Oneonta council approves $60,000 downtown support package after extended debate; council asks for allocation input

The Oneonta Common Council voted to approve a $60,000 budget amendment to implement a downtown support campaign covering summer entertainment, marketing and related downtown programming.

Council approved the amendment after an extended public presentation and council debate that included local arts and service providers. The approved package, as discussed and summarized to council during debate, allocates $35,000 to entertainment and on-site programming (including $15,500–$16,500 tied to talent booking and plaza programming and $3,000 for specific walk-through or coordination tasks), $20,000 for marketing and cross-promotion, and $5,000 for holiday promotion — together totaling $60,000. During discussion presenters and councilors repeatedly urged that the city use a short-term approach this year while developing a long-term, sustainable plan and funding sources.

Speakers and presenters described how past plaza programming operated and offered attendance counts from recent summers. Jeffrey Doyle, executive director of the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, said, “the bandstand is in fact going to be built, and once this meeting got underway, I discovered the funding was in fact secured,” and urged the council to fund booking and activation. Taylor Carpenter, program manager at Friends of Recovery, provided participation numbers from prior years and said last summer the plaza engagement figures included "1,387 kids engaged in the plaza, 655 teens, and 1,241 families," and warned that the loss of 2025 funding had forced program reorganization.

Council members debated the package’s design, efficacy and oversight. Several council members who opposed a prior similar program last year restated concerns about limited measurable benefit to businesses; others argued the plaza presence provides “eyes on the street” that can deter problems and attracts families and visitors. Members raised implementation questions — who would book the stage, how the new Al Galadora bandstand would be scheduled, what entity would run marketing, and whether the parks commission or city staff should hold long-term responsibility. Council discussed using an RFP to identify a marketing coordinator who would cross-promote events, provide a calendar, and reach day-trip and regional visitors.

Council member Katie moved to split the package for separate votes on music/talent booking, marketing and broader programming; that procedural motion was withdrawn and the council ultimately voted to adopt the full $60,000 package. The council also passed a follow-up motion directing additional discussion and input about how the funds should be allocated and asking staff and relevant committees to return with more concrete implementation plans and a possible RFP for marketing services.

Votes: the roll-call vote recorded during the motion to adopt the package showed yes votes from Council member Mosher Kempely, Walsh Russo, McHugh, Forrester Raffert (Forrester Rothberg) and Council member Matheson, and no votes from Council member LaPari Hsu, Carson and Harrington; the mayor cast the deciding aye vote and the motion carried. Later the council voted to allow further discussion/amendment of the adopted allocation and that procedural motion passed.

Council directions and next steps recorded in the meeting include: preparing a request for proposals (RFP) for marketing/cross-promotion; continued work among Parks & Recreation, Quality of Life and other committees on long-term oversight; exploring internship partnerships with Studio Neon’s music program for talent/production support; and expanding the concept of “heat relief” or cooling amenities at the plaza during hot weather. Presenters and councilors asked that any future program preserve youth services that had previously been funded and identified several implementation risks, including the need to coordinate with downtown merchants and with construction/parking changes in summer months.

Council members and presenters emphasized this would be a short-term, interim approach for 2025 while staff and committees develop a sustainable plan for 2026 and beyond.