TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, Acting City Manager
FROM:
Mark Leyman, Parks and Recreation Director
Linda Robb, Senior Management Analyst
George Gabriel, Assistant to the City Manager
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of Increasing the Fee Waiver Amount Associated with Legacy Event, “North Manhattan Beach Business Improvement District Holiday Stroll,” Scheduled for December 5, 2024, by $5,707 (Parks and Recreation Director Leyman).
APPROVE
Body
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve an additional $5,707 toward the fee waiver for the North Manhattan Beach Business Improvement District (North MB BID) Holiday Stroll legacy event, scheduled to be held on December 5, 2024.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
On June 9, 2020, the City Council approved a fee waiver of $4,078 in City fees and services for the North MB BID annual Holiday Stroll. Approval would increase the total fee waiver for this event to $9,785. Should Council approve the additional fee waiver amount ($5,707), the costs will be absorbed into the approved Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget.
BACKGROUND:
The North MB BID Holiday Stroll is held annually on Highland Avenue between 32nd Street and 40th Street. The event is organized by the North MB BID Advisory Board and features approximately 70 local businesses, a holiday window display, food, local artist gift fair, shopping, fun and entertainment.
At the June 9, 2020, City Council meeting, Fee Waivers were approved for all legacy events (including the Holiday Stroll) through FY 2024-2025 with the stipulation that if costs increased by 10%, City Council can revisit the fee waiver. As stated in fiscal implications, the costs for the Holiday Stroll have increased $5,707 from the previously approved fee waiver.
DISCUSSION:
The North MB BID has submitted a special event permit application to conduct their event on Thursday, December 5, 2024. The original application included a request to close Highland Avenue. However, the Parks and Recreation Commission did not approve the request, and the North MB BID has not appealed the decision. Accordingly, operation of the event will be similar to years prior, with street access maintained during the event.
City service costs and fees necessary to conduct the event, without the street closure, are estimated to amount to $9,785, an increase of $5,707. While no major changes to the event have been requested or made by the organizer, cost increases related to the event are accounted for as follows:
1. Additional security for the event- the Police Department added one Sergeant for four hours ($884);
2. The Special Event application fee increased ($217);
3. Fire Permit ($470);
4. Miscellaneous staff costs associated with assisting the event ($136); and
5. Public Works staff time that was previously unaccounted ($4,000).
CONCLUSION:
Increased staffing costs and permitting fees have resulted in a $5,707 increase to the total cost of the Holiday Stroll special event. The increased costs are not prompted by changes to the operation of the event. Therefore, staff recommends that the City Council approve an additional $5,707 toward the fee waiver for the North Manhattan Beach Business Improvement District (North MB BID) Holiday Stroll legacy event, which is scheduled for December 5, 2024.
Staff anticipates returning to the City Council with a discussion on the Special Event Policy and Fee Waivers for all legacy events in February 2025.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
After analysis, staff determined that public outreach was not required for this issue.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the proposed project for compliance with the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the project qualifies for a
Class 4 categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land) of the State CEQA Guidelines because the event is a minor temporary use of land having no permanent effect on the environment. Thus, no further environmental review is necessary.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENT:
1. 2024 Holiday Stroll Event Costs