Council approves agreements to host the 2000 Democratic National Convention, estimates limited direct cash outlay
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Summary
The council approved license and host agreements permitting the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles in 2000; staff described a roughly $35 million overall event budget and estimated the city's direct cash outlay to be about $800,000, with most city costs provided as in-kind services.
The Los Angeles City Council approved agreements to host the Democratic National Convention in 2000, agreeing to provide in-kind use of the Los Angeles Convention Center, in-kind police services and to participate in a joint security and transportation plan with LA2000 and the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
Councilmembers and staff described the financing package during a special meeting. Councilmember Wax and staff summarized three parts of the host arrangements: a license agreement for the convention-center facility (provided in-kind), a host agreement with LA2000 and the DNC, and an operations plan covering security and transportation. Deaton (staff) said the agreement provides in-kind convention-center access and enumerates the city—s responsibilities; no direct cash transfer to the DNC is required.
Budget figures discussed on the record included a $35 million overall organizing budget. Staff and members cited rough allocations: about $3,000,000 in in-kind police services, roughly $800,000 estimated for outside or private security costs (direct cash), and $2,000,000 for transportation, which the visitors bureau indicated it would cover from existing budgets. Mr. Deaton said the "actual cash dollars out of pocket would be the $800,000," while other costs would be borne as in-kind services or by private organizers.
Deputy Chief Maurice Moore of the Los Angeles Police Department said planning was under way, that a formal police report had been submitted to department leadership and the Police Commission, and that incident-command structures and a planning lead had been identified. Councilmembers stressed that the final security plan must be approved jointly by the city, LA2000 and the DNC and singled out internal venue security and coordinate with the Secret Service.
Council discussion also highlighted private-sector fundraising and leadership for LA2000; councilmembers praised the public-private partnership model used to secure the event and compared it to the Olympics—organizing effort. After debate on dates, security and budget detail, the council approved the agreements as amended; the clerk recorded the vote as 13 ayes.
The council directed staff to continue work with LA2000 and law enforcement on a jointly approved security plan and to route budgetary adjustments through the normal budget process if additional city cash appropriations are required.