Title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN EXCLUSIVE USE PERMIT AGREEMENT WITH BENTLEYVILLE TOUR OF LIGHTS, INC., FOR THE PRODUCTION, PROMOTION, AND MANAGEMENT OF THE BENTLEYVILLE TOUR OF LIGHTS IN BAYFRONT FESTIVAL PARK FOR THE 2020 HOLIDAY SEASON.
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CITY PROPOSAL:
RESOLVED, that the proper city officials are hereby authorized to execute an exclusive use permit agreement, substantially the same as the agreement attached as Exhibit 1, with Bentleyville Tour of Lights, Inc., a Minnesota non-profit corporation, for the exclusive use of Bayfront Festival Park for the production, promotion, and management of the Bentleyville Tour of Lights for the 2020 holiday season.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes an exclusive use permit agreement with Bentleyville Tour of Lights, Inc. (“Bentleyville”) that provides for the presentation of a holiday lighting display at Bayfront Festival Park during the 2020 holiday season. The term of the agreement commences on September 21, 2020, and terminates on January 31, 2021.
Bentleyville Tour of Lights is a free public event that annually draws in excess of 250,000 visitors at a time when tourist visitation to Duluth is otherwise slow. In consideration of the public benefit of the event, Bentleyville is not required to pay a permit fee for use of the park and the City of Duluth pays for the cost of electricity for the event. Bentleyville is required to pay customary fees for other City services and pay for 100% of the costs to repair any damage caused by the event.
Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Bentleyville Tour of Lights will be adapted as a car-based event in which visitors will drive their personal vehicles through Bayfront Park on a clearly defined route. City public safety, public works, and facility personnel will advise Bentleyville Tour of Lights, Inc. on how to conduct this car-based event in a safe manner.
The economic downturn has resulted in a steep decrease in corporate sponsorships and the car-based event is anticipated to produce substantially less revenue from on-site donations and retail sales. As a result, it will be necessary for Bentleyville 2020 to charge an admission fee. That cost to visitors will be offset by the fact that visitors will not park for the event and, as a result, will not incur parking fees.