To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ELIZABETH HAUSE, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
TITLE
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APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH GARDEN STATE FIREWORKS FOR PRODUCTION OF THE CITY’S FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS DISPLAY
APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH CURTIN MARITIME TO PROVIDE BARGE SERVICES FOR THE CITY’S FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS DISPLAY
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As part of the midyear budget process, the City Council provided direction to staff to secure the necessary agreements to provide the annual Fourth of July, barge-based, fireworks display. Following that direction, staff has worked to develop agreements with Garden State Fireworks (GSF) to furnish and produce the show and with Curtin Maritime to provide a barge that will serve as the launch site for the fireworks display. The proposed Agreement with GSF is for three years, commencing in 2025, and will ensure continuity amid difficulties the City has experienced in finding cost effective firework production companies that can comply with the recently implemented National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements. GSF’s proposed compensation is $65,000 for 2025 and $75,000 for the 2026 and 2027 shows, with a 50% deposit required upfront for the 2025 event. Curtin Maritime’s proposed agreement provides barge services for the 2025 fireworks display at a cost of $55,000. Staff recommends approval of the proposed agreements with GSF and Curtin Maritime, which will allow the City to host the 2025 Fourth of July fireworks show.
BACKGROUND
Following discussions as part of the midyear budget, Council requested staff secure agreements with vendors capable of supporting the City’s annual Fourth of July, barge-based, fireworks event. The first related agreement was approved with Pi Environmental to provide the necessary NPDES monitoring and permit reporting. At this time, staff is proposing agreements with Garden State Fireworks (GSF) to produce the event and with Curtin Maritime to provide the barge platform.
Garden State Fireworks
The proposed Agreement with Garden State Fireworks would provide a fireworks display similar in size and style to the previous year’s event. The Agreement includes a three-year term, starting with the upcoming July 4, 2025 event. This multi-year Agreement provides assurance that the City will have a qualified fireworks vendor to produce the annual event, which was proving difficult in 2024 due to the strict NPDES guidelines and the full schedules of other qualified firms. Further, GSF successfully produced the 2024 Fourth of July barge-based display in King Harbor without any major issues, and staff remains confident in their team.
Compensation to GSF is proposed to be $65,000 for 2025, and $75,000 for each of the 2026 and 2027 events. GSF has requested an upfront payment of $32,500 as a fifity percent deposit for the fireworks services, with the remaining balance of $32,500 to be paid on the day of the event.
Curtin Maritime
The proposed Agreement with Curtin Maritime would provide a barge to serve as the launch site for the Fourth of July fireworks show within the harbor. Given their prior experience collaborating with Garden State Fireworks on similar displays, staff is confident in their ability to coordinate effectively and deliver a successful event. The total cost would be $55,000 for the upcoming event, which is comparable to previous years.
Staff has prepared both agreements to ensure each provider has the resources it needs to successfully produce the upcoming event. Staff recommends the City Council approve the proposed agreements.
COORDINATION
The Community Services Department coordinated with the Fire Department and City Attorney’s office to develop these Agreements.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the 2025 Fourth of July fireworks display agreements was approved by the City Council via a budget modification resolution following the mid-year budget discussion.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Agmt- Garden State Fireworks
• Agmt - Curtin Maritime