At last week’s meeting, council members heard details of the
city’s plan to sell merchandise at the event to recoup law
enforcement costs while trying to make a profit. Tonight’s
proceedings start at 6:30 p.m. at Hollister City Hall, 375 Fifth
St.
HOLLISTER
The Hollister City Council is set to meet tonight to discuss the biker rally’s future in light of a six-figure loss on the 2008 event.
At last week’s meeting, council members heard details of the city’s plan to sell merchandise at the event to recoup law enforcement costs while trying to make a profit. To this point, the city has lost nearly $100,000 on the T-shirts, hats and pins, although City Manager Clint Quilter has said officials are trying to liquidate the remaining merchandise. That doesn’t include a $125,000 shortfall for law enforcement costs.
Council members set this week’s meeting – after hearing taxpayers could lose around $200,000 on the event – to discuss its future and hear from the public.
July’s rally was the first time the city attempted to sell “official” rally merchandise to offset security costs. At last year’s event, the first under private promoter Horse Power Promotions, a private vendor fronted $180,000 to sell the merchandise – money that went toward law enforcement.
Look to www.freelancenews.com for full coverage of the meeting.
