Carefree Truth
Issue #739, April 15, 2019
Marketing Director Beth Renfro said the agreement to transfer ownership/production rights from the Town to Villafane Studios was discussed at the March Council meeting. The final agreement contract was in front of the Council at the April meeting.
Councilman Gene Orrico asked if any uncovered expenses the Town had in 2019 and 2020 would be fully reimbursed in 2021. What if there were no profits in 2021? Does the Town eat the difference? Ms. Renfro replied that they anticipate charging admission will eliminate "to use your term, Councilman Orrico, eating any more costs, as we have in the previous seasons". That's why they are going with admissions. She explained that the agreement was written as such to insure that if there are shortfalls, they are reimbursed. Because this is the first year for charging admissions, they are not sure what affect it will have on the revenues, based on attendance.
Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer said that while there are no guarantees, they looked at many price scenarios. If there is a shortfall in 2019, the Town will get paid before Villafane Studios takes any money the following year. If it doesn't make enough money in 2019 and 2020, it is built into the agreement that in 2021, when Villafane Studios takes over, the Town would still be reimbursed before Villafane Studio gets anything. She thought the Town was well covered. It's a good agreement that covers everyone. Mr. Orrico said he only cared about covering the Town.
Vice Mayor John Crane noted that the Town has always absorbed the shortfall. Now they have a plan which gives 3 years to make up expenses for 2 years, plus it moves the Town away from the business of putting on an exceptionally big event. "This is where we want to be."
Mayor Les Peterson said that a number of people, including he and Town Attorney Mike Wright, had gone over the contract a number of times. It protects the Town in an industry where a lot of things can happen. He thought this was as good as it gets. They had no idea when they started the Pumpkin Festival that it would be as successful as it has become. Ms. Renfro noted that Villafane Studios and their attorneys had also looked over the contract and found it to be an equitable agreement. Due diligence had been done by all concerned.
The Council voted 6-0 to approve the contract, with Councilman Stephen Hatcher absent.
https://vimeo.com/328789712
Next the layout and admission charges were discussed. Ms. Renfro explained that the proposed layout was an abbreviated version of Layout #1, identical to the layout in 2018 with no fencing of the Kids' Zone and the Harvest Market, as discussed at the March Council meeting. The Kids' Zone and the Harvest Market would be part of the Festival on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and would be removed during the week. Monday through Thursday, the Festival would only include the displays in the Gardens.
She said they investigated what others in the area charged for pumpkin events. In 2018, Old McDonald's Farm charged $10 Monday through Friday, and $12 Saturday and Sunday. This per person charge included children. Children under age 2 were admitted for free. However, attractions within that festival incurred extra charges. Those included pony rides, the petting zoo, face painting, the mechanical bull ride, and the bounce house. Other area pumpkin events had similar fees. Because Carefree's Enchanted Pumpkin Garden provides so much more in terms of the displays, it was suggested that the admission fees on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for the 2 weekends be $15 per person, which would include admission to the Kids' Zone and the vendor market, and $10 per person Monday through Thursday, with no charge for children under age 2. A yet to be determined multi-day admission fee was being considered for area residents.
It was anticipated that 4 gates would be needed. One main gate would be located at the top of the sundial. This gate could be a primary drop off point for Uber and Lyft, with which the Town was exploring a partnership to mitigate parking issues. They were also exploring off-siteparking with a shuttle service for vendors and volunteers. This area is a natural and effective in-and-out location. The second main gate, to be utilized just on the weekends, would probably be located on Hum Road near Spanish Village because it is large and mostly level. So that people coming in at different locations wouldn't have to walk all the way to the main gates, 2 secondary gates were suggested, one at Easy Street and Ho Hum, and the other towards the west side of the Gardens.
Vice Mayor Crane noted the good news is that, like last year, Easy Street and the streets around the Post Office would remain open at all times, and other street closures were minimal. This layout encouraged visitors to walk around and see the shops.
Mr. Orrico asked if the vendor tents were just on the weekends and would come down during the week, and if there were any fences planned around that area. Ms. Renfro repeated that the extended event was just on the weekends, there would be no fence there, and all the attractions along Hum would be removed Monday through Thursday. However, like last year there would be some barriers erected there on the weekends. A small, well received bar was located in that area last year. That will be done again as a cost recovery item. The State requires barriers when alcohol is being served outdoors at an event. Mr. Orrico asked if the staging would be the same as last year. Mr. Renfro confirmed that it would be the same footprint as last year. Mr. Orrico asked if it would be $15 per person, excluding children under 2. Ms. Renfro confirmed that as well.
Councilman Vince D'Aliesio said he had expressed concerns at the March meeting about families with children and a limited budget, and about the cost incurred by the Town for implementing the new system. Both concerns had been put more or less at ease. He had a lengthy conversation with Ray Villafane after that meeting about the Town being "made whole" with costs, and Ray's equal concern to make sure he did that. Ray was excited about taking over the Festival. which Mr. D'Aliesio felt was great because Ray is good for the town. The other concern was met half way, when he and Ray talked about setting aside one or two days for family discounts. He thought that was a good compromise, particularly when other events in the area charge less.
Ms. Renfro explained that the Town is exploring the potential for Groupons for family packages bought in advance that could even provide discounts on weekends. Many things are being explored as they move on, but the basic plan must be in place in order to progress.
The Council voted 6-0 to approve the contract, with Councilman Stephen Hatcher absent.
Mayor Peterson said he was looking forward to another very successful event. Ms. Kroyer felt it had been a great meeting. Some things were done for the town that will help immeasurably for years to come. Really good decisions were made about the Pumpkin Festival and handing it over to Ray. The Hampton Inn is "a real home run". Mr. Orrico said Carefree should thank the people of Cave Creek for not accepting the Hampton Inn. Councilman Mike Krahe thanked the staff, which he said did a tremendous job with all of this, as usual. Mayor Peterson seconded that sentiment. Ms. Kroyer noted that Gary Neiss "really reeled in" the Hampton Inn. He was easy to work with and accessible. He helped them with all the things that were bothering them about Cave Creek, which prompted them to bring their project to Carefree where there were no problems. "Good job!"
https://vimeo.com/328856771
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.