City council becomes weary with latest fee waiver
DOWNEY — The window for organizations seeking financial assistance from the city may be closing.
The city council approved the waiving of just under $4,900 in fees for the Downey Patriot on behalf of the Downey Foundation for Independent Journalism, which held its first ever Crosstown Kickoff event on Saturday in anticipation of this week’s upcoming Downey Warren football game. Costs included city fees, police services, and street closure.
The event was held on Brookshire Avenue between Firestone Boulevard and 5th Street.
This is just the most recent in a string of financial requests that have come from organizations needing assistance for one reason or another, be it for fundraising, development projects, performances, or events.
Recently, the city council agreed to pay the Downey Symphony a one-time subsidy up to $17,500 to pay its musicians to play in the annual Summer Concert Series Pops Concert, as well as waived fees for LA CADA and the annual Downey Pride Festival. The Downey YMCA approached the city in February about the possibility of helping fund construction of its new building.
Mayor Claudia M. Frometa acknowledged that “the flood gates have been opened,” saying that she was okay in honoring the Patriots request as “the last fee waiver.”
“Certainly, over this last year, we have had many requests from various groups and organizations for the city to waive fees, and certainly, we want to help and we want to be partners. But at the same time, we recognize that the flood gates have now been opened,” said Frometa. “Every organization is going to continue to come to the city requesting funding and waiving of fees.”
She continued, saying that she wanted to be “good stewards of our residents’ funds,” while also being “fair to every organization that comes forward.”
“I don’t want the message to continue to be in our city that the city will be waiving fees indefinitely for every event and every organization,” said Frometa.
Councilman Hector Sosa was a little more lenient, saying he was willing to hear each organization out on a case-by-case basis “depending on what they’re trying to accomplish and what it actually brings to our community.”
“There’s a big difference between that and just giving money away, writing a check for whatever event,” said Sosa.
The city has since established a fund which organizations could apply for as part of this Fiscal Year’s budget.
“You know, we have the $100,000 cap on helping some of these nonprofits in the community; it doesn’t mean we have to give all $100,000 away,” said Sosa. “There’s no guarantees. It doesn’t mean we have to write any checks.
“I believe in very stringent process for these organizations to go through to see if it makes sense. Also, I think there needs to be checks and balances, and follow up. We need to analyze receipts, and make sure the whole process is seen through.”