DDA waives Old School Square venue fees for Achievement Centers' Witches' Ride, requires organizers to cover hard costs

Representatives from Epic Events and the Achievement Centers asked the DDA to waive Old School Square venue fees for the Oct. 24 Witches' Ride, a long-running fundraiser that organizers said typically raises roughly $40,000 for Achievement Centers programming. Sarah Martin (Epic Events) said the event is limited to 300 riders for safety and that permitting and police costs were not budgeted by organizers when the city made a fee change.

Stephanie Seiwall, speaking for the Achievement Centers, said the event supports an organization that serves more than 500 children and families and that the ride itself raises about $40,000 for the agency. The board discussed precedent and operational costs and approved a motion to waive venue fees while charging the organizers for the DDA’s hard costs (staff time and operational oversight). The motion passed by voice vote; the DDA staff said it will communicate the final fee schedule and invoicing for staff/operational costs to organizers.