The City Advertising and Promotion Commission heard nine applications for marketing support with one denied and one modified before approval, at the Feb. 26 meeting.
Sharon Lawlor was present to represent the Western Carroll County Ministerial Association and Celebrate Jesus Parade on April 18 and 19. Commissioners asked Tourism Director Mike Maloney what the CAPC’s attorney had said about rules supporting the event. Maloney explained that the event would need to have a secular purpose and avoid government entanglement with religion. Maloney explained that CAPC advertising cannot contain religious endorsements or activities and solely focus on secular activities, and in the case of the Celebrate Jesus Parade suggested that it include secular references such as Easter eggs or the Easter bunny, but if the event is solely for religious purposes, the CAPC should deny funding.
Lawlor explained that the event has music in Basin Park and shop owners want to do an Easter Egg Hunt with an Easter Bunny. She said that several local churches and music groups from seven different states will be attending.
Commissioner David Avanzino said in the past several churches affirming the LGBTQ were not allowed to participate in the event. Lawlor replied that was not accurate. She explained that the parade was to “celebrate Jesus but just that and not anything outside of that” and that they chose not to be involved. Other commissioners affirmed that they’d heard the event had excluded organizations and churches for their affiliation with the LGBTQ community. There was concern voiced among commissioners that any sort of exclusion was not acceptable.
Lawlor said that the event was to “Celebrate Jesus” and that anyone who wished to do so was welcome. Commissioner Heather Wilson said the response from the attorney “clearly says ads cannot contain any religious endorsements or activities” and that the event was secular and elevating one faith above others. A note, the CAPC does not vote in the negative connotation, so Chair Steve Holifield asked if there were a motion to give marketing support to the event. No commissioners moved to affirm so the support request was denied.
The Good Shepherd Humane Society’s request for $2,500 for a rendition of And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little was modified to be $2,000 before approval. The event is to be held at Upstairs at the Grotto with ticket sales going to Good Shepherd Humane Society with 210 seats over three nights. Commissioners discussed the value between giving support for a primarily local event versus a greater measurable return on investment for the city, but approval of the modified amount was unanimous.
Other marketing support included the Gravity Feed shuttle service for video production on the trails with results to be given to the CAPC and Parks Department for future use in advertisement. Spring Fling Bike Rally, Chocolate Lover’s Festival, and the 45th annual Tour of Homes were each given $5,000 for marketing. And a new 5k and 10k run hosted by Main Street Eureka Springs was given $5,000. MSES intends to use money raised by the race to continue to fund microgrants for city improvements and helping of local business.
Other Business
- Commissioners voted unanimously to change CAPC by-laws so that a chair could not serve two consecutive terms.
- CAPC staff updated commissioners that consistent shuttle service to concerts at the Auditorium was a goal for the year. Wilson brought up the topic with a comment she’d seen on the Marty Stuart concert on how nice it was for a visitor to have that service back to their parking area.
- In talking House Bill 1445, commissioners voiced that they do not support the bill that would stop cities from regulating short-term rentals. They noted the safety requirements that short-term rentals would no longer need to meet, and that the bill would open more of Eureka Springs homes to be turned to short-term rentals rather than residences.
- Bradley Tate-Greene resigned from the commission, citing that he has taken a job requiring travel.
The next CAPC workshop is scheduled for March 12, 6 p.m., at the Aud.