The Rossmoor Community Services District has refused a request from the city of Los Alamitos to become a major sponsor of its upcoming Independence Day fireworks display, although they did agree to a much smaller amount to show interest in cooperation.
For more than three decades, the city of Los Alamitos has sponsored a professional fireworks festival on July 4, in conjunction with the Joint Forces Training Base, the city of Seal Beach and a host of community organization which ban together to produce the widely known event.
The event generally draws tens of thousands of spectators.
The issue came up again during the June meeting of the RCSD board this week as the board had apparently asked General Manager Joe Mendoza to investigate an earlier request from the city of Los Alamitos for a major sponsorship contribution.
“As you recall, last month,” Mendoza said, “the city of Los Alamitos’ acting recreation director asked the board to consider an $8,000 contribution towards the July 4 Fireworks spectacular.”
Mendoza then gave the report on a list of sponsorships and other particulars about the upcoming event.
“What do we get for eight grand?” RCSD board president Dr. Jeffrey Barke asked Mendoza.
Mendoza gave the board an overview of the entire sponsorship tier, benefits and suggested RSCD would receive signage, a sponsorship listing and stage participation for the major sponsorship.
“But it would seem to me that if they want us to be a partner, financially, that we should be a partner in the event, not just write them a check and one of us go up on stage and wave to the crowd or get a parking spot,” said Barke.
He suggested what Los Alamitos was offering was not a true partnership, like some events they have done with the Rossmoor Homeowners Association. “A true partnership…as opposed to just a bank account for them to offset their own expenses,” he said.
“The question is whether the citizens of Rossmoor would want us to just write a check for $8000,” wondered Barke?
For $8,000, Barke suggested RCSD could put up a stage, hire a band and facilitate an event of their own, though he did admit some Rossmoor residents will likely attend the JFTB fireworks show on the base.
“Although I do want to work with our cities when we can,” said Barke. “I think in the following year, they should come to us, way ahead of time.”
In addition, Barke told the board that if Los Alamitos “wants to really partner with us,” the city’s mayor should either “come see us” or “pick up the phone and try to work something out,” rather than an employee of the city making the ask.
“Perhaps next year,” said Barke, “the city of Los Al can approach RCSD in advance to work out a partnership on behalf of the citizens of Rossmoor. Until then,” he said, “I would hesitate for Rossmoor to write a check for $8,000.”
Director Mark Nitikman said he agreed with Barke, noting that there were many potential uses for the money ($8k) inside Rossmoor.
“I agree with you,” said Nitikman, “I think we can use that money for ourselves.”
Director Jeffrey Rips said while he also felt like Los Alamitos was “coming to us to help offset their deficit… I recommend we don’t go to zero.”
He suggested Rossmoor accept a “Rising Star” partnership for $1,000, so at least RCSD would have a booth and some representation at the event and a logo on the brochure.
“It keeps a little skin in the game,” said Rips, “and acts as some sort of olive branch.”
With a small sponsorship, said Rips, “at least optically, we’re still in partnership with them.”
Directors Nathan Searles and Tony DeMarco both said they agreed with the compromise plan.
Barke then made a motion to authorize the $1,000 partnership expenditure and expressed hopes that the partnership process would start earlier next year and perhaps then, work out a stronger financial relationship for the event.