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As programs get stripped and fees get higher for residents in Los Angeles, is this a case of the rich getting richer or a good business move on the part of the city? Tomorrow, the City Council will go through their ritual of approving special event fee waivers (see page 16 of the council agenda in .pdf). These giveaways practicably happen on a weekly basis, giving special events a break on the costs for street closures, personnel and whatever else it costs the city to adjust its landscape for an event taking place in public space.
The Academy Awards have turned in their special event permit and have requested the city to absorb the costs at the price tag of $410,000. We agreed with the city on the Grammys, but once again, this high price tag will have residents questioning why their parking meter fees are 300% more while events that profit millions get a free ride. What do you think? Comment below.
From tomorrow's city council agenda:
09-0164 CD 13 h. MOTION (GARCETTI - LABONGE) relative to declaring the 81st Annual Academy Awards Presentation on February 22, 2009 a Special Event (fees and costs absorbed by the City = $410,000).All of tomorrow's special event motions are below...
ITEM NO. (29)08-0319-S1 et al. MOTIONS relative to "Special Events" to be held in the various Council Districts. Recommendations for Council action: DECLARE the following community events as "Special Events"; APPROVE any temporary street closures as requested; and, INSTRUCT the involved City departments to perform such services as detailed the Council motions attached to the various listed Council files, including the waiver of fees, costs and requirements and other related issues, as specified:
08-0319-S1 CD 15 a. MOTION (HAHN - LABONGE) relative to declaring the Wilmington Certified Farmers' Market on every Thursday beginning February 26, 2009 to February 25, 2010 a Special Event (fees and costs absorbed by the City = $15,260).
FRIDAY 01-30-0908-0075-S1 CD 8 b. MOTION (PERRY for PARKS - LABONGE) relative to declaring the 40th NAACP Image Awards on February 12, 2009 a Special Event (fees and costs absorbed by the City = $15,000).
09-0159 CD 9 c. MOTION (PERRY - GARCETTI) relative to declaring the Provecho Restaurant Grand Opening on January 31, 2009 a Special Event with the understanding that the event sponser shall reimburse the City for all fees and costs associated with this event and meet the insurance and application requirements of the City.
09-0160 CD 15 d. MOTION (HAHN - LABONGE) relative to declaring the Fight on Triathlon on February 28, 2009 a Special Event (fees and costs absorbed by the City = $12,800).
09-0161 CD 9 e. MOTION (PERRY - ZINE) relative to declaring the 2010 Prius Reveal Event on March 1, 2009 a Special Event with the understanding that the event sponser shall reimburse the City for all fees and costs associated with this event and meet the insurance and application requirements of the City.
09-0162 CD 9 f. MOTION (PERRY - ZINE) relative to declaring the Pac-10 Basketball Tournament on March 13, 2009 a Special Event with the understanding that the event sponser shall reimburse the City for all fees and costs associated with this event and meet the insurance and application requirements of the City.
09-0163 CD 1 g. MOTION (REYES - PERRY) relative to declaring the Roberto Lopez Jr. Memorial Services on January 22-23, 2009 a Special Event (fees and costs absorbed by the City = $3,000).
09-0164 CD 13 h. MOTION (GARCETTI - LABONGE) relative to declaring the 81st Annual Academy Awards Presentation on February 22, 2009 a Special Event (fees and costs absorbed by the City = $410,000).
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Move the Oscars back Downtown. Traffic has become an even bigger nightmare since the opening of the Kodak Theatre. Set up times for the awards draw on longer and longer each year. Many of the local businesses and residents really don't benefit a bit, but suffer with all the street closures.
In these rough economic times I can't imagine a group of people in more need of any kind of monetary assistance than millionaire actors and multi-millionaire executives of a billion-dollar industry. Hollywood can suck it for all I care. Since they really only crave "recognition", just mail the awards to their recipients and post the winners on the internet. It'll save us from the headlines the following day about how this year's Oscars set an all-time new low in TV ratings.
The profit from the Oscars does go to salaries yes- but not to millionaire actors or anyone very unusual. Just to normal office workers, educators, librarians and the other people the Academy employs. It supports two of the best places collecting and preserving film history. It also goes to public programs and other cultural events in and out of LA. Scholarships, fellowships... Should I go on? Sure other people, rich people, profit from the Oscars, but that's not who pays for them or who gets paid from the direct profit.
I've just started doing research at the Margaret Herrick library at the AMPAS Fairbanks Center. Really nice archive.
Actually the potential profits to the area far exceed 410,000, but give-aways can go too far. I think cutting the ticket in half, 205,000 is a better deal...for both the city and the promoters of this event.
I'm split on this - for one, the Oscars does employ hundreds of Angelenos throughout the production process, largely working stiffs, from security guards to union labor to p.a.s, and the influx of employees brings added revenue to Hollywood. This isn't to mention the tourists who continue to come to Hollywood in part because the Oscars are held here.
But, I doubt that if the Academy was turned down the permit fees they'd take the show out of Los Angeles. ABC will be able to pony up the money.
On the flip side, these events aren't open to the public, which I believe is the intent of fee waivers. And especially in this recession, I'd hope that City Council will recognize now may be the one time that they don't approve the waiver.