Travis County Commissioners Court
March 28, 2006
Item 41
Now, 41, revised language to the last word only. Consider and take appropriate action county contribution to and participation in the upcoming urban music festival, an african american quality of life event. We do have two representatives, here they chatted with me.
>> was there backup because we asked about it yesterday and it wasn't --
>> there is not backup that would help us. I had said that I would -- byron a few days ago gave me a list of -- of basically possible in kind contributions, this is the -- pretty much an all day event.
>> it is. Yes.
>> across parmer on --
>> auditorium shores, good afternoon. My name is lisa bird and I am excuse me co-chair of the arts culture and entertainment committee. Of the quality of life initiative. Thank you for having us here this afternoon. The -- the urban music fest is what the event is called. It is on auditorium shores and this is, I think, one of the most significant music events that is focusing on the african-american community in terms of the aesthetic and of the music. We all know that -- that south-by-southwest and Austin city limits bring a huge economic contributions to Austin and we are hoping that the urban music fest and its connection with the Texas relays will do the same. April 8th, Saturday April 8th.
>> right.
>> as judge Biscoe said, this is an all day event, runs from about noon to 10:00 at night, family oriented event. We have signed a three year contract to do the event, to have this event take place on this site for -- for the purpose of trying to bring more folks back to the city. This is a follow-up to the african-american quality of life initiative that was started by the city, I think we came and talked to you about it back in November. This is probably the largest signature event that will come out of that. That --
>> state your name for the record.
>> byron marshal, I知 the co-chair ever of of the economic development, I知 sorry, neighborhood sustainability committee. [laughter]
>> you have got to remind him.
>> what was the dollar figure that you all were seeking? And he -- to what end?
>> approximately $20,000. The overall event costs about 300,000.
>> and specifically, the $20,000 will be used for -- for the production and technical costs towards staging production -- sound and lighting. Excuse me, and -- and stage hands to put it altogether, make it happen.
>> just one day event?
>> it is.
>> one day?
>> April 8th.
>> yes.
>> I think it's one of those in kind things, didn't come up with a whole lot. The -- given-- even in terms of printing these, they really need to print this a little more different than what our print shop does. What's [indiscernible] doing here.
>> city of Austin is providing the site, providing a little more than $45,000 in cash. And also -- also about $50,000 worth of in kind services.
>> can you tell me -- who will be participating in this particular music festival?
>> in terms of the performers?
>> performers. The performance, the headline act is shaka kahn. Everybody is excited about that, then -- then the -- the -- her opening act is a -- is a con conglomeratation of 80s bands that ray parker junior, I don't know if you remember, midnight star, so -- they have like a con conglomeratation of groups, they kind of come out and do their two or three hits, the next group, they do like a 90 minute show, then shaka kahn does a 90 minute show. Starting before that are local and regional acts, local bands, all you need, I think ray vaughan foster, then some regional acts that come from dallas and houston. They will be on another stage performing. So there will be music throughout the day.
>> can you tell me what time do the events start.
>> it begins at 12.
>> begins at 12 noon, the local and regional bands perform until 4, 4:30, then the headliner acts go on about five.
>> during that entire time, the dell corporation is also setting up a family park so that there will be lots of interactive activities for children around computer programming, those kind of things.
>> seton hospital, their -- their kids safe space will be out there. The dell and there will be other -- other gaming booths and things like that. There will be lots of activities for -- for young people during the day.
>> do we legally have the ability to do something like this, judge? I mean, we have done the urban -- we have done that thing in the -- in the parks, we had the whole series of music over in east Austin, that was really tied to a juvenile crime prevention, it was really tied into what is a -- you know a stated goal of prevention technique related to -- to safety community, I知 desperately trying to find something to wrap around here, but I知 coming up short.
>> what do you need to know for sure? Do we have until next Tuesday? There is a legal -- serious legal issue that we need to -- but now the -- other than cash, what do you have any mind? You are talking about security, but we can all try to deal with the law enforcement and constable agencies and see what we can get there. To offset some of the costs.
>> as we talk, any kind of print, whether signs, the -- that there was a -- an [indiscernible] or something that money could be counted in, rv or something, used for the day, any of those things that would help to defray costs would be useful, even if the sheriff has something.
>> they don't get to tell the sheriff --
>> we'll ask him. We don't mind.
>> some sort of secured vehicle where -- where cash can be -- counted.
>> the police department will provide security on site. Will help transport cash from the site to the bank. But while on site it would be helpful to have secure at least a vehicle.
>> let's take another week on it. We will brainstorm, see what we can creatively figure out a way to do, to help out. I did look at the list that you sent me. Our print shop is a whole lot better doing envelopes, stationery, posters, you could use posters but of what size?
>> I could send the actual dimensions. And all specifications for the -- for the posters, I guess, as well as little check cards for tables, things like that. Maybe fliers.
>> what -- if we decide on Tuesday --
>> that's -- Tuesday would be like right at the very end because most of the things have to be printed prior to. We have already printed most of the fliers and the cards, those things are on the street. Most of the banners are up, so this would allow us to do I guess would maybe do a last push during the -- during the relays themselves. Pass things out at the relays.
>> you mentioned earlier somewhere -- I thought that I heard you mention this, but I want to make sure, children are involved.
>> yes, sir.
>> and I知 trying to relate to something that Commissioner Sonleitner brought up. What we were doing the jump on it deal down at rosewood park, things like scholarship money, children activities, da-da-da, da-da-da, on down the line, kind of look at those kind of things as far as what she's bringing up. I知 trying to look for a way -- ways to move forward. You brought up children, you all were trying to look at what that type of relationship would be for the young person in this community to see what we can probably do in this particular vein. I don't know the full scope of what you are trying. Trying to piece it together as quickly as I can. All of the activities for children, that's one of the things that we could do. In addition to that, we could talk about the health, there's also a health -- health network, seton being involved. Lists that out. Part of the proceeds actually goes to the boys and girls club of Austin. I don't know if that is of any assistance to you, at least around those two themes, lay information out for you. And we can get that for you by tomorrow. So I can send it to a particular office or all offices or --
>> any one of us, we will pass that to the rest of the court. May save you some time and trouble.
>> right.
>> if there are proceeds from this year's event, how that will money be used?
>> once the expenses are defrayed, the first set of proceeds go to boys and girls club, they are the primary recipients. The next group would be the -- the going into the fund to be able to allow this event to take place next year and then whatever is left after those two things will go to the -- to the promoter.
>> now, why is the -- why is the boys and girls club the -- the recipient?
>> well, they --
>> by the way that's one of my favorite groups. Just wondering.
>> that's why [laughter]
>> absolutely. Because they -- they agreed to try to help raise money for the event, tried to find sponsors, they will also be spelling soft drinks, things like that -- selling off the drinks to try to raise money for themselves, they get a portion of what they sell, plus a portion of any net proceeds.
>> one of the sponsors.
>> yes.
>> they are actually a beneficiary as opposed to a sponsor in this case.
>> okay.
>> is there a charge?
>> the tickets are like 30 bucks.
>> 30 bucks.
>> yeah. 36 -- I知 sorry, 36 bucks.
>> that gets you to all of the --
>> all day, in and out, you know,, do whatever you want to do. It was 10 hours a long time, people may want to leave and come back, they will get a wrist band to leave if they choose to. Kids under 12 is free.
>> anything further today?
>> no, sir.
>> thanks, we'll have it back on next week.
>> thank you all for coming down.
>> thank you.
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Last Modified:
Wednesday, March 29, 2006 10:48 AM