Wednesday, November 10, 2010
DADE CITY — Members of the Dade City Chamber of Commerce want to allow beer sales at the 2011 Kumquat Festival.
Chamber's president Joey Wubbena, brought the idea before the Dade City Commission on Tuesday. A large, Tampa beer distributor wants to sponsor and gain naming right to the event, scheduled for Jan. 29.
There would be, "a beer garden located in the festival grounds," Wubbena said.
Wubbena didn't disclose the name of the beer company or the dollar amount, because the deal is still in negotiation, and he didn't want to risk losing the sponsorship.
Fundraising for the festival is down $15,000 from last year, Wubbena said. The chamber's goal is typically $35,000 to $40,000.
For 14 years, the Kumquat Festival has been the chamber's biggest fundraiser and draws as many as 40,000 people to Dade City. Although a city ordinance allows for a vendor to apply for a permit to sell alcohol at such events, this would be a first for the Kumquat Festival, said the chamber's executive director, Nita Beckwith.
To get a permit to sell beer, the applicant must have $2 million in insurance and foot the bill for any related off-duty police, fire rescue staff or other city services at the activity.
Having ample police officers on-site at the fest was a concern for Commissioner Eunice Penix "because people get crazy," she said.
Mayor Scott Black said most people know that he is uncomfortable with alcohol sales at family friendly events, but "the ordinance is what it is and the guidelines are what they are."
In other news from Tuesday's commission meeting:
• The Dade City Community Redevelopment Agency revised its guidelines for both the facade and signage grant program for improvements to businesses within the designated CRA district. The facade grant guidelines exclude government and non-profit properties and is only for businesses whose property taxes are current. The grant allows for up to $20,000 for multi-story buildings or those with linear feet of 100 feet or more of road/alley exposure.
The CRA's signage grant is now separate, and offers a 50/50 match and funding for up to $1,250 for a business sign in the designated CRA district.
The grant program was revised to make the guidelines more concrete and alleviate special exceptions.
• City Commission meetings scheduled for Nov. 23 and Dec. 28 have been canceled for the holidays.