UPDATE: City hears community, obliges Salsa Fest request

Standing before the seven-member council, resident Marty McDonald said the city’s community services department has one mission.

“It’s to create community through people, parks and programs,” he said.

McDonald, a former community services director for the city, said the outflow of support shown at the council meeting Tuesday evening, where residents voiced their approval to allow community groups to perform at this year’s Salsa Festival, reinforced what the department started 10 years ago.

“And it needs to get back to its roots and it needs to get back to being about the community,” he said.

McDonald was one of many residents who argued the annual March festival provides the city an opportunity to showcase the community – and without performances by community groups – that essential element would be missing.

The council as well as the city staff heard the voices. The elected group unanimously approved a committee recommendation to direct staff to work with the community to create an additional stage at the March festival where community groups can perform.

Staff previously had decided not to allow community groups to perform because of budgetary constraints. Past festivals have featured two stages – one specifically for community groups.

But a second stage at this year’s festival would have cost $4,700 – 10 percent of the festival’s budget. Additional expenses at the new venue included advertising in the Valley – part of a push to make the festival a regional event – and an increase in the professional entertainment budget.

Time constraints would not have allowed community groups to share one stage with professional performances.

City administrators also wanted performances to stick with the festival’s theme, and with new city events on the horizon, staff believed there would be more opportunities for community groups to perform.

But the decision did not sit well with residents – particularly owners of performance businesses who view the festival as an opportunity to showcase their services, such as dance or cheer.

After numerous residents spoke before council and expressed their support for having the groups perform, Community Services Director Jennifer Campbell assured those in attendance: “We are listening.”

“The one thing that I can say being in government for a long time is you have to be able to know when you’ve made a decision that’s not a popular one,” Campbell said. “And the only thing you can do is learn from it.”

Mayor Christian Price, typically the last to speak during a council discussion, was the first to step in and offer his thoughts prior to the council’s vote.

Price said the situation offered the perfect opportunity for collaboration.

“What we did right and what we did wrong is something to learn from,” he said.

Where the city will acquire an additional stage still needs to be worked out.

Carrie Vargas, owner and artistic director of the Maricopa Community Theatre, told council she owns stages and had been in contact with Price about possibly offering a performance area. She also said she had been in contact with Maricopa High School’s technical theater director who would be willing to provide students to help maintain and run the stage.

“You have invaluable resources in this community that are willing to step up, that are willing to participate, that are willing to help out – however and whatever we can do,” she told council members.

Campbell said the main stage at past festivals has had about 14 performances. Within the event’s six hours, the stage will be used by a band, dance performers, for announcements and others. Campbell estimated each group would have the stage for about 20 to 25 minutes.

Gusse said she received an email from a person who asked why community performers are being considered “second-class citizens,” when they as taxpayers and community members should be on the main stage.

“The people are the gem of the city, and they should be showcased,” Gusse said.

Later in the discussion, Vice Mayor Edward Farrell recommended placing the two stages next to each other, so when professional performances are in transition, a community performance could be shown. Farrell also suggested that in future advertisements, the city state it will have a stage for community performances.

Councilwoman Peggy Chapados asked Campbell whether having the Salsa Festival two weeks following the opening of the Copper Sky Recreation Complex will be enough time to put the event together. Chapados identified herself as a former events planner.

The newly built Copper Sky Recreation Complex at John Wayne Parkway and Bowlin Road is scheduled to open March 15. The Salsa Festival is scheduled for March 29.