-mailing ldettorre@publicCEO.com. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.