Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: APPROVAL OF 2025 CITY OF COTATI SUMMER MOVIES IN
THE PARK, FOOD FESTIVAL, AND NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
EVENTS IN LA PLAZA PARK.
Date: May 13, 2025
Written by: Ashley Wilson, Recreation Manager
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the 2025 City of Cotati Summer Movies in the Park, Food Festival, and National Night Out events in La Plaza Park; authorizing the temporary street closure of La Plaza and the sales of food, goods and services, and alcohol by vendors and food trucks.
Background
With the success of our National Night Out event and Summer Movies in the Park events in the past several years and a goal to bring more recreational and community-oriented opportunities to Cotati, if authorized by the City Council, the City will continue to bring movies in the park throughout the summer. Additionally, the food festival had a successful first year last summer and will continue it this year.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, better places to live. The National Night Out program culminates annually on the first Tuesday of August.
Neighbors participate across thousands of communities from all 50 states, United States territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide. The Recreation and Police Departments will work together to continue this event in Cotati to build community engagement and trust.
Analysis/Discussion
Below is a summary of the events. Request includes the following: 1) exclusive use of La Plaza Park; 2) closure of public streets, including parking spaces; 3) sales of food and other items by vendors and food trucks and tickets to ride a jump house and potentially other attractions; 4) alcohol sales provided by the Cotati Chamber of Commerce or other nonprofit organization; 5) amplified entertainment as well as dogs in the park.
Event Attendance Dates/Times (including set-up)
Movies in the Park 200 Friday, June 13
4:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Movies in the Park/ 600 Tuesday, August 5
National Night Out 3:00pm – 11:00pm
Movies in the Park/ 250 Saturday, September 20
Grub in the Hub Food Fest 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
California Vehicle Code Section 21101 (e) authorizes the temporary closing of any street for celebrations, parades, local events and other purposes when, in the opinion of local authorities having jurisdiction, the closing is necessary for the safety and protection of persons who are to use that portion of the street during the temporary closing. In these instances, the public street would be heavily used for food vendors and vehicles, so closure is in the best interest of public safety. The Police Department will notify the appropriate public and emergency response agencies of the closures. To maximize the safety of those attending, the Public Works Department would need to temporarily close La Plaza between West Sierra Avenue and West Cotati Avenue.
National Night Out is an annual national event that brings communities and public agencies together. On August 5th, a City funded (free to attendees) dinner would be served beginning at 6:00pm in La Plaza Park. The Police Department will propose the costs associated with this event in the 2025/26 budget. During and following dinner, the community will have time to engage on a casual level with City Staff, including Police, Recreation, and other departments.
On September 20th, the City will offer their 2nd Grub in the Hub Food Festival prior to the Movie in the Park. With the success of the last years’ Food Festival prior to the September Movie in the Park, the City will continue to offer this multi-generational and free to attend event.
A fee for vendor entries will be assessed to participants of the food festival.
Beginning at sunset on June 13th, August 5th, and September 20th, a movie will be projected on a screen near the bandstand, free to the public. The event will end after the movie with cleanup and staff ensuring a safe exit from the park. Amplified entertainment will cease no later than 11 pm.
Financial Considerations
The event provides increased opportunities to promote community engagement and has the potential to bring visitors to the City. Financial considerations for the City are approximately $7,800 combined staff and supply costs for Fiscal Year 2024/25 and $31,100 for Fiscal Year 2025/26 which are included within FY 24/25 budget and proposed FY 25/26 budgets. The staff costs are comprised of Recreation staff ($18,080), Police staff ($5,425), and Public Works staff ($2,232). Additionally, supplies and movie rights are estimated at $13,055. Below is a summary of the costs of the event.
Movie Event Expense
Movies in the Park Movies in the Park/
National Night Out
Movies in the Park/
Grub in the Hub
13-Jun 5-Aug 20-Sep
Staff Time * prep work & day of events
Recreation = Total 160 Hours $ 6,030 $ 6,030 $ 6,030
Public Works = Total 12 Hours 744 744 744
Police Department = Total 25 Hours - 5,425 -
Total Staff Time Costs $ 6,774 $ 12,199 $ 6,774
Materials and Supplies
Dinner for NNO $ - $ 8,000 $ -
Rights to show movies 435 435 435
Movies, snacks, equipment 500 - -
Bands for Grub in the Hub - - 3,250
Total Other Expenses $ 935 $ 8,435 $ 3,685
Total Estimated Expenses $ 7,709 $ 20,634 $ 10,459
Total Fiscal Year 2024/25 $ 7,709
Total Fiscal Year 2025/26 $ 31,093
Offsetting Estimated Revenues $ 1,000
Environmental Issues
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a project which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, pursuant to CEQA Guideline section 15378.