Music Boosters protest reassignment of country-fair/Halloween parking fundraiser; council tables item for more discussion
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Summary
Galena Music Boosters and other residents said the group has run the Depot Park lot fundraiser for 15+ years and were surprised by a proposed reassignment; the council voted to table the parking-lot operations item for further review.
The Galena City Council on Sept. 8 tabled an agenda item concerning approval of public parking operations for country fair weekend and Halloween parade after several residents and Music Boosters representatives requested more time and information. The council’s motion to table was made at the meeting and will return at a future date for further discussion.
Members of the Galena Music Boosters told the council they have operated the Depot Park parking-lot fundraiser for roughly 15 years and that the event contributes about 75% of the boosters’ annual revenue, funding student scholarships, instruments and travel. Music Boosters representatives said they were not notified in advance of a proposal to reassign the fundraising contract and that the group was “blindsided.”
Jason Van Deaver identified himself as president of the Galena Music Supporters and said the organization had managed parking at the Depot Park lot for decades. He described the volunteer effort in 2024: “Last year, 45 people gave a combined 203 hours of their time... they were awarded a greater split of the profits where the city agreed to allow part of your organization to keep 75% of the revenue, and were then essentially fired without notice.”
Patrick Murphy, also speaking for the Music Boosters, told the council the fundraiser is the group’s lifeline, “comprising approximately 75% of their annual income,” and warned that removing the Booster-run lot would reduce scholarships, instruments and travel opportunities for students.
Councilmembers responded by tabling agenda item 25C-0364 to allow additional discussion and outreach. One councilmember said the boosters had performed well historically and that the council should “get further information” before finalizing any reassignment. The mayor and staff indicated the item would return at the next meeting with more background for council consideration.
Action: Council voted to table agenda item 25C-0364 (approval of country fair weekend and Halloween parade public parking operations) until the next meeting to allow staff and council to gather more information and meet with affected parties. No reassignment or replacement decision was made tonight.