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Home My WebLink AboutCo-sponsor 2 Box Derby Rally Races CITY OF PALM DESERT DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS STAFF REPORT REQUEST: CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL TO CO-SPONSOR TWO SOAP BOX DERBY RALLY RACES IN PALM DESERT IN CONNECTION WITH THE DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT SUBMITTED BY: Mark Greenwood, Director of Public Works APPLICANT: Desert Recreation District 45-305 Oasis Street Indio, CA 92201 DATE: September 23, 2010 CONTENTS: Correspondence from Desert Recreation District Recommendation By Minute Motion: 1. Authorize sponsorship funding for two Soap Box Derby Rally Races in an amount not to exceed $3,000 to the Desert Recreation District (DRD); Funds are available in General Fund Account No. 110-4610-453-3092, Parks Contract Services. Parks and Recreation Commission Recommendation At its regular meeting of September 7, 2010, the Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed a request by the DRD to co-sponsor two Soap Box Derby Rally Races to be help in Palm Desert. One event is slated for fall 2010 and the other one for spring 2011. The DRD proposed a two-day format that would provide a venue for local families to participate, but would also entice families from outside of the area to come to Palm Desert and stay for the weekend. The DRD has proposed that the City would pay for the race franchise fees and street closures, which totals $1,450 per two day race. The DRD will cover the costs for equipment rental, awards, promotions, and staffing costs for operating the event. After discussion with both City staff and DRD staff, Commissioners expressed that this event could prove to be a nice community event that would be a draw for bringing people into Palm Desert to stay in our hotels. Some Commissioners felt that this item really was not a proposal that the Parks and Recreation Commission should be reviewing, but that it is more a marketing issue. Commissioner Guyer stated that Staff Report Desert Recreation District—Rally Races September 23, 2010 Page 2 of 2 sometimes the lines between economic development and community recreation cross over and that this was one of those cases. The Commission voted to support the recommended funding for two races in an amount not to exceed $3,000 on a 4-3 vote (Commissioners Houskens, Hall, and Dawson voting no). Discussion Staff believes that for a minimal investment the two proposed races would provide an excellent community recreational opportunity. By having two-day events we would likely see more possible overnight stays in Palm Desert. For that reason, staff recommends the two day event rather than a one day event. The total investment from the City for each two-day race would be $1,450. Fiscal Analysis Staff believes that the expenditure of $3,000 for this event is an opportunity to provide both a community recreational event while also drawing people to Palm Desert for the weekend. Prepared By: Department Head: � � Ryan Stendell Mark reenwood, P.E. Senior Management Analyst Director of Public Works �G �1"3 Y COUNCTL�TION Paul S. Gibson, Director of Finance ��`�'�x�jn�''r» nrrrrFn �:x:c;��.�vr�� OTHER App ved By: ;�;��:r�:�r� �r; n F. — F' �.�'�?�S: � �' � ��-� � '°;�)[�:�5: � '�,`s��a�;:�1T: J . Wohlmuth, City Manager .�,��j.�,,�i�: `v"a;t�f F�f 1�'.11 13Y: �?s•i�i�ial ot� File with City Cl k' Office ��°f'�.t �'� �. �� . ., �, _,Y . . t�> , .�� p � �.�� ,��. �,� � � � � July 30, 2410 � Mr. Ryan Stendell City of Palm Desert 73510 Fred Waring Drive Palm Desert, CA 92260 '� � � VIA MAIL r�,' Dear Ryan: Enclosed please find the final Rally Race proposal that we would like to present to ' r - . Council for approval. The outline is almost identical to the June one, but outlines that we will hold one rally race at each proposed locadon. , s«'� ��;_ Please let me know if there is anything else you need from me,and if you need me to ':''- attend the council meeting. I will be on vacation from August I 4th—August 22^a, ; ,`,;` '� 2010. y1 > �� Thank you for all your assistance in helping me bring this matter to council in a timely manner. Sincerely, � � � �;.�� .�� Tatiana Hinkle �, m� w Recreation Supervisor ,� : '�' /th � �: ; � : ,� � 9� . ��. Enclosure: Rally Race Program Outline �, -. � �i, � :,�:��. �. , � a� � � � � � : ;�` � r ` �� ` �9S-`��1�C7a�€.��r�et,lrvc��s��l� ��flt o-�"�1:?�C1.3�7��m s_��b�J.S�f�.�s',�ck � � ;°� �� fi � .- � s �� y ;�� ,�'� � �.� �� . . . , � < ,. , « . • . ; � � - - � �� >'c �3_E..- `... .�. . . .. ... �, , ;£... ,., �.�. '�':_ ., .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . �,.,.��'� �� ;�� : E� . ,.,, �' �:;t�,��, �;��dtiA�:"tC�i`! C34�"" €�iC't PALM DESERT RALLY RACES F CJ t� S C��4►P B C�►X D E R BY � 4F THE DESERT Proposal created by: Tatiana Hinkle June 7, 2010 PROGRAM INFORMATION/OBJECTIVEN1SlONlGOALS Soap Box Derby cars are gravity powered race-cars that local community children assemble and race. Aithough children should assemble the car by themselves, parents participate in every step, encouraging their children, offering advice and tools, helping them through the inspections and cheering them on at the races. Children build cars from a kit. The entire process culminates in race day, where kids rol{ to the finish line in hopes of securing a coveted spot at the All American Soap Box Derby(AASBD) in Akron, Ohio. The AASBD was recently included in USA Today's list of the Top 10 great places to find true Americana (along with Indianapolis 500, Grand Ole Opry and the Toumament of Roses.) There are only two ways to get to the AASBD. One way is to win a local race, and the second way is to accumulate enough points by attending rally races. Although a local race may only be attended by children in a local geographical area (our race includes all of Riverside County), rally races can be attended not only by local families, but by anyone trying to gain points to get to AASBD. Rally races attract racers from across the country. The goals of the Soap Box Derby have not changed much since it started in 1934. It teaches basic skills in work ethics, the positive value of competition and perseverance. PROGRAM SPECIFICS Race Directors--Tatiana Hinkle and Manny Marrujo from Desert Recreation District. Location I — Gateway Drive in Palm Desert. Gateway was specifically chosen because of it's great off freeway location in close proximity to lodging, food and entertainment for out-of-town racing families and because it is a very quiet street with easy other access options, making it very minimally disruptive for residents for street closure. Location II —Cortesia Way in Palm Desert Cortesia Way was selected for a second location because it is a quiet street, with very minimal access by other streets, alleys or businesses. This street has an "S" curve, which would make for a more irrteresting track for racers and could be closed with minimal signage. There is currently mainly open dirt lots surrounding this site and the only developed sites in the vicinity are not completed yet. Since this street is a two lane street, it also needs less hay bales for racer protection, which additionally cuts some costs. Event Title— Soap Box Derby of the Desert Rally Races 2 Ages of Participants: Stock Division —8-13 years old Super Stock Division— 1Q — 17 years old Masters Division — 10 —17 years old Dates—Continuing annua� event Fall Race —Schedule for November 6/7, 2010, on Gateway Drive. Spring Race— Schedule for February 26/27, 2011, on Cortesia Way. EVENT OUTLINE Rally races: For the 17�' Annual race, we would like to expand our rally races to two each year. These rally races would give opportunities for local racing children to practice their techniques and skills prior to the main race day. Rally races are also promoted through AASBD and the California Family Soap Box Derby Association (CFSBDA) and are apen to racers from any other area. Due to our favorable local climate, our local rally races will entice racing families from out of the area that are normally unable to race during cold times of the year. These rally races will bring additional tourism revenue to the city that hosts it, as well as expand the reach and interest for our tocal race with other Riverside County residents and sponsors. These race dates have also specifically been selected because they do nat conflict with any other rally dates. Other Southern California rally races during this time of year normally see approximately 40 race families attend from other areas. These families will race both days and utilize local hotels and restaurants during their stay. We have specifically chosen Palm Desert as a prime rally race location because Gateway and Cortesia are quiet streets close to Freeway access, hotels and food options. On race days, street will be closed from 6am— race finish time (approximately 5pm). City will sweep street that morning prior to race set up time and provide street closure during the race times. DRD will provide enough people all day to monitor closure and direct traffic needing access to area. Race safety is always a priority, and race will be conducted utilizing all safety measures outlined by AASBD and adhered to in our local annual race. EXPENSES/RESOURCES/PROMOTION Proiected Costs: The following budget has been proposed for the rally race. City of Palm Desert expenses (per rally race): Franchise Fee for weekend race—3 divisions— Cost covered by City One day race—Two races in one day- $575 Weekend race— First day finro races, second day one race - $950 Sweep street, close street— Cost covered by City 3 � . " Desert Recreation District expenses (per rally race): Equipment rental to operate race - $1,000— Paid for by DRD Awards, car parts, volunteer meals, etc. - $750— Paid for by DRD Promotion of rally race - $450— Paid for by DRD Staff Costs (approx. 40 staff/volunteers)to run race— Cost covered by DRD Promotion Event wi11 be prominently featu�ed in DRD Catalog, which is mailed to all District residents and Soap Box Derby direct mail information is submitted to all current and previous local racers. News media coverage was extremely good last year, and with press release generation, we expect ongoing strong media coverage from our local media. Assistance from Palm Desert to promote event through their website and media contacts will also hetp generate additional promotion sources. Advertising is done in conjunction with AASBD and CFSBDA to reach racers trying to get race points. Website listings, direct email and flyers are distributed to racing families across the United States so they can plan their calendar for attending ralfy races. BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM • Parents and children working together to build and race cars. • Children from across Valley come together to participate. • Rally races attract out-of-town tourism. • Program provides valuable skills for children in various areas: Work ethic, problem solving, perseverance, competition, science of aerodynamics and mechanics. • Life enriching community event attracts wide spread media coverage. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Desert Recreation District would like to see this event, which truly enriches the lives and relationships of participating families, grow over time. Growth of this event is contingent on community support in both time and dolla�s. This event takes a large amount of time and man power, and we would like to see more families benefit from this effort each year, 4 2010 Rally Race Participants—23 2011 Goal —40 2012 Goal — 55 2013 Goal — 70 Outcome measurements will include the following: Increase in# of racers over previous year Increase in#of spectators over previous year increase in#of event/car sponsors Quality of overaii event—gauged by survey of participants. 5