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Council directs staff to seek bids for Winterfest drone show; members raise cost and neighborhood concerns
Summary
Council gave staff direction to solicit bids and consult the chamber about adding a drone show to Winterfest, noting the budget includes a $50,000 placeholder; council members expressed questions about timing, sponsorship and neighborhood impacts, and at least one member opposed pursuing the expenditure.
The Buellton City Council directed staff to solicit bids for a Winterfest drone show and to consult the chamber of commerce about incorporating the display into the festival, after staff explained drone costs can range from roughly $15,000 to $50,000 or more and that the city’s adopted budget contains a $50,000 placeholder for such an event.
Staff briefed the council on timing and logistics, saying a drone show would need darkness to operate and might be scheduled just before or after the tree lighting. Council members discussed coordination with the chamber and sponsorship opportunities to offset city costs; staff noted sponsorship could reduce net city expenditure and could include on-screen sponsor logos as part of the drone choreography.
Several council members expressed concerns about traffic, light pollution and noise in Riverview Park and said they preferred first discussing the idea with the chamber and affected neighborhoods. After exchange, the council gave staff direction to obtain bids and to engage the chamber in planning. One council member said they did not support pursuing the expenditure.
No contract was awarded at the meeting. Staff will return to the council with bid results and a proposed contract if those discussions support moving forward.
