08/23/2007

Cherry Fest, city to talk partnership

By Vanessa McCray

vmccray@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — The National Cherry Festival owes the city nearly $87,000 for services during its 2006 and 2007 events and wants to reinvent its relationship with the city.

Festival Executive Director Tom Menzel soon will sit down with city officials to figure out how the city can partner with the financially troubled event. He wants to pay at least some of the estimated $86,897 owed to Traverse City, but if the city immediately forces total payment it could finish the festival, Menzel said.

The city bills for services such as police and fire, public works and lost revenue during the eight-day event. Talks with the city will center on those contract elements and use of the Open Space park.

"The future of the National Cherry Festival, going forward, probably hinges on these discussions,” Menzel said.

The city commission Monday appointed three of its own to serve on a committee to work on a contract for next year's festival and make a recommendation regarding the unpaid festival balance. Commissioners Deni Scrudato, Scott Hardy and Ralph Soffredine will serve on that group.

The festival owes the city $35,000 from the 2006 event and about $51,897 for this year. City Manager Richard Lewis said any amount forgiven would be swallowed by the city's general fund.

Menzel wants to hammer out details of the 2008 festival by the end of this year. He said quick action will allow him to nail down entertainment for next year's event and avoid some expenses.

The festival recently overhauled its operations, sold its pricey Sixth Street headquarters and rearranged its layout at the Open Space.

Scrudato urged the festival to reach out to surrounding townships for support and wants more detail on what events were moneymakers.

"I really don't feel that the majority of the burden should fall on the city,” she said.

Soffredine is willing to consider increasing the city's role but will keep in mind the "fiduciary responsibility” to taxpayers.

Hardy agreed with Menzel that the festival is an economic driver for the area and said he's open to exploring new ways the city may provide assistance. But Hardy said if the city is to share expenses, it should also have "more control” and input on festival operations.

"I would hate to see the Cherry Festival go anywhere,” Hardy said. "Traverse City is identified by that Cherry Festival.”