Minutes: Jan. 2016 meeting

[Christel Manning]

The Economic Development group met on Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, from 6 – 7 pm at 20 Grand Avenue. Present: Christel, David H., Brenda, Rich P, Nathalie B., Donna, Lisa, Lee.

We continued planning for Riverfest 2016. Persons listed in parentheses are coordinators for each item. We still need coordinators for several items, including music and setup/cleanup.

1. Food and beer (Lisa). Kevin has agreed to provide pizza slides. Lisa will follow up w. beer companies: Two Roads, Front Porch, Bar. Donna suggested cupcake truck for kids. Nathalie reported on Chris idea that Grand Vin do wine pairings with meat truck. Any food truck would be outside marina on street, if we get it closed. Lisa will check this out w. Kevin.
2. Music (need coordinator!!). Nathalie and David both presented some numbers on renting tents, dance floor, stage, etc. We can get tents for free from Wacoma, but may do the stage and/or floor if we can raise the funds (e.g., 12x20 dance floor from Taylor Rental is $450 plus $65 install; we have a chart with additional sizes/prices). Nathalie suggested Don’s Big Band, which would be great bec. they are local, but we don’t have space for big band. Richard suggested Four Barrel Billy as good dance band. If they come, maybe Richard can bring some dance instructors. Christel will contact FBB and Good Night Blue Moon; she will ask GNBM if they can leave their sound equipment for the other bands, as we did last year.
3. Kids activities (Donna). Will get Home Depot to come back w. crafts, this time w. staff who know how to assemble it. Also Kettle Corn and maybe a cupcake truck. Sheila and her friends will do face painting. Other ideas: reach out to Sound School and/or Common Ground for volunteers. Nathalie will have table w. information about the kid-boat project.
4. Canoeing and boating activities (Christel). QWRA has agreed to come back w. canoes, and this time they will bring 14 kayaks as well. But they cannot do our rain date (5/15). John from CDBi rowing wants to be involved; he emailed suggesting they provide rowing lessons. We should also get the fire boat back.
5. Fundraising and sponsors (Lee). Last year’s sponsors are all listed on our website. Christel will make list and email to all, along with our donation form.
6. Website and publicity (Carlos). Lee reported that Carlos has agreed to be our web master, so Christel will forward info to him. If we have dancing, we should get City Hall to publicize event as part of their healthy activities promotion.
7. Street closing (need coordinator!). Not sure if we will do this again, because paying for cops is expensive and we had no events on street last year. Nathalie will contact Clymenza to see if she can organize some artists to come. If yes, then we could have alt food vendors on closed street.
8. Setup and cleanup (need coordinator!). Christel has talked to Natalie Coe who said she’s sure Wacoma will let us have tables and chairs again.
9. Other. We should provide sunscreen. Can ask vendors to come, but should also have some free sunscreen. Tambira had some ideas about this; Christel will contact her.