AgdaPkt 2014-05-12 Joint with Planning

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7.1.A. - Page 2 The fireworks display will be conducted at the Port of Redwood City, with street closures and vehicular and vessel traffic control measures to be determined by the Police Department to regulate the orderly flow of vehicle and boat traffic. Under RCMC 33A, the Chief of Police is able to issue a permit for temporary street closures. In order to facilitate the July 4th celebration and annual parade, staff recommends the temporary suspension of parking meter rates on July 4, 2014 in the Downtown area, as highlighted on the attached Parade Route and Festival Map. The City Council may temporarily suspend parking rates pursuant to City Municipal Code Section 20.133: Sec. 20.133. PROVISIONS FOR TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF METER RATES: The provisions of this Division may be suspended from time to time by motion of the City Council in any case where the Council finds that strict compliance would not serve The public interest, including but not limited to the use of public streets and sidewalks for celebrations, special public events, celebration of holiday seasons and any other such activity or purpose as the City Council in its sole discretion shall determine. (Ord. No. 2287, § 2, 8-22-2005; Ord. No. 2329, § 1, 5-12-08) The City agrees to provide the following services and facilities: street sweepers, traffic cones and barricades, installation of flags along the parade route, access to Court House Square, access to the parking structure on Marshall Street for vendor parking, and closure and parking restrictions as detailed in the PCA parade application and letter along various city streets starting at 3:00 pm on Thursday July 3, 2014 until 8:00 pm on Friday, July 4, 2014. The letter permit contains standard "hold harmless" insurance and course control provisions. A formal insurance certificate will also be provided upon approval of the proposed event plan. ANALYSIS The Independence Day Celebration has been a tradition in downtown Redwood City for seventy-three years. Generations of families return to Downtown Redwood City each year to watch the parade and celebrate Independence Day. It is anticipated that upwards of 40,000 visitors will attend the parade this year. The festival will showcase the bustling Downtown area and these visitors will likely patronize local businesses throughout the day. The community support for the fireworks show will likely result in a large turn-out for the event. ALTERNATIVES The City Council could choose not to authorize the execution of the letter permit and choose not to temporarily suspend parking meter rates on July 4, 2014. The selection of this alternative would end a seventy-five year tradition in Redwood City. Page 2 of 3