Las Vegas Centennial Commission Meeting – September 29, 2025

The Centennial Commission met on September 29, 2025, to receive a financial report, hear final and new grant proposals, approve funding for multiple events, and provide guidance on multi-year grant policy. Key actions included approval of two-year funding for the Eldorado Days Parade, a grant for oral histories and a documentary on Marble Manor, and a grant for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parades. A documentary on the 1905 land auction was continued to the next meeting for revisions.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes of the previous meeting were approved by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the Citizens' Participation portion.

Discussion Items

• Item 5 – FY2026 Budget Report: Paul Bresnahan, Senior Financial Analyst for the City of Las Vegas Finance Department, presented the financial standing and five-year projection. Highlights included a decrease in license plate revenue (1.5% decline since November, losing 1,330 plates), an ending net asset balance of $6.2 million for FY2025, and a five-year projection showing cash balance growth to $12.4 million if no new grants are awarded. Commissioners questioned the sensitivity of revenues to economic slumps and the fixed $15,000/month contribution to the city. The report was informational.
• Item 6 – Duck Duck Shed Final Report: Aaron Berger from the Neon Museum presented results of the four-day architecture, design, and culture event held in April 2025. The event featured 41 programs (38% increase from prior year), 921 million media impressions, 5,000 attendees (15% increase), 61% increase in ticket sales, and 500% increase in college student attendance. The event finished $98,000 in the black. Commissioners praised the report and discussed the architectural aesthetic of newer developments. No action required.
• Items 7 & 8 – Eldorado Days Parade Funding: Jasmine Freeman and Marja Bigas from Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs presented the parade's history and requested $607,500 for three years (original item 7) and $405,000 for two years (item 8). The parade is the longest-running event in Las Vegas (since 1935), revived in 2005. 2025 parade had 133 entries, attendance up 50% from 2023, and $43,000 awarded to schools. After debate, Commissioner Stodal moved to approve the two-year funding ($202,500 per year). Motion passed by voice vote. Commissioner Brandenburg encouraged future discussion on moving the parade to Fremont Street and televising it.
• Item 9 – Marble Manor Oral Histories & Documentary: Kathy Thomas (Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority) requested $207,000 (with $36,500 match) to collect oral histories and produce a documentary about the redevelopment of Marble Manor, a public housing project built in the 1940s–50s. The transformation includes over $350 million total rebuild with 627 units, funded partly by a $50 million Choice Neighborhood Initiative Grant. Commissioner Creer and others supported the project. Clay T. White (UNLV Oral History Center) will assist. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
• Item 10 – 1905 Land Auction Documentary: Ted Fay (Gold Creek Films) presented a proposal for a $176,200 documentary on the May 15, 1905 land auction that founded Las Vegas. Commissioner Stodal expressed concerns that the proposed film was too broad and not focused enough on the linear history of the townsite development. He moved to deny, but later amended to an abeyance to allow revisions. The Commission voted to continue the item to the November 24, 2025 meeting for a revised proposal.
• Item 11 – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parades: Shondell Newsom and Wendell P. Williams requested $213,600 for the 44th and 45th MLK parades (2026–2027). The parade has run consecutively for 44 years, includes over 240 entries, and connects to national and international visitors. Commissioner Mills asked about Dr. King's 1964 visit to Las Vegas. Motion to approve passed by voice vote.
• Item 12 – Multi-Year Grant Policy: Staff sought guidance on multi-year grants. After discussion, the Commission instructed staff to draft a policy allowing: for new applicants, a single grant (which may span multiple years if it is one project); for repeat requesters, up to two years of funding (subject to annual review). Commissioners emphasized accountability and the need for proven track records.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Eldorado Days Parade grant for two years (FY2026–2027) at $202,500 per year.
• Approved: Marble Manor oral history and documentary grant for $207,000.
• Approved: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade grant for two years totaling $213,600.
• Continued: Gold Creek Films documentary on 1905 land auction to November 24, 2025 meeting for revised proposal.
• Guidance: Multi-year grant policy to be drafted: new applicants one grant (may extend over time); repeat requesters up to two years with annual review.
• Adjourned: The meeting adjourned without further business.