FORNEY, Texas – The Forney City Council approved a request for proposal (RFP) to field possible event promoters for the Mick Spellman Amphitheater at the Forney Community Park.
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“In the RFP specifically we asked for two types of proposals,” said Forney City Manager Brian Brooks. “We asked for a proposal which excluded alcohol in any event and we asked for a proposal that included alcohol.”
“The only reason we asked for both of those is because we wanted to be able to bring council a full gander of what is offered out there,” Brooks continued. “But, this does not force us to change our policies currently related to alcohol at the amphitheater. It simply is to get information for council and the parks board to take a look at.”
In 2012, The Forney City Council discussed going into a contract with a promoting company for four to six major events a year at the Spellman Amphitheater. Their preliminary discussions were with an event promoter from Oklahoma, the PM Group. At the time, an RFP was never brought to the council's agenda.
Typically, a promoter will use beer and wine sales to attract some of the more popular bands and singers. At their August 2012 council meeting which was held at the Spellman Amphitheater, approximately 150 people attended and debated whether or not alcohol should be allowed at the amphitheater. 15 people spoke against the sale of alcohol and five people spoke for the sale of alcohol.
inForney.com conducted a poll on August 23, 2012, asking Forney area residents if they were for or against the sale of alcohol at the amphitheater. 188 people responded to the poll. The results showed 39.3 percent were against the sale of alcohol and 60.7 percent were either in favor of alcohol sales or did not care.
“Why are we comparing with and without alcohol?” asked Place 5 Council member Mary Penn. “I thought the public was quite clear that the numbers weren't what was important.”
Parks and Recreation Director Richard Curry said, “This RFP, first and foremost, is to be able to provide us some facts. The council can choose to go with them or not whether it'll be beneficial for the community or not.”
“Without the information we don't have the ability to make a decision,” said Place 1 Council member Darrell Hobbs with Place 3 Council member Robbie Powers agreeing.
Place 2 Council member Ray Stephens said, “It lets the whole community see both A and B.”
“The handful of concerts that we've done, are we able to quantify how we did?” asked Place 4 Council member Scott Regan. Stephens said, “They were lightly attended.”
“I would like to say they were all successful,” said Curry. The shows were a success in terms of safety and timing, he said, “they just didn't work out.”
“I think if this council doesn't look at all options to find a way to make the amphitheater successful then we are doing a disservice,” said Forney Mayor Darren Rozell.
“Well we can look at all the options,” said Penn. “But the public was pretty clear that was their family park for their kids and they didn't want it closed down for these concerts four times a year.”
“Let's get the RFP in hand and then we can debate what's appropriate or not once we have the numbers and information,” said Rozell.
Hobbs made a motion to approve the RFP and Powers seconded the motion. Council members voted 4-1 in favor of the RFP with Council member Penn voting against the RFP. Place 6 Council member Andy Parker was not present.
“The only reason we asked for both of those is because we wanted to be able to bring council a full gander of what is offered out there,” Brooks continued. “But, this does not force us to change our policies currently related to alcohol at the amphitheater. It simply is to get information for council and the parks board to take a look at.”
In 2012, The Forney City Council discussed going into a contract with a promoting company for four to six major events a year at the Spellman Amphitheater. Their preliminary discussions were with an event promoter from Oklahoma, the PM Group. At the time, an RFP was never brought to the council's agenda.
Typically, a promoter will use beer and wine sales to attract some of the more popular bands and singers. At their August 2012 council meeting which was held at the Spellman Amphitheater, approximately 150 people attended and debated whether or not alcohol should be allowed at the amphitheater. 15 people spoke against the sale of alcohol and five people spoke for the sale of alcohol.
inForney.com conducted a poll on August 23, 2012, asking Forney area residents if they were for or against the sale of alcohol at the amphitheater. 188 people responded to the poll. The results showed 39.3 percent were against the sale of alcohol and 60.7 percent were either in favor of alcohol sales or did not care.
“Why are we comparing with and without alcohol?” asked Place 5 Council member Mary Penn. “I thought the public was quite clear that the numbers weren't what was important.”
Parks and Recreation Director Richard Curry said, “This RFP, first and foremost, is to be able to provide us some facts. The council can choose to go with them or not whether it'll be beneficial for the community or not.”
“Without the information we don't have the ability to make a decision,” said Place 1 Council member Darrell Hobbs with Place 3 Council member Robbie Powers agreeing.
Place 2 Council member Ray Stephens said, “It lets the whole community see both A and B.”
“The handful of concerts that we've done, are we able to quantify how we did?” asked Place 4 Council member Scott Regan. Stephens said, “They were lightly attended.”
“I would like to say they were all successful,” said Curry. The shows were a success in terms of safety and timing, he said, “they just didn't work out.”
“I think if this council doesn't look at all options to find a way to make the amphitheater successful then we are doing a disservice,” said Forney Mayor Darren Rozell.
“Well we can look at all the options,” said Penn. “But the public was pretty clear that was their family park for their kids and they didn't want it closed down for these concerts four times a year.”
“Let's get the RFP in hand and then we can debate what's appropriate or not once we have the numbers and information,” said Rozell.
Hobbs made a motion to approve the RFP and Powers seconded the motion. Council members voted 4-1 in favor of the RFP with Council member Penn voting against the RFP. Place 6 Council member Andy Parker was not present.