Administrative
Report
N.3., File # 22-4940 Meeting Date: 10/11/2022
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: CAMERON HARDING, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
TITLE
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE 2023 FOURTH OF JULY EVENTS
INCLUDING APPROVAL OF A CITY-SPONSORED BARGE-BASED FIREWORKS DISPLAY IN
KING HARBOR, A PRIVATELY SPONSORED FOURTH OF JULY EVENT AND FIREWORKS DISPLAY IN THE RIVIERA VILLAGE, AND A PRIVATELY SPONSORED FOURTH OF JULY 5K RUN ADOPT BY 4/5THS VOTE AND BY TITLE ONLY RESOLUTION NO. CC-2210-078, A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING A 2022-2023 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET MODIFICATION APPROPRIATING $75,000 FROM THE HARBOR TIDELANDS FUND TO SUPPORT THE 2023 FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS DISPLAY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Historically, the City of Redondo Beach (City) has hosted an annual 4th of July fireworks display near Seaside Lagoon. Since 2021, the City has worked with local resident Jeff Ginsburg to host a 4th of July event in Riviera Village that included a second fireworks show off of Avenue I as well as a 3rd of July 5k Run. Mr. Ginsburg and the promoter of the 5k run have indicated they would like to host the same events in 2023. Following discussions between Police, Community Services, Public Works personnel and the event coordinators, staff is recommending the City host the same events again in 2023 with the exception of hosting the 5k Run on the 4th of July rather than on the 3rd of July.
BACKGROUND
Historically, the City has hosted an annual 4th of July fireworks display as part of its Independence Day Celebration at Seaside Lagoon. In 2021, the City Council received a presentation on potential events for July 4th. The potential events included an event in Riviera Village, sponsored by Mr.
Ginsburg, involving a barge-based fireworks show off of Avenue I, a privately sponsored 3rd of July 5k Run, and a City-sponsored fireworks show in King Harbor. The City Council approved all three events which were successfully executed on July 3rd and 4th in both 2021 and 2022.
Mr. Ginsburg has indicated he would like to host similar events in 2023, with the exception of hosting the 5k Run on the 4th of July instead of the 3rd. Staff recommends the City Council approve the three events for 2023 including Mr. Ginsburg’s event, the 5k 4th of July Run, and a barge-based fireworks display in King Harbor.
2022 KING HARBOR FIREWORKS DISPLAY: The 2022 City-sponsored fireworks display was held on a barge in King Harbor. In 2021 the City held a land-based fireworks display located just west of the Seaside Lagoon. The Seaside Lagoon was closed in 2021 in order to adhere to safety protocols
N.3., File # 22-4940 Meeting Date: 10/11/2022
the Seaside Lagoon. The Seaside Lagoon was closed in 2021 in order to adhere to safety protocols outlined in the California Fire Code, which requires a clearance zone of 500 feet in diameter from the launch site as soon as fireworks arrive on site. Holding the display on a barge, as opposed to a landbased display near Seaside Lagoon, allowed the Lagoon to remain open for recreational swimming during the day and observation of the show from inside the Lagoon in the evening.
The cost of the 2022 display was approximately $75,000 which included the fireworks vendor, barge rental, and barge moorings. Funding was provided through the Tidelands Fund which has traditionally supported the City’s annual fireworks display.
Should the Council wish to hold a fireworks display in King Harbor in 2023, staff recommends the display be barged based and that $75,000 be appropriated from the Tidelands Fund to provide funding for the cost of the fireworks vendor, barge rental, and barge mooring. 2022 RIVIERA VILLAGE EVENT: The Riviera Village event included a fireworks display from a barge located off of Avenue I. As part of the event, Avenue I was closed from Catalina Avenue to the Esplanade and included a music stage, beer garden and food vendors that were open throughout the day. The event was well received by residents and the fireworks display was very well attended.
Staffing costs for the Riviera Village firework event were the responsibility of the event sponsor, Mr.
Ginsburg. Police personal were assigned to the event to address the following concerns:
· Overall monitoring of the events with a level of uncertainty of the crowd size · Traffic control and road congestion concerns
· Sale and service of alcohol
· Noise and crowd concerns associated with the live music stage. · Overall size of the event footprint for the firework event · Increased traffic control costs due to the inability to use City PW vehicles as barriers which will require the use of other traffic control elements to prevent the use of a vehicle as a weapon of mass destruction (see 2016 Nice France truck incident)
3RD OF JULY 5K RUN: The annual 5K Run took place on July 3rd, due to the impact of scheduling two events on July 4th on Public Works, Police, and Fire staff. The 2022 5k Run was well produced and organized. Staff reported no issues or major concerns. The sponsor has requested that next year’s run occur on the 4th of July, which falls on a Tuesday in 2023. Staff can support the request, so long as the King Harbor fireworks display remains a barged based show. The barge-based show significantly reduces the demand on staff resources. The full cost of staff resources associated with the 5K Run would continue to be the responsibility of the sponsor.
COORDINATION
The Community Services Department coordinated with the Police, Fire and Public Works Departments in addition to the City Attorney’s Office in preparation of this report.
FISCAL IMPACT
City-sponsored 4th of July firework event: In the past few years, funding for a barged-based fireworks display has been appropriated during the Mid-Year Budget Review from available Tidelands Funds. It is recommended that the Council appropriate the money now, through a 4/5ths budget modification, to allow logistical planning for the 2023 event to begin more quickly. An appropriation
N.3., File # 22-4940 Meeting Date: 10/11/2022
of $75,000 from the Tidelands Fund is needed to cover the costs of the 2023 event.
Riviera Village 4th of July firework event: The sponsor will cover the costs of the offshore fireworks. Additionally, it will pay for all expenses related to public safety and public works services estimated at $16,000.
4th of July 5k Run: There is an estimated cost of $19,000 for public safety services for this event.
These costs would be the responsibility of the special event coordinator.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Reso - FY 2022-23 Budget Modification Appropriating $75,000 from the Harbor Tidelands Fund to Support the 4th of July Fireworks Display