To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ELIZABETH HAUSE, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
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APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH CURTIN MARITIME CORP. TO PROVIDE BARGE SERVICES FOR THE CITY’S FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS DISPLAY IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $60,000 FOR THE TERM MAY 20, 2026 TO JULY 31, 2026
APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH PI ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC TO PROVIDE ENVIRONMENTAL COLLECTION AND REPORTING SERVICES FOR THE CITY’S FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS DISPLAY IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $16,609 FOR THE TERM MAY 20, 2026 TO DECEMBER 31, 2026
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In May 2025, the City Council approved a three-year agreement with Garden State Fireworks to continue the City’s annual Fourth of July Harbor fireworks show. In order to safely and successfully produce the event, staff recommends approval of an agreement with Curtin Maritime Corp. (Curtin Maritime), totaling $60,000, to provide necessary barge services; and another with Pi Environmental, LLC (Pi Environmental) for $16,609 to provide necessary reporting and monitoring services to comply with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements. Both providers have demonstrated successful collaboration with the Garden State Fireworks in previous years, and staff is confident that their services would help provide a safe and enjoyable event for the community.
BACKGROUND
In May 2025, the City Council entered into a three-year agreement with Garden State Fireworks to produce the City’s annual fireworks display in the harbor, affirming the City’s commitment to providing this event for the community for multiple years. Staff is proposing additional agreements for supplemental services necessary for the event to take place, including with Curtin Maritime to provide the barge platform, and with Pi Environmental to provide the necessary NPDES collection, monitoring, and reporting services.
Curtin Maritime
In order to produce the event in the Harbor, the City must secure the use of a barge as it serves as the launch point for the fireworks and provides the necessary distance from the shoreline for a safe fall zone without having to block off or close down harbor amenities. The proposed Agreement with Curtin Maritime would provide these services. Given their prior experience collaborating with Garden State Fireworks on similar displays, including the City’s 2025 event, staff is confident in Curtain Maritime’s ability to coordinate operations effectively and facilitate the production of a successful event. The total cost for barge services is $60,000 for the upcoming event, which is comparable to the cost in previous years.
Pi Environmental
In order for the City to produce a fireworks display in the Harbor, it must be in good standing with the NPDES for the issuance of permit from the State Water Board, which includes annual monitoring, sample collections, and reporting requirements. Pi Environmental has successfully provided these services for the City’s annual fireworks display since 2024, and staff proposes entering into a similar agreement for the 2026 event. The total cost for their services is $16,096, which includes all necessary services for the City’s NPDES permit, including the development of a Water Quality Monitoring Plan; collection of receiving water debris; chemical analysis of water samples; and required reporting documentation.
Staff has prepared both agreements to ensure each provider has the resources it needs to successfully produce the upcoming event and is confident in each company’s ability to coordinate with Garden State Fireworks, the City’s fireworks display provider. Staff recommends the City Council approve the proposed Agreements with Curtin Maritime and Pi Environmental.
COORDINATION
The Community Services Department coordinated with the Fire Department and the City Attorney’s Office to develop these Agreements.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the 2026 Fourth of July Harbor fireworks show was approved by the City Council as part of the FY 2025-26 budget.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Agmt - Curtin Maritime, Corp., with Insurance
• Agmt - Pi Environmental, LLC, with Insurance