Special Events Review Committee Meeting - May 27, 2026
Special Events Review Committee Meeting - May 27, 2026
The Special Events Review Committee met on May 27, 2026, to recap the Golden Bike Cruise kickoff, review and approve a grant application from the American Legion for the 4th of July celebration, and discuss volunteer sign-ups for upcoming summer events. The meeting also included updates on committee values development and a schedule change for the next meeting.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public spoke during the 10-minute public comment period.
Discussion Items
- Golden Bike Cruise Kick-Off Recap: Staff reported that the kickoff event on May 26 (the previous evening) went smoothly despite light rain. The theme was outer space, and police were stationed at two major intersections that rotated during the ride. Committee members who observed the event noted it was well attended and orderly.
- American Legion 4th of July Grant Application: The committee reviewed a Thriving Communities grant application from American Legion Post 21 requesting $4,012.68 for their food booth at Lions Park on July 4, 2026. The Legion offers low-cost food (burgers, hot dogs, brats, drinks) and has received grants for the past three years. The request was less than the $5,000 awarded in 2025. Staff noted the booth is an integral part of the 4th of July celebration. The committee expressed full support, with one member noting the booth always has long lines. A motion to approve was made and seconded; all members voted in favor. Funding remaining in the total available $40,000 was noted as $17,500.
- Special Event Sign-Ups: Staff highlighted upcoming events needing volunteer monitors: Farmers Market on July 4 (to be discussed further), Golden Bike Cruise in June, July, and August (three open slots), Movies & Music in the Park on June 12, 4th of July celebration, and Buffalo Bill Days. Committee members were encouraged to sign up even if slots appeared full, and to complete observation forms. One member asked about flexibility and was told any extra eyes are welcome.
- Committee Values & Vision: Kasha and Amanda have been working as a subcommittee on drafting values, vision, and mission statements to guide grant decisions. A draft was previously presented and will be shared with new members for review. Discussion is planned for the next meeting.
- Next Meeting Date Change: Originally scheduled for June 24 (Bike to Work Day), the meeting was moved to July 1, 2026, at the same time (8:30-9:30 AM) because several members would be unavailable. The room was confirmed available.
Key Outcomes
- Grant Approved: The American Legion 4th of July grant request for $4,012.68 was approved unanimously.
- Next Meeting Rescheduled: The next committee meeting will be held on July 1, 2026, instead of June 24.
- Action Item: Staff will send a calendar invite for July 1 and will attach the committee values draft for member review.
Meeting Transcript
Alright, good morning, everybody. I pushed all the right buttons, so that's a good start to the day. Thank you all for joining for our May Circ meeting. Um we have very brief agenda today. We just want to go over a few things that have been going on, and then we'll get you out of here nice and early. Um first public comment. Okay. Great, ten minutes off the list. Um first special event, uh recap and feedback. Last night was the kickoff for the golden bike cruise. Did anyone attend? Kind of. Kind of meaning I I was downtown at the time and I started like following them around a little bit. You know what I mean? But I didn't attend the event per se. But it seemed very orderly the little bit I saw, so I'm not as I said I didn't officially look at everything. No, that's okay. Yeah. That's great. Anyone else? I spun by um at the start. Um, it was very well attended. I was actually very encouraged because the weather was kind of a little iffy. We're possibly gonna it started sprinkling, and I was like, oh no. Um, but they were going strong. Um the theme last night was outer space, so we got some pictures of some fun outfits, which was kind of neat. And um this year we have formally made sure that we have police at multiple locations. Um two locations, and then they switched to two other locations during the cruise, so at major intersections. Um and I and I just and then here's agenda. Um and then checked in on them, uh, our PD officers at both locations, and they said everything was going smoothly. So I'll check in with them again this afternoon. But um, as always, please provide feedback if you hear anything, let us know so that we can continue to make things go smoothly. All right, next on the agenda. This is so fast. Look how fast we're gonna go. Is the American Legion 4th of July special event application? The next page in your in your packet has the grant funding request so you can see where we currently are and how much money we have left and how much we could possibly be spending. Um and then their application is included thereafter. So they are seeking $4,000, a little bit over $4,000 to help support the Fourth of July event that is hosted in Lions Park on 4th of July, and they provide food. Anyone have questions or want to start discussion? And no fireworks this year. No fireworks. So they this is kind of done in tandem. There's the bands and lots of activities and beer carts and food trucks and um bouncy castles and all of those things, and then in addition, the um so that's done through the Lions Lines Club, and then through the American Legion, they provide uh hot dogs, hamburgers, rats, drinks, etc. Um, at low cost so that people can may not have the money to spend on a food truck, but they might be able to morning. Um they might be able to cover the cost of that stuff. And this is this has been how many times have they got this from uh yeah, three years. So they've applied for this grant for three years and received this is the fourth year that they're applying. Right, and it seems like it's an integral part of the fourth of July celebration, right? Yeah, I have no problem with it.
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