To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: JOHN LA ROCK, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
TITLE
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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 Health Department orders for the COVID-19 pandemic and the anticipated continuance of the Safer at Home protocols, the restriction of leisure activities at the County beaches and the restrictions on gatherings of groups, staff recommends that the 2020 July 4 fireworks be cancelled.
BACKGROUND
On March 17, 2020, the City Council approved an agreement with ExpoShows, Inc. to provide a pyrotechnic display of fireworks on July 4, 2020 as part of the City’s traditional Independence Day celebration held at the Seaside Lagoon. The agreement with ExpoShows included fees paid by the City to ExpoShows in the amount of $45,000, including $22,500 in fees paid upon the execution of the agreement in order for the vendor to procure the necessary pyrotechnical components, permits and licenses. The City has made the deposit payment of $22,500 to the vendor. Deposit funds spent to date are being calculated by the vendor and were not available for the timing of this report.
Holding Redondo Beach fireworks on July 4 would undoubtedly draw large local and regional crowds given that Redondo Beach would be one of very few localities, if any, holding a firework show. The issue of a firework show drawing large crowds who would be unlikely to adhere to social distancing guidelines would be a serious concern regardless of whether the City launched fireworks from the coastal waters west of the Seaside Lagoon or at any other location along the coastline or within the City. These same concerns would be present if a non-City entity offered to provide fireworks launched from a location along the coastline or from within the City.
The expenses for the July 4 fireworks are offset by Seaside Lagoon July 4 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 large gatherings, difficulty maintaining social distancing, water safety protocols, and the high touch surfaces and shared water experiences at the facility. In prior years outside groups have 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 not provided due to the lack of agreement on relocating the fireworks south of the Seaside Lagoon. Any future partnerships to underwrite the cost of a firework show may be adversely impacted by the worsening economic climate.
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.
The orders by the LA County Health Department for the COVID-19 pandemic are anticipated to be extended, including the Safer at Home protocols, the restriction of leisure activities at the County beaches, and the restrictions on gatherings of groups of people. In order to maintain compliance with these orders and minimize the risk of the public’s exposure to the COVID-19 virus, staff recommends that the 2020 July 4th fireworks be cancelled.
Following the recommended event cancellation, staff would work with the vendor on advancing materials procurement for the 2020 firework show to a potential 2021 show along with repayment of any unspent City funding for anticipated use for a 2021 firework show the following fiscal year.
COORDINATION
None.
FISCAL IMPACT
Expenses to date for the 2020 July 4 firework show total $22,500. At least a portion of this funding could be advanced to a future firework show, presumably July 4, 2021.
APPROVED BY:
Joe Hoefgen, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
None.