HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 Indpendence Day CelebrationSTAFF REPORT
CITY OF PALM DESERT
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
MEETING DATE: May 14, 2020
PREPARED BY: Vanessa Mager, Management Analyst
REQUEST: Approval of Palm Desert's 2020 Independence Day Celebration
Recommendation
By Minute Motion,
Preapprove and authorize expenditures in an amount not to exceed $24,000 from
the FY 2020/21 Budget for production of the 2020 Independence Day Celebration
event; and
2. Authorize City Manager to execute ancillary vendor contracts associated with the
production of the event in a cumulative amount not to exceed $24,000.
Strategic Plan Obiective
Approval of Palm Desert's 2020 Independence Day Celebration would help address the
following priorities as specified in the 2013-2033 Strategic Plan, Envision Palm Desert -
Forward Together.
- Economic Development Priority 3: Create and attract entertainment and events to
enhance and expand the Palm Desert economy and lifestyle.
Backqround Analvsis
Typically the City of Palm Desert invites the community to celebrate our country's freedom by
producing a large scale Independence Day Celebration, which usually sees 10,000 attendees
at the Civic Center Park. Festivities have included food trucks, vendors, children's activities,
a color guard presentation, and a musical performance. These activities have also been
followed by a 20 minute fireworks display synchronized to patriotic music simulcast on local
radio stations.
Currently due to the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic and the Governor's Executive Order No.
N-33-20 requiring residents to stay at home except to conduct essential services and
activities, and advising that all public or private "gatherings" are prohibited regardless of
venue or size, staff recommends that the 2020 Independence Day Celebration be re -
imagined.
At the Governor's daily press conference, on April 28, 2020, it was noted that large
events/gatherings were not expected to take place for several months, in order to uphold the
May 14, 2020 - Staff Report
Approval of Palm Desert's 2020 Independence Day Celebration
Page 2 of 2
public's health. With that said, staff is recommending that fireworks not be a part of this year's
festivities, as we do not want to encourage residents and visitors to violate the order. The
pyrotechnic group has also informed us that we must confirm by May 15, 2020 in order to
secure a firework display. Not including fireworks would also save the City $40,000 out of the
20/21 fiscal year budget, which because of the COVID-19 pandemic has been negatively
impacted.
Analvsis
Staff's recommendation is to host a 10-minute radio broadcast of patriotic music, similar to
what the city normally does. This time, though, we would encourage the entire City of Palm
Desert to socially distance outside and tune in to the broadcast on any available device with
speakers. With enough participants, all of the small speakers would combine to make the
music audible to each neighborhood, allowing the community to unite in a much -needed
moment of celebration on this important American holiday. The City would also provide hand-
held American flags to residents and ask them to post pictures of their celebration on social
media during the broadcast, using the hashtag #UnitePalmDesert. If Council approves this
direction, staff will explore other ways to work with local businesses and organizations,
including local television, to expand on this concept for a Fourth of July that would truly unite
Palm Desert. This celebration would cost $24,000 as opposed to the $60,000 spent last year.
Staff is also disinclined to remind Council that cancellation of the 2020 Independence Day
Celebration altogether is an option.
Fiscal Analvsis
The $24,000 for this event will be included as part of the FY 2020/2021 Budget and available
in City -Produced Events Account No. 1104416-4306101.
LEGAL
DEPARTMENT
DEPARTMENT
REVIEW
REVIEW
REVIEW
N/A
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Thomas Soule
Robert W.
Tourism and
Martin Alvarez
Hargreaves
Marketing
Director of
City Attorney
Manager
Economic
Development
City Manager Lauri Aylaian: 29
VENDOR: None
ATTACHMENTS: None
FINANCIAL
REVIEW
Janet Moore
Director of
Finance
ASSISTANT
CITY
MANAGER
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Andy Firestine
Assistant City
Manager