Council members Monday put off making a decision until later this month on whether to hire Roadshows Inc. as promoter of the 2017 Hollister Independence Rally.
While last night’s meeting had the agreement listed on the agenda, City Manager Bill Avera said the city had yet to receive an executed agreement from the promoter.
“I hope to get something from them hopefully by (Nov. 21),” Avera said. “I think it’s imperative that we get this ironed out as soon as possible if we’re going to have an event in 2017, but I can’t force people to sign things.”
The motorcycle rally, also known as the Hollister Independence Rally, celebrates the city’s motorcycle history. It’s taken place in July the past three years after a period of on-again, off-again gatherings. The city commissions a promoter, which pays for security and other costs, to organize the event.
Roadshows Inc. promoted last year’s rally. The company bills itself as one of the nation’s largest event producers of motorcycle festivals with over 23 years of event management experience.
Next year’s rally would be held from June 30 to July 2 if the council approves the agreement. Roadshows Inc. would pay $180,000 in order to promote the event, half by May 1 and the rest by June 1.
Council members brought up concerns about staff costs and vendor fees at a meeting earlier this year. During that meeting, Councilman Karson Klauer said he didn’t know how he was going to be able to vote for the rally if he didn’t know how much tax revenue was brought in.
According to the agreement, the City of Hollister will be responsible for assigning law enforcement, firefighting services, animal control and street sweeping to the rally. The city will also coordinate public services to include solid waste dumpsters, recycling bins and ambulances.
