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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Policy - Specific Event Alcohol Advertising on City t w 5' ace For WC <Use Council/Agency Meeting Held: �•"• Deferred/Continued to: KApproved ❑ Conditionally Approved ❑ Denied e City Clerk's Sign ture Council Meeting Date: 02/21/95 Department ID Number: CS-95-006 REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION SUBMITTED TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SUBMITTED BY: MICHAEL T. UBERUAGA, City Adminis a or PREPARED BY: RON HAGAN, Director, Community Services_ SUBJECT: SPECIFIC EVENT ALCOHOL ADVERTISING ON CITY BEACHES AND PARKS Statement of issue, Funding Source, Recommended Action, Alternative Action, Analysis, Environmental Status, 1:111 Statement of Issue: Several specific event promoters have requested that Council reconsider the city policy regarding allowance of beer sponsorship for specific events on city beaches and parks. Funding Source: Not applicable. Recommended Action: MOTION TO: Modify city policy regarding beer sponsorships for specific events for a trial period of one year as follows: It shall be the policy of the City of Huntington Beach that the advertising of alcohol in association with approved specific event permits shall be limited to beer and wine products only, no hard liquor or tobacco. Any specific event application submitted to the city requesting alcohol beverage advertising at the event site must include a site sign plan and merchandising handout plan for approval by the Director of Community Services. No alcohol beverage consumption shall be allowed pursuant to HBMC Chapter 5.68. Approval of alcohol sponsorship does not constitute approval for alcohol consumption. Approval of the site sign plan shall require the posting of 'ho alcohol beverage consumption"signs as well as educational message signs such as `DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE" or other educational advertisements appropriate to the occasion. All specific events approved with alcohol beverage sponsorships shall be subject to an additional fee set by Council resolution that will specifically be used for substance abuse prevention programs. 1 ` < t • REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ARON Meeting Date: 02/21/95 SPECIFIC EVENT ALCOHOL ADVERTISING ON CITY BEACHES AND PARKS CS-95-006 Alternative Action(s): MOTION TO: Continue the current policy of no alcohol sponsorship of specific events on city beaches or parks. Analysis: In March, 1991, the City Council established a policy of no advertising or sponsorship of events by alcohol beverage companies on city beaches and parks. City ordinances expressly prohibit consumption of alcohol in city parks or on city beaches without express written permission of the City Council. However, the ordinances contain no language regarding advertising or sponsorship of events by alcohol beverage companies on city beaches or parks. To allow such advertising or sponsorship, an affirmative vote of the City Council would be required to change the policy. Staff is proposing a one year trial period to allow beer sponsorship's, and if successful, then return to council with a resolution establishing the policy on a permanent basis. City staff has been contacted by the operators of the US Open of Surfing, OP Professional Surfing Competition, and other specific event promoters who advise that they must have alcohol beverage company sponsorship in order to pay for the high costs of putting on their events. Consequently, alcohol sponsorship is again an issue. In the past, it was Council's feeling that advertising and sponsorship by alcohol beverage companies during public events on city beaches and parks sent the wrong message, i.e., that beaches, parks and alcohol go together. Consequently, Council adopted the policy of no advertisement or sponsorship by alcohol beverage companies. On January 11, 1995, staff presented a new policy to the Community Services Commission to allow beer and wine sponsorship (NO CONSUMPTION). The Commission approved recommending the policy to City Council on a 9 to 1 vote. It was the Commission's feeling that the new policy would allow the city to keep its major surfing events and add the highly popular and growing sport of professional beach volleyball, as well as other destination attraction events, to the city's prestigious list of community activities. While the commission is desirous of the city continuing its policy of promoting a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle, recent events throughout the nation have been focused on substance abuse education VS. the outright banning of alcohol sponsorships. The commission feels that a one year trial of a different approach should be tried, one that allows alcohol beverage companies to advertise and sponsor events only when prominent messages are also displayed that alcohol consumption is not allowed. The issue is greater than any one event sponsorship. With major events depending upon television contracts to support the costs, it is almost impossible to pay for a major professional event, such as the US Open of Surfing, OP Pro Championships, US Open Men's or Women's Pro Volleyball, without the revenue derived from a beer or wine sponsor. As an example, the ASP Pro Surfing Tour could not exist without the sponsorship of Budweiser, hence the name 'Bud Pro Tour." Neither men's nor women's professional volleyball would exist without the sponsorship of the Miller and Coor's Brewing Companies. If the city wants to continue to host the world's premiere surfing events, equestrian shows, pro beach volleyball, and other destination attraction events, it must rethink its position regarding 0006780.01 -2- 02/13/95 9:16 AM REQUEST FOR COUNCIL APION Meeting Date: 02/21/95 SPECIFIC EVENT ALCOHOL ADVERTISING ON CITY BEACHES AND PARKS CS-95-006 advertising and sponsorship by alcohol beverage companies. If the city were to adopt a policy to allow alcohol advertising and sponsorship, it could be limited to beer and wine companies only, no hard liquor or tobacco. The policy would require that alcohol beverage advertising include statements :such as 'NO ALCOHOL BEVERAGE CONSUMPTION ON THE BEACH OR IN THE PARK." Other alternative message signs such as 'DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE'; `KNOW WHEN TO SAY WHEN'; and 'BE A DESIGNATED DRIVER'; would be incorporated into the overall sponsorship package for each event. Alcohol advertising would enable the city and the various promoters of events to take advantage of the tremendous advertising budgets and revenue potential that beer companies can bring to events. The facts are: • Professional sporting events cannot exist in today's economy without alcohol beverage company sponsorship. • Professional sporting events and destination attraction activities cannot exist without television contracts. • Promoters will sell alcohol beverage company sponsorships whether the city prohibits on site sponsorship or not. When the event is televised, the alcohol sponsorship signs are added. The city receives none of the financial benefits. • If the city wishes to host major sporting events and retain the US Open of Surfing, OP Pro Championships, Hoop-It-Up, etc., it will have to find a compromise that would allow the inclusion of beer and wine companies as sponsors. A typical professional sporting event such as the US Open of Surfing or Pro Beach Volleyball will generate approximately $250,000 in consumer spending in Huntington Beach, thus contributing to the local economy. In addition, the inclusion of a beer or wine company will allow the site amenities to be greatly improved and the events to be offered free or at very limited rates to:the general public. • An additional fee for events that include alcohol sponsorship is also being included. This fee would go directly to city-sponsored programs on drug and alcohol abuse education, such as DARE. Environmental Status: Not applicable. Attachment(s): Page Number 1. Letter from Women's Professional Volleyball Association 2. Letter to Mayor and City Council from Surf City Foundation 3. Letter from Liberty Sports 4. Message from MADD 0006780.01 -3- 02/13/95 9:16 AM `tip.,•, ._,�.... -,,t g � wa � We � � w w �:`• '{k ik;:;:�{..y. c+.{,v,>'+a '• a ....:. J{�y t, r i �'�.` L � ./i�u;'�y`i ;J I .•:Lt s; v ..•. .v ...,:.,,;::.:......,... .>h...`,r+.�,.r......:r:.....:.,..,...xn3`v._..... .. .....ram`...h: '..J,' � ; Wei,�1+;i:?``?.2... •;:>x.,....:� v January 25, 1995 City of Huntington Beach Community Services Department 2000 Main Street P.O. Box 190 Huntington Beach,CA 92648 Dear Sirs: The Women's Professional Volleyball Association is considering Huntington Beach as a 1 ti r oca on for tour event during the 1995 season. An event of this magnitude bungs increased tourism, sales tax revenue, and national sports media attention to the hosting city. In order for us to consider any location, we must be assured that all of our sponsors will be prominently identified on site. Our sponsors include Reebok, Evian, Coors Light, Bausch and Lomb, and Marriot. We are able to accommodate restrictions on the type of food, beverage, and novelty sales, but sponsor recognition is a requirement. Prior to incorporating Huntington Beach into our schedule and the planning and permitting work which that entails, please notify us in writing by February 9, 1995 if Huntington Beach will allow all of our sponsors to be prominently identified on site. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Shi5 „ely, David Gustafson WOMEN'S PROFESSIONAL VOLLEYBALL ASSOCIATION 840 Apollo Street, Suite 205 • El Segundo, California 90245-4701 • (310) 726-0700 • Fax: (310) 726-0719 /- U F I- rr - r f.. A ... - FEB Z 1013 M ¢ 5 February 1, 1995 Mayor and City Council City of Huntington Beach 2000 Main Street Huntington Beach, CA 92648 Subject: United States Olympic Beach Volleyball Team Trials Dear Mayor and City Council, We have been contacted about the possibility of holding trials for the 1996 United States Olympic Beach Volleyball team in Huntington Beach next to the pier either this summer, fall or next spring. Beach volleyball competition is a new event to be held at the World Olympic Games in Atlanta in 19,96. One of the requirements of the United Stated Olympic Committee (USOC) is the ability to bring beer sponsors as well as others to the event. The Olympic trials in all sports are major fund raisers for the USOC and provide funds for training the teams in preparation for the World Olympic Games. Since there are several southern California beach cities being considered for this prestigious event, we are again urging you to adopt the recommended policy allowing beer sponsors on City property at your February 6th meeting. After the policy is adopted, the Surf City Foundation in conjunction with City staff will vigorously pursue bringing trials for the 1996 United States Olympic Beach Volleyball team to Huntington Beach. Sincerely, Paul E. Cook President Surf City Foundation cc: Michael Uberuaga, City Administrator Ron Hagan, Community"Services Director Ron Lowenberg, Police Chief 211 MAIN STREET/HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA 92648 f(714)960-3378 LIBERTY PORTS More Meek V.P,/Vriten 5pnr4N J?hunt Crnpp January 27, 1995 Mr. Ron Hagan Director of Community Services The City of Huntington Beach 2000 Main Street Huntington Beach, CA 92648 Dear Ron: Can behalf of Liberty Sports aild the Prime Sports Event Croup I'm writing to you to express oti r support of the one year trial allowing the placement of beer and, wine sponsor signage at professional sports events taking place on the City's beaches. As the executive director of the U.S. Open of Surfing I had the opportunity in 1994 to experience, first hand, the new realities facing organizers of major events on public property. As the economies of cities and counties have continued to change, event organizers have been tasked with defraying all manner of costs that heretofore were provided as part of the participating city's contribution to the success of the event. Speaking from experience, these costs can be among the biggest budget items an event has to carry. Events such as the U.S. Open rely primarily on sponsorship to meet their revenue goals. I--ligh profile sports events like the U.S. Open are particularly attractive to alcoholic beverage advertisers as they represent unique opportunities to convey their own marketing messages. These sponsors also represent a solid source of funding and often make the difference in an event's success or failure. The decision to support the one year trial has been carefully considered. Of all. the events taking place on the City's reaches, the L.T.S. Open came tinder more scrutiny than any event in recent memory. 1.0000 Santa Monica Boulevard LoH Aixgelca,California 90067 :310 282 7211 Fux:310 2162 7203 Sll1iVIPTN4901.conx i+.cltud Opportunity Elliployer / #! 1221 fL0 fit F-XXOM AN 13NDII Alsd Lo:�J 26-OC-1 IN39 V� As y.,,u know, the 1994 U.S. Open ran without a single incident and created a dramatic, two-week-long economic boost to the whole of Huntington Beach. By allowing the placement of beer and wine sponsor signage on the beach during professional sports events the City will take an important step in helping events like ours achieve economic viability. With the mitigation conditions that you have set forth., namely 20% of on-site signage devoted to education and the on-site participation of substance abuse education organizations, the City can take pride in its progressive approach to the issue. por the record, we do not support any change in the laws relating to consumption of alcohol on the beach. At their best, major sports events represent unique, compelling entertainment opportunities for the audience and solid economic incentive for the local business community. I hope the City of Huntington. Beach will take the positive step of approving the one year alcoholic beverage advertising trial and ensure the economic viability of the professional sports events that will have such a positive impact on the City. Sincerely, Don Meek Vice President/ Prime Sports Event Group DWM/ah CC. Tan Cairns Voice Mail Response Received 2/6/95 From: Reidel Post, MADD , Re: RCA recommending alcohol sponsorship of specific events The information makes it very clear that these are just sponsorships. As long as they are not encouraging people to consume the alcohol, MADD does not have a problem with it. I think it is a great idea to use banners or posters for educational messages such as Don't Drink and Drive, as well as signs that there is to be no consumption in the parks or beaches. I suggest that at some of these events it might be appropriate to hand out literature that educates the attendees about alcohol consumption in general. I know that the police officers some times at sobriety checks will give out general information about alcohol consumption and the effects on the body when driving. If you are interested, let me know. We are looking for some underwriters for literature and if you want us to ask them to print some extras for these events, we'd be happy to do that. Additionally, we have posters and I would be more than happy to participate and help out in any way possible. At some of the specific events, it might be a good idea to have information booths set up. Possibly the PD would want to take a part of a booth or man a booth where they could educate people as well. It would be a good PR thing for the PD. If you want us involved in any of that, let us know. But as far as I'm concerned, this does not go against MADD's policies. The idea for a one year trial period of time is good. At the end of the year, we would be able to reanalyze it and see where we are in terms of collisions if they've increased or other types of violent behavior. I think the statistics bear out that 80+percent of all violent crime is committed while an individual is under the influence. There's been some bad press sometimes with people drinking and getting rowdy there in Huntington Beach, I think it's the New Year's Eve or one of the holidays where they normally get their name in the news and that type of thing. So it would probably be a good opportunity if handled appropriately to educate the public and still get the sponsorships in and I certainly understand what that is all about, trying to get underwriting and sponsorships for different events. i o, February 9, 1995 To: Ron Hagan Director, Community Services From: Richard R. Wright President, Huntington Beach Police Officers' Association Subject: P.O.A. position on Alcohol Sponsored Events in the City The Huntington Beach Police Officers' Association in no way supports or condones the abuse of alcoholic beverage or drugs. We do however, support the legitimate right of an individual to determine whether he or she will consume alcoholic beverages. We believe that it is the responsibility of government to make tough decisions in the best interest of the general public. The continuing woes of the economy have forced event organizers to be more aggressive in the pursuit of dollars from the private sector to defray their cost. Sporting events have become more and more associated with the alcoholic beverage industry. The industry in response appears to have begun a more responsible advertising attitude toward the problem of abuse. We applaud their efforts and feel that if given the opportunity they would be willing to go even further. The sponsorship of sporting events in the city of Huntington Beach by nationally recognizable alcoholic beverage sponsors could generate a great deal of tourism dollars. With input from this organization and the leadership of police, fire and marine safety, we would fully support a trial period of alcoholic beverage sponsorship of sporting events held on the city beach. RRW:tlo cc: Michael Uberuaga R.E. Lowenberg Michael Dolder William Ogden Steve Reuter PHONE: (714) 842-8851 FAX: (714) 847-0064 MAILING ADDRESS: BUSINESS OFFICE: P.O.Box 896,Huntington Beach,CA 92648 18221 Gothard Street,Huntington Beach,CA 926488* [fl CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH INTER-DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATION HUNTINGTON BEACH To MICHAEL T. UBERUAGA City Administrator From RONALD E. LOWENBERG Chief of Police Subject POLICE DEPARTMENT POSITION REPORT ON ALCOHOL SPONSORED EVENTS IN THE CITY Date January 27, 1995 The choice to drink or not to drink is an individual decision that in itself is not a concern to the police department. However, the inevitable abuses that result from drinking are of major concern to us both professionally and personally. The statistics on the abuse of alcohol are staggering. Here are just a few: 17,461 people died in 1993 from alcohol-related accidents. Use of alcohol and other drugs is associated with the leading cause of death and injury among teenagers and young adults. Four out of every ten adolescents aged 12-17 use alcohol. Alcohol use usually starts at age 13 . Nearly one out of every three high school seniors drinks heavily. This abuse cannot be allowed to continue. We cannot ignore it and, most importantly, we cannot in any way propagate it. Why do manufacturers of alcoholic beverages spend billions each year on advertising, which includes sponsoring popular sporting events? They do it because it works. Their goal is to target teenagers and young adults and to entice them to drink their product; and they are achieving this goal. Beer advertisements appeal to younger teenagers. Youth aged 10-16 view beer commercials as promoting masculinity, sociability, and working- class values. POLICE DEPARTMENT POSITION REPORT ON ALCOHOL SPONSORED EVENTS IN THE CITY Page Two e f he most methods of selling their product to the On o t t g youth of this country is sponsoring popular sporting events. Hundreds of thousands of kids watch football, baseball, volleyball, racing, etc. , on television and are inundated with signs promoting the use of alcohol, or famous athletes endorsing the products. The result is these young people associate drinking with their favorite sport or athlete. That is why half a million junior and senior high school students drink heavily, consuming five or more drinks on one occasion once a week. One of the areas covered in the D.A.R.E. (Drug Awareness Resistance Education) curriculum deals directly with this issue. It is so important that the youth understand what these alcohol companies (and tobacco companies) are trying to do to them with their advertising, that an excellent videotape has been produced for D.A.R.E. to help educate students on this subject. I have a copy of this video for your review. Those of us at the police department thoroughly understand the budget situation and the need to draw more revenue into the city. However, it is my opinion that we cannot spend our time and energy teaching the youth of our city the dangers of alcohol abuse on one hand and then promote its use on the other. We must be firm and consistent in our message on the use and abuse of alcohol and all other drugs. I have had the opportunity to discuss this issue with the Council subcommittee dealing with this issue and the Conference and Visitors' Bureau in preparation for the scheduled discussion of this topic at the February 6th Council meeting. I believe this dialogue has been useful. I am concerned that the police department did not have an opportunity to voice our point of view to the Community Services Commission prior to their vote on their recommendation to the City Council. The police department is strongly opposed to supporting alcoholic sponsored events on the beach or anywhere else in the city. REL:gsd / cc: Ron Haganr/ t r REC YEV `PAUL E. COOK AND ASSOCIATES "-' J`�'` FES 53 February 15, 1995 Mayor and City Council City of Huntington Beach 2000 Main Street Huntington Beach, CA 92648 Subject: Beer Sponsors for Special Events on City Property Dear Mayor and City Council, I urge you to approve the City staffs recommendation regarding the subject matter on February 21, 1995. I have taken the time to put together a partial list of benefits of adopting the policy at this time, a copy of which is attached. The old policy is the only thing holding us back from hosting every major beach sporting event in the world. Times change. Its time to come into the reality of life today by adopting this policy and making Huntington Beach the leading visitor serving beach community in the western United States. I've heard some concern about the message this gives to our children. What better example can we set for our Huntington Beach youth than by hosting the sporting events, especially professional volleyball, that they watch regularly on national television? The beach is our greatest asset. Let's take full advantage of it. Sincerely, Paul E. Cook cc: Michael Uberuaga, City Administrator Ron Hagan, Community Services Director zale- C'�52)"Mtl n ���l�qs 211 Main Street 0 Huntington Beach, California 92648 (714) 960-8298 BEER SPONSORS FOR SPECIAL EVENTS ON CITY PROPERTY Benefits A. Retains current beach events like the U S Open of Surfing and Pierfest. B. Secures new adult oriented events like: I. Professional mens and womens volleyball. 2. Possible U S Olympic beach volleyball trials. 3. Bud Tour of Surfing 4. Beach concert series. 5. Offshore power boat racing C. Provides opportunity for our parents and youth to see these healthy athletes up close and personal. D. Provides greatly increased alcohol and drug education opportunites for our youth before, during and after these events. E. Provides increased patronage for our downtown businesses. F. Delivers significantly increased bed tax and sales tax to the City. List of Supporters H B Community Services Commission H B Conference and Visitors Bureau H B Chamber of Commerce (unanimously) H B Police Officers Association Downtown Business Association H B International Surfing Museum MADD Many private citizens (majority of callers responding to H B Independent survey support it). VL I 1)1) vL -J11141 1AVIV! 111 lU Wil VLZAA 1UI • • RECEIVED CITY CLERK CITY OF H UNTINGT0N `F 4,;`; iyALIF. ��v 025ov!?6ae.4 FEB 16 228 1 p H # �hanr6er o�''�C�anr�eerce 95 February 14, 1995 Mayor Victor Leipzig and Members of the City Council 2000 Main Street Huntington Beach, Ca. 92648 Dear Mayor Leipzig: The Board of Directors, of the Chamber of Commerce on behalf of its membership of 900, urge the City Council to approve the modified city policy as recommended by city staff regarding beer sponsorships for specific events for a trial period of one year. With major events depending upon television contracts to support costs, it is almost impossible to pay for a major professional event, such as national surfing and national men's or women's pro volleyball events, without the revenue derived from a beer or wine sponsor. If Huntington Beach wishes to host major sporting events and retain the events we already have, the city will have to find a compromise that allows the inclusion of beer and wide companies as sponsors. It makes good sense that the city would want the event to take place on the city beach in order to maintain control through permits and receive the financial benefit from fees and the sales tax revenue generated from shoppers in the downtown. We also feel that the events could have a positive impact on viewers with substance abuse education, in addition to the fees that could be collected and dedicated for use in city-sponsored programs on drug and alcohol abuse education, such as DARF,. If council does not approve this recommended policy, event organizers will hold the activities on the State Beach just down PCH and still promote the event as a Huntington Beach activity. We will lose the fees, the potential shoppers for Downtown, the substance abuse fees and the control over the event. Our commendations to city staff for being proactive and coming up with a policy that is an excellent compromise it will allow the events, it will bring in new revenue to the city, it will provide more dollars for substance abuse education and it will allow the city to maintain control over the events. Please adopt this policy at your February 21 meeting. Sin erely, f/sident Rid ell, CB cc: Uberuaga 2100 Main street,suite 20o Hagan Huntington Beach,CA 92648 7141536.8888 bra V1'1iJneA yOr RECEIVED FROM j AND MADE q pARTG' itit/> THE OF THE R COUNCIL MEETING OFOa/ OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK CONNIE B ROOKWAY,CITY CLER K .M Mothers Against Drunk Driving 777 S.Main St.,#116 • Orange,CA 92668 • (714)835-6233 • Fax:(714)835-5464 ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER February 21 , 1995 Mr. Ron Hagan Director of Community Services The City of Huntington Beach 2000 Main Street Huntington Beach, CA 92648 Dear Mr. Hagan: It is my desire to revisit the issue of whether or not- to allow alcohol advertising/sponsorship for specific events on city beaches and parks. There are several concerns that must be taken into account before reaching an opinion regarding this matter. 1 ) Do these events primarily appeal to individuals under the age of 21 ? If so, the community needs to be responsible for the message that the young people are getting from these events. D.A.R.E. officers are very successful in raising the awareness of the dangers of alcohol and recognition of it as a drug. The zero- tolerance law is one that delivers a single, not double, message. MADD encourages and works towards educating the youth in a consistent manner about underage use of alcohol . 2) What will be the financial impact on law enforcement agencies as a result of these events being sponsored by the alcohol industry? Are there ample funds to cover the increased enforcement that such gatherings require? MADD works- closely with the police departments in preventing intoxicated driving. The possible increase in consumption at local food establishments must be taken into consideration. How will this be monitored? 3) How many banners/signs will be displayed with "NO CONSUMPTION" or "DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE" and where will their placement be in relationship to the alcohol advertisements? These events would possibly provide a good place for educational literature to be disbursed to the community. It is my understanding, based upon our phone conversations, that if the city parks and beaches are not chosen as a site for such events, then the location would probably be the state beaches where alcohol is allowed to be consumed at the event. Additionally, i there would be no control over signs nor the generated funds to funnel into substance abuse prevention programs such as D.A.R.E. With this in mind, the impact of allowing such sponsorship would not me more negative than at these same events being held at the state beaches . It is up to each adult to choose for themselves how they feel about alcohol consumption. MADD is not a prohibitionist organization. We fight against impaired driving whether caused by alcohol or other drugs. In light of the information which you provided me, and understanding that these events do not target people under 21 , I do not feel that such advertizing is inappropriate. I would encourage you to consider the way in which crime is monitored during these events. At the end of the one year trial period, any significant change in crime should be reported. It is estimated that over 80% of all violent crimes are committed by someone under the influence of alcohol. This cannot be ignored. The local police departments should to be supported by the community they serve in their endeavors to remove criminals from our neighborhoods. If you have any questions about MADD's stance on this subject, please do not hesitate to call me. I wish you and The"City of Huntington Beach every success with your upcoming events. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help keep them safe. Sincerely, 4�'�e��/ Reidel Post Executive Director MADD, Orange County 10 PIER RACE PROMOTIONS, LP OFFSHORE PRODUCTIONS Ron Hagen February 17, 1995 Community Services 46myBtl moM City of Huntington Beach ANIJ MADE A PARTOF THE RECORDAT Tilt OOUNCIL MEETING OF L' --V--yj 2000 Main Street OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK Huntington Beach, CA 92648 NNiE BROOKWAY,CITY CLERK RE: City Council Hearing on Proposal to Allow Beer Company Sponsorship of Beach Events/ 1995 First Annual Huntington Beach Power Boat Race ATTN:Ron Hagen, Director of Community Services As it has come to my attention the City Council will be acting on a proposal to modify its current policy banning beer company sponsorship of beach events, I am writing this letter to register my support for such a measure. My interest arises both from the fact that I am currently involved in promoting the production of a major ocean-racing event, which will by all projections be the largest annual event to be hosted by the City of Huntington Beach to date, and that I am a downtown Main Street business ("Paralegal Services") owner/operator who is well aware of the types of crowd control problems that face City authorities, especially during summer. While all concerns regarding crowd control may be diminished by simply denying this City certain event venues which may pose problems, it is my belief the City Council must recognize that Downtown j2 a tourist attraction coupled with unusually attractive beach conditions which offer an opportunity for this Community to prosper in ways unavailable to neighboring cities. Financial interests of various landowners and business operators will depend more and more on growth patterns stimulated by new business, especially during these times of economic instability. How a city grows in comparison to others must depend on its utilization of resources, balanced with its budget for financing change. In short, the City must advertise its resources to the World and bring prospective new business to its doors. 221 Main Street Suite M Huntington Beach, California 92648 Tel / Fax: (714)960-9552 r . - HAGEN/PRP-LP 02-17-95 Page two The power boat race I am tying to produce, is only one example, but as such it represents a singular opportunity to accomplish a relatively short term result with long term benefits for the Community. Beer Company Sponsorship of beach events would promise economic backing for the growth I am emphasizing. I believe now is a good time for the City to give new avenues a chance to positively effect business expansion and bring attention to Huntington Beach resources, for every kind of generally accepted form of wholesome public sporting activity. Sincerely, Val Jean Bureau Executive Director PIER RACE PROMOTIONS, LP