AVP Hermosa Open Beach Volleyball Tournament (to be heard out of sequence, after nonprofits) - Matt Gage, Tour Director of AVP, Hermosa Beach, Dave Williams; AVP: As of last year, AVP is now back into producing this event. Chronology of tournament: Monday, Tuesday Wednesday is set-up. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday is the event itself. On Friday a Corporate Summit held at the Beach House and a concert will be held. Friday is the start of the event with 8 men and women teams from a qualifying event in the draw. Saturday the main draw will continue, at 1:30 the women will play televised on NBC and also an Olympic Junior tournament. Sunday the mens championship finals also televised on NBC with tear down on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The additional tear down days were requested due to feedback from last year.
Questions/Discussion Operational Issues
Commissioner Hollander Clarify set-up dates. AVP Set-up is July 14th and 15th also July 18th and 20th.
Lisa Lynn Any work being done on the weekend during the event? AVP No and the areas where work will be performed will be fenced in.
Commissioner Fishman Is the extra days for set-up and tear down due to problems last year? AVP Yes. Lisa Lynn Yes. The request for extra days is supported by Staff.
Commissioner Sigler Is the entire beach [north side of Pier] being used two days before the weekend? AVP During the set up it will essentially be the main area for the bleachers, does not believe they will utilize any other area of the beach. Commissioner Sigler Will the poles be removed at 14th? AVP Late evening on the 13th.
Commissioner Hollander Has the staff issues from last year been resolved? AVP Yes. But the problem was actually not enough seating; seating has been increased to help address this issue.
Commissioner Bell Are the items/concerns from the post AVP meeting being addressed? Lisa Lynn Yes. Last year was the first year this event was held during the high season and the attendance far exceeded everyones expectations. AVP In the upcoming meetings with the City, a game plan will be designed. Lisa Lynn - additionally, there was no spectator turn-over, people stayed during the entire event. With the knowledge from last year, these areas of concern will be addressed.
Commissioner Fishman: Seating has been expanded? AVP Yes, from 3,200 to 3,500. Last year was 2,300 to 2,500. With approximately 500 700 more seats. Commissioner Fishman Will the bulk of these seats be allocated to the preferred seating or spread out to the general public? AVP No, essentially seats for the general public. Lisa Lynn Cited per Coastal Commission, only up to 24% of total seating can be reserved, the rest must be allocated seating for the general public.
Commissioner Sigler Did you grade sand? AVP No. Commissioner Sigler Requested that this be done with the extra day added to the tear down. Shards of wood, etc. still remained and suggested that AVP work with contractors to make sure that all remaining debris is removed. AVP This is a reasonable request, will work with LA County who handles and will have them do post grading.
Commissioner Bell The event was enjoyable, but Monday morning was shocked that it looked like a dumping ground, must be addressed also, suggests clean-up starts right after event. AVP - Supportive of correcting clean-up measures, the plan is to start clean up Sunday night. Last year, there was a mix-up where AVP inadvertently canceled dumpster dumping and the clean up crews scheduled for Monday. AVP is totally committed to doing a better job this year.
Commissioner Bell Has the problem that occurred last year where there was construction of bleachers during the event been rectified? AVP The company contracted to build the bleachers was given 3 4 days to complete the job. They could not meet the deadline. This is why the additional two days was requested. Commissioner Fishman Construction while people are there is a huge liability. AVP Agrees. This will not happen again. Lisa Lynn Staff recommended that perimeter fencing be used this year, as caution tape did not work last year. Commissioner Bell An additional day will resolve these issues? Lisa Lynn Yes, the additional two (2) days should address concerns.
Commissioner Fishman Friday night concert on Pier Ave, any problem with concert on Friday night? Lisa Lynn No. The following two (2) elements made the concert successful: 1. concert started at 6:00 pm and actually started on time, and 2. the band ended at 8:00 p.m. and left the stage. There was no carryover of the concert crowd to the Pier Plaza crowds. Commissioner Fishman Were there any public safety issues? Lisa Lynn Initially, there was concerns that Friday night might have impact issues, but surprisingly Sunday afternoon carried the most impact at the mens championship finals and on Pier Plaza.
Commissioner Fishman Band selection must again go before Council for approval. AVP Plans to select a group that will meet with Councils approval. Commissioner Fishman Will you keep the same timeline? AVP Not yet at this point in planning but will keep this information for consideration. Commissioner Sigler Has a group been selected? AVP No. But this is not his area of planning and a group is usually decided one (1) month prior to the event.
Commissioner Hollander Any additional operational issues? Mike Flaherty Yes. Staff spent a large amount of time, working 14 16 hours per day to produce the event. In light of this, he recommends adding a full-time person to oversee the clean-up process starting Monday morning whose only area of responsibility is clean up. This person would be the Citys contact over the next 2 3 days. This dialogue will continue throughout the upcoming meetings to see how this can be facilitated. AVP This is a reasonable request.
AVP Requests Before Commission:
Request #1 Requesting a one-time event exemption to sell food/beverage and serve alcohol on the beach. They are aware of the ordinance prohibiting this request. There is only one other event where they are exempted from selling food and drinks on the beach. The surrounding businesses were talked to and there were no issues from any of the businesses.
Request #2 AVP requests the ability to serve beer in the VIP section. AVP will put into place any controls required by the City.
Request #2. Waive any fees that are not direct costs. They feel this event contributes economically to the City including publicity and is very expensive to produce. The waived fees will be put into the additional bleachers and to defray the costs incurred for televising the event. Last years bleacher costs was $70,000, this years fees will be $90,000.
Questions/Discussions AVP Requests
Commissioner Fishman Clarification, requesting $16,000 in fees be waived? Commissioner Hollander It is approximately $22,800 in fees (permit, banner and co-sponsor fees).
Commissioner Francis 1. Food/beverage on the beach poses very serious clean up issues with the issues last year in clean up cannot support this request, and 2. Will never support alcohol on the beach the City has taken a strong stance on this issue. Does not feel that the food/beverage is critical to the event spectators can take a break from event. If clean up issues are rectified, may consider down the line.
Commissioner Hollander Feels the same towards alcohol and food. There are other alternatives VIPs can use Beach House or can put up tents near Mermaids. Ordinances are in place for a reason.
Lisa Lynn The special event permit allows for four (4) vendors spaces adjacent to Mermaids parking lot. Food and beverage may be sold at this location.
Commissioner Sigler If food/beverage is from local businesses and the clean up issues are addressed, he would not have a problem but is concerned about setting precedence for these types of requests. He would not support offering a one-time exemption for alcohol.
AVP Clarified that food/beverage would be from local businesses only.
Commissioner Bell Supports adhering to the ordinances that are in place.
AVP Is aware that this will increase trash, but has done this at other events and does not foresee it as a problem as the clean up issues from last year are being addressed. Only limited fare would be served so spectators will leave event to frequent local businesses. Understands that this may set precedence for other requests, but hopes that the Commission will consider the importance of this request. Understands and accepts the Commissions stance on alcohol and will look at other alternatives.
Commissioner Fishman Clarified his objection was the issues with clean-up last year and it did not work. When it is rectified, he would be happy to address.
Commissioner Sigler He would be willing to give AVP a shot, if it doesnt work, will not allow again.
Commissioner Hollander Clarified that a recommendation only would be given to Council.
Commissioner Fishman Last year, the Chamber of Commerce did not support food/beverage on the beach, not sure of the reasoning, but again this year the Chamber does not support this request. He shares Commissioner Siglers sentiments only if AVP can demonstrate that the two additional days would like to see that this could work and alleviate prior issues. This will be tracked in the post-meeting wrap up and would support considering the food/beverage request next year. Cannot support for this year due to last years problems. Alcohol is not supported.
Commissioner Fishman With respect to fees would like a brief elaboration on the volleyball clinics.
AVP On Thursday there will be a clinic usually for kids with AVP pros onsite to give clinic. Would consider doing a series of clinics at area schools for the City.
Commissioner Fishman Proposing a one (1) or two (2) day clinic for Hermosa Beach youth?
AVP Willing to put together a proposal to put to do clinics on the sand the week before the event or go out to schools.
Commissioner Fishman Suggested to Commission that in exchange for these clinics, if AVP is willing to do more than one, a small percentage reduction in permit fees. AVP Has adequate lead time to plan while schools are in session.
Commissioner Bell - Nice idea, but does not want AVP to focus on anything other than the upcoming event.
Commissioner Sigler Agrees with the idea. Would like AVP to consider having Misty May, Kerry or Holly McPeak go to the schools, would be great for the kids.
AVP Currently does a series of clinics for LA County in exchange for reduced permit fees and would be interested in putting together a proposal to present to Commission. Asked that the Commission consider that last years event was one of the largest events in AVPs 23 years as it was the last event before the athletes left for the Olympics in Athens and the event was moved from June to July and many problems were inadvertent. Businesses all stated that this was a very big weekend for them. But believes all problems can be corrected and suggested that Commission take a look at the event held in Manhattan Beach.
Commissioner Fishman Concerned that this may additionally overburden Staff. Requested to hear from Staff on this issue.
Commissioner Sigler Questions on waivers, 1. Co-sponsor fees? Lisa Lynn - No charge for title sponsors, $100 per sponsor for additional vendors. Commissioner Sigler What fees did Council waive? Lisa Lynn Last year film permit fees were waived. AVP Reminded Commission that Hermosa Beach, as agreed with Council, will be included in its title and advertising.
Commissioner Hollander Cannot see waiving any other fees as the workload by staff has really increased. AVP Believes that workload by Staff should be decreased as they move forward in correcting the outstanding issues.
Commissioner Francis stated that he appreciates what AVP brings to the city. Reminded AVP that Hermosa Beach it is a small city with a small staff and budget.
Commissioner Hollander Concerned with timeline in getting this event in place prior to the event.
MOTION by Commissioner Fishman to approve event with condition if AVP puts on 1 2 youth clinics for Hermosa Beach schools onsite and will consider a prorated film fees to be worked out with AVP and Staff. QUESTION ON MOTION: Lisa Lynn value of a clinic is greater if executed onsite? Commissioner Sigler why onsite? Lisa Lynn kids are out of school, parents are attending with their kids; kids would have an area designated to them during this event: a component lost (kidzone) from prior years of Beach Bash. Commissioner Sigler would like clinic held at school. AVP Can do both.
AMENDED MOTION by Commissioner Fishman to: 1. Approve event. 2. Added condition to prorate permit fees in exchange for AVP to provide 1 2 youth clinics onsite to be worked out with AVP and Staff and 3. Deny the food/beverage and alcohol requests.
Commissioner Francis seconded the motion.
Ayes: Commissioners Fishman, Francis, Hollander, Bell, Sigler
Nays: Sigler (Would like to allow food/beverage this year.)
Abstain: None
Absent: None