To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: JOHN LA ROCK, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
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DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING CANCELLATION OF THE CITY'S JULY 4 FIREWORKS DISPLAY
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On March 17, 2020, the City Council approved an agreement with ExpoShows, Inc. to provide a pyrotechnic display of fireworks on July 4, 2020. The agreement included $45,000 in fees, including $22,500 upon execution for advance procurements. Funds spent to date are being calculated by the vendor and were not available for the timing of this report.
The expenses for the July 4 fireworks are typically offset by the Seaside Lagoon special admission revenue as well as select corporate sponsorships. For 2020, it is not anticipated that the Seaside Lagoon will be in operation for the summer due to the prohibition on group gatherings as well as the high touch surfaces and shared water experiences at the facility. In prior years outside groups offered to subsidize the cost of the fireworks display in exchange for consideration to relocate the fireworks, however the funding projected by these groups was ultimately not provided to the City following the City's determination to maintain the fireworks launch location west of Seaside Lagoon. Any future partnership for funding the fireworks may be adversely impacted by the worsening economic climate due to the pandemic.
Regardless of the funding source, holding Redondo Beach fireworks on July 4 would undoubtedly draw local and regional crowds given that Redondo Beach would be one of very few localities holding a firework show. This crowd massing issue would be a concern regardless of what entity provided fireworks or the location for launching fireworks along the coastline or within the City.
As of this report, July 4 fireworks have been cancelled by Grand Park-City of LA, Torrance, San Diego, Port of LA, Avalon, Redlands, Claremont, Pismo Beach, Moorpark, Coronado and Imperial Beach.
Due to the current LA County...
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