Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: APRIL 4, 2023
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SUBMITTED BY: ALICE LOYA, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION PREPARED BY: AMANDA ARBISO, PARKS AND RECREATION MANAGER SUBJECT: 2023 FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION OPTIONS
SUMMARY
The City’s Fourth of July Festival, traditionally held at the Fullerton Union High School softball fields, needs to relocate due to renovations. Staff seeks City Council direction to produce and fund a Fourth of July event and the location and date of the event.
RECOMMENDATION
Direct staff to proceed with the planning and production of the Fourth of July celebration at desired event location.
Approve one of the following location options for the event:
Option A: A limited fireworks show in the Downtown Plaza on July 3, 2023 Option B: A drone light show at Amerige Stadium on July 4, 2023 Option C: Postpone event until 2024
Option D: Continue to work with California State Fullerton to hold event at CSUF Recreational Fields.
Authorize $142,000 to $145,000 transfer and appropriation from the General Fund (Fund 10) to the Parks and Recreation operating budget (Fund 15) to produce the event.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
Based on timing, the City Manager recommends moving forward on either Option A or Option B. Both options provide certain advantages. One element of Option A still being explored is ensuring that a Fire Works show can be accomplished with current Fire Safety Fall Zone requirements.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statement:
Fiscal and Organizational Stability.
FISCAL IMPACT
Staff estimates the Fourth of July event to cost a maximum $145,000 not including costs for Public Safety at either location. Producing the event would require a budget transfer and appropriation from the General Fund (Fund 10) to the Parks and Recreation operating budget (Fund 15).
DISCUSSION
The City of Fullerton’s annual Fourth of July Fireworks event began in 1990 and has taken place at the Fullerton Union High School for 28 years until COV-19 safety protocols prevented the City from producing the event. Attendees watched the fireworks show from the high school softball fields and the City launched fireworks across the street in the Fullerton College parking structure. Both schools made improvements to their campuses (new structures and solar panels) during the pandemic which now prevent the use of fireworks at either location.
City staff has worked with the Fire Department and the fireworks contractors to find a new site to accommodate a similar Fourth of July fireworks show. The field area at Cal State Fullerton (CSUF) provides the only venue in the City that could accommodate a large aerial fireworks show. The CSUF campus will be open on July 4, 2023. The large size of the campus and its multiple entrances require increased security with an estimated $100,000 additional cost to put on the show.
The City has considered several sites to move the event to including:
Host a Third of July Fireworks Show and Festival in the Downtown Plaza on Monday, July 3, 2023.
Host a Fourth of July Drone Show and Festival at Amerige Field and Park on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.
Both event options include a live band, food and beverage vendors and a small kid zone. Each event has unique additional costs that include lighting, restrooms, tenting, and extra staff due to the different venue configurations and infrastructure. Both locations would require heavy usage of Public Works and safety personnel for street closures and event safety. Public Safety overtime would generate additional costs for the event..
Option A: Downtown Plaza and Wilshire Parking Structure – Monday, July 3, 2023 The Downtown Plaza and Wilshire Parking Structure hots the First Night event and Downtown Farmers Market. Fireworks would launch from the top of the Wilshire Parking Structure with viewing limited to the Downtown Plaza and immediate area. The fireworks show will be a low aerial show running eight to ten minutes long. City would need to close Harbor Boulevard between 3:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. for safety concerns but would have no programming on the street. City City would close Wilshire Avenue and Pomona Avenue from 1:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. The Downtown Plaza, Wilshire Avenue and Pomona Avenue provide generous space for all event entertainment. The Plummer Parking Structure, the Transportation Center and surrounding parking lots have parking available.
Staff estimates a $140,000 to $145,000 cost to produce the Downtown Plaza and Wilshire Parking Structure event.
Option B: Amerige Stadium and Park – Tuesday, July 4, 2023 The stadium and park, across the street from City Hall and next to the Fullerton Community Center, would allow the event to occur in the Civic Center. The City would launch 120 drones from one of three locations: on the top of City Hall, City Hall front lawn or the City Hall parking lot with the viewing area across the street in the field and park area. The drone show will last 10 to 15 minutes. This location would provide nearly unrestricted views from several places around the City. The field has ample room for vendors and serves as an additional viewing area should the stadium seating fill up. The Community Center will not have programming that day but would remain open for restrooms and serve as the staff and staging hub. The location has sufficient on-site parking, additional street parking on Commonwealth and offsite parking at City Hall and the Library.
Staff estimates the cost to produce the Amerige Stadium and Parks between $140,000 to $145,000.
Option C: Postpone Event to City Event to 2024
Timing is very critical for this event to happen in 2023. Staff cannot enter into any contracts with event vendors without approved funding, which does not guarantee availability at the quoted amounts provided past April 5, 2023. Planning for the Fourth of July event usually starts in January. Postponing the event to July 4, 2024 would provide staff ample time to plan the event and secure vendors at either location.
Option D Continue to Explore City Event at California State Fullerton Fields Staff continues to explore this option and have dialogue with CSUF, if City Council prefers this option. Constraints with this option evaluated by staff include:
Estimated at $100,000+ rental cost
CSUF would only allow use of the intramural fields, no stadium use or building use CSUF requests only fireworks and onsite viewing.
cc: City Manager Eric J. Levitt
2023 Fourth of July Celebration Options
April 4, 2023- Page PAGE \* MERGEFORMAT 2
Does the $145k include any costs for PW or PS personnel and equipment? Why are we asking for $145k if the cost of option A is $143k? Please see suggested edits.
Why are we asking for $145k if the cost of option B is $142k? Please see suggested edits.