STAFF REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
DATE: Regular Meeting of April 13, 2021
TO: The Mayor and Members of the City Council
SUBMITTED BY: Christopher Roke, Parks & Recreation Director William Imboden, Chief of Police
Mike Roberts, Public Works Director/City Engineer
SUBJECT: Post Pandemic Celebration – Community Fireworks Show RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive Report, Discuss, and Provide Direction, if any.
FISCAL IMPACT OF RECOMMENDATION:
There is no cost associated with receiving this report.
DISCUSSION:
At their March 23 meeting, Council directed staff to explore the possibility of a fireworks show on Independence Day or Labor Day to celebrate the end of the pandemic. Since that time, staff has looked into the cost of hosting such a community event, the timing with regards to the pandemic, and potential community impacts.
Staffing costs have been estimated using staffing levels for prior fireworks events. This would include all available police officers (14 total) and sergeants (2 total) for 6 hours on overtime to assist with traffic control and enforcement for a total cost of $13,000. It would also include 7 maintenance workers at a cost of $3,000 to assist with traffic control including setting up and taking down barricades. The fire district standby crew and equipment would cost $2,500. Altogether, the total staffing cost would be approximately $18,500.
The fireworks show costs roughly $1,000 a minute, so a 25-minute show would cost $25,000 assuming an accessible launch site. In prior years, the City of Hercules and Pinole often partnered for the July 4 fireworks celebration which was launched from the Waste Water Treatment Plant in Pinole. According to their staff, last year Pinole elected to discontinue use at that location given the chemicals on site. Additionally, the fire district has indicated the previous Bayfront launch location is longer available given the recent development. One option for a new launch site would be to use a barge, but that would require consultation with the Regional Water Quality Control Board and may require a permit. Given the available information at this time, and providing for unknown contingencies, it is estimated the fireworks show will cost $30,000. Staff could refine this estimate in the future, if desired.
Assuming the City would be hosting a joint event with Pinole as in prior years, the cost of the event is estimated to be $18,500 + $15,000 (half of $30,000) = $33,500. If instead Hercules elected to solely sponsor the event, the cost would be $18,500 + $30,000 = $48,500.
With regards to the timing of a fireworks event, based upon the County Health Department’s current directives and the pandemic’s recent trajectory, it is unlikely a July 4 celebration will be permissible. However, a Labor Day celebration in September remains a possibility.
Another key issue to consider is that fireworks are regional attractors and given the pent-up demand for community-based events the City could become inundated with vehicles and overwhelm the dedicated resources for traffic control. For this reason, staff is recommending fireworks displays in the near future be a joint event with other agencies in the County.
There are other, more locally-oriented community events Council might also wish to consider to celebrate the end of the pandemic such as a parade; a weekend event in Refugio Park including food trucks, vendors, live music, and movie night; or a Park & Recreation grand (re)opening at the Community Center.
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