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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFourth of July Committee Minutes 07.08.1997Fourth of July Critique Meeting Tuesday, July 8, 1997 Council Chambers. 7 p.m. Attending: Miles Walton, Bill Staudinger, Jim Flisrand, Bud Johnson, Mayor Rodgers, Alan Hovioas, Laurel Police Chief; Howard Rickard and Jim Eastman, representing Laurel Jaycees; $gt. Mike Zuhowski, LPD; Pat Kimmet,Laurel Dodgers/Little League representative; Darrell McGillen and Rob Harris, Laurel Volunteer Fire Department, Donna Kilpatrick, chairman. The Laurel Chamber of Commerce was not represented. Howard Rickard reported on the Jaycee-sponsored portion of the Fourth of July event. The street dance went very well with between 2200-2S00 people in attendance. The police reserve provided excellent security. Another year more ' barricades could be used to better control traffic. The Kiddies Parade was a success with no problems; and the pancake breakfast was also a success with about 800 persons attending. Additional garbage cans could be used for the breakfast. The parade was not discussed very much as a representative of the Chamber was not in attendance. Pat Kimmett represented the Legion team and the Little League. Better communication is needed; the baseball organization was not represented on the Fourth of July committee this year. It had been represented on the committee before and def'mitely should be a part of the committee in the future. A problem existed on the Fourth when a Billings business (a jumping-type, air inflated entertainment) approached the Legion to be able to put the tent in the park during the afternoon. A percentage (35%) of the take was given to the legion. This decision was made( by Mayor Rodgers, Alderman Miles Walton and Donna Kilpatrick) while the man had his rig in the park getting ready to set up. Thinking about the whole episode afterward, this is exactly why the committee was set up in the first place so last minute, possibly wrong decisions would not have to be made. (I think the deadline we set, june 12 is a very good idea to avoid such a problem.) Other profit-making groups might also have wanted to give a percentage of the take to some non-profit making organzation and thereby be allowed to participate in the park activities. We have kept the activities non-profit in order to allow the legion, the Little League and the LVFD to make as much money as possible from the crowds in the park on the Fourth. Much discussion was held on whether or not to keep the activities non=profit. This committee tended to believe it should be non-profit; although a decision was not made. The Laurel Chamber of Commerce has asked the committee to consider next year a long table in the park during the activities where interested Laurel businesses could place their wares. The request came too late for a decision this year; however, next year the committee should act on that request. Fourth of July Critique Meeting Tuesday, July 8, 1997 Council Chambers. 7 p.m. Additional discussion was held concerning profit making groups who parked on East Sixth St, and did a land office business. It was suggested that the profit-making groups be limited to Laurel businesses only. A problem this year resulted when the barricades were not placed on East Eighth St. and on East Sixth St. for the firemen' individual cars while they are preparing for the barbecue. East Eighth St. never was cleared. It has been blocked off each year for emergency vehicles; but this year cars did not heed the barricades. It must be decided who places the barricades(very early in the morning) and how to enforce it. Better use of the reserve officers was also discussed with perhaps a volunteer and a reserve being paired up for the day. Two volunteers from each participating organization was suggested, Also a member of police command should be at the announcers booth during the fireworks. A clean-up committee is needed;again a representative or two from each participating group was sugggested or maybe a fee could be charged to participating groups to pay for clean-up. Other items of discussion included: A portion of the committee to decide on where booths should be placed in the park--suggestions included in the area between the tennis courts and the Athletic Field fence. Continue to limit the number of vehicles in the park keeping the vehicular traffic on the access road only. Place a garbage container on school property near East Eighth St. Designate handicap parking areas. Perhaps work with the school and set aside an area east of the high school. Keep East Eighth St. clear for emergency vehicles. Prepare a booklet with do's and don'ts! to go to all participating groups. Check with the city attorney to see if we can keep profit-making groups off the street near the park. Fourth of July Critique Meeting Tuesday, July 8, 1997 Council Chambers. 7 p.m. Charge a fee for non-profit making groups to participate; (could be a clean-up fee included.) A variable fee for the type of merchandise--food maybe could be charged more than crafts, etc. Ambulance staff was not available. Need a first aid tent, etc. Street lights need to be out during fireworks. Cars were 4-abreast during parade. Need to make sure they line up individually. No candy will allowed to be thrown during the parade. That information needs to be on Lhe parade entry form. Need to plan now for the year 2000. Another meeting will be set to allow input from other participating groups and after those groups represented at this meeting have had a chance to discuss the ideas with their members. Respectfully submitted, Donna Kilpatrick, chairman.