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Pirate Days moves back on course
By BLAINE CRIMMINS, bcrimmins@acnpapers.com
Though many of the same faces remain behind the scenes, Pirate Days is under new management following recent changes within The Colony Chamber of Commerce.
After two years running the show, the chamber last week officially voted to spin off the event, handing over the helm to Pirate Days of Texas Inc. Representatives from that group, some of which previously comprised the Pirate Days Committee, came before The Colony City Council on Tuesday night to request money from the city’s Hotel Occupancy Tax coffers to fund this year’s event, scheduled for Oct. 16-17 at Stewart Creek Park.
While the council as a whole was keen to provide the funding, there was initial concern about working with a group that is not yet a legal entity. To that end, Pirate Days of Texas’ official incorporation documents were received by the Secretary of State on Wednesday.
The organization also has applied for 501(c)(3) status, which it anticipates receiving by the end of the month.
Genung and Nancy Dillard detailed the timeline of the group’s formation on Tuesday night, and outlined its goals moving forward. As in years past, Pirate Days of Texas’ mission is to highlight The Colony’s “lakeside location and amenities, to promote awareness of community groups, have a regional appeal, and to create a positive reputation with a themed festival.”
In addition, it seeks to “promote community wide involvement, … establish a lasting tradition, build adequate support to provide the necessary funds to produce the festival year to year, building a positive reputation and carving a niche in the community and surrounding area.”
This year’s Pirate Days budget came out to $60,550, with $26,000 earmarked for equipment, $10,800 for entertainment, $8,000 for advertising, $5,000 for the children’s area, $1,500 for festival insurance, $250 for a BMI license, and $9,000 for security.
Hamstrung by the organization’s unofficial status, the council spent considerable time debating what action, if any, they could take on Tuesday night. Ultimately, they decided to fund the event for the same amount as last year, $55,000. The council tasked the city manager’s office with drafting the contract sometime in the next couple of weeks, in time for Pirate Days of Texas to receive funding needed to book entertainment.
Of note, the contract will include provisions ensuring that taxpayer funds are protected through various mechanisms in the event of unforeseen “worst-case scenarios.” The chamber, for example, had assets such as property which could be applied to recouping lost funds if needed. Pirate Days of Texas, on the other hand, has no assets beyond the members of its management board.
In other business, the council:
*Approved the purchase of the home and property at 4657 Archer Drive for $168,000. The city requires the property in order to reconstruct the Freeman/Archer Loop following the widening for Main Street by the Texas Department of Transportation. In addition to the cost of the property, the city is paying $1,600 for the home’s current renter to relocate and $1,841 for closing costs. All of the money will be reimbursed by Denton County; and,
*Approved $186,450 in repairs for City Well No. 2, which was last serviced in 1999. Though the repairs are significant, Public Works Director Tod Maurina assured the council that interim changes to the well’s operational status will not affect the city’s water supply, even during peak flow anticipated later this summer.
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