Sandpoint, nonprofits ink agreements

SANDPOINT — Some popular local organizations have finalized arrangements with the city in preparation for the new year.

The Festival at Sandpoint, the Pend Oreille Arts Council and the Lions Club renewed their deals with the city Wednesday. Council members approved all the agreements through the consent calendar, but that didn’t stop several organization representations from expressing their gratitude at the onset of the council meeting.

“I just want to say for the record how much we appreciate being at Memorial Field and how much we appreciate your support of the festival,” said Dyno Wahl, executive director of the Festival at Sandpoint. “I can tell you it’s going to be an amazing season based on what we’ve got so far.”

The Festival at Sandpoint will draw thousands to Memorial Field in August for another high profile concert series. Council members approved an agreement for eight concert days between Aug. 3-20, with an additional event day permitted at Mayor Marsha Ogilvie’s discretion. In return, the city will receive one dollar for each day on multiple-day tickets sold and one dollar for each single-day ticket sold.

“We really enjoy our positive relationship with (the city),” Wahl said.

The Lions Club is clear to stage another blowout Independence Day celebration sure to fill City Beach next year. In a mutually beneficial arrangement, the club gets to use the prime City Beach location, and in return, the club donates 10 percent of concession sales to the Parks and Recreation Youth Scholarship Fund, which offsets participation costs in city-sponsored programs for kids from low-income families.

“The city has an outstanding working relationship with the club and is pleased to offer City Beach for this special celebration,” Parks and Recreation Director Kim Woodruff said.

Last but not least, the POAC Arts and Crafts Fair at City Beach is back in business for 2014, too. Scheduled between Aug. 8-10, the fair is still in the planning stages, but city and POAC officials plan to get safety and organizational measures squared away in upcoming meetings. In return for use of the park, 10 percent of booth fees will go into the Parks Improvement Fund for capital improvement projects. According to Woodruff, the fair has been limited to 110 booths in the past. However, he feels this restriction is unnecessary this year.

“Following our approach of empowerment and trust with the Farmers Market, I suggest that we not limit the number of booths in the defined area and rely on POAC to arrange and use the space as they determine best,” he told council members via memo.