The city of Warrenton hosted WDA members before its regularly scheduled aldermen meeting to discuss the event's future. Most of the discussion centered on the need for more WDA members to become involved and reduce the need of city employees picking up the slack. Catch the Glow, normally scheduled on the final Saturday in June on Main Street, features live music, a 5K run/walk, a soapbox derby, car show, food and beverage vendors. It concluded its eighth year this summer. Mayor Greg Costello said it's not the city's intent to take control of Catch the Glow, which many of the WDA members feared, but come to a compromise where the city wasn't responsible for extra costs and labor incurred leading into or on the day of the event. "It's not a matter of saving money," Costello said. "It's more accountability." Recently, city employees have been responsible for moving picnic tables to the downtown area and setting up the premises as restaurants are allowed to serve food and drinks on Main Street. Other problems have recently cropped up as city employees dealt with electrical issues in June. Costello acknowledged better planning might reduce the need of late troubleshooting problems. "It's an extremely successful event," he said. "I think it makes Warrenton look very good for the public coming in and to those perhaps who never have been here and gives a taste of what a good street party can be." WDA, which is funded out of the city's tourism budget, had $19,000 at its disposal for last June's event. The money was broken down into three areas: Entertainment, $12,000, advertising, $2,000, and contingencies, $2,000. WDA requests funds every year from the tourism committee, which then makes a recommendation to aldermen for final approval. What money isn't used is then returned to the city. After spending $10,600 for this year's event, WDA must return the remaining $8,400 to the city. Brenda Sue Fowler, WDA president, said she was satisfied with how Tuesday's workshop ended. "I think we had a meeting of the minds and found out where everybody is coming from," she said. Chris Graville, Warrenton city attorney, advised aldermen and WDA members that funds from the tourism budget can't be earmarked annually for Catch the Glow due to state statute. Requests can be submitted by any organization at any point in the year and are dealt with on a monthly basis by the tourism committee. Alderman John Clark acknowledged the need to recoup money for the services provided by the city and its employees. "If you think the city wants to do it all, you're mistaken," Clark said. Aldermen also were concerned that organizations and businesses not located on the Main Street corridor weren't allowed to participate. Fowler responded by saying last year's event was open to any organization wishing to participate. She also said any business, organization or individual in Warrenton can join WDA. "Every application (submitted by a deadline) was approved," she noted. WDA members hope Catch the Glow continues to see growth with more vendors and events. It has been discussed to move the car show to the SAF-Holland parking lot or to the Highway 47 intersection. Costello also hinted at the possibility of moving Catch the Glow up a week to eliminate the need for the event to share the same weekend with the Warren County Fair parade. It was unclear, however, whether WDA or the city would be in charge of changing the date.