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Council approves co‑sponsorship for Rendezvous Back to Route 66; councilor asks trademark and scheduling corrections
Summary
The council approved city co‑sponsorship and fee waivers for the Rendezvous Back to Route 66 event (consent item 16). Council Member Howard supported the item but asked staff to correct the event name throughout city materials and expressed concern about a date change that overlaps another local nonprofit’s car show.
The City Council unanimously approved consent calendar items that included co‑sponsorship and city support for the Rendezvous Back to Route 66 event (consent item 16). Council Member Howard said she would support the item but asked staff to change references from “Route 66 Rendezvous” to the correct event name, "Rendezvous Back to Route 66," noting the former is a trademarked name previously used by a different jurisdiction.
Why it matters: The annual car‑culture event draws visitors and sales tax to downtown and other business corridors; local businesses and the chamber told the council that the event has significant economic benefits for small downtown merchants.
Public comments and council clarifications Members of the public, including Lupe Castaneda of the San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce and downtown business owners, urged the council to continue city support. Several speakers described the event as vital to downtown foot traffic and sales. Council members also noted scheduling questions: Howard said the event date was changed from the traditional first weekend in October to a different weekend, and that change could conflict with a non‑city nonprofit fundraiser (Lighthouse for the Blind).
Vote and implementation The council approved the consent item unanimously. Council members asked staff to correct the event name in the resolution and related documents and noted they would review policies for city sponsorship of third‑party events at a future meeting.
Follow up Council directed staff to finalize sponsorship details and implement fee waivers associated with the council’s approval. Council Member Howard said she would not be able to attend this year because of the date change but urged continued support for the event.
