Depoe Bay council adopts ordinance allowing parks commission to run Craft Feed after debate over scope, staff burden and finances

The Depoe Bay City Council adopted Ordinance No. 355-25 on Jan. 20, 2025, amending Ordinance No. 346-24 to update Section 3.2.2 (general powers and duties) and broaden the parks and recreation commission27s authority to develop and implement community events, including taking responsibility for the Craft Feed.

The parks commission27s chair, John Robert, and parks commission member Zoe presented the proposal and said volunteers strongly support reviving the Craft Feed; Robert said a recent commission meeting drew 25 people willing to assist. Zoe said volunteers and local businesses are prepared to support the event and described a draft marketing plan and a proposed foundational approach for this year, emphasizing that the commission intends for the event to be community-serving and self-sustaining over time.

Council discussion focused on three recurring concerns: financial risk, staff capacity and the ordinance27s intended scope. Councilor Beasley and others warned the city must recover upfront costs and noted the city has not had an audit in five years; Beasley said the city must protect its enterprise-fund model and cannot subsidize losses. Another council member pointed to staff workload, saying city employees cannot be diverted from core duties. Parks representatives said the commission intends to run the event with volunteers leading planning and that the city would provide oversight and insurance coverage; the council was told the city27s insurance would cover the event.

The parks commission proposed using a $75,000 annual parks/events budget for initial funding and indicated it expects the event to generate revenue for future park renovations, though the commission did not have firm historical revenue numbers from prior iterations of the event because it had been previously managed by the chamber.

Several residents and volunteers spoke in favor. Sandy, a resident volunteer, described community benefits of local events and urged restoration of community traditions.

The council debated whether to limit the amendment to a one-year pilot for the Craft Feed or to allow a broader ongoing authority for the parks commission to take on other community and tourism-oriented events, including possibilities raised for a salmon bake. Council members offered compromise language permitting commission-led events "primarily serving residents," with an explicit exception for the Craft Feed where indicated; supporters said that language preserves flexibility while allowing annual review.

The council motion to adopt Ordinance No. 355-25 passed on a roll-call vote: Councilor Beasley, Aye; Councilor Hartman, Aye; Councilor Pollan, Aye; Councilor Rek, No; Mayor Short, Yes; County Sovereign, Aye; Councilor Wazeman, Aye. The tally was six ayes and one no.

Ending: The council adopted the ordinance and instructed staff to coordinate oversight and budgeting; council members asked the parks commission to return with implementation details, a marketing plan and a proposed repayment plan to ensure city funds would be reimbursed if the event requires fronting costs.