Administrative
Report
G.1., File # 23-6337 Meeting Date: 6/29/2023
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: LUKE SMUDE, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER
TITLE
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A DRONE SHOW OVER THE REDONDO BEACH WATERFRONT TO BE PROVIDED ON THE 4TH OF JULY
APPROVE AN AGREEEMNT WITH SKY ELEMENTS, LLC TO PROVIDE A 4TH OF JULY DRONE SHOW OVER THE REDONDO BEACH WATERFRONT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $65,000
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
After being notified that Pyro Spectacular was unwilling to conduct its barge-based, 4th of July, fireworks display in the City of Redondo Beach as contracted, (see the attached administrative report and letter) staff issued a press release, updated the website, and conducted multiple interviews with local radio and television outlets to inform the public of the event cancellation.
Following the public outreach, Interim Fire Chief Patrick Butler was contacted by Sky Elements, LLC on Tuesday, June 27th about the possibility of staging a 4th of July drone show over the Redondo Beach waterfront as an alternative to the fireworks display. Sky Elements stated that they experienced a recent cancellation of one of their scheduled shows and as a result could provide a discounted show for the City of Redondo Beach. Since that time, staff members have worked with the vendor to negotiate contract pricing and terms and are recommending the attached agreement for City Council consideration of approval.
BACKGROUND
At the June 20, 2023 City Council meeting, staff informed the Council that Pyro Spectacular was unwilling to perform a barge-based fireworks show for the City of Redondo Beach due to concerns over new permit requirements implemented by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board and the potential for legal action for non-compliance.
In order to properly notify the public of the fireworks cancellation, staff issued a press release, contacted local media outlets, leveraged social media, and updated the website to provide relevant information. On Monday, June 26th a representative from Sky Elements heard a radio interview conducted by Chief Butler discussing the City’s 4th of July Fireworks cancellation. The following day, Sky Elements contacted Pat expressing interest in providing a drone show in Redondo Beach as an alternative to the fireworks display. Sky Elements is well known in the sports and entertainment industry, having produced drone shows for the Grammy’s and the NCAA Men’s Final Four, and numerous professional sports teams across the country. Locally, Sky Elements has partnered with the Los Angeles Dodgers for their Opening Weekend celebration and for multiple postgame shows
G.1., File # 23-6337 Meeting Date: 6/29/2023
the Los Angeles Dodgers for their Opening Weekend celebration and for multiple postgame shows throughout the season. The occasion to partner with a leader in this emerging entertainment space provides an exciting opportunity to fill the void left by the cancellation of the traditional waterfront fireworks display.
As proposed, the contract includes the provision of a 9 to 10-minute drone show consisting of multiple patriotic vignettes, executed by 200 individually lit drones that perform in synch with a patriotic soundtrack. Typically, this type of a show would cost the hosting organization $80,000 to $100,000. However, given the circumstances, Sky Elements is willing to discount their traditional holiday pricing and provide the show to Redondo Beach for $65,000. Drone shows have been discussed in the past as an option for the City’s 4th of July celebration, but have been dismissed due to their significant cost. The discounted pricing provided by Sky Elements, allows the City to evaluate the benefits of a drone display on a cost-effective basis and better understand its value first hand.
The proposed agreement covers all costs associated with the staging and execution of the 4th of July drone show over the Redondo Beach waterfront. The show will take place at approximately 9:00 pm and will be clearly visible from Veteran’s Park to Portofino Hotel. The accompanying music will be transmitted via radio broadcast and through a YouTube stream.
COORDINATION
This item was coordinated with the Fire Department and the Community Services Department. The City Attorney’s Office Approved the Agreement as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the City’s 2023 Fourth of July celebration was appropriated from the Tidelands Fund in the amount of $70,000. The enhanced activities provided at the Seaside Lagoon are expected to cost less than $5,000, leaving $65,000 available for the drone show.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Agmt - Sky Elements, LLC
· Insurance-Sky Elements, LLC
· Admin Report - 4th of July Fireworks Display, June 20, 2023 · Letter - Notification from Pyro Spectacular, June 2, 2023 · Notice of Special Meeting