Among 58 resolutions up for consideration Wednesday, four have to do with plans for the July 4th Celebration, two specifically related to a concert.
The cost for use of Cedar Brook Park is $8,800, payable to the County of Union. Fireworks by Garden State Fireworks will cost $12,000. And then things get a bit murky. A proposed resolution allocates $4,700 to HSP Event Planning for a concert, but correspondence from the company indicates a $6,500 option if the city agrees to let HSP provide staff and services. Otherwise, the city is to provide a stage manager, two or three stage hands, a production assistant, two crew members for "artist/rep coordinators" and additional staff if required.
According to background documents in the council packet, the city's budget was initially $3,200. But HSP recommended a $5,000 production cost instead of $3,200, with another $1,500 for "pre-production and site logistic visit." A schedule calls for payment of $1,500 by May 28 for the preliminary visit; $1,600 payable on June 7; and $1,600 on show day "before site breakdown." HSP recommends $2,500 each for the last two items.
If this all sounds confusing, it is. The city is only authorizing $4,700, but then will have to pay for required staff separately, according to HSP's scenario.
Then there is another set of costs to Infinite Events & Marketing for "the talent." The total allocated by the city is not to exceed $10,800. Six performers have agreed to fees totaling $5,300 and presumably the company as producer gets the balance. However, the "client" - City of Plainfield Recreation Division - must provide insurance, advertising, security, a stage and stage lighting, sound and power and stagehands to set up and take down the performance venue.
For several years, City Council members have sought a full accounting of all costs associated with the July 4th Celebration. The documents cited above lead one to believe there are costs associated with this concert that are not spelled out. The timetable for payments appears to have elapsed in part. At any rate, the June 17 meeting is when the council will vote on these expenditures, so advance payments do not seem possible.
The issue of planning ahead for this annual event dates back at least to 2006, when former Recreation Superintendent Dave Wynn sought $55,000 for a July 4 concert on short notice. The council denied his request for a budget transfer to fund the event and had previously denied using $100,000 in Urban Enterprise Zone funds for a concert. Click here for Plaintalker's report.
Please note that all July 4th events will take place in Plainfield this year on Saturday, July 6.
--Bernice
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well... It's more than we know about 2012..that's for sure.
ReplyDeletePayments in advance of the City Council authorizing them are not possible? Surely you jest. We pay $100,000 per month to the PMUA that is not authorized. And who can forget the $5-20,000 that tied us up in knots for over a year while the PMUA commissioners stole over $50,000 in illegal compensation?
ReplyDeleteHSP Marketing is Dave Wynn's people. Who are they to give recommendations to the city about costs? They were involved in last years fiasco with Dave Wynn. There are a lot of marketing companies, and Infinite is another scam by Dave Wynn and friends. Look it up.
ReplyDeleteWe need to stop having 4th of July celebrated only on saturdays. I heard they don't want to pay city workers overtime to work on the holiday. Many years ago we paid those few workers to work on the 4th. how much are we really saving? We waste tax payers money on other programs we don't need. It does not feel like 4th of July when we celebrate it on a saturday three or four later. I was born here 70 years ago and I remember East Front was pack with thousands of people to see the parade, now only a few people attend. Please celebrate the events on the 4th and not saturdays.
ReplyDeleteHow come the city has to pay the county for the park. Isn't that what the county portion of the tax bill is about.
ReplyDeleteCome on Mayor Mapp!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete