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Main Street presents 2025 results; commission approves event fee waivers minus MOU
Summary
A Main Street representative highlighted 2025 growth in events, grants and private investment. After questions about equity and ordinance guidance, the commission approved fee waivers for eight downtown events as presented, removing a separate memorandum of understanding for rewrites and signatures.
A Main Street representative reviewed last year's downtown revitalization work and metrics, telling the commission that the program relies on four pillars—design, promotion, economic vitality and organization—and that it added a separate markets pillar to support two downtown markets. The presenter said the organization "runs off of 4 points" and highlighted facade grants, signature events and a social media strategy that added over 1,000 followers in 2025.
Commissioners then considered a request that the city waive the usual event permit fee (reported as about $150 per event) for eight downtown events. City staff cited Junction City ordinance section 6-55.060 saying recognized 501(c)(3) organizations may request fee waivers and that the governing body establishes fee policies. One commissioner expressed concern about consistency and fairness to other nonprofit groups that did not request waivers; staff explained the fee covers administrative review, safety coordination and possible damage reconciliation.
After discussion about the city's ongoing support for Main Street and the public benefits of downtown events, a commissioner moved to approve the listed fee waivers as presented but to remove the memorandum of understanding from that consent item so it could be updated and re-signed by the current property owner. The commission approved the motion on a voice vote. The commission also asked staff to review ordinance language and return with firmer guidelines about when the city will waive fees for 501(c)(3) groups.
The presentation emphasized that event revenues and grants are reinvested in downtown improvements: "all of the money that we raise does not go back into operations. That goes right back into fixing the historical markers ... the lights that show for every single holiday," the presenter said. The commission's vote approved the fee waiver request as presented, minus the removed MOU; the MOU will be resubmitted with the new owner's signature and considered separately.
