The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About21 2021 EventsSTAFF REPORT CITY OF PALM DESERT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT MEETING DATE: April 22, 2021 PREPARED BY: Vanessa Mager, Management Analyst REQUEST: Provide Direction to Staff on Official City Response Regarding Event Requests for 2021 _______________________________________________________________________ Recommendation By Minute Motion: 1. Provide direction to staff regarding an official City response regarding event requests and reservations for the remainder of 2021; and 2. Provide direction on any changes to the current event moratorium for events and activities that comply with the events that comply with County/State tiers, guidelines and restrictions. Strategic Plan This action has no impact on the Strategic Plan. Executive Summary Staff is requesting direction from City Council regarding the City’s official response to event requests. Specific areas of feedback needed include whether or not to allow: • Reservations now for park events that comply with County and State guidance. • Certain events and activities, such as gatherings and outdoor live shows with assigned seats and controlled mixing and youth and adult recreational sports, that meet current State criteria. • Reservations for future events that are currently prohibited, such as runs, festivals and parades, but may be allowed in the near future and in anticipation of forthcoming guidance from County officials and the State. Background Analysis The City of Palm Desert is home to numerous annual events throughout the year. These events include runs, festivals, sporting competitions, parades and much more. On March 19, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order No. N-33-20 requiring residents to stay at home and advising that all public or private “gatherings” are prohibited regardless of venue or size went into effect due to the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic. April 22, 2021 - Staff Report Provide direction to staff on official City response regarding event requests for 2021 Page 2 of 3 As 2020 went on, organizers hoping to plan Fall and Winter events contacted the City, Desert Recreation District (DRD), and the Palm Desert Aquatic Center seeking permission. W ith no clear end to the pandemic, City Council adopted an event moratorium on July 9, 2020, in which all special event applications and park reservations were canceled through the reminder of the year. On January 25, 2021, the Regional Stay Home Order was lifted and the State of California returned to a tiered system utilizing its “Blueprint for a Safer Economy” to provide guidance on permitted activities including gatherings, outdoor live shows, and youth and adult recreational sports. Initially, Riverside County was placed in the most restrictive Purple Tier indicating that the county’s risk was Widespread. On April 6, 2021, the county moved to the Orange Tier, or Moderate Risk. Governor Newsom has also announced a plan to reopen the State of California on June 15, 2021 with minimum restrictions. Analysis Since restrictions are lifting and Riverside County is progressing through the State’s tier levels, the City, Aquatic Center and DRD are starting to receive requests from event organizers and individual residents wanting to host or plan events now and into the reminder of 2021. While guidance has been given by the State for smaller outdoor gatherings, larger events such as runs, festivals and parades do not currently have any direction from the State or County. However, Staff has confirmed with County officials that guidelines concerning large gatherings is forthcoming. Staff recognizes that these larger events require months of planning and would like to assist organizers with facilitation of such events. This would be done with the understanding that all guidelines in place at the time of the event must be followed and that an event may be canceled if the County were to regress in the tier system or if the State were to implement another Stay-At-Home order. Staff at all three organizations will continue to stay up to date on all guidelines and regulations that pertain to requested activities and ensure that organizers of any approved gatherings or events manage their attendees as such. Staff would like to receive direction from Council on how the City, Palm Desert Aquatic Center and Desert Recreation District should proceed with requests for both small and large outdoor gatherings in anticipation of forthcoming guidance from County officials and the State. April 22, 2021 - Staff Report Provide direction to staff on official City response regarding event requests for 2021 Page 3 of 3 Fiscal Analvsis Event Spansorships funds will be discussed during the FY 2021/2Q22 Budget meetings, but at this time there is no further impact to the FY 2020/2021 Budget. Indirect impacts are anticipated in the form of sales tax and transient occupancy tax, since events do bring visitors to Palm Desert. LEGAL REVIEW N/A Robert W. Hargreaves City Attorney DEPT. DEPT. FINANCIAL ASSISTANT REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW CITY MANAGER Thomas Soule /v��i,,.t, �� r. .�lndy Al�va�-�Z �a9.� �'irest�ne Thomas Soule Marketing & And Firestine Tourism Martin Alvarez Janet M. Moore y Director of Director of Assistant City Manager Mana er Economic Finance g Development City Manager L. Todd Hileman: L. Todc( I-f��Cw�.aw RPPLICANT: None ATTACHMENTS: None CITY COiTNCTL ACTinN APPROVED DENII;D REC�NED OTHER MECTING DATE �� AYES: NOES• ABSENT: ARSTAIN• � VFRIFI�D IiY• ��5 Qriginal on File with City Clerk's Office