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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFourth of July Steering Committee Minutes 2022-07-20CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD FOURTH OF JULY STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2022 – 6:00PM MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD FOURTH OF JULY STEERING COMMITTEE THAT WAS HELD ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2022, IN THE FIRST FLOOR COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT FRIENDSWOOD CITY HALL LOCATED AT 910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, WITH THE FOLLOWING PRESENT CONSTITUTING A QUORUM: CHAIR BARBARA BLANCHARD COMMITTEE MEMBER - EVENING CHAIR RUFINO RAMIREZ COMMITTEE MEMBER CHRIS SCARPA COMMITTEE MEMBER – ASSISTANT EVENING CHAIR TONY SCARPA COMMITTEE MEMBER, TOMMY MCDONALD COMMITTEE MEMBER – PARADE CO-CHAIR STEFANIE KARACOSTAS COMMITTEE MEMBER TERRY MCKEE COMMITTEE MEMBER STACY SCARPA COMMITTEE MEMBER MICHELLE BJACEK COMMITTEE MEMBER KATHY MOLINARO COMMITTEE MEMBER LARRY SIMS COMMITTEE MEMBER NANCY SIMS COUNCIL MEMBER TRISH HANKS JAMES TONEY, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION KIMBERLY RAMIREZ, ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION GARY WILLIAMS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION CATHERINE WOOD, RECREATION MANAGER OF PARKS AND RECREATION GARRETT NORMOYLE RECREATION SPECIALIST OF PARKS AND RECREATION MICHAEL BOYETT ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION NATALIE MAYFIELD, RECREATION ASSISTANT JULIE TAYLOR (GUEST) 1. Call to Order Barbara called the meeting to order at 5:56pm. The committee then proceeded to move downstairs to the Council Chamber to accommodate the large turnout. 2. Communications from the Public Kim used the monitors to show the committee a video recap of the 2022 4th of July Event. After the video, Trish Hanks addressed the committee to express her thanks for all the hard work the committee and staff do for the Event. She went on to address the issue with the 4th of July Committee’s Grand Marshal choice. She mentioned how the parade has taken place every year since around the mid-1960s. She acknowledged the frustration the committee may have felt regarding how the events unfolded. She stated that in the 50 or so years that the City has had a Grand Marshal this is the first time anything like this has occurred. Trish expressed that even though the Grand Marshal choice was an American hero, her social media presence was not ideal. She stated that she had voiced her concern to the City Manager regarding the vulgarity used in the Grand Marshal’s personal social media posts. She remarked on the issues with posting certain thoughts on social media and how said posts can have consequences. Trish stated her hopes that the Committee expressed their admiration of Haley’s service to our Country as well as concerns surrounding certain thoughts posted online that contained vulgar language. She reiterated the fact that this is the first time there has been any backlash regarding the Committee’s Grand Marshal selection. Trish went on to restate how well the Committee has done and her thanks to them for all they do. Chris explained that the first step regarding the Parade is choosing its theme. After the theme was chosen, Haley Carter was recommended by another Committee member to be Grand Marshal. At the time none of the unwanted social media posts had been made. She and several others on the committee expressed their doubt regarding abilities to monitor a potential Grand Marshal’s social media posts. They continued to discuss the many issues that they may face in attempting this task. The Committee then went on to thank Trish for her time and comments before she exited the meeting. 3. Minutes A. c c Consider approving the minutes of the Fourth of July Steering Committee meeting held on June 15, 2022. Stacy motioned to approve the Minutes. Seconded by Rufino, and unanimously approved. 4. BUSINESS ITEMS A. Discuss and take possible action regarding tasks, duties, schedules, and/or assignments associated with the Fourth of July Event Breakfast. Barbara stated that the Committee no longer has a designated person for breakfast now that Lindsey has resigned. They discussed having less food items in the future as there was a large amount left over. The leftover food was provided to the security team that was hired for the event to avoid any waste. B. Discuss and take possible action regarding tasks, duties, schedules, and/or assignments associated with the Fourth of July Event Parade. Barbara informed the Committee that they will need to decide whether they will take a vote regarding reinstating a Grand Marshal in future 4th of July Parades. Chris expressed her desire to do away with Grand Marshal’s in the future. Stacy stated her disappointment in the resulting affects the event took on Haley Carter. She mentioned her concern that future Grand Marshal’s could end up in a similar situation. Larry commented that he was in favor of having a Grand Marshal at future Events. He stated he believes the risk is worth the end results as it allows someone to be honored at the Event. He suggested that to avoid any future issues the Committee take a final look at the Grand Marshal’s social media posts the week before the event to ensure there are no negative connotations regarding said person. Chris then inquired what would happen in the event the selected Grand Marshal were to post something that would require them being removed from their position. It was suggested that in that case they would offer the role to one of the other candidates that had been considered for the position. Kathy expressed her concern that choosing a “back-up” Grand Marshal would make said selectee feel unimportant. Kim informed the Committee that City Staff does vet all Grand Marshal selections. She went on to let the Committee know that is has been suggested that City Staff vet and monitor the Grand Marshal’s social media presence from the time of selection to the day of the Event. She expressed her concern that City Staff does not have the manpower nor time to do this. Barbara went on to suggest that if the tradition of having a Grand Marshal were to continue that the City Council Members should be the ones who chose, vet, and monitor the Grand Marshal. Chris requested that if the Council were to take over for the Committee her only request is that they maintain the tradition of selecting someone who fits with the Parade theme. Barbara also stated that if the Committee decides to maintain the responsibilities of selecting a Grand Marshal, they could consider asking the chosen Grand Marshal to refrain from posting on social media until after the event. Kathy mentioned that this would likely discourage people from accepting the role. Michael also stated that it would be difficult to lay down a criteria regarding what types of posts would be unacceptable. The Committee went on to discuss the pros and cons of asking a potential Grand Marshal to refrain from posting on social media. After the discussion, Larry made a motion to not have a Grand Marshal next year, 2023, Chris seconded the motion, and the Committee unanimously approved the decision. After the vote, Kathy voiced her disappointment regarding the City Council members. She stated that as a volunteer Committee that has done a lot for the City, the Council should have publicly supported them. Furthermore, the Grand Marshal choice had been made in October, as reflected in that meeting’s Minutes. Additionally, the Council themselves were aware of their decision in March when the committee presented their annual report. Kim informed the committee that many of the sponsors had expressed their satisfaction with the Event. She stated they had nothing but positive comments to make in regards to the 4th of July Event. Barbara stated that the only complaint she heard regarding the Event was not enough trash bins in the parking lot areas at the night program. Barbara informed the committee that Terri Corbett resigned from the Committee before 4th of July and Lindsey Vaughn officially stepped down today. Kathy then introduced her friend Julie who will be volunteering on the Committee for the next year. Chris inquired if it is in the bylaws that new members must volunteer with the Committee for a full year before, they can officially join the committee. Barbara stated she believes they must volunteer with the Committee before becoming an official member but was uncertain about the specific length of time. Stefanie expressed her satisfaction in having the Corvette Club at the Parade. Her only complaint was they provided more cars than stated which resulted a in last minute rearranging of the Parade lineup. She requested they provide a more accurate count in the future. Larry requested that the parade float applicants be required to state the type of vehicles they will be using at the Parade. He was informed by the Committee this is already a requirement for the application. Stacy informed the Committee they will no longer be using Shadowbend Avenue for the parade as the street is now too busy. C. Discuss and take possible action regarding tasks, duties, schedules, and/or assignments associated with the Fourth of July Event Day Program. Michelle stated that Party Animals and Awesome Events informed the Committee that they had more traffic than they have in past Events. Terry inquired that in the future any booth participants refrain from playing music as it distracts from the music played on the overhead speakers. He also inquired that he be provided with more points of contacts as he had many people asking him questions he could not answer. Gary requested that the Committee try to avoid feedback on the microphone as it happened several times. Barbara requested that Driftwood BBQ be invited back to the day program as well as the evening program. D. Discuss and take possible action regarding tasks, duties, schedules, and/or assignments associated with the Fourth of July Event Evening Program. Kathy stated that the band that performed at the Event – Party Crashers were the best band that have attended thus far. Barbara inquired if the Committee would like to vote regarding when they can be invited back. Barbara also inquired if the Committee would be allowed to fundraise for the next Event. Toney informed them that they are allowed to do so. He also in formed the Committee of the price of the band - $25,000. Kim informed them that if they would like to have the band back they will need to book now. To secure the band, half the payment will be needed to be paid now as deposit. Toney expressed his concern that the Committee’s budget at this time will not be sufficient. Terry made a motion to contact Party Crasher to inquire about their schedule and whether any discounts could be applied for future Events. Before the Committee voted, Rufino informed them a previous band – The Molly Ringwalds has offered a deal if they can perform at the next Event. They will provide all their backline, sound and lighting which would save a considerable amount of money. Michael restated that more trash bins should be provided in the parking lots at the Event. Additionally, that the barricades should be breakaway going forward. Kathy stated her disappointment with the security team that was hired for the event. Tommy stated that the windshields on the gators are difficult to see through at night. Michael suggested 2 SUVs be used to shuttle Dignitaries back to their cars after the program instead of using the gators. . 5. Adjournment Larry motioned to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Kathy and unanimously approved. The meeting was adjourned at 7:17pm.