The Common Council met 02/19/2025. One of the items they took up was a request to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Appleton and Wisconsin Entertainment Group, LLC to manage the City of Appleton Independence Day Celebration.
The item was confusingly worded. It was presented as a request to approve an agreement, but no agreement had been drafted. The item ended up being amended to clarify that the Common Council approved the negotiation of a memorandum of understanding with Wisconsin Entertainment Group, LLC. This was approved by a vote of 15-0.
I’ve prepared a transcript of the discussion for download:
This item was passed with minimal discussion by the Parks and Recreation Committee. The city had been looking for an organization to take over managing the non-fireworks portion of the Independence Day celebration now that the Appleton Jaycees were no longer doing that. The city received two responses to their request for proposals, and city staff unanimously selected Wisconsin Entertainment Group based on its experience, workforce size, references, financial situation, and safety record.
I’ve prepared a transcript of that committee discussion such as it was for download:
At the Common Council meeting, Alderperson Sheri Hartzheim (District 13) noted that the item was requesting the council members to approve an MOU but their was no MOU for them to approve.
Mayor Woodford acknowledged that no agreement had been drafted and said that city staff was looking for direction in how to proceed.
Alderperson Hartzheim made a motion to amend the item to clarify that the Council was approving the negotiation of a MOU with Wisconsin Entertainment Group, LLC.
Alderperson Martyn Smith (District 4) asked if the fact that Wisconsin Entertainment Group was a for-profit venture (whereas the Jaycees had been a non-profit) was something that would negatively impact their ability to get donations from places like Festival Foods for the event.
Director of Parks and Recreation Dean Gazza said that Wisconsin Entertainment Group was very experienced at getting donations and sponsorships and had been very successful in the past at doing that. He noted that businesses like having their name associated with events like this that are family friendly and have a lot of attendees.
The Council voted 15-0 to approve the amended item authorizing staff to negotiate a memorandum of understanding with Wisconsin Entertainment Group, LLC to manage the city’s Independence Day celebration.
View full meeting details and video here: https://cityofappleton.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1254912&GUID=B757A893-3C2B-43F2-B22A-EDF53CE044A3
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