HomeMy WebLinkAboutEndorse the Palm Desert Games Senior Olympics CITY OF PALM DESERT
MEMORANDUM
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Community Affairs Specialist
Date: December 14, 2000
Re: PALM DESERT GAMES
Recommendation:
By Minute Motion,endorse the concept of the Palm Desert Games,a regional event sanctioned by
the Senior Olympics Committee, and support this event financially in an amount not to exceed
$20,000,to be appropriated through the unobligated general fund.
Background:
For the past several years the City of Palm Springs,through its Senior Center,hosted regional events
affiliated with the Senior Olympics. When the Mizell Senior Center Board of Directors decided to
focus on other activities, the Coachella Valley Recreation and Parks Department assumed
responsibility for organizing and producing this event. The first Palm Desert Games are scheduled
to be held at various venues in the City February 7-9, 2001. Activities will include ballroom
dancing, swimming,golf,track and field,tennis,volleyball,race/walk, softball, and lawn bowling.
Hosting the regional games will provide a great deal of visibility to Palm Desert as they will be
attended by individuals from throughout the country. In addition,upon the successful completion
of two annual regional games,Palm Desert will become eligible to host the State games,which will
attract an even broader audience to the City.
Kevin Kalman appeared before the Promotion Committee at its meeting of November 21,2000,and
noted that the timing involved in obtaining the games for the year 2001 has precluded obtaining
extensive fmancial support from community groups. After discussion held at the conclusion of a
video presentation the Palm Desert Promotion Committee,that body voted to recommend to the City
Council that the City purchase a sponsorship at a figure not to exceed$20,000 to be appropriated
through the unobligated general fund. Staff concurs with this recommendation for the 2001 games.
Once the event is established in this area,more extensive corporate sponsorships should be solicited
for subsequent games.
PATRICIA SCULLY PAUL S. GIBSON
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS SPECIALIST TREASURER/DIR. OF FINANCE
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SHEILA R. LIGAN CARLOS L. ORTEGA
ACM for COMMUNITY VICES/CITY CLERK CITY MANAGER
CITY COUNCIL CTION:
APPROVED DENIED
RECEIVED OTHER
MEETAYES: ,1` ISLE I _ 1 Jt eC l. `3
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
VERIFIED BY: CI n' rrl
Original on File wfh City Clerk's Office
Minn Les
Promotion Committee
Rec: Continue to December 19, 2000.
Upon motion by Member Perezchica, second by Member
Paparian, and unanimous vote of the Promotion Committee, the
Consent Calendar was approved as presented.
CONSENT ITEMS
HELD OVER None
NEW
BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of Palm Desert
Games.
Ms. Scully indicated that prior to presenting this item to the
Council, it was desirable to have the Promotion Committee
endorse the concept of the Palm Desert Games and
recommend that the City Council support this event
financially in an amount not to exceed $5,000, taken from
the unobligated general fund. Ms. Scully indicated the
$5,000 figure is a point at which to start.
Pat Scully introduced Kevin Kalman from the Coachella
Valley Recreation and Parks Department, sponsor of the
Games. Mr. Kalman played a video which explained the
Games.
The Games are scheduled to be held February 9-11, 2001,
with 2,000 seniors anticipated to participate as athletes.This
has been the traditional time of year for this event since
1983.
Organizers of the event are anticipated to stay in Palm
Desert hotels; however, there is not a host hotel. The
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Minutes
Promotion Committee
Visitor's Center telephone number is printed on the
application so that attendees can call for information.
Ms. Scully indicated that when the event was held in Palm
Springs, it was profitable. When the Games became
available, the Coachella Valley Recreation and Parks
District, at the encouragement of the City, assumed
responsibility for organizing this event.
There was Committee discussion about increasing the
amount of money contributed by the City of Palm Desert
since the event is entitled the Palm Desert Games. There
will also be in-kind services provided by the City of Palm
Desert.
Discussion:The actual overall budget is$40,000,and at the
present time they have raised $20,000 through other
sponsorships(JFK,Desert Regional,Cancer Society,several
insurance companies). The $40,000 does not include any
other in-kind services. JFK and Desert Regional are
providing emergency medical staff.
The exposition will be held at the park and Palm Desert
merchandise can be sold from the City's booth.
Motion by Member Katz that the Promotion Committee
recommend the City Council support this event
financially, not to exceed $20,000, second by Member
Paparian, and carried by unanimous vote.
B. CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST from Dragonflyer
Press for Funding for Sleeping Giant: An Illustrated
History of Southern California's Inland Empire.
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