HomeMy WebLinkAboutFourth of July Steering Committee Minutes 2016-07-204th of July Steering Committee
Meeting Minutes
July 20, 2016
Committee members in attendance:
Rufino Ramirez
Barbara Blanchard
Kathy Molinaro
Chris Scarpa
Terri Corbett
Tommy McDonald
Darrell Fales
James Toney, Director of Parks and Recreation
Kimberly Ramirez, Staff
Michael Boyett, Staff
Katy Blanchard, Staff
Heather Whitty, Staff
Gary Williams, Staff
David O’Farrell
Shari Forward, PD Liaison
Billy Enochs, Council Liaison
1. Call to order: Meeting was called to order at 6:07 p.m.
2. Communication from the public: Jeff Newpher showed the committee a small clip of the
parade video. Jeff asked the committee on their opinion of the video. Committee suggested a
drone video in the future. Barbara stated that the video was blurry and there was a
photographer in the video along with construction areas that didn’t look good in the video.
Committee stated that Dave and Sally did a great job. Billy asked what Dave and Sally say about
it, they said they were happy it was edited. Heather suggested scrolling the description across
the bottom of the screen. Jeff stated he wanted to pace the dignitaries more to give more gaps
for those units. Committee stated they could pace the dignitaries only, not the rest of the
parade. Michael stated he can manage the dignitaries with giving the dignitaries space at the
parade route. Jeff asked about video of the grand marshal, committee liked it. Committee was
happy with Dave and Sally and would like their announcements projected to the public by a
speaker system during the parade. We did receive some complaints on the band and the music
selected at the evening program.
3. Discussion and possible action regarding the 2016, 4 th of July Celebration: Kathy made a
motion to approve the minutes as presented, Barbara seconds the motion and the motion was
approved unanimously.
4. Discussion and possible action regarding the 2016, 4th of July Celebration
A. Breakfast: Breakfast was awesome, it looked beautiful. Barbara and Kathy stated, we had a
lot of extra food this year.
B. Parade: Stacy stated that the parade was the best this year. The parade flowed great, all
entries performed in front on the judges and we had no issues this year.
C. Day Program: Michelle stated she had issues with a vendor pulling a picnic table into her
booth, which is not allowed. Michelle informed the vendor that the table could not be used for
her booth but its use if for the public. We also had complaints that someone stated they
weren’t happy with dogs in the park. Dogs are allowed in the park as long as they are on a
lease. Tommy suggested having cool tents at the park next year, we could rent them. Everyone
liked the DJ instead of a band this year. Having more rides in the park helped with the lines.
Besides the ATM getting jam the day program was a complete success.
D. Evening: Darrell stated we forgot the flags from city hall council chambers that we bring to
the night program, make sure to add to work order for next year. Need better communication
with the sound. Darrell stated that we need to follow the timeline that we create, not there’s.
Sounds started early on the Big Voice which changed the timeline. Thank goodness for Dave
Smith to get us where we needed to be on the timeline. Need longer cords for the generator,
sound. James stated when the event is over, we’re going to cut the orange fencing and let the
West Ranch and Falcon Ridge residents out thru the fields. Have a person in a gator to make
sure they stay on the field area. Turn on all the field lights and have a staff person make
announcements on the existing procedure. Keep a funnel so we can make sure they don’t walk
onto the street. We need a sign stated “enter here”, make sign for next year to help keep
people from entering in from the parking lot. Barbara stated that a person walked into the park
area and was upset that only dignitaries are allowed on the gator. FISD transported 2,300
people that night on their buses.
Committee was very happy with FISD transportation this year. Committee needs to make sure
their available during the time they are recognized during the evening program. Staff can
relieve them of the duties while their recognized. Darrell stated that the lines for the food
vendors are great but looks like theirs a need for more food vendors at the night program.
Rufino offered to man the gate next year and wanted to know what PD is supposed to do and
help with, Shari stated if you had any issues PD would be there to help out, but the committee
or staff member will need to authorized the people that are going thru the gate because the
police officers are not aware of who everyone is that is expected thru the gate. Michael stated
Corey did very well for PD. Order new banners for buses, they are damaged due to the wind.
The rides went fine at the evening program. Fireworks, James stated that when the fireworks
stopped that night he talked to the guy that fired the fireworks and he stated the equipment
was old and all the fireworks that didn’t fire had to be loaded up in a truck. The co-owner of
the fireworks company stated it could have been the batteries. Aaron stated it wasn’t batteries
and it wasn’t the old equipment from Alpha Lee. What they have been told that there was
some type of bug or interference from a plane or a drone. The company from New York is
going thru the codes to see what happened. James stated he’s supposed to be getting a call
back from the company after they look at the codes in the software. We did not pay the
remaining balance. They offered us a free New Year’s Eve event valued at $20,000. If everyone
is in agreement that the concessions for the mistake should be applied from your event. James
stated that the group does not feel it fair to them to offer another event. They would use a
hard wired system if we use them again. James will get back with Aaron and see what he could
offer. Al Saylor will send a video of the event of the parade jump. Rufino suggested having Bee
Gees Gold at next year’s event. Darrell suggested Tegan Marie, she a 13 or 14 years old country
singer that is said to be the next Taylor Swift. She sings cover music as well. Her cost is less
than 5,000. At the next meeting we will discuss and vote for next year’s band, have details
ready to discuss.
5. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 7:48 p.m.
Approved by:
Kimberly Ramirez
Date
August 17, 2016