Wildwood Celebration Commission

Wildwood Celebration Commission Minutes I. Call to Order and Opening Remarks Meeting Date: Chair Siebert opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. and welcomed everyone. • January 6, 2021 • 6:30 p.m. II. Roll Call A roll call of members was conducted and the following individuals were in attendance, via Zoom Webinar Platform: Commission Commission Members: Libby Wilson Members Vicki Helfrey Present: Karen Stevens Sharon Hutson • Libby Wilson Cory Lawson • Vicki Helfrey Patricia Ward Susan Siebert, Chair • Karen Stevens Joe Garritano, Council Liaison • Sharon Hutson Gary Crews, Staff Liaison • Cory Lawson Absent Members: Commission Member Tripp • Patricia Ward Other Officials & City Staff: • Council Liaison, Joe Sergeant Brad Wendling and P.O. Steve DeGhelder, St. Louis County Police – Garritano Wildwood Precinct • Gary Crews, Staff Joe Vujnich, Director of Planning and Parks Liaison Kathy Arnett, Assistant Director of Planning and Parks • Susan Siebert, Chair III. Approval of Minutes from the November 4, 2020 Meeting A motion was made by Commissioner Ward, seconded by Commissioner Stevens, to approve the November 4, 2020 meeting minutes. A voice vote was taken, with no opposition, and the minutes were declared approved. IV. Public Comments None V. Discussion Of Scheduling And Logistics For The Combined 2021 Celebrate Wildwood And Art Festival Event A. COVID-19 Update Director of Planning Vujnich noted the current status relative to the global pandemic, which appears to now show a light at the end of the tunnel, with the approval of vaccines. Department staff supports some type of event in 2021. B. Date Selection Assistant Director Arnett noted the Lafayette High School Marching Band is unavailable for any Fall dates. Scouting representative Ken McGohan noted the Boy Scouts would be available either the last weekend in September or the  second weekend in October. A motion was made by Commissioner Helfrey, seconded by Commissioner Wilson, to select the date of Saturday, September 25th, for the 2021 Celebrate Wildwood Event. A voice vote was taken, with no opposition, and the motion was declared approved. C. Scale and Size of Event Director Vujnich noted the field to the east of the theater would likely not be available this Fall, so the location of Plaza Drive and the upper level of the parking garage may be the best choice. The Boy Scouts will have plenty of room in the open field west of the garage to setup. The layout along Plaza Drive can accommodate seventy-eight (78) booths. He also noted the Commission may want to consider scaling back those venues and activities that place people in close proximity to each other. Discussion was held regarding the following: the desire to contact previous participants; the preference to invite artists, but note the event will not be juried; the determination when the event gets closer on what restrictions should be in place and what will be required by the St. Louis County Department of Health; the desire to eliminate the bounce houses, to prevent congregation and provide activities that can be easily sanitized; the potential for a Friday event, in partnership with the Wildwood Business Association; the showing of child-appropriate movies in B&B continually for the entire day, since it follows public health guidelines; the desire for some type of outdoor kid activities, and the potential of hosting a scavenger hunt, so everyone can participate in their own time; the interest from artists, who are contacting the City; the desire to keep it a fun, non-juried event, which could include crafters, as well; the ideas for a partnership with the Wildwood Business Association for a Friday night kick-off event and the desire to invite the Association’s President to the February meeting to discuss this idea; the desire for additional information on the parade route; the Scouting Experience to be the bulk of the kid’s activities; and the need to determine a theme. A motion was made by Commissioner Ward, seconded by Commissioner Hutson, to designate the theme of the event as 25+1. A voice vote was taken, with unanimous approval, and the motion was declared approved. VI. Other Business for Consideration None VIII. Next Meeting Date Consensus was reached for the next Commission meeting date, which will be on Wednesday, February 3, 2021. IX. Adjournment A motion was made by Commissioner Stevens, seconded by Commissioner Ward, to adjourn. Having no further business to discuss, and hearing no objections, Chair Siebert called for a voice vote to adjourn, and it was approved. The meeting concluded at 7:30 p.m. Page 2