STAFF REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
DATE: Regular Meeting of April 12, 2022
TO: Members of the City Council
VIA: Dante Hall, City Manager
SUBMITTED BY: Christopher Roke, Parks & Recreation Director William Imboden, Chief of Police
Mike Roberts, City Engineer/Public Works Director
SUBJECT: FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS CELEBRATION
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive a report on the status of the Fireworks Show scheduled for July 4, 2022, confirm staff’s recommendation to proceed with a joint Hercules/Pinole Fireworks Show to be launched from Ledcor’s Block M lot on the Hercules Waterfront, and authorize staff to enter into a cost-sharing agreement with the City of Pinole.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Staff recommends partnering with the City of Pinole to undertake a joint 2022 Fourth of July fireworks Celebration, to be launched from Block M on the Hercules Waterfront. Pinole has agreed to cover half of the costs for this year’s event and staff seeks Council authority to enter into a cost sharing agreement with the City of Pinole.
FISCAL IMPACT OF RECOMMENDATION:
During the June budget meetings in 2021, the Hercules City Council allocated $75,000 towards a July 4, 2022, fireworks celebration show. There may be additional costs depending on the needs of public safety personnel to help reduce any grid lock, fire prevention and any rental needs, i.e. barricades for streets.
DISCUSSION:
The Cities of Hercules and Pinole have been researching both separately as well as together various possibilities for a 2022 Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration show. Below are the four primary options staff has identified and researched:
Option 1:
Hercules and Pinole offer a combined show on the water. The show would be launched from a barge approximately 3,500 feet offshore, close to Sante Fe Ave, near the Hercules/Pinole City limits.
Pros: Working together allows for more money to be dedicated to the quality of the show (shell size, frequency, etc.). For option 1, the pyro tech company would use larger shells (up to size 10” that would reach over a thousand feet in the air). The number of shells and frequency would result in a very nice 20-minute show leaving both cities and their residents very satisfied. Option 1 would cost $69,000, for the show, the barge, the tugs, the cleanup boat, and permits, which is under the total amount both cities have approved for their respective events. In addition, spectators would be allowed to line the Bay Trail to view the show.
Cons: The barge would be located 3,500 feet offshore due to the shallow depth of the bay at this location. Due to the distance from shore, this would result in a sub-optimal viewing experience for residents.
This does not include costs for public safety (Police), or any barricade rentals, staff time to place the equipment, porta-potties, or any other rentals that may be necessary.
Option 2:
Hercules and Pinole offer a combined show on the water, but the barge is situated in the Bayfront area. By moving the barge to the other side of the Hercules Point, it allows an opportunity to utilize recently constructed buildings for a rooftop viewing event. In Option 2, a barge would be used to launch the fireworks from approximately 5,000 feet offshore due to the shallow depth of the bay in this location.
Pros: The pros are roughly the same as in Option 1, with the caveat of potentially using recently constructed buildings for a rooftop viewing event. The public would also be able to use the Bay Trail to view the show.
Cons: In this option, the barge would be almost a mile offshore. The additional distance is required due to the shallow depth of the bay in this location and the draft of the barge. This would result in a sub-optimal viewing experience for residents. In addition, this location is not as central for both cities.
The cost for this option is the same as for Option 1.
Option 3:
Hercules and Pinole offer a combined show on land. Option 3 would launch fireworks from the back corner of Ledcor’s currently undeveloped Block M of the Bayfront Master Plan Development.
The City of Hercules has obtained permission from the property owner, as well as the adjacent property owners. There would be some site preparation that would be necessary prior to the event on both properties.
Pros: A land launch is always preferred. The location will allow for roof top access for a unique viewing experience. Given the impending build out of the Bayfront this is a one-time opportunity; if fireworks were to be done next year, they would likely need to be done from another location. Furthermore, the City of Pinole has expressed approval of this option for a 2022 joint fireworks show.
The pyro tech company believes that Option 3 would be optimal for a fireworks event. In this option, the largest shell size would reduce to a 6” shell, which is the largest approved by the Fire Marshall based on the surrounding area. Rodeo/Hercules Fire has previously reviewed this site and agree that this is the only land site to launch fireworks from in Hercules.
Assuming this event stays a joint venture, there would be no need for a barge, tugboat, cleanup boat, water permits, etc. The money that would be spent for these water launch related items would likely get shifted towards public safety, as there would be a greater need for public safety and fire prevention when launching from land.
The number and frequency of shells, combined with the closer location, make this the preferred option. Instead of looking out to see the show in the distance, you would look up. In addition, a low-level component could come in to play to really enhance the show. The pyro tech company believes that this option would make an amazing visual 20-minute show that would leave residents energized.
Cons: The location is not as central to both Hercules and Pinole as Options I and 2, but should still afford residents of both cities a spectacular view. The public wouldn’t be allowed any closer than the streets Bayfront, John Muir, etc. More barricades would be needed to block off access to the adjacent property, and to help mitigate traffic. The Fire Department would be more involved with a plan to be on alert for any issues that may arise from embers.
Cost for this show would be similar to the costs for the other options. Again, the savings from not having a barge, the tugs, the cleanup boat, and permits would be reallocated to the increased public safety needs resulting from a land launch. Some of the anticipated costs would be attributed to personnel for public safety, potential overtime, rental and placement of barricades, porta-potties, etc.
Option 4:
Option 4 would be to hold two separate events. The pyro tech company potentially could potentially accommodate both cities. Option 4 has been split into a 4H and a 4P. 4H = Hercules:
Option 4H, would have the fireworks launch from block M. Since Pinole would not partner with Hercules under this scenario, the shell count would go down. Instead of dedicating $50,000 to fireworks, staff would suggest going back to a $35,000 materials cost. This would ensure that there is enough funding to cover the additional personnel costs for public safety. 4P = Pinole:
Option 4P, would have the fireworks launch from a barge, only this time the pyro tech company suggests using a location in Pinole, off Bayfront Park.
Pros and cons for 2 separate venues would include…
Pros: For Hercules, use of the land site is optimal. If fireworks were to be a part of the City’s fabric in future years, in 2023, the fireworks show would need to be moved to another site, probably on water. This could be seen as a pro and con depending on perspective.
For Pinole, if they used the location by Bayfront Park, spectators could use of the bridge for optimal viewing. For both Hercules and Pinole residents, having 2 separate launch sites would allow viewing fireworks t from two different vantage points.
Cons: Separating the two shows could be problematic because of the unknown availability of an additional show operator. Two smaller shows may not be as grand or spectacular as one larger show. Two separate shows means the respective cities lose an opportunity to partner on a popular event that would benefit residents of both cities. For Hercules, the cons are a smaller display with lower shell count. For Pinole, this option would result in a smaller shell count, plus the barge would still be nearly half a mile from shore.
CONCLUSION:
Hercules and Pinole staff have reached agreement regarding the feasibility of conducting a joint show and given this late of date, staff would not recommend separating the show(s). Option 3 described above offers the maximum site advantage and the potential for the most impressive fireworks display.
ATTACHMENTS:
March 29, 2021 Staff Report
Aerial photos with approximate launch locations for 4th of July Fireworks Celebration Financial Impact
Description: 4th of July Fireworks Celebration
Funding Source: General Fund
Budget Recap: $75,000.00
Total Estimated cost: $0 New Revenue: $0
Amount Budgeted: $0 Lost Revenue: $0
New funding required: $0 New Personnel: $0
Council Policy Change: Yes No
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