The Bothell City Council on March 18 approved a professional services agreement with Gilly Wagon LLC to manage a proposed 15-week Saturday night community event series in downtown Bothell.

The resolution authorizes the city manager to execute a professional services agreement in the amount of $225,000 plus in-kind city services. "This is a first pilot project with a lot of unknowns; staff recommends that council approve the original 15 event proposal in the amount of $225,000 plus in kind city services," Parks Director Nick Stroup said during the presentation. The vendor proposal estimated total event-series costs, including in-kind city services (permitting, sanitation, security administration and other city-administered services), at about $300,000.

Gilly Wagon originally proposed a 15-week series at $15,000 per event for a $225,000 total. After council feedback, the vendor offered a 12-event alternative that raised the per-event cost to about $16,166 and lowered the overall contract cost to about $194,000. Staff favored the 15-event option to provide a fuller pilot and measure outcomes, Stroup said. Deliverables include success metrics the vendor will track and a fall report to council on outcomes and lessons learned.

Council discussion touched on funding and logistics. Councilmembers noted the contract draws from discretionary ending fund balance and asked whether in-kind services included staff time or contracted services; Stroup said in-kind services are primarily permitting, sanitation (porta-potties), contracted security and garbage disposal, with staff administering those contracts. Deputy Mayor suggested pursuing sponsorships and business participation in future iterations.

The council motion to adopt the resolution was made by Councilmember Jenny Aldrichs and seconded by Councilmember Dodd. The motion passed 6-0.

Why it matters: the series aims to animate downtown Main Street, support small businesses and increase downtown activation during summer evenings. Staff will report back to council in the fall with attendance and financial metrics to inform whether to continue the program.