Since hardly any dynamics of the bruised-about Car Show had changed in the previous 5 minutes, Jeff Cooper of the Exchange Club was back on his game this afternoon, smiling, practically whistling.
That was a sure signal that, following some internal reconfiguring and still further negotiations with City Hall over who is paying what portion for the Car Show, the May 9 date was back on.
“I anticipate smooth sailing on Monday night,” said the often lighthearted Mr. Cooper. “I would say it’s anchors aweigh.”
For the third straight Monday night City Council meeting, at 7 o’clock in Council Chambers, the sponsoring Exchange Club’s request of a waiver fee for the sixth annual Car Show will top the agenda.
The latest iteration of figures shows that City Hall projects its cost share of staging the one-day Downtown classic cars’ party at $14,600, barely 50 percent of the original calculation.
A Bridgeable Difference
With the Exchange Club’s annual request for a fee waiver (this year it is $12,000) likely to be approved, that leaves a probable debt of $2,600 for the club.
“I think we probably can figure a way to work this out,” Mr. Cooper said.
Previously, the club had protested that it would be unable to raise more than a few hundred dollars.
The news is that after 5 years of exclusively in-kind financial dealings, money is expected to change hands for the first time.
City Hall actually will bill the club this spring. And the club will be expected to send a check for real money to City Hall.
Even as a dramatic two-week dispute between the Exchange Club and City Hall neared official settlement, the city had grim news for future petitioners.
The worldwide financial upheaval, about to turn 6 months’ old, finally has come to Culver City.
Ordinary people anticipating financial help from the city for civic events they are promoting will feel a new kind of resistance from City Hall.
City Manager Jerry Fulwood’s message was that the good, old days of playing sugar daddy to civic-style events are over.
City staff used unusually frank language in the staff report for the Car Show item on Monday night to warn of a bleak future.
After recommending Council approval of the latest figures for the Car Show, city staff wrote:
“It should also be noted that staff’s recommendation is unique to this particular event.
“The Exchange Club has begun advertisement and marketing for this year’s Car Show (scheduled for May). Because of the significant financial challenges facing the city as a result of the current unprecedented economic conditions, staff will be recommending to the City Council a number of measures that, if adopted, may result in a reduction or elimination of fee waivers for events that have historically received city and/or (Redevelopment) Agency support.
“Applicants for fee waivers from this point forward should be aware of this eventuality and may wish to plan accordingly.”
