HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996 08-20 EBDM
Earle Brown Days
Meeting Minutes
August 20, 1996
PRESENT:
Neilson, Roen, Dorff, Zastrow, Graham, Slupske, Bergeland, Cohen, Dale
Ubelhoer, and LaCrosse. The meeting was called to order at 7:40 a.m. by Dorff.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
There was a motion by Cohen, seconded by Bergeland to
approve the minutes of July 23, 1996. Motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT
: Dorff asked everyone to refer to the spreadsheet and said a new
line item was added to the arts & crafts fair & the junior ambassadors to reflect the cost of the
Heritage Center. LaCrosse said the city has paid those costs this year because they did not
inform the committee they would be responsible for Heritage Center costs. Zastrow reported
a balance of $10,341.87 as of August 20. A deposit of $500 was added bringing the balance
to $10,841.87. The balance at the beginning of the festival year was $9,024.81.
Cohen passed out a memo to the committee. He said the success of EBD is dependent on
three key elements:
1. The work of the committee, event chairs & respective committee volunteers.
2. The contributions by the City of Brooklyn Center.
3. Financial contributions by the business community & service organizations.
He listed the events that have proven to work well in the past. His suggestion for planning the
1997 festival include measuring events by financial impact, public participation and personnel
needed to carry out the event. He also noted we should look at site locations related to these
costs, such as civic center complex, Heritage Center and Brookdale Center. Cohen also
discussed the process of reviewing events and the costs associated.
Bergeland asked if we need a festival. Dorff said we should look at the location of events.
Slupske said the challenge to the committee is to talk to people about volunteering. Cohen
said we carry on because we want to see things go. If someone comes up with an idea, they
carry it out and come up with the finances. We are not going to eat into our cash balances.
Slupske said a number of businesses have not contributed in the past. He said he sees no
reason why the car dealers do not contribute. Nielson said it is a matter of publicizing.
Bergeland said she thought LaCrosse did a good job of advertising and the problem is
visibility. People act on the spur of the moment if they see something happening.
Slupske said he invited Dale Ubelhoer because of his good ideas. Ubelhoer said he doesnt
see the visibility either. He said the only thing people really see is the fireworks. He shared
some ideas with the committee:
1. Road Rally - every car is given a different route to get to the same destination. Each
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car carries an EBD sign promoting the festival. Points are awarded for various things and an
awards ceremony is included at the end.
2. Community Support People - Fire department could compete with other fire
departments. Or the police department could compete with other police departments in an
obstacle course set up in the parking lot. It would cost money to enter. There could also be
demonstrations, such as canine trials. Another idea is a competition with emergency squads.
Trophies would be awarded. A traveling trophy, which would start out small and grow each
year, could be used.
3. Kite Flying Contest - There are kite flying clubs in Minneapolis.
4. Auto Parts Flea Market - Many cities in Pennsylvania have been very successful at this
event. The flea market could be tied into the car show and bring in additional people. The
goal would be to bring in more people from Brooklyn Center as well as outside Brooklyn
Center.
5. High School Bands - The bands have a stronger field presence than is reflected in the
band competition in the parade. Another part of the judging could include their floor work.
Slupske said there are national competitions in almost all of the above.
Bergeland suggested the Friendship Games between Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park be
tied in with EBD. LaCrosse said that in all fairness, we should suggest alternating between
the two festivals. She will look into it.
LaCrosse said there was a request from a resident near Central Park to move the fireworks to
Friday or Saturday night. There was a motion from Slupske, seconded by Graham to keep the
fireworks on Sunday night.
There was a motion by Bergeland, seconded by Slupske to move the ice cream social to
Central Park. Discussion was postponed until the next meeting.
Bergeland suggested a sub committee come up with a site plan for Central Park with
dimensions and parking availability. LaCrosse, Dorff and Holcomb will meet with Rick Nelson
of the maintenance department to look at Central Park and electricity.
Graham said we need to expand our volunteer base, connect with the business community
and make an assessment of facility support.
Ubelhoer said those business who donate should be recognized more than just being
recognized at the event.
Bergeland, Slupske and Graham will meet to come up with ideas to be used in making a
presentation to the Chamber. Graham has slides for a slide show. LaCrosse said she has
pictures if they would like to make a collage of pictures to be put on an easel.
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Both sub committees will make a report at the next EBD meeting.
NEXT MEETING:
Tuesday, September 17, 7:30 a.m., Conference Room A at City Hall.
ADJOURN:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sue LaCrosse
City Liaison
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