Carefree Truth
Issue #600, October 30, 2017
Councilman Mike Farrar was very excited to present a proposal to hire Ollie the Trolley for commuter services during the period of December, 2017- April, 2018. It is designed for the tourist season and the timing is flexible. It could be expanded to include November and March, if desired. Dunn Transportation provides trolley service in Old Town Scottsdale. Mr. Farrar approached owner Margaret Dunn about bringing this service to Cave Creek and Carefree.
A vintage western looking open air gas hybrid trolley, which would compliment the community, would run between west Cave Creek and east Carefree on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 AM-9 PM every 30 minutes, making preferred location stops. The $6,600 a month cost includes a professional uniformed driver, $5 million liability insurance, fuel and maintenance, a supervisor/mechanic and a trolley. Funding would be accomplished via a public/private partnership between Cave Creek, Carefree and participating merchants. At 1/3 each, Carefree's cost would be $2,200 a month.
Issue #600, October 30, 2017
Councilman Mike Farrar was very excited to present a proposal to hire Ollie the Trolley for commuter services during the period of December, 2017- April, 2018. It is designed for the tourist season and the timing is flexible. It could be expanded to include November and March, if desired. Dunn Transportation provides trolley service in Old Town Scottsdale. Mr. Farrar approached owner Margaret Dunn about bringing this service to Cave Creek and Carefree.
A vintage western looking open air gas hybrid trolley, which would compliment the community, would run between west Cave Creek and east Carefree on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 AM-9 PM every 30 minutes, making preferred location stops. The $6,600 a month cost includes a professional uniformed driver, $5 million liability insurance, fuel and maintenance, a supervisor/mechanic and a trolley. Funding would be accomplished via a public/private partnership between Cave Creek, Carefree and participating merchants. At 1/3 each, Carefree's cost would be $2,200 a month.
Benefits include increased safety due to a reduction in car and motorcycle traffic, less vehicular pollution, a reduction in preferred parking congestion, particularly during festivals, and savings for both Towns since shuttle services wouldn't be needed for large events.
Mr. Farrar felt it would also be a tremendous tourist attraction, an event unto itself, a fun experience similar to the San Francisco street cars. The rides would be free to the public. It would encourage people to come see our beautiful scenery and be exposed to the local merchants, great marketing for our community. He would love to see this happen.
The stops would be funded by the respective merchants and restaurants, costing approximately $500 a month to be a preferred stop. The owners of Spanish Village have already committed to being a stop, seeing the value to their tenants. It would come onto Easy Street. Mr. Farrar wanted to bring it before the Council before soliciting more Carefree merchants, but he's spoken to the Cave Creek Mayor, Town Manager, and some Cave Creek merchants who are excited about it.
Mayor Les Peterson said this would harness the joint pulling powers of both towns by cross merchandising attractions and events. He assumed it would be contingent upon authorization by Cave Creek too. Mr. Farrar confirmed that. Mayor Peterson commented that he knows Margaret Dunn. She is a very ethical and well respected businesswoman who does a lot of good things with positive results in Scottsdale and the surrounding area. He was enthusiastic. Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer summarized that it would cost Carefree $11,000 for the season and the merchants approximately $500 a month each for business between Rancho Manana and the Carefree Resort to be a preferred stop.
Mr. Farrar said there are other sponsor opportunities as well, for instance, exterior signage and interior brochure racks. All options are open. There could be speakers from companies or merchants who speak about their services and products, musicians, Santa during the Christmas season; make it an experience.
Councilman Mike Krahe asked if there is a way to track how many use the trolley and how many visit Carefree businesses. Mr. Farrar replied that in Scottsdale they have hand clickers to count the trolley users. Dr. Krahe wondered what would happen if few Carefree merchants participate and there were more in Cave Creek, in which case Carefree would be paying to send people to Cave Creek. Mr. Farrar said the town would be a preferred stop if Carefree participates, so the trolley would at least make a stop in the town core. He said another option would be for both towns to split the cost 50/50 and make the decisions about where the trolley would stop. If merchants choose not to participate, it might not be a viable option going forward. Both Cave Creek's and the local merchants' desire to participate will be explored before any finalization.
Vice Mayor John Crane said ideally there would be sufficient interest by businesses in both towns to provide that $11,000. He asked where the $11,000 would come from in Carefree's budget. Gary Neiss explained that it would come from the $200,000 Contingency fund, some of which was spent on the Council Chambers, but there is certainly enough left for this. The purpose of the Contingency fund is to allow for flexibility within the budget. The Vice Mayor asked if the trolley is on the upcoming Cave Creek Council agenda. Mr. Farrar said it is currently under discussion, so it should come before their Council soon. Mayor Peterson suggested that the proposal should be for up to $11,000, and if there is not enough interest, it can be taken down. Mr. Farrar agreed that there is no commitment on the part of the Town at this point.
Ms. Kroyer felt $500 a month would be a serious burden to many of the merchants. Mr. Farrar said the idea is to limit the number of stops, making them more strategic, but there is the ability to reduce the cost if more businesses participate. He is looking at the success of the experience in Scottsdale and thinks it would translate to this area.
Dr. Krahe said he would vote for it contingent upon enough participation from Carefree businesses. Mr. Farrar asked to Beta it for one season because he feels it brings value to Carefree. He noted that the Cave Creek business have the advantage of fronting Cave Creek Road, whereas most Carefree businesses are "inside the jar, so it has to get into the jar to get exposed". He added that both towns have marketing strategies, and can work more effectively together. Projects like this suggest they are tied together on a regional basis instead of working apart.
Mr. Farrar asked for Marketing Director Gina Kaegi's opinion. Mrs. Kaegi thought the trolley is cute and matches the town. She liked the idea that it goes on tour. She was not surprised that the owners of Spanish Village jumped on board. They are very progressive and they "get" it. Her biggest concern was that, unlike Cave Creek, there is not a lot of night life in Carefree. She agreed that a Beta test could be explored. Mr. Farrar hoped that it would encourage more merchants to stay open later in the evening because there would be traffic. The intent is to drive traffic to the community. Dr. Krahe agreed it was worth trying. Ms. Kroyer agreed, provided it were contingent on both Cave Creek and enough businesses participating. If that happens, she said it seems like a great deal. The motion was modified to include those contingencies, and it passed unanimously. Mayor Peterson thanked Mr. Farrar for bringing it forward.
https://vimeo.com/237231150
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.
Mr. Farrar felt it would also be a tremendous tourist attraction, an event unto itself, a fun experience similar to the San Francisco street cars. The rides would be free to the public. It would encourage people to come see our beautiful scenery and be exposed to the local merchants, great marketing for our community. He would love to see this happen.
The stops would be funded by the respective merchants and restaurants, costing approximately $500 a month to be a preferred stop. The owners of Spanish Village have already committed to being a stop, seeing the value to their tenants. It would come onto Easy Street. Mr. Farrar wanted to bring it before the Council before soliciting more Carefree merchants, but he's spoken to the Cave Creek Mayor, Town Manager, and some Cave Creek merchants who are excited about it.
Mayor Les Peterson said this would harness the joint pulling powers of both towns by cross merchandising attractions and events. He assumed it would be contingent upon authorization by Cave Creek too. Mr. Farrar confirmed that. Mayor Peterson commented that he knows Margaret Dunn. She is a very ethical and well respected businesswoman who does a lot of good things with positive results in Scottsdale and the surrounding area. He was enthusiastic. Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer summarized that it would cost Carefree $11,000 for the season and the merchants approximately $500 a month each for business between Rancho Manana and the Carefree Resort to be a preferred stop.
Mr. Farrar said there are other sponsor opportunities as well, for instance, exterior signage and interior brochure racks. All options are open. There could be speakers from companies or merchants who speak about their services and products, musicians, Santa during the Christmas season; make it an experience.
Councilman Mike Krahe asked if there is a way to track how many use the trolley and how many visit Carefree businesses. Mr. Farrar replied that in Scottsdale they have hand clickers to count the trolley users. Dr. Krahe wondered what would happen if few Carefree merchants participate and there were more in Cave Creek, in which case Carefree would be paying to send people to Cave Creek. Mr. Farrar said the town would be a preferred stop if Carefree participates, so the trolley would at least make a stop in the town core. He said another option would be for both towns to split the cost 50/50 and make the decisions about where the trolley would stop. If merchants choose not to participate, it might not be a viable option going forward. Both Cave Creek's and the local merchants' desire to participate will be explored before any finalization.
Vice Mayor John Crane said ideally there would be sufficient interest by businesses in both towns to provide that $11,000. He asked where the $11,000 would come from in Carefree's budget. Gary Neiss explained that it would come from the $200,000 Contingency fund, some of which was spent on the Council Chambers, but there is certainly enough left for this. The purpose of the Contingency fund is to allow for flexibility within the budget. The Vice Mayor asked if the trolley is on the upcoming Cave Creek Council agenda. Mr. Farrar said it is currently under discussion, so it should come before their Council soon. Mayor Peterson suggested that the proposal should be for up to $11,000, and if there is not enough interest, it can be taken down. Mr. Farrar agreed that there is no commitment on the part of the Town at this point.
Ms. Kroyer felt $500 a month would be a serious burden to many of the merchants. Mr. Farrar said the idea is to limit the number of stops, making them more strategic, but there is the ability to reduce the cost if more businesses participate. He is looking at the success of the experience in Scottsdale and thinks it would translate to this area.
Dr. Krahe said he would vote for it contingent upon enough participation from Carefree businesses. Mr. Farrar asked to Beta it for one season because he feels it brings value to Carefree. He noted that the Cave Creek business have the advantage of fronting Cave Creek Road, whereas most Carefree businesses are "inside the jar, so it has to get into the jar to get exposed". He added that both towns have marketing strategies, and can work more effectively together. Projects like this suggest they are tied together on a regional basis instead of working apart.
Mr. Farrar asked for Marketing Director Gina Kaegi's opinion. Mrs. Kaegi thought the trolley is cute and matches the town. She liked the idea that it goes on tour. She was not surprised that the owners of Spanish Village jumped on board. They are very progressive and they "get" it. Her biggest concern was that, unlike Cave Creek, there is not a lot of night life in Carefree. She agreed that a Beta test could be explored. Mr. Farrar hoped that it would encourage more merchants to stay open later in the evening because there would be traffic. The intent is to drive traffic to the community. Dr. Krahe agreed it was worth trying. Ms. Kroyer agreed, provided it were contingent on both Cave Creek and enough businesses participating. If that happens, she said it seems like a great deal. The motion was modified to include those contingencies, and it passed unanimously. Mayor Peterson thanked Mr. Farrar for bringing it forward.
https://vimeo.com/237231150
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.