CITY OF LACONIA
FOURTEENTH MEETING-WORK SESSION
April 28, 2004-6:42 PM
CALL TO ORDER:
Vice-Chairman James Joyal called the meeting to order on the above date and time. Meeting chaired by Peter Brunette starting @ 6:47.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
James Baird, Sharon Fleischman, Richard Heinis, James Joyal, and Brenda Schmucker
MEMBERS LATE:
Linda Peary @ 6:45 and Peter Brunette @6:47
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
No report
SECRETARY’S REPORT:
Brenda Schmucker made a motion, seconded by Richard Heinis, to approve the minutes of the April 8, 2004 Motorcycle Week Committee meeting. The motion was unanimously approved.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS:
2. City Council Liaison-No report
3. Laconia Rally and Race Association Liaison-Linda Peary reported that Rally and Race is planning to have the Bike Week Vintage Race in downtown Laconia. They are also considering changing the Bike Week date for 2006. Their next meeting is scheduled for May 12. Linda plans to attend.
4. State and County Government- Peter Brunette reported that he met with the County Commissioners and costs to the County for Bike Week are in the $20,000 to $30,000 range. They commented on the congestion at the Weirs. Peter also stated that enacting a tax for Bike Week is illegal.
5. Local Businesses and Landowners-Richard Heinis reported that James Joyal met
with Councilwoman Judy Krahulec and is invited to discuss points at the Weirs Action Committee on May 6.
6. Vendors, Exhibitors, and Non-local Businesses-Jim Baird presented and read a letter from Loretta O’Brien, founder and executive director of the National Biker Vendors Association. (See attached letter.)
7. Event Model Research-No report
OLD BUSINESS:
Sharon Fleischman reported that she checked with City Manager Eileen Cabanel on the legality of Jim Baird’s idea of putting donation boxes around the Bikers’ areas during Bike Week to offset some of the Bike Week costs. Ms. Cabanel has referred this to the City attorney and will get back to us.
NEW BUSINESS:
No new business
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Paul Fitzgerald, Attorney for the small vendors (10-20 square feet areas) spoke to the committee on behalf of Loretta O’Brien, Executive Director of the Vendors Association. He was concerned about the City changing the licensing fees to correspond with square foot areas rented. He said people would be out with tape measures and costs to the bigger vendors would be so high that they would back out and little vendors would get hurt by having to makeup the costs. “This would backfire”, he said.
James Baird questioned if the vendors would rent reduced cost vendor spots in town with the city realizing the money. Mr. Fitzgerald said they would support this if a plan was drawn realizing a way for the vendors to make money.
Peter Brunette asked Mr. Fitzgerald if the Vendors Association would be willing to sit down with the Council committee to set Bike Week fees. He said, “Sure they would.”
James Baird questioned if it was legal for the vendors to stay all night and sleep at their sites and for Dynos to be running at midnight. Mr. Fitzgerald stated that the Technical Review “Folks” can put restrictions on the Dynos. Peter Brunette stated that vendors can
inform the city on their applications that they will be sleeping at their sites. Mr. Fitzgerald stated that the 70 new sites at the Water Slide are being well-taken.
Charlie St. Clair, Rally and Race Executive Director, stated that there are others ways for the city to make money other than vendor fees. He opposed changing the city licensing fees to be based on square footage. He also stated that people would be out with tape measures. He stated that the Vintage Bike Race will be great for the downtown if it can be put on. Nissan is coming to film the Bike Race. He said that he already has 2 vendors for Opechee Park. He said, “Bike Week was 8 days until 1965 when the regional vendors made it a “3 day drunkethon.” “Now we get vendors and people from California and around the world. Bike Week is a Biker Week. How lucky kids are to be exposed.” He stated that the vast majority of police do a great job and there are only a few that may be over zealous. He added that the beer tents problem has been solved and, in response to a comment at a previous meeting about some vendors wanting Bike Week to be shorter, vendors can come for 4 days rather than 9 days if they want.
Peter Brunette questioned Mr. St. Clair about the committee’s recommendation that the city be involved in marketing. (T- shirts, pins, etc.) Mr. St. Clair stated that this did not do well when tried by other cities, but Daytona sells bottled water, which does well. He recommended that the city do a Motorcycle Raffle for $50 a ticket with a limited number of tickets sold.
Peter Brunette also requested that Mr. St. Clair provide the committee with information on the number of people coming from different states and a copy of the Rally and Race Annual Report from 2003.
James Baird questioned Mr. St. Clair about charging $1 per person on Lakeside Avenue. Mr. St. Clair said there are better ways to make money like selling bricks for $50-$75 a brick with the Bikers name and date engraved on it.
Linda Peary asked Mr. St. Clair about having the Opechee Park Bike Show after 4 PM to
enable working people to attend. Mr. St. Clair said this is not possible due to Little League.
Russ Pettit said that the city could make money selling T- shirts and pins if they sell them in vendors’ areas and share part of the profit with the vendors. He said that vendors would rent spots anywhere in the city if there are people there and money to be made. He said vendor numbers attending went from 500 to 300 and vendors who are not returning should be asked WHY and the problems solved.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion by Sharon Fleischman, seconded by James Baird, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:27 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon R. Fleischman April 28, 2004