Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: REGULAR AGENDA (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: APPROVAL OF 2025 RUNNING FENCE RUNNING EVENT
AND FESTIVAL IN LA PLAZA PARK
Date: June 10, 2025
Written by: Ashley Wilson, Recreation Manager
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution: 1. Approving a 5k and 10k race through downtown Cotati and a festival in La Plaza Park on September 13, 2025; and 2.
Authorizing the temporary closure of certain streets on the race path and near the festival; and 3.
The use of amplified live entertainment; and 4. Sales of food by vendors and food trucks; and 5.
The sales of alcoholic beverages in La Plaza Park; and 6. approval of fee waivers associated with producing the event.
Background
The Empire Runners Club is a 501(c)3 non-profit community service organization that fosters a running community in Sonoma County, inclusive of all ages and abilities. They were formed in the 70s and host several running events and races annually for all ages. Christo and JeanneClaude’s “Running Fence” art project that spanned over 24 miles of landscape through Marin and Sonoma Counties will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026. To commemorate the anniversary of the art installation, The Empire Runners are proposing to host a new 5k and 10k race, starting and finishing at La Plaza Park on September 13, 2025. Separately, they will propose a marathon throughout Sonoma County in 2026. A full description of the event and map of activities are attached to the resolution at Exhibit B.
Analysis/Discussion
The Empire Runners Club is proposing a 5k and 10k race, and art festival in La Plaza Park (“Event”) on September 13, 2025, between the hours of 9:00am and 5:00pm (park use hours include set up and take down, 5:00am-7:00pm). They also plan to offer a shorter, one-mile race for children under 5. The Empire Runners Club will have exclusive use of La Plaza Park and La Plaza Streets surrounding the park between Old Redwood Highway and West Sierra Avenue and West Sierra Avenue to Old Redwood Highway, near the demonstration garden. In addition to food sales by food trucks and vendors, there will be sales of goods, amplified live entertainment, and alcoholic beverage sales.
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. The Police Department will notify the appropriate public agencies and emergency response agencies of street closures if they do take place.
The Empire Runners Club has reviewed the City’s insurance requirements and has indicated that they have adequate insurance. A Condition of Approval has been included which requires proof of insurance before the event.
A Condition of Approval has been included which requires a California Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control approved temporary permit to allow for the sale of alcohol to be supplied to the City before the event.
The Empire Runners Club has requested fee waivers for the event, as indicated in the attached letter. Per the Park Use Policy, rental fees may be waived for the first year of a large multi-year event.
Required fees and deposits for use of La Plaza Park and Old Redwood Highway through downtown Cotati for non-residents are an application fee of $53, a park use fee of $534 for events with 250+ attendees, an approved permit fee of $133, a restroom cleaning fee of $100, a street closure fee of $1,873, and a refundable deposit of $500, which is refundable if the park and downtown space if left clean and undamaged. The total estimated fee would be $2,693 with a $500 deposit. This event has the potential to increase the number of visitors to the City at the event and local businesses. It would provide increased opportunities to promote economic development and increase sales tax revenue. Given the opportunity to bring a new large community event to Cotati, City staff recommends 100% fee coverage for this event. If the event were to come back for a second year, the applicant would be eligible for a 50% fee reduction, per the City’s Park Use Policy.
If approved by the City Council, the Running Fence Run will be designated as a City sponsored event, which will also allow them to use garbage/recycling/compost bins at no cost. The Event will be included as one of the 10 annual “free” service events in the Recology Franchise Agreement.
As a City sponsored event, it is expected that the organizer will prominently feature the City of Cotati as an event sponsor on all advertising and marketing materials.
Financial Considerations
If approved, the fees for this event totaling $2,693 would be paid for with Council contributions account 101-10-801150-00000 for fiscal year 2026/27. The City would still collect the $500 refundable deposit from the Empire Runners Club, subject to reimbursement at the completion of the event.
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.