Exit133.com: Centralized Event Management in Tacoma?

Centralized Event Management in Tacoma? (25. October 2006, 12:40 by Derek Young) ~ Party Planning 101

The BIA Blog is reporting that a proposal is on the table to form a partnership between Metro Parks and the city to centralize major event management.

Under the proposal related to the committee this morning, the City of Tacoma would create a new Office of Special Events. This department would “develop an efficient, user-friendly event permit system” and provide a centralized operational planning process for new and major special events. Metro Parks believes that this approach would yield a “more effective, strategic approach to festival production in Tacoma” beginning as early as next calendar year.

I want to hear more…

Link to the BIA Blog

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Interesting. The policy discussion .pdf linked to in the BIA article identifies weaknesses that are surely in the system but from this armchair it sure sounds like adding two layers of bureaucracy and I particularly don’t like the part about proposing higher fees for non-profits in return. Per the BIA blog article: “Still, the proposal recommends higher fees for non-profits wanting to field events—an idea sure to draw fire from those sources—and many citizens will question whether a board of City and Metro Parks staffers (as currently proposed) is really the right body to decide which special events happen or don’t happen in public spaces.” I hope it’s not a wrong solution for some credible concerns and goals. It’s been a long time since I’ve been remotely involved in small-scale event planning, but I’m always a skeptic, and the “opportunities” listed and threats identified on page 7 don’t give me a warm fuzzy. But there are smart, dedicated people out there that will be affected by this – I have faith they won’t let the wrong thing happen.

1 | Posted by Dave L. | Oct 25, 03:19 PM

Metro Parks should be plenty busy taking care of THE PARKS. I still see great need for improvement in pretty much every green space they manage. Many other municipalities compare favorably in this regard, while Jack Wilson takes home a greater salary then the head of Seattle Parks.
Once an institution with all the bond-money they can handle takes hold of events in T-Town, the creative spirit of local folks will surely be shut out. It has already come to splitting during last summer’s Chihuly fest. A long history of litigation between Metro Parks and the City does not help sway me in favor.
I would support a move to combine Tacoma and Metro Parks under one Parks Department run by the City. As it is we have to heads and two administrative beasts with not enough help to do actual park work.
I just went through an events permitting process with the City. It was speedy, easy and only 20 bucks. Why should I trust that Metro Parks would do better?
Metro Parks has been involved in First Night. First Night is dead now.
I hope Dave is right and smart, dedicated People will not let it happen!

2 | Posted by Claudia | Oct 25, 04:55 PM

I suppose, and this is just a shot in the dark, that Metro’s motivation for pursuing this partnership stems from the potential INCOME that Metro would be able to earn from increased permitting fees as a result of a partnership….which, said income, would then in turn allow Metro Parks to actually upkeep and maintain the parks as Claudia suggests (as opposed to charging usage fees).

In any case, event permits rake in huge fee revenue and permit management could be revised. But I am not convinced that a new government “arm” dedicated to the business of special events is a cost-effective way of processing event permits and planning events. I am a proponent however, of revising the permitting process via revised municipal code and finance procedures that allow for flexibility when it comes to bonding. For example, instead of requiring $1 million bonding for every event, perhaps base the bond on the size of the event?

3 | Posted by Broadweezy | Oct 25, 10:08 PM

An open letter to Metro Parks:
—————————————————-

Dear Metro Parks,

This letter was prompted by two things: 1) my frustration in trying to organize a small community event (50-100 people) at Wapato Lake and 2) the recent talk of creating a joint event planning office with the City of Tacoma.

Earlier this year, I inquired at Metro Parks to learn about the requirements to put on a small community event. The event was to be cultural and free to the public. To my dismay, I learned that there would be a permit fee of $200-$300 (not including deposit and insurance). Now, this may not sound like much to some of you, but for a grass roots effort composed of non-profits, this is a substantial amount. Putting on a community event shouldn’t be a challenge right out of the gate. In the end, I decided to not move forward with the event until there is more support from the community (Metro Parks).

I believe our community AND Metro Parks would be better served by eliminating the permit fee barrier to small community events. There is a greater potential for cultural and community events in Tacoma than what we are seeing. I encourage you to do everything in your power to support grass roots community events at the policy level and to not see them as part of a profit center.