September Meeting Minutes
September Kernside Monthly Meeting
September 8, 2025 12pm
Rose City Guitar
Kernside Meeting Minutes
Date: September 8, 2025Attendees: Thomas, Jude, Samantha, Amber, Molly, Rebecca, Chris, JustinRecorder: AI transcription
1. Event Debrief: Community Party
Overall Successes
Strong variety of activities: bouncy house/waterslide, comedy, massage, tattoos, vendor booths.
Good turnout considering the short planning timeline (approx. one month).
Raffle was highly successful, generating roughly $1,000 in revenue.
Areas for Improvement
Promotion: Need more lead-time and more strategic posting to better highlight event features.
Clarity: Some participants did not know the bouncy castle included a waterslide.
Poster revision on event day caused confusion; recommendation to avoid changing core visuals close to the event.
Vendor participation was often last-minute, making it difficult to fully communicate offerings.
Scheduling Considerations
Future events should be held 1–2 weeks earlier in the season to maximize daylight and ensure better weather.
Consider starting events at noon or slightly earlier for easier setup.
If adjustments to event time are needed, shorten the end rather than moving the start earlier.
2. Operational Concerns: Water/Power Access
A garage door at Tiny Giants was left open after the event due to miscommunication about who was responsible for closing it.
A potential theft may have occurred; Travis is reviewing this.
Discussion revealed ongoing friction with Gorges staff due to:
Events being placed directly in front of their business.
Need for them to shut music off.
Use of their power/equipment without clear agreements.
Gorges is considering implementing a contract for all future events outlining:
Responsibility for property and equipment.
Expectations for communication with their staff.
Action Considerations
Reduce overreliance on Rainbow Road/Gorges as the default event space.
Explore alternate event locations (including potential space outside Resminostat/Kachka).
3. Infrastructure / Stage Layout
Concerns raised about awkward or unsafe seating/structures near the stage.
Interest in redesigning or removing certain elements to improve safety and functionality.
Discussion of budget cycles and the possibility of requesting changes in the next funding period.
4. Seasonal Event Planning: Fall & Winter
Holiday Lights Initiative
Idea to encourage businesses to hang holiday lights to make the district more inviting.
Brainstormed ways to support participation, including:
Providing assistance with ladder or lift equipment.
Volunteers helping install lights.
A “light trail” highlighting participating businesses.
Alternative / Additional Concepts
Halloween-focused decorations or thematic events (lower cost than month-long lighting).
Trick-or-treat event for families, modeled after other neighborhoods (e.g., NW 23rd).
Halloween falls on a Friday, allowing for possible Thursday or early-evening children’s events.
5. Future Event Structure
Interest in establishing two annual cornerstone events:
Spring “coming out of winter” festival
Late-summer community party
Both would benefit from longer planning timelines, consistent branding, and clearer vendor coordination.
Adjournment
Meeting concluded after discussion of fall planning timeline and scheduling options.