DEANTABO
Re: Cotatitarod presentation at the Cotati City Council meeting Dear Cotati City Council Members,
We are excited to present our proposal for a food drive event on Saturday, March 4, 2023 benefitting the Redwood Empire Food Bank. Attached please find our application for approval along with a proposed route for the shopping cart race.
The event schedule is as follows:
10:00 am Set up at La Plaza Park
11:00 am Check in and registration begins
Noon Formal acceptance of food donations by Redwood Empire Food Bank and Shopping cart race begins!
2:00 pm Front teams expected at La Plaza Park Finish Line 5:00 pm End of race
6:00 pm Break down and clean up. Donations, shopping carts, and litter removed from park
This is our fourth (sort of) annual event. In 2017, we had five teams and donated over four hundred pounds of food to the Redwood Empire Food Bank. In 2018, there were seven teams, and we gathered over a thousand pounds of food to donate, just over a half of a ton. In 2019 we had five teams, and we gathered 929 pounds (almost a ton!) of food to donate. For 2023 our goal is to get back out there with a simplified version - no vendors, no sponsors, no extra stuff. Just a race to benefit the Redwood Empire Food Bank with funds and food.
We expect a small number of spectators, and plan to feed our volunteers and participants in the park throughout the day. We will have a waffle breakfast in the morning before the race starts, and a spaghetti dinner in the afternoon for our awards ceremony on the stage. We encourage food donations from the public, and hope to encourage a few food trucks to be available during the event as well, specifically a coffee truck in the morning and a taco truck in the afternoon. No alcohol will be served
We continue to invite participation from local groups whose interest lies in charitable giving and good works. The Rotary Club, the 20/30 Club, and local businesses from Cotati and the surrounding area are encouraged to pull together a team to participate. This event is volunteer driven, paid for by registration fees alone, which is why they have increased for this year. As the economy is tight we feel it best not to rely on donations or sponsors at this time.
In our first year we ran at a deficit, which was absorbed by the volunteers running the event. Our second year we were able to break even, and the event paid for itself. In the third year we gathered enough funds to be able to donate $1,007.56 in cash to the REFB. Any funds over those needed to produce the event ($600 in 2019) goes directly to the Redwood Empire Food Bank. Our goal is to slowly grow so it is sustainable and fun to produce and participate in, bringing whimsy and frolic to Cotati and food and funds for the REFB for many years to come.
Cotatitarod 2023 • A North Bay Burners/Snarky Arts Production • Benefiting Redwood Empire Food Bank
RISKIES
There is no charge to the public for this event. Racers pay a registration fee that works out to twenty ollars per person. Teams register in advance to ensure an understanding of rules and requirement nvolved. No registrations are allowed on the day of the event. The race consists of a team of fiv persons and one shopping cart. One person drives the cart while the other four act as sled dogs, towing the cart along the route. They may switch off and are encouraged to dress up in costume and decorate their carts. Teams must bring at least 60lbs of food donations, collected before the race during registration. That's at least 12 pounds of food donated per person to run the race.
Each team of five progresses along the route with their empty shopping cart staying on sidewalks or in designated bike paths. The race does not require any road closure, the start and finish of the event will be near the stage in the park. At no time will this race impede local traffic, or require closure of a main road. Volunteers on bikes wearing reflective vests will act as Bike Marshals keeping the racers on the route and out of traffic. We also have Flaggers helping racers navigate busy road crossings. Volunteers at each local business acting as a checkpoint along the route will facilitate shopping cart parking while the teams compete in contests. Teams must hit all checkpoints in order to be eligible for prizes, and are required to spend at least 15 minutes at each location.
Several local businesses act as checkpoints for the 5k foot race. Mike's at the Crossroads, Eight Ball, Spancky's, Tradewinds and Flagship Taproom are enthusiastic about hosting our volunteers and participants, and want to collect food donations at their location as well. We have gained the support of Oliver's Market in Cotati who loan us a dozen shopping carts on the day of the race. This year we plan to have our award ceremony at La Plazakirk Mike's has sufficient space around the corder from the entrance for shopping cart parking, and the Eight Ball has space in front in the wood chips near the sidewalk. Spancky's has space beside their patio, and Tradewinds has an alley for cart parking. The Flagship Taproom also has sufficient space in front of their entry. We will have volunteers in the park at all times during the event to keep an eye on things.
We model this event after the wildly successful CHiditarod held annually on the first Saturday in March in Chicago. They graciously offer a template for others to create similar events in their towns.
Many of our rules and guidelines come from their website. http://www.chiditarod.org/rod-in-a-box/ We were inspired to do this event after seeing the founders present at a conference. https://youtu.be/PAqsJ05uAIA
Thank you City Council of Cotati for considering us for approval again this year. We love the quirky charm of this town. The shape of the streets around the Cotati Hub lend themselves to whimsy and playful participation. It is the perfect setting for our event. Part costume parade, part fun run, part food drive, part pub crawl, and becoming a popular event bringing participation from all over Sonoma County.
Signed,
Joshua Walton
Cotati Resident
Cotatitarod 2023 • A North Bay Burners/Snarky Arts Production • Benefiting Redwood Empire Food Bank Park Use and Special Event Permit Policy and Application 201 West Sierra Avenue, Cotati CA 94931 (707)792-4600
Name of Applicant or Organization: North Bay Burners
Name of Contact: Joshua WaF&AD # (if Non-Profit):
Address: 616 W School St, Cotati CA 94931
Street State Zip Code
Phone Number: 707-324-9325 [email protected]
Email Address:
Date of Event: 3/4/23 Arrival/Completion Time: 10am/6pm Estimated Attendees: 100 Shopping cart race to raise food and funds for the Redwood Empire Food Bank Type of Special Event:
PARK REQUESTED:
La Plaza Park Kotate Park Sunflower Park
• Draper Park Falletti Park Santero Park
Putnam Park Veterans Park _ Civic Center (Cator) Park
Alcoholic Beverages Sold: Yes NOVI Food served: Yes Sold Street Closure Requested: Yes No VI Park Closure Requested: Yes No V Animals: n/a Electricity Needed: Yes No •
Inflatable Jump House: Yes No V Film Production: (if yes, see pg. 10) Yes No As an applicant for a City of Cotati Park Use and Special Event permit, facilities, I hereby agree to assume all risks for loss, damage, liability, injury, cost or any expense that may arise during or be caused in any way by use or occupancy of any area or facility of the City of Cotati. I further agree that in consideration of being permitted to use said facility, I will hold the City of Cotati, its officials and employees free and harmless from any loss, liabilities, damages, and/or injuries to persons and property occurring during applicant's use or public liability insurance as stated in "Park Use and Special Event Permit Policy" with the City of Cotati named as additional insured to be submitted no later than one month prior to the rental date. I have read the rules and regulations of rental carefully and agree to them as written. I understand that applications not submitted thirty (30) days prior to event may not be able to be processed.
I, the undersigned, acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assume the risk that myself and others attending activities allowed, and potential limits on event size.
Applicant Signature: _ Joshua Walton Date: December 3, 2022 Date or Application: 12-3122 Date Insurance Received:
Additional Comments/Conditions:
Park Use Fee: Deposit Received: Deposit Returned:
101-00-60702-000000 101-00-35002-000000
Street Closure Fee: N Restroom Cleaning Fee:
101-23-64022-000000 101-24-80188-CLEANS
Cotati Resident Non - Resident C ABC License Received W* Group Classification:
Please describe your event in more detail here. Include information such as agenda for the event. For events in La Plaza Park, use the attached map to indicate location of shade tents, tables, etc.
The 4th (sort of) Annual Cotatitarod is proposed for Saturday, March 4th, 2023. This year's event will be similar to 2017-2019. We are asking for the use of La Plaza Park, including the bandstand with electricity, as well as City streets and sidewalks.
This event is modeled after the highly successful CHiditarod, which is Chicago's 100% volunteer-driven urban shopping cart race, charity food drive, costumed beauty pageant, and pub crawl. Their philanthropic efforts help address food and hunger challenges by partnering with organizations that provide immediate hunger relief (food pantries, etc), and sustainable food empowerment through urban farming and education. More information on this event can be found at http://www.chiditarod.org/or https://www.facebook.com/TheChiditarod/.
Hoping to mimic the success in Chicago, the North Bay Burners have partnered with the Redwood Empire Food Bank to donate all food collected from the event to help those locally in need. With five teams the first year and around four hundred pounds of food gathered, and seven teams the second year bringing in over a thousand pounds of food, this event is enthusiastically supported by the food bank. This year our goal is to bring in ten teams, and double our food donations to gather over a ton of food to help end hunger in our community. 10:00am - set up in the park
11:00am - check-in begins
noon - REFB food pickup and starting lineup
5:00pm - race ends
6:00pm - breakdown and clean up complete
FILM PERMITS ONLY:
Production Type: Production Name: Number of Days Filming:_ Name of Production Company: Contact Name and Email:
10 thingin
Route Map
(116) Brice.
Starting Line - La Plaza Park, Cotati Hub
Cotatil
behind the stage 8100 La Plaza, Cotati
CA 94931
Sulatove
Page St
Sparaiso An
1. Head southwest on La Plaza towards W. Cotati Ave
2. Continue south on La Plaza towards W Sierra Ave
3. Continue northeast on La Plaza towards E Cotati Ave
4. Continue east on La Plaza towards Old Redwood Hwy
5. Continue to Spancky's 8201 Old Redwood Hwy - Spancky's is Checkpoint 1
6. Head southwest on La Plaza towards W Cotati Ave
7. Continue northwest on La Plaza towards E Sierra Ave
8. Continue west on La Plaza towards Old Redwood Hwy
9. Turn right onto W Cotati Ave
10. Head west on W Cotati Ave towards Olof St
11. Head northeast on William St towards Old Redwood Hwy
12. Continue onto George St
13. Head east on George St towards E Sierra Ave
14. Turn right onto Arthur St
15. Continue down Arthur St, cross E Cotati Ave at crosswalk towards Charles St
16. Head southwest on Charles St towards Old Redwood Hwy
17. Turn left to the Eight Ball 8 Charles St - Eight Ball is Checkpoint 2
18. Head northeast on Old Redwood Hwy towards Charles St
19. Continue to Redwood Café 8240 Old Redwood Hwy - Redwood Café is Checkpoint 3
20. Head southeast on Old Redwood Hwy towards Henry St
21. Turn right onto Henry St
22. Head northwest on Olof St towards W Cotati Ave
23. Turn left onto W Cotati Ave
24. Head northwest on W Cotati Ave
25. Turn right to stay on W Cotati Ave
26. Continue onto St Joseph Way towards Old Redwood Hwy
27. Turn left onto Old Redwood Hwy towards Gravenstein Hwy
28. Continue to Mike's at the Crossroads 7665 Old Redwood Hwy - Mike's is Checkpoint 4
29. Head southwest on Old Redwood Hwy towards Gravenstein Way
30. Turn right onto St Joseph Way
31. Continue onto W Cotati Ave
32. Slight right onto El Rancho Dr
33. Turn right onto E School St
34. Head west on E School St toward Christensen Ln
35. Continue through tunnel under Hwy 101 towards W School St
36. Emerge onto sidewalk, go right to end of guardrail, then sharp left onto W School St
37. Head south up the hill on W School St toward W Sierra Ave
38. Turn left at bottom of hill onto W Sierra Ave
39. Head northwest on W Sierra Ave towards E School St
40. Turn left onto La Plaza
41. Continue to Flagship Taproom 8099 La Plaza - Flagship Taproom is Checkpoint 5
42. Finish Line, back behind the stage on La Plaza
r Driving School La Plaza Park Events: Indicate layout of event on this map.
La Plaza
ss, Inc Map not to scale
La Plaza Old Redwood Hwy Redwood Hwy
Playground
Public
Race Start/Finish Line Laplaza Park
Parking
E
Ave
Registration and awards
at Bandstand
Plaza picnic tables for
weigh in and
check in
Plaza
W Sierra Ave
N
La Plaza
La Pla