Town of Maggie Valley

Regularly Scheduled Parks, Recreation, Festival Advisory Committee

October 9, 2006

Minutes

 

Members Present:        Chairman Tammy Brown, Dan Massey, Tammy Wight, and Rich                                        Mahoney

Staff Present:              Manager Tim Barth, Chief Scott Sutton, and Town Clerk Vickie                                         Best

Others Present:            Lynn Collins and Selena Keller

 

Meeting Called to Order

Chairman Brown called the meeting to order at 3:36 p.m. in the Town Hall Boardroom.

 

Approval or Correction of Minutes: September 11, 2006

MS. WIGHT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 AFTER MAKING A CORRECTION THAT MR. MAHONEY WAS NOT PRESENT.

MR. MASSEY SECONDED THE MOTION.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Continued Discussion on Rental Rates for Festival Grounds

Ms. Collins, the Visitor Bureau’s Director, will talk with Mr. Charlie Cobble to see if he plans to have the 2007 Truck Show.

 

At the October meeting, the members in attendance felt the rental rate should be $1,500 for the three-day weekend without the $5,000 advertising requirement. Chairman Brown and Mr. Mahoney had concerns because the premise of requiring the advertising was to promote Maggie Valley rather than a promoter renting the festival grounds and pulling from the visitors already in Town.

 

Mr. Massey contends that the promoters are going to advertise regardless of the requirements. The paperwork is increased, and in the event that $5,000 worth of advertising is not expended, the Town would not kick the event out of the festival grounds.

 

Ms. Wight agreed adding that now that Ghost Town is reopening, it is uncertain if the promoters need to show proof of advertising.  .

 

MR. MASSEY MADE A MOTION TO CHARGE $500 PER DAY WITH A $1,500 MINIMUM FOR THE THREE-DAY WEEKEND AND THEN $500 FOR EVERY DAY THEREAFTER EXCLUDING THE SET UP AND CLEAN UP DAYS, AND THAT ANY EVENT LASTING OVER FIVE WORKING DAYS WOULD HAVE THE RENTAL FEE NEGOTIABLE.

MS. WIGHT SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

Mr. Mahoney still had concerns adding that the fee seemed low now that additional amenities are in place.

 

There was discussion on what promoters now have available such as the stage, lighting, access to water, and electric outlets. There should be a separate application for promoters using the newly installed conveniences.  

 

Chief Sutton felt a policy should be developed.  The Police Department could turn the lights on and off at designated times.

 

Mr. Massey stated that he was under the impression that the meters would be read before and after each event and then the promoter would be charged for electricity used.

 

Ms. Collins spoke from the floor informing the Board that now that infrastructure is in place, the Town should be prepared for weeklong events.

 

 A policy should be developed for promoters wanting to use the stage.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

Continued Discussion on Ice Cream Freezer to Store Ice to Sell

The Civic Association has offered to donate an Ice Cream Freezer to the Festival Grounds. The existing freezer in the concession stand holds approximately 30 bags of ice.  If suitable, the freezer could be used to store additional ice or the Visitor’s Center could sell ice cream.  Mr. Mehaffey will look at the freezer and then report back to the committee.

 

Due to a lack of space in the concession stand, Ms. Collins questioned if a grill would be better utilized than an additional freezer.

 

Manager Barth felt it would be a number of years before promoters would start using a grill regularly as opposed to using food vendors. Mr. Mahoney agreed adding that someone needed to take inventory of what is currently at the festival grounds.

 

Continued Discussion on Getting the Antique Care Show to Maggie Valley

The Committee recognizes the loss to Maggie Valley businesses when the car show left the Jonathan Creek area.   Mr. Massey stated that the Mountaineer Antique Car Show is unhappy at the Asheville location.

 

The Committee discussed several options to try to get the car show to come to Maggie Valley. One option discussed was closing down one lane of US-19 for the cars to park and then have vending on the festival grounds. Another option could be Eaglenest Entertainment, the Stompin Grounds, and the Town approaching the promoter in a concerted effort to bring the show to Maggie Valley.

 

Chief Sutton will investigate closing a lane on Soco Road and report his findings at the next meeting.

 

Other Business

Manager Barth asked that the 2007 July 4th Fireworks be put on the November Agenda for discussion.  If the fireworks are shot from the festival grounds, activities cannot be held on the grounds.

 

Meeting Adjourned

ON MOTION BY MS. WIGHT, SECONDED BY MR. MASSEY, WITH ALL IN FAVOR, THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 4:35 P.M.

 

 

 

_____________________________

Chairman Tammy Brown

 

 

 

____________________________

Vickie Best, CMC, Town Clerk