City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: June 28, 2022
Agenda Item: 10.A
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Andy Agle, Director, Community Services Department, Community Recreation
Subject: Introduction and Adoption of Urgency Ordinance Amending Allowed Parade Routes
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council introduce and adopt the attached emergency ordinance that amends Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 4.68.150 on parade routes to promote public safety and welfare.
Summary
Santa Monica Municipal Code (“SMMC”) Chapter 4.68 is the Community Events law, which, among other things, provides regulations on parades, marches, processions, and walks. Two current parade routes commence on Main Street, north of the entrance to the Civic Auditorium parking lot and proceed southbound. The staging for the parades historically has taken place at the Civic Center parking lot. Since February 2020, the Civic Center parking lot has been under construction for the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project. Together with the construction of Historic Belmar Park, it is not possible to stage for parades in the Civic Center parking lot. With the lifting of public health prohibitions on gatherings and the return of parades, staff recommends that the route in SMMC Section 4.68.150 be amended to allow for a new staging area and for parades to proceed northbound on Main Street. (See Attachment I.) The addition of two new parade routes, which are the original routes in reverse direction, would allow event organizers to stage parades at the South Beach parking lot. The first event on the new route would be the 2022 Main Street Fourth of July parade. 2 of 4
Discussion
Recognizing the substantial community benefits that may result from community events, the City has a comprehensive, coordinated process for managing events on public property and ensuring health and safety, which is codified in SMMC Chapter 4.68, Community Events law. The Community Events law establishes the City’s framework for permitting community events to use City streets, parks, open spaces, and City facilities licensed to private parties. Permits are required for (1) parades and assemblies that use the public right-of-way and are likely to impede the free use of the space or not comply with traffic regulations, (2) activities that involve 150 or more persons on public property or 75 persons or more on the Third Street Promenade, or (3) events that include a structure requiring a permit from the Fire Department or Building and Safety Division.
SMMC Section 4.68.150 specifies the parade routes. Two of the parade routes commence on Main Street, north of the entrance to the Civic Auditorium parking lot and head southbound along Main Street. The entrance to the Civic Center Parking lot has been closed due to construction since at least February 2020. Once the construction is completed, the space available for staging and public safety checks for Main Street parades will be significantly reduced. Therefore, the area is no longer an appropriate staging area.
On May 24, 2022, the City Council directed staff to return with an emergency ordinance that amends Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 4.68.150 to allow parades on Main Street to proceed in a northbound direction.
As an application for a permit to hold a parade can be submitted with as little as two business days’ notice, there is insufficient time for Council to hold a first and second reading on any amendments to the Community Events Law that would impact a planned event. Therefore, an emergency ordinance is presented. (See Attachment I.) The addition of two new parade routes, which are the original routes in reverse direction, would allow for event organizers to stage Main Street parades at the South Beach parking lot and proceed northbound. The location for the staging and disbanding of parades along the parade route will be set forth in the traffic control 3 of 4
plan for an event. Amending the ordinance to allow for additional parade routes is also in compliance with the Vehicle Code Section 21101, which requires a resolution or ordinance to temporarily close streets for special events or parades if it is necessary for the safety and protection of persons who are to use that portion of the street during the temporary closing. Adoption of the emergency ordinance would allow the 2022 Main Street Fourth of July Parade to occur on the new route.
Past Council Actions
Meeting Date Description
06/27/00 (attachment A) Approval of the Community Event Policy 04/24/01 (attachment B) Addition of Chapter 4,68, the Community Events Code, to the Santa Monica Municipal Code and adoption of associated fees. 05/08/01 (attachment C) Addition of Chapter 4,68 to the Santa Monica Municipal Code, the Community Events Law.
04/08/03 (attachment D) Amendment of Santa Monica Municipal Code Sections relating to Community Events and Street Banners.
07/26/05 (attachment E) Amendment to Municipal Code Section 4.68.160 Establishing a New 5/10K Race Route, Eliminating a 5/10K Race Route, and Modifying the Permitted Race Time and Frequency Parameters 9/22/09 (attachment F) Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4.68 to show a marathon route segment, modifications to the City’s Extended Event Policy, authorization for execution of agreements for the 2010 LA Marathon.
10/25/2011(attachment
G)
Amendment of Municipal Code Chapters 3.36, 4.08, 4.55, 4.68 and 6.36 relating to permitted community events in the City’s public spaces and parks.
05/24/2022 (attachment
H)
City Council directed staff to return with an urgency ordinance that amends Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 4.68.150 to allow parades on Main Street to continue in a northbound direction.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the recommended action.
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Prepared By: Claudia Kompa, Executive Administrative Assistant Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. 6/27/2000 Approval of the Community Event Policy (Web Link) B. 4/24/2001 Addition of Chapter 4,68, the Community Events Code, to the Santa Monica Municipal Code and adoption of associated fees (Web Link) C. 5/8/2001 Addition of Chapter 4,68 to the Santa Monica Municipal Code, the Community Events Law (Web Link)
D. 4/8/2003 Amendment of Santa Monica Municipal Code Sections relating to Community Events and Street Banners (Web Link)
E. 7/26/2005 Amendment to Municipal Code Section 4.68.160 Establishing a New 5/10K Race Route, Eliminating a 5/10K Race Route, and Modifying the Permit (Web Link)
F. 9/22/2009 Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4.68 to establish a marathon route segment, modifications to the City’s Extended Event Policy (Web Link) G. 10/25/2011 Amendment of Municipal Code Chapters 3.36, 4.08, 4.55, 4.68 and
6.36 relating to permitted community events in the City’s public spaces and parks (Web Link)
H. 5/24/2022 City Council directed staff to return with an urgency ordinance that amends Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 4.68.150 to allow parades on Main Street (Web Link)
I. Attachment I_Proposed Ordinance Amending SMMC 4.68.150