RDA approves Bay Coast Bank concert license; NMA secures fiscal sponsorship

Staff briefed the board on recent and upcoming events and community programming. Karen Martin reviewed a successful private event (South Coast Health gala) and a kite-night that was curtailed by high winds. She then presented an application from Bay Coast Bank to host a public concert celebrating the bank’s 175th anniversary, with staff confirming police presence and vendor insurance naming the authority as additional insured.

The board moved to approve the event application and to authorize the chair or executive director to sign a license agreement for the concert to be held in August (the packet and motion list Aug. 9, 2026; earlier remarks also referenced an Aug. 8 date). One board member registered an abstention during the vote. Staff emphasized that walkways must remain clear and that event applicants must complete permit steps before final approval of vendor details.

Separately, Sarah Page updated the board on NMA activities: the Bristol Black Collective will sponsor a jazz festival at Purchase Street Plaza; First Congregational Church and Reverend Andy Stinson offered to serve as a no-fee fiscal sponsor for NMA; and the South Coast Visitors Bureau pledged $4,000 toward NMA marketing, which requires a $6,000 match. Staff said they will decide whether to accept and match the pledge.

Next steps: staff will finalize the event license and continue organizing NMA’s schedule and sponsorship arrangements.