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 City of Hermosa Beach --- 03-10-98
1998 COMMERCIAL EVENT APPLICATIONS
Recommendation
The Parks, Recreation and Community Resources Commission and staff recommend that Council approve the slate of special events as listed below.
Background
The City received eight applications for commercial events, five exclusively on the beach, one with some beach use (Triathlon), one on the Pier Plaza, and one on the Community Center lawn. Each of the applicants paid the City the $500 deposit as required by the special event policy.
Attachment A provides the Council with a summary grid that identifies: (a) years the event operator has presented events in the City, (b) proposed event dates, and (c) projected City fees. Attachment B includes: (a) a description for each proposed event and special issues, (b) event fact sheets, (c) site maps, and (d) recommended contracts.
Analysis
The attached contracts have been developed by the City through several years of experience in hosting commercial events. The City and event operators have worked together through the years in order to consider the needs of residents and to account for potential opportunities for local businesses in the assembly and conduct of these events.
In each case, a team of staff members from the Community Resources, Police, Fire and Public Works Departments meets with the event operator to identify and remedy any event operation and/or safety concerns. These operations meetings serve to clarify the operator's responsibilities and to dispatch City services as required to operate the event safely. For example, if Parking Lot C construction is underway during any of these events, staff will develop an alternative operations and parking plan to meet with event and City needs.
It is noteworthy that Coastal Commission approval is required for the AVP event prior to final authorization by the City. Per Coastal Commission policy, this event would be the only City event subject to Coastal approval. This is due to the fact that they propose to charge admission for less than 25% of the seating and that it is scheduled during the summer season. Their request is consistent with the Coastal Commission's policy, which allows operators to charge admission as long as over 75% of the seats remain free of charge (see Attachment C).
Another significant issue with regards to the AVP centers around their proposed use of the Pier Avenue Plaza for vendor sales. Last year, with the opening of the Plaza, they introduced vendor booths in the area. This concept was presented as being a potentially mutually beneficial one for the AVP (who would benefit from sponsors being allowed to sell products) and the downtown merchants (who would gain additional foot traffic). While the latter certainly did occur, there was some negative feedback about the presence of the Hard Rock Café booth on the Plaza.
With the newness of the Plaza, staff is seeking general Council direction as to whether or not we should continue to encourage event operators to expand into the Plaza area and if so, under what conditions. On a more specific note, however, the AVP is asking permission to use this area for vendor booths, displays, and volleyball clinics in the same manner as they did in 1997.
Beach volleyball tournaments and special events have long been part of the summer culture in Hermosa Beach. The City has been fortunate to work in partnership with competent event operators throughout these years in order to ensure that these events are safe and successful to the betterment of the City, the business community, and residents who enjoy these activities. Not only have special events provided local residents and visitors with an opportunity to enjoy world class sporting and cultural events but they have also given the City and the downtown area significant media exposure as a result of their existence here.
Fiscal Impact: $75,971 revenue to the General Fund; and $16,731 of the $75,971 pays for direct City costs Agendas / Minutes Menu | Back to Agenda | Top of Page
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