Committee approves $51,179.80 increase to Kiwanis Club contract for July 4 event after venue change

The Public Works and Utilities Committee on June 15 approved Amendment No. 1 to professional services contract 26‑0125 with the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe, increasing the contract by $51,179.80 to cover additional event management costs for the city’s Fourth of July celebration following an unanticipated venue change.

Melissa McDonald, Parks and Open Space Director, said the event was moved from Santa Fe Place Mall to Franklin Miles Park and that the change produced costs that were not anticipated when the original contract was set. “We moved from the Santa Fe Place Mall to Franklin Miles Park,” McDonald said, describing the venue change and noting staff listed incurred changes in the memorandum to the committee.

Councilors asked about funding sources for the additional costs. One councilor said the county was contributing $50,000 and the state about $37,500, with additional funds coming from tourism; McDonald responded that the memo and fiscal materials reflect approximately $114,000 from tourism and about $106,000 from parks for event expenses, and said the one‑time expenses would be reviewed in a post‑event debrief to determine whether future budgets or contracts should be adjusted.

The committee approved the amendment by roll call (Chairperson Chavez, Councilor Barrett, Councilor Bustamante, Councilor Fegali voting yes; Councilor Faulkner excused). The motion passed unanimously among members present.

The vote amends the existing contract for event management in 2026; the committee did not commit to making the park the permanent location for future years and directed staff to debrief and report back on cost implications.