Agenda r e
January 18, 2023
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Rose Bowl Operating Company (RBOC)
SUBJECT: License Agreement with Live Nation for two (2) Concerts to be held on or around September 30 and October 1, 2023.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that City Council: _
1. Find that the license agreement proposed herein is categorically exempt under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15323 (Normal Operations -of Facilities for Public Gatherings), there are no features that distinguish this project from others in this exempt class, and therefore there are no unusual circumstances present; and
2. Make the findings set forth herein and required by PMC Section 3.32.270.A to authorize the RBOC to host displacement event number 22 and 23 for 2023.
BACKGROUND:
The RBOC has the opportunity to host two (2) major concerts on or around September 30 and October 1, 2023 with Live Nation as the promoter. The framework for the key deal points with Live Nation are consistent with other concerts in recent history with Live Nation. The attendance for each event is expected to be approximately 60,000. This report is contingent upon the RBOC Board of Directors approving the events at their January 12, 2023 meeting.
Displacement Events:
The concerts would be the 22nd and 23rd displacement events in 2023. The first 21 displacement events in 2023 are: six scheduled UCLA football games, the Rose Bowl Game, 10 Music Festival dates, and four soccer matches with Soccer United Marketing and AEG. It should also be noted that the annual AmericaFest 4th of July celebration has not been approved by the RBOC but will most likely also take place annually.
Displacement Event Findings:
The Arroyo Public Lands Ordinance (Pasadena Municipal Code Section 3.32.270) establishes guidelines and policies related to the administration of the Arroyo Seco, including the Rose Bowl. The ordinance states that the City seeks to achieve a balance MEETING OF 01/18/2023 2
AGENDA ITEM NO. __
RBOC - Approval to Host Two Live Nation Concerts
January 18, 2023
between the use of the Rose Bowl and impact of such use on surrounding residential areas. To achieve that balance, Section 3.32.370 of the ordinance limits the number of displacement events to no more than 15 in any calendar year except with the permission of the City Council. In order to exceed 15 displacement events, the City Council must make certain findings.
The two (2) concerts are anticipated to be the 22nd and 23rd displacement events in 2023. The first 21 displacement events of 2023 are outlined above in this report.
Below are the findings and the rationale for making such findings for all potential concert dates:
1. "The additional events represent a unique opportunity that will enhance the stature of the Rose Bowl." The concerts would be similar in terms of operations as past concerts at the Stadium. The events would garnish significant publicity for the Rose Bowl and Pasadena leading up to the events and continue to contribute to the Rose Bowl's reputation as a world class venue.
2. "The revenue generating potential from the events justifies its consideration." It is estimated that each of these events will directly generate in excess of $300,000 for the RBOC. In addition, the City of Pasadena would receive a positive economic impact as a result of the portion of sales tax and bed tax that will revert to the City and to businesses in the City arising from significant fan presence in Pasadena.
3. "It is anticipated that the events will not create undue conflicts with Arroyo Seco activities taking place at the same time." Staff will work closely with the Parks and Natural Resources Division of the City of Pasadena, as well as the Pasadena Police Department to best control the displacement of other activities in the Arroyo Seco. As in the past, while these types of events will displace recreational activities, staff is able to minimize displacement to as few hours on event day as possible, so that displacement does not take place the entire day.
4. "The events do not impose undue adverse impacts on the surrounding residential area." Planning and preparation will be implemented to minimize impact of the events to the surrounding neighborhoods. The Police Department and staff work carefully with the surrounding area to maintain success in hosting displacement events with minimal disruption and impact. 2 RBOC - Approval to Host Two Live Nation Concerts
January 18, 2023
ENVIRONMENTAL:
State CEQA Guidelines Section 15323 exempts from CEQA review of "normal operations of facilities for public gatherings for which the facilities were designed, where there is a past history of the facility being used for the same or similar kind of purpose." Stadiums are specifically enumerated as one of the types of activities covered by this exemption. The Rose Bowl Stadium has hosted numerous concerts and other large events over its history, including within the past three years, and there is a reasonable expectation that this activity would not represent a change in operations. There is no indication that this concert will be any different in terms of noise or any other impact than any other concert hosted in the Bowl in the past, and any noise generated from this concert is expected to be within the parameters allowed by the Noise Element of the General Plan.
FISCAL IMPACT:
It is anticipated that the RBOC will generate in excess of $300,000 from each show night. This will enable the RBOC to help meet its operating budget for FY24 and generate additional revenue to help fund the RBOC operating budget and unfunded capital projects.
Respectfully submitted
Jens Weiden
Chief Executive Officer/ General Manager
Rose Bowl Stadium
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