CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: MAY 27, 2026 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS TO AMEND AGREEMENT NO. 25I136 WITH PYRO SPECTACULARS, INC. FOR FIREWORKS
PRODUCTIONS FOR THE CITY'S INDEPENDENCE DAY AND
VETERANS DAY CELEBRATIONS
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: Department of Parks & Recreation
SUMMARY:
The Department of Parks & Recreation seeks authorization to amend Agreement No. 25I136 with Pyro Spectaculars, Inc. to provide professional fireworks productions for the City of Palm Springs’ Independence Day and Veterans Day celebrations. The proposed amendment to the Agreement would confirm Pyro Spectaculars, Inc. to produce firework displays for the July 4, 2026, and July 4, 2027, Independence Day celebrations at Palm Springs Stadium in Sunrise Park, and the November 11, 2026, and November 11, 2027, Veterans Day parade from the O’Donnell Golf Course.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 25I136 with Pyro Spectaculars, Inc. for fireworks productions for the City’s Independence Day and Veterans Day celebrations, subject to final City Manager and City Attorney approval, in the total contract amount of $252,000 and extending the agreement term an additional two years through November 30, 2027.
2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents.
BUSINESS PRINCIPAL DISCLOSURE:
According to the Public Integrity Disclosure form (Attachment D), Pyro Spectaculars, Inc. is a California corporation and registered in the state of California.
City Council Staff Report
May 27, 2026 -- Page 2
Pyro Spectaculars Agreement
1 0
3 3
BACKGROUND:
The City of Palm Springs Department of Parks & Recreation hosts annual celebrations that bring residents, visitors, and community partners together in recognition of important national holidays, including Independence Day and Veterans Day. Fireworks displays have become an important part of these celebrations, providing a memorable community experience and enhancing the City’s ability to offer welcoming, family-friendly public events.
On November 19, 2024, the Procurement and Contracting Department issued Invitation for Bids 24-33 (IFB 24-33) for fireworks display services based on the specifications provided by the Department of Parks & Recreation. IFB 24-33 was advertised in the local newspaper, published on the PlanetBids website. This outreach resulted in six (6) prospective bidders registering for this solicitation. The City received one (1) bid submission by the deadline of January 28, 2025.
Garden State Fireworks, Inc. – Millington, NJ $182,500.00 The City issued a notice of intent to award on January 29, 2025, to Garden State Fireworks, Inc. (GSF), following which GSF requested a modification to the agreement terms requiring GSF to staff the site with a licensed pyro technician during all times when fireworks are present. Recreation consulted with the Fire Marshall to review this request.
The Fire Marshall advised that this requirement is from the California Code of Regulations Title 19, and the City is unable to waive the requirement.
Following this determination, GSF notified the City of March 4, 2025, they were withdrawing from moving forward with the City for Fireworks display services.
The Department of Parks & Recreation coordinated with Pyro Spectaculars, Inc. to provide fireworks production services and negotiated Agreement No. 25I136 (Attachment E) in an amount of $65,000 to provide Independence Day fireworks services in 2025. This proposed amendment would facilitate continuing their services through November 30, 2027, for the upcoming Independence Day and Veterans Day celebrations.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Under Amendment No. 1 to the Production Agreement 25I136, the proposals (Attachment B & Attachment C) provided by Pyro Spectaculars, Inc. outline professional fireworks production services for both the Independence Day and Veterans Day celebrations. Pyro Spectaculars, Inc. will provide all pyrotechnic equipment, trained pyrotechnicians, pyrotechnic products, insurance covering the production, and preproduction services necessary to support the fireworks displays. Pyro Spectaculars, Inc. will also need to apply for specific pyrotechnic permits for production, while the City remains responsible for site access, security, safety zone coordination, and other event- related requirements.
City Council Staff Report
May 27, 2026 -- Page 3
Pyro Spectaculars Agreement
1 0
3 3
Due to Pyro Spectaculars, Inc.'s continued success in working with the City and managing these fireworks displays, staff are recommending the City enter into Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 25I136 with Pyro Spectaculars, Inc. Approval of Amendment No. 1 will allow the Department of Parks & Recreation to secure fireworks production services in advance for two years of Independence Day and Veterans Day celebrations. Doing so provides operational certainty, supports event planning and coordination, and enables the continued delivery of signature events for the Palm Springs community.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
The requested City Council action is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15375(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action which has a potential for resulting in a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
According to Section 15378(b), A Project does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLANNING:
This item aligns with the following City Council Strategic Plan Broad Goal: Public Safety and Community Services.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total revised contract amount for the proposed fireworks productions is $252,000 over two years for pyrotechnic services. The Independence Day fireworks production fee is $65,000 for 2026 and $70,000 for 2027. The Veterans Day fireworks production fee is $25,000 for 2026 and $27,000 for 2027. Production of the four events is $187,000 added to the original contract of $65,000 for Independence Day 2025 is $252,000.
Funding for these agreements is included within the Department of Parks & Recreation’s approved operating budget for FY 2026-27 and will be included in the operating budget for FY 2027-28.
REVIEWED BY:
Department Director: Nicholas S. Gonzalez
Assistant City Manager: Teresa Gallavan
City Manager: Scott Stiles
City Council Staff Report
May 27, 2026 -- Page 4
Pyro Spectaculars Agreement
1 0
3 3
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Amendment No. 1 to the Production Agreement 25I136
B. Independence Day Fireworks Proposal
C. Veterans Day Fireworks Proposal
D. Public Integrity Disclosure Form
E. Executed Production Agreement 25I136