Organizers of a neighborhood festival on Tucson’s west side want the city to issue a special event liquor license for next month, even though the group still owes it more than $10,000 for last year’s party.
Fiesta Grande of Barrio Hollywood plans to hold its annual street fair and neighborhood party April 9 and 10. The group that organizes the event has more than $10,600 in unpaid invoices pending with the city, records show.
“My understanding is they are going to get it paid,” Tucson City Manager Mike Ortega said.
Ortega said he met with the event’s organizers, a group called Fiesta Grande of Hollywood Inc., and came away confident they can make good on the past bill.
He said organizers confirmed a plan was in place to pay the past-due amount and any new charges associated with this year’s party shortly after the event.
Arizona Corporation Commission records show Fiesta Grande of Hollywood’s officers are Margaret McKenna, Armida McKenna and Vivian Guevara.
Margaret McKenna is a longtime resident of the Barrio Hollywood and former president of the neighborhood association.
Requests for comment from the group on the outstanding balance were not answered.
Organizers of the event hired off-duty Tucson police officers to provide security at last year’s event, which also required some work from the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.
Tucson City Councilman Steve Kozachik questioned whether the council should provide similar support for the event this year.
“It doesn’t matter which event it is, if you don’t pay your bills from the previous year, you shouldn’t get a permit for using taxpayer resources until you’re either current on your bill or have worked out a plan with the city to get there,” Kozachik said.
The city requires permits for special events when road closures are needed and alcohol is served.
Event coordinators can hire off-duty police officers for security.
The Tucson Police Department website notes that rates for off-duty officers vary from $40 to $75 per hour for each officer.
Additional charges are assessed if police vehicles are used.
“Any payment not received by the City within 30 days of initial billing is delinquent and will accrue interest at the rate of 10 percent per annum,” the contract for off-duty police provided on the TPD website says.
Tucson City Councilwoman Regina Romero said the city needs to be paid for services provided.
But, “I have no doubt that these bills will paid,” Romero said.
She said the city still should approve the Fiesta Grande liquor license so this year’s event can go forward, but would like to see a policy in place to ensure groups holding events don’t fall into arrears.
“Moving forward, I think events like this one in particular that sells liquor for fundraising should pay their bills by the end of the fiscal year or before the next year’s event,” Romero said.
