HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-13-10 CDC MinutesCOMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
OF DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Minutes of Meeting
Mr. Reiner, Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. in the Council Conference
Room.
Committee members present were Mr. Reiner and Mrs. Boring. Vice Mayor Salay was
excused.
Staff members present were Ms. Puskarcik and Ms. LeRoy.
Guest: Scott Dring, Executive Director, Dublin Convention and Visitors Bureau (via
conference call)
Mr. Reiner stated that the Community Development Committee is meeting to discuss a
potential Dublin Convention and Visitors Bureau bid to host the United States Australian
Football League National Championships at Darree Fields in 2012 or 2013. Council
authorization to serve alcohol for the event on City parkland would be necessary. Mr.
Dring, Dublin Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director, is joining the meeting
by phone conference. He asked Mr. Dring to present his proposal.
Mr. Dring stated that on August 25, the Community Development Committee met with
him and Ms. Herbert, DCVB Board President, to discuss the City's policy regarding
alcohol at events held on City property. The Committee's direction was that when
DCVB became aware of a potential future event that would involve the sale of alcohol
that they would like to pursue on behalf of the City, DCVB should request a meeting
with the Committee to seek input. There is now an event that they would like to pursue.
It is the U.S. Australian Football League National Championships to be held in October
2012 or 2013 at Darree Fields. It is an annual event, which was held in Louisville,
Kentucky this year.
Mrs. Boring inquired if "Australian" refers to a type of football.
Mr. Dring responded that it refers to a rugby -style football. The event will involve
approximately 40 club teams from around the U.S. and Canada with approximately
1,000 players, coaches and staff. The event is held over a four -day period
(Thursday /Friday setup, clinics and sessions, with games played all day
Saturday /Sunday). Mason, Ohio hosted the event 8 years ago, and it generated over
1,200 room nights for them and resulted in a tremendous economic impact for their city.
For Dublin, DCVB conservatively estimates $6,000 in bed tax revenue and $900,000 in
economic impact. They have confirmed the availability of Darree Fields in both 2012
and 2013. Darree Fields meets the event's site requirements. The event is run entirely
by the organization itself. It does not require local support, as did the Can Am Games.
In addition to Mason, Ohio, they have contacted Louisville, Kentucky and a city in
California to seek feedback on the event. All three cities provided positive feedback
regarding their experience hosting the event. The event would involve the sale of beer
only during the event. The bids will be highly competitive. They will submit a bid for the
event, if the Council gives permission to proceed.
Community Development Committee Minutes
October 13, 2010
Page 2 of 2
Mrs. Boring noted that she has asked Ms. LeRoy to review the State requirements
regarding serving alcohol on City property.
Ms. LeRoy stated that the biggest issue she is aware of is the specific fencing
requirements for the area is which the alcohol would be sold. Would this event involve
only a beer garden area, or would beer be taken into the games?
Mr. Dring responded that they would be using only two adjacent fields at Darree Fields.
It will be an isolated type of event and likely involve one beer truck located near the
fields. It should be easy to provide fencing for the limited area involved.
Ms. LeRoy inquired if they are a not for profit organization and would be obtaining the
permit.
Mr. Dring responded affirmatively, noting that the beer sales are a revenue generator for
them. It permits them to underwrite their costs for the event.
Mrs. Boring stated that she would recommend approval of this event to Council with the
understanding that they meet any State imposed requirements.
Mr. Reiner expressed support, as well.
Mrs. Boring inquired if they would be scheduling an alcohol waiver request for the
October 25 Council meeting.
Ms. Puskarcik responded that they would seek such an alcohol waiver on October 25.
If approval is given, DCVB will submit a bed tax grant application to be reviewed by the
Finance Committee on November 22.
Mr. Reiner inquired if that would give DCVB adequate time to submit their bid.
Mr. Dring responded that the bid is due by the end of the year, so they will have
sufficient time to do so. He noted that there is no need for DCVB to pay the bid fee,
unless they are awarded the event.
Mr. Reiner suggested a cyclocrossing event could be a good event to pursue for Dublin.
Mr. Dring agreed.
Approval of the August 25 Community Development Committee minutes was deferred
to the next committee meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:16 p.m.
Clerk of Council
