Promoter of water show fund raiser fails to get approval for event

Bradley J. Manley made his second trip to the Belleville City Council on June 20 to get approval for a water show/craft fair/boat show/car show/motorcycle show that he wants to put on this summer to raise money for Kevin Robertson who needs help with his medical care in his fight against cancer.
Manley asked for use of Horizon Park and the closing of High Street from Main Street to Edison Street, including closing access at Church Street, for his craft tents.
He had asked for July 30 and then said it was changed to Aug. 13. He plans to make this an annual event, like Strawberry Festival, and have different themes for the boat parade each year.
Manley proposed temporary seating with tents on the grass at Horizon Park, a public address system and a DJ in the gazebo. He hoped to get the mayor to judge the boats in the parade and announce winners over the PA system.
He said he talked to Pastor White at Grace Baptist Church on High Street and the pastor said they could use his parking area for a dunk tank from the Van Buren Township Police Department.
Manley said he got a “soft commitment” from the BYC to host the event and another “soft commitment” from the Belleville Water Ski Club to host a water show.
He said he had said in the past that there would be no alcohol, but he has a “soft commitment” from Johnny’s to get a LCC permit for outdoor sales in its small parking area next to the building.
“Under no circumstances will we have alcohol in city parks or on city streets,” stated Councilwoman Kim Tindall, who regularly votes against alcohol being served at the Fourth Street Square.
Manley said he knows Johnny’s would have to fence off the area used for serving alcohol.
Councilman Tom Smith said he had a problem closing High Street during this summer’s road construction on West Columbia Ave., which started earlier that day and will last all summer.
Mayor Pro Tem Jack Loria, who was running the meeting in the absence of Mayor Kerreen Conley, said you can’t put tents on the parkland and questioned him about what he planned to do on the docks.
Manley said that’s where the mayor would sit to judge the boat parade.
Loria said he can’t cut off part of the lake for his show and Manley said he was filing for a special use permit from the DNR to section off a part of the lake.
Loria said he couldn’t close Edison because, with the road construction on West Columbia, people wouldn’t be able to get to Saturday mass at St. Anthony church because Edison would be the only way to get to the church.
“That’s a lot of street closing for a private event,” Loria said.
“Typically we don’t rent city parks to private individuals,” said Councilwoman Tindall. “You’re a private individual … You’re looking for sponsors … We don’t have a policy to rent the park or streets … For the parks, numerous people have asked to rent them and we tell them first-come, first-served.”
Manley said his plan is to put together an organization to put on water shows with a 501c3 nonprofit status. He said the BYC, police, city council and other organizations would be on a board, like the Strawberry Festival.
Tindall said a non-profit organization with bylaws would be good.
“We can’t get it done in this time frame,” Manley protested.
Loria said the letter the council got was from a private individual asking for use of the park and for street closings.
Councilman Tom Fielder said the city doesn’t reserve parks.
Manley said there is no fee to come into his event and if someone is using the park that’s all right.
Mike Renaud said he wants to use the park with a DJ until midnight and Tindall pointed out the city parks are closed from dusk until dawn.
We asked for from 5 a.m. to midnight with time for set up and tear down. He had asked for the street sweeper to sweep after the event and he would reimburse the city for the cost.
“We don’t sweep for private individuals,” Tindall stated.
“We sweep on Monday, anyway,” said City Manager Diana Kollmeyer, waiving away that remark.
Manley said people would use the park to watch the show and they won’t tell anyone there they have to leave. He said he wants to turn it into an annual event to raise money for people with catastrophic illnesses.
He said the money taken in would go to help Robertson who has 80/20 insurance and his share would be about $20,000. Manley said he charges no management fee and, “I make zero.” Anything left over from the $20,000 given to Robertson would be seed money for next year.
Tindall said, “A guy I don’t know comes in and wants to sell space on your street and make money. You disappear on Sunday and people will come here,” pointing to the council table.
She said he is renting space on the city’s street, taking a square of the city’s real estate and charging people to use it.
“The car show closes the street every Monday,” said Kay Atkins.
Tindall said the car show is put on by Crusin’ the Bayou, a 501c3 organization, and the Bayou Grille. She said there are no registration fees and freewill donations are taken.
Manley said a raffle is planned in conjunction with his event. It is being put on by the 1862 AFSCME Local. He said the union will get the money from the raffle sales and cut the check to Robertson.
The council had more concerns about High Street being closed this summer because of the construction and its wish for a “solid sponsor” organization instead of an individual.
“I can’t vote for it without a solid sponsor and adjustments to the street closings,” said Councilman Tom Smith.
Manley asked if that meant he would have to come back to another council meeting and he was told he would.
“It’s way too late,” he said. “That only gives us three weeks.”
Manley then said, “thank you” and walked out of the meeting.
The council made no further comment and went on to other items on the agenda.
In other business, the council:
• Approved closing Brain Street for a block party/graduation party July 16. Tonya Charlesworth said the party is for a high school graduation open house for her daughter Elizabeth and all the neighbors support the event;
• Approved $3,914 in SMART municipal credits for fiscal year 2017;
• Approved the amendment that replaces the millage rate of 18.126 with 16.960 due to the Headlee Schedule as provided by Wayne County. The reduction is estimated to bring in $20,000 less from taxes, with part of that going into the Downtown Development Authority budget;
• Approved accounts payable of $85,409.94 and departmental purchases in excess of $500: to Clearzoning, $1,998 for sign ordinance review, from the general fund; to Michigan Association of Planning, $650 for dues, from the general fund; to Wayne County Accounts Receivable, $1,680 for prisoner lodging from police budget; and to Western Wayne Mutual Aid, $2,439.01 for association dues from the fire budget; and
• Honored Lisa Long with a plaque honoring her service. She is retiring as city clerk/treasurer, but will help the new clerk/treasurer with the upcoming elections. Former Councilwoman Kay Atkins presented a quilt to Long to thank her for her years of service to the city.