Parks/Rec Comm'n OK's 10 Yr Contract With New El Dorado Park Kiddie-Train Operator, An LLC Promising To Create "El Dorado Frontier" With These Add'l Attractions (Free Or Fee Decided by the LLC) With Fees Payable To City Waived For First Five Years

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(Aug. 10, 2018, 12:20 p.m.) -- LB's Parks & Recreation Commission has voted to authorize granting a city-staff recommended entity, "In Circus Entertainment, LLC," a ten year contract (with two five-year renewal options) to operate the El Dorado Park kiddie-train attraction and picnic concession (after the train's previous operator declined to seek permit renewal). The LLC proposes to create what it calls "El Dorado Frontier" with attractions including a carousel, "panning for gold" area, concession stand plus sale of prepackaged or prepared food and beverages (but not alcohol)..

Source: Parks & Rec Comm'n agenda item. City staff didn't support the water feature ["Tom Sawyer Lake"] and the LLC agreed not to seek or further propose any attractions that include standing water.

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Staff recommended, and the Commission agreed, to let the private operator decide which activities or attractions would be free or for fees and to set the fees. The first five years of permit fees payable to the City would be waived "in light of Circus' initial capital investment" as long as the LLC makes "good faith efforts" to complete specified items:

First 1-24 months: Carousel attraction, revamp existing structures, concessions, and outer perimeter fence
Years 2-3: Panning for gold attraction, photo opportunity areas, and town facades and sound barrier, bathrooms
Years 3-4: Stage, Story-Telling Tree attraction, and continued beautification

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The ownership of In Circus, LLC proposes to operate the concession.

The full agendizing memo can be viewed here. T

City staff's memo says that with the exception of expected increases to gate revenue in El Dorado Park East that should result" from the train concession, there's no fiscal impact expected for the City for the first five years.

Ann Cantrell, among those most protective of park open space, attended the meeting and indicated that since that since that portion of the park was already used by the train attraction, she didn't oppose the new plans as long as they remain within the current permitted area. However Ms. Cantrell did voice concern about the City not ending up paying costs if plans don't proceed as planned.

The motion to approve was made by Commission Vice Chair Heggeness, seconded by Commissioner Antonette; the vote was 5-0 (with Commissioners Sievers and Ursua excused.)

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