CC Min 1993-04-26 - Laserfiche WebLink

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James Anderson, Pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church, told the Council that he ~ and his congregation supported the parade, as participants and spectators. Pastor Anderson stated churches, cannot change their worship hours for one Sunday out of fifty-two as'pebþl'e1',wi'll automatically attend at the regular hour; and, he and his congregation hope a win/win situation can be found. Pete Hughes, representing the PCA, described the history of the current permit process, the background of the PCA and the PCA Foundation, and told Council the reason for the request to start the parade at 10:30 a.m. and not 12:00 or 12:30 p.m. was out of concern for the parade participants, especially the children and animals, and concern for the spectators due to the summer heat in the afternoons and the hot asphalt streets. Mr. Hughes advised that some units already committed to Redwood City in the morning may not be able to participate if the parade time is changed to a later start. Mr. Hughes discussed the meaning of Independence Day and the freedoms all Americans share, including the freedom to choose which activities one wishes to attend. Councilmembers discussed several issues with Mr. Hughes including previous noon start times and permit issue dates and the PCA's lack of response to the Clergy over the past six months. Dennis Logie, Redwood City Clergy Association, Pastor of First Christian Church, presented a history of his participation in the Fourth of July parade and celebration and his attempts to meet with the PCA to mediate this issue. Pastor Logie advised that the parade was for the community and that - 30,000 members of Redwood City's churches and the 30,000 members of surrounding churches are the community and have for the past 54 years attended services in the morning and the parade and festival in the afternoon. Pastor Logie advised Council that the Redwood City Police Department had agreed to extend their services two hours so the PCA would have the same time available to it to share in the festival's proceeds as for fund raising purposes. Pastor Logie asked council to deny the PCA's request to break with the afternoon tradition for the parade and festival. Councilmembers discussed several issues with Pastor Logie and Councilwoman Gasparini, former participant in the parade for four years, advised that the heat was an issue with her fellow tumblers; results of the San Mateo Times poll were discussed, as well as the fact that 90% of religious services were held before noon. Milan Novick, Pastor of Peninsula Christian Center, described their annual Love America Sunday Service held in honor of the Fourth of July celebration and the negative impact the early parade start will have on his congregation. Pastor Novick told Council they fully support the parade and festival but ask Council to work out a compromise that will allow his Center to have a meaningful service. Joe Steinfeld, Main Street, Redwood City, spoke to the Council regarding the innumerable services churches have provided throughout the ages to all people in need, and provided personal anecdotes describing how important -- various church groups and people have been to him and his family. Mr. Regular Meeting Minutes Apri 1 26, 1993 Page 8 MINUTE BOOK NO. 51 Page No. 387 . '_...... -, .-