Ypsilanti summer festival organizers frustrated over park fee increases
The last time the City of Ypsilanti raised park usage fees, some summer festival organizers threatened to leave town and most strongly objected to fee increases to cover capital park improvements.
With another round of increases already approved by City Council and the policy tied to it expected to come up for vote at a future council meeting, similar concerns have been raised.
“We had negotiated with (Ypsilanti) Township to move our festival there, where there are no park usage fees,” said Carole Clare, chairwoman of the ElvisFest, in an email to city officials. “With the new fees we may have no choice but to move our festival out of the city.”
Clare wrote the statement in an email to City Council and several staff members, including Assistant City Manager Ericka Savage, who presented the changes to council.
It will now cost $100 to rent the Riverside Park gazebo for two hours. Each additional hour will cost $25.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
With the city's park budget shrinking — by about $10,00 per year the past few years — higher fees could make up for some of the loss. Among the increases are special event permit fees that range from $200 to $500 per festival day, though many festivals already paid a fee and some will not see any change.
Events that use Riverside or Frog Island parks and attract fewer than 10,000 people and don't serve alcohol will now pay a $250 park capital improvement fee. Events that draw more than 10,000 people or fewer than than 10,000 people and serve alcohol still will pay a fee of $1,000.
No figure for how much additional revenue this would provide for the city has been provided and a lack of information on exactly how much more it would cost some festivals has frustrated organizers.
Events that will be most affected are the numerous car shows that attract fewer than 10,000 people throughout the summer festival season and didn’t previously pay a permit fee.
Also included are new or increased daily fees for items such as traffic cones, trash collection, street closures, signs or use of city vehicles during events.
Events also would be required to pay the city’s cost of cleanup, plus 10 percent to 15 percent extra if the parks aren’t properly cleaned by 1 p.m. the next day.
Gazebo rental will now cost $100 for the first two hours and $25 for each additional hour, and pavilion rental will cost $55 for the first two hours and $25 each additional hour, though non-residents would pay $10 an hour more. Previously no fee was charged for gazebo rental.
Although council approved the new fee schedule, it still has to approve policy related to the fees. If the proposed policy is approved, City Council could waive the application permit fees for local non-profits, like the ElvisFest or the Heritage Festival.
The Color Run is the largest for-profit festival the city typically plays host to.
Savage informed Clare in an email that ElvisFest could potentially pay less in fees next year if the policy allowing council to waive non-profit festivals’ fees is approved.
Still, Clare wrote in an email to AnnArbor.com that she fears ElvisFest would pay more and is already cutting back on the donations it makes to Meals on Wheels because of the last increase.
Heritage Festival Director Andrew Clock noted that the YHF paid more than $20,000 in city fees last year, representing one-sixth of its overall budget. The YHF lost around $8,000 last year.
“Council seems to be under the impression that festivals are big money makers,” Clock said. “Well, that may be true of the Beer Fest and Color Run, but events like the Elvis Fest and most car shows barely cover costs and often give most of what they profit to charity.”
He underscored the economic benefit of the summer festivals, which he contended bring tens of thousands of visitors to Ypsilanti and millions of dollars in commerce. He said City Council should consider that before further raising fees.
“Instead, we get another round of fee increases coupled with a vague promise that council could choose to discount those new fees through an ordinance that does not yet exist, and we don't get so much as a courtesy email to tell us the increase is coming. We have to find out by reading about it in AnnArbor.com. Council looks at us as a funding source, not a resource for tourism and promotion,” Clock said.
Michigan Summer Beer Festival Executive Director Scott Graham told AnnArbor.com he hadn't heard about any proposed increases.
The last time new fees were proposed, Council first voted to tax 5 percent of all festival ticket sales in 2011 and 2012, then raise the rate to 10 percent in 2013. But that was reconsidered after festival organizers threatened to leave town.
Negotiations between City Council members and festival organizers led to an agreement under which the largest "class four" festivals — which included the Heritage Festival, Michigan Summer Beer Festival, Roots Jamboree and Ton Up — would pay a flat fee of $1,000 per festival day in 2011. The approximately $10,000 in annual revenue generated went into a new restricted park capital improvement fund.
The City Council is expected to take up the policy in one of the next several council meetings.
Comments
Ypsi Eastsider
Thu, Jul 25, 2013 : 3:10 p.m.
glimmertwin, The downtown merchants wanted to have parking for the Color Run at Water Street to raise money for events downtown. The City and Ypsilanti Convention and Visitors Bureau said no.
samrocks
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 11:02 p.m.
I have been going to the Heritage Festival for years (I live in Ypsi). Last years' festival was great. My son is now five year's old, last summer he had a blast there. There were so many things for kids to do that we went everyday. I was very impressed. In recent years I've felt that the festival had really gone down hill. I'm glad I gave it another chance last year. I feel Andrew Clark and everyone involved made it great, and very family friendly. People should come check it out for themselves, and all the kids' activities are free.
glimmertwin
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 6:41 p.m.
Face it people, the city is broke. Maybe they should hold the festival(s) on the water street project property. The proceeds could go towards paying down that little debt that your elected officials wracked up.
Citywatch
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 5:31 p.m.
Yes, council is shortsighted on this issue for sure. These festivals are a part of our identity as a city. Now that I think about it, wasn't there something that councilmembers Murdock and Robb engineered that caused us to start charging the festivals for using the parks?
Bubbap
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 3:40 p.m.
Does the Ypsi council reslize that without these festivals, there really is no draw for people in other cities to utilize any part of their town unless someone wants to visit Deja Vu. I guess Ypsi's new city slogan should be "Ypsilanti -come see our strippers" I know, I know, Ypsi has EMU but poor college students dont really help a city and its businesses make ends meet.
eastsidemom
Thu, Jul 25, 2013 : 1:03 p.m.
@TK2013: You could not be more wrong. Ypsilanti destinations…Downtown has the Tuesday Farmer's Market (Which moves indoors to the Corner Brewery in winter), the Library, B24s an independent coffee shop,, Spark East (job incubator), Red Rock (awesome food and beer, fantastic atmosphere), Tap Room (a townie place that sells itself and has for many good years), Bona Sera (gourmet food) Dalat, The Wolverine (delicious homemade local breakfast & lunch), Beezy's (more yummy local fare), The Rocket, Puffer Reds, The Mix, , the Ypsi Studio (Indoor cycling, yoga, personal training and much more) EMU School of Business, Riverside Theater, and yes beloved Haabs. Now for Depot Town, Harvest Fest, Sidetrack & Frenchies, Aubree's, Ollie's Café, Ypsilanti Food Coop, Ikes Barber Shop, and I forgot the Antiques both downtown & depot town…and venture west up cross and we have Ugly Mug (independent Coffee shop) Towner Inn, The Wurst (both awesome stops) and now Sweetwater Café. And great parks and people.
TK2013
Thu, Jul 25, 2013 : 12:24 a.m.
Sorry, Jonathan, but no one travels to Ypsi for any festival or "specialized" shop (with the possible exception of the dregs that keep Deja Vu going strong). Ann Arbor, yes...Ypsi, you must be kidding!
Jonathan Blutarsky
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 8:42 p.m.
My point is plenty of people travel to Ypsilanti for a variety of unique and specialized shops. Just because you do not know or appreciate what is in the town does not mean other don't.
Bubbap
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 6:50 p.m.
JB World of Rocks & Firehouse museum, really? I actually don't get the idea you are pushing. The places you listed may be doing well but the article was about decisions made that could affect drawing people into Ypsi. I wont respond to every place you mentioned but Puffer Reds is not going to draw a wide variety of people to town that are spending money at other places as it has a young clientele focus (while I know there may be older folks shopping at P. Reds, I am sure there are not that many and it isnt their focus, I have seen their ads. The auto museum has never seemed to be open at any time I passed through depot town and I lived in depot town and went to EMU. I am sorry without the festivals, the only draw to Ypsi I have is Haab's, Roys squeeze in and Bills drive in and I noticed you didnt mention those. Talk to me about Red Rock in a few years, it might be the only place you mentioned that could draw people to town in any large numbers because bbq lovers will travel if its any good.
Jonathan Blutarsky
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 5:44 p.m.
Here are ten destinations that are doing well in Ypsilanti: World of Rocks, Puffer Reds, MI General Store, The Rocket, Salt City Antiques, Red Rock, Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum, Michigan Firehouse Museum, Mix, and Materials Unlimited I'm sure there are others but you get the idea. Perhaps Bubbap you should to expand your horizons out of "The Vu".
Bubbap
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 3:42 p.m.
Realize, not reslize
Solitude
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 3:38 p.m.
The Heritage Festival Director should spend less time complaining and more time trying to correct the fact that his festival lost $8,000 dollars last year. If, as he contends, the Heritage Festival is such an economic boon to the city, he should be able to run it to at least break even? If the $20K he says the Festival spent least year on city fees is one-sixth of the budget, where are the other five-sixths going? It also seems short-sighted to complain about changes that could result in the city having the discretion to waive the fees entirely.
Solitude
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 3:39 p.m.
Correction, "...shouldn't he be able to run it to at least break even?"
eastsidemom
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 3:24 p.m.
I intend to really enjoy beer fest this year. I am saddened as I think they will not return next year. And our beloved Heritage Festival has enough roadblocks without the continuous raising of the fees. Elvis was blocked by DPW from setting up the night before (as traditionally always occurs) as they had not paid for the prior day…It seems the city is working against us.
eastsidemom
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 7:46 p.m.
Oh that is rich Solitude, "Do I even hear myself?" Yes I heard myself. It sounds like you enjoy blaming the victim, the victims here being the citizens of Ypsilanti. We citizens who did not get to vote on whether we wanted to invest our futures, our retirements in Water Street. And this is where supporters cry "Oh that is water under the bridge…" No we citizens did not direct the city to bully everyone who wants to do business with them. No, we did not ask the city to continue to keep raising fees on festivals. Nor did we direct the city to allow our own employees to bully the visitors to our fair town. No we did not. No the citizens of Ypsilanti didn't create the problems that are city is facing; we just have to pay for it.
Solitude
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 3:43 p.m.
Is the city working "against us," or is it doing what voters directed it to do when they defeated the Water Street millage and the city income tax proposals? Aren't they supposed to be cutting costs everywhere possible? Aren't they supposed to be ruthlessly making everybody who was getting something for nothing before carry their weight? If the Elvisfest didn't pay for the prior day, why should they get the prior day? Do you even hear yourself? Did you offer to pay extra to cover the extra costs to the city for the unpaid day?
Tine
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 3:17 p.m.
Take the Heritage Festival somewhere else!????!?!?!?! Isn't the Heritage Festival of Ypsilanti, all about the heritage of Ypsilanti!!!!? wow! :(
Liz Lemon
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 3:06 p.m.
Does anyone remember how the DTCDC used to take care of the parks for somewhere around $40,000 for the City of Ypsilanti? And then the city council cancelled that contract out of spite over the name of what eventually became the Roots Jamboree? Short-sighted and stupid. http://markmaynard.com/2010/01/ypsis-parks-and-what-it-costs-to-maintain-them/
Midtowner
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 4:51 p.m.
does the depot town cdc even exist anymore?
bigdrummer
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 1:56 p.m.
I always assumed they already payed fees to use the park. It makes sense to me. If you use the park, which deteriorates the park amenities, you should have to help restore them. Maybe that's just naive and too straight forward for government...
Michelle Valasin
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 1:28 p.m.
"Events also would be required to pay the city's cost of cleanup, plus 10 percent to 15 percent extra if the parks aren't properly cleaned by 1 p.m. the next day." Please explain. Is the city doing the clean up and if so why would "events" be charged extra if the city workers worked slow.
Jonathan Blutarsky
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 6:11 p.m.
I think that is just awkwardly written and what was meant to be said was perhaps "If the parks aren't properly cleaned by 1 p.m. the next day events would be required to pay the city's cost of cleanup, plus 10 percent to 15 percent extra" Just guessing but that is the only way I can make sense of it myself.
Ignatz
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 1:58 p.m.
I suspect that normal, non-festival wear and tear would be less and quicker to clean up than if the festival promoters did not clean up after their event.
PattyinYpsi
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 1:17 p.m.
"Council looks at us as a funding source, not a resource for tourism and promotion," Clock said. Exactly. The proposed fee increases are incredibly short-sighted. These festivals bring people from out of town to the city, where they patronize local businesses and get a sense of all the new businesses in Depot Town and the downtown area. When the city drives festival organizers to move to another location, the city will end up with nothing, and local businesses will suffer. It's a terrible decision.
Solitude
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 3:58 p.m.
Please. Elvisfest brings people from out-of-town; Heritage Festival by and large does not. It's a celebration of local heritage, right? The crowds at Heritage Festival are local crowds, which his why the thing runs a perpetual deficit.
ypsidog
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 1:16 p.m.
I am a long time city resident and homeowner. I like all the festivals, but you can take the Heritage Festival somewhere eles. Nothing but trouble, kids fighting, etc. Besides it has run it's course, it is outdated and low class. We won't miss it!! the dog
TK2013
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 12:47 p.m.
Go ahead and move your festivals…most of us couldn't care less.
bmann
Thu, Jul 25, 2013 : 1:27 a.m.
"The organizers of these drunken so-called "festivals" are the real problem. They disregard all rules and regulations and couldn't care less about public safety or putting on a festival that you would even think about bringing your children to." Really TK. Please give us some specific examples to back up your claim. My wife and I have been volunteering at Elvisfest for years. It's great family fun. Everyone from kids to great-grandparents. No rowdy or unruly behavior. Same with the car shows. What are you seeing that I'm missing? Sounds to me like you"re just an old sourpuss who hates to see people getting out and having fun.
TK2013
Thu, Jul 25, 2013 : 12:30 a.m.
The organizers of these drunken so-called "festivals" are the real problem. They disregard all rules and regulations and couldn't care less about public safety or putting on a festival that you would even think about bringing your children to.
TK2013
Thu, Jul 25, 2013 : 12:13 a.m.
Yeah, the same 23 who think truck pulls are a cultural event and public drunkenness is "fun."
dsponini
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 5:51 p.m.
So far 23 people say otherwise :)
Faygo
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 12:25 p.m.
And how much money will the local economy lose out on when these events all move elsewhere... ? The council is the most near-sighted board I've ever heard of. When you tax, fine, charge, and then tax more, your city will never look the way you want it too.
Faygo
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 7:44 p.m.
1. Of course they should charge, just not absurd rates which may cause festivals to stay away. 2. I'm not ignoring the fact that they can waive fees for whom they like. Honestly, I'm equally concerned with that. A group of people so famous for mismanaging funds and resources probably shouldn't have options like this left to their discretion. Furthermore, the last thing I need is people like Pete Murdock and Paul Schreiber deciding for whom I should cover the bill. 3.If this was all they are doing, it would be one thing. It's not though. On an annual basis we are required to stand up and fight against their constant barrage of pro-tax, anti business schemes. At least their city income tax and water street millage failed. The absurd LED charge will likely not though, and it will just be added to the stack. 4. This is the way things have been happening for a long time, and by my count, it's not working. We had a 13% population drop between 2000 and 2010, and many of the faces on council now were their for the better part of that decade. If you want to charge more for Beer Fest fine. But I have a feeling that sooner rather than later, these decisions will be made by an EFM, and not a council.
Solitude
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 3:55 p.m.
No successful municipality allows its facilities to be used without compensation. Not one. Facilities worth using need maintaining, more than ever when they are used as much as Ypsi city parks are used. Do you want the taxpayers to pay, or should the events have to pay? Ypsi has a huge number of festivals given its size, which causes accelerated wear and tear and the need for more man-hours of maintenance. Plus, why are you ignoring the fact that the new rules will give the city the option of waiving fess for those festivals that it chooses? Taxpayers don't want to pay more for anything, even though they are paying less in taxes; everybody wants more services and better services; now, you don't want groups who use city facilities to pay the appropriate costs. Is gas less expensive that it was a year ago? Is electricity less expensive? Are man-hours less expensive?