Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Events Sponsorships Vendors topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee debates vendors, costs and alcohol at spring/children’s events after sponsorship offers
Summary
Members reviewed quotes for pony rides, petting zoo and face painting that exceeded available funds, discussed a local vendor’s offer to pay in exchange for permission to sell beer, and agreed to seek additional vendor quotes and sponsors before finalizing contracts.
Miami Lakes Events Committee members spent the bulk of the meeting discussing vendor costs, sponsorship prospects and whether alcohol sales are appropriate at a largely child-focused spring event.
Committee members reported quotes for three attractions — pony rides, a petting zoo and face painting — that a presenter described as “a total of $6,000, close to $7,000” for the three items. The committee said that figure exceeds current event funds and that the usual vendor used in recent years has produced late arrivals and other service problems.
Oscar, who was identified in the meeting as representing Family Food Trucks, told the committee he would cover the costs for banners, pony rides and the petting zoo if he were allowed to sell beer at the event. The chair and other committee members relayed town staff guidance that selling alcohol at an event primarily designed for children was not acceptable to town leadership. The chair said town officials rejected Oscar’s proposal because council or town staff could not see a child-centered event with on-site alcohol sales as appropriate.
Committee members discussed alternatives to reduce cost, including: - Splitting the attractions among vendors so face painters, pony operators and petting-zoo operators contract separately; - Recruiting local art clubs or church volunteers to do limited face painting with a small menu of designs; and - Pursuing additional sponsorships and lower-cost vendors identified by committee members and a member named Oscar.
Members agreed to ask interested vendors to submit quotes to a central address and to continue outreach to potential sponsors (including several local businesses mentioned by name during the meeting). One member urged searching for alternative vendors because the committee has experienced no-shows and breakdowns from the long-used vendor.
No contract awards or formal votes on vendor selection or alcohol sales occurred at the meeting. Committee members requested quotes from multiple vendors and said they will reconvene — including possibly calling an emergency meeting — if sponsor or vendor responses require time-sensitive decisions.
