HomeMy WebLinkAboutPS Women in Film and Television 2017 Oscar Party - 02-26-2017REQUEST:
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Recommendation
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CITY OF PALM DESERT
SPECIAL PROGRAMS DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
APPROVE PALM SPRINGS WOMEN IN FILM AND TELEVISION'S
2017 OSCAR PARTY ON EL PASEO EVENT
Amy Lawrence, Management Analyst
Mr. Warren Jones
The Jones Group
889 E. Janet Circle
Palm Springs, CA 92262
October 13, 2016
Draft Traffic Control Plan
1. Approve Palm Springs Women in Film and Television's Oscar Party on El Paseo
event scheduled for Sunday, February 26, 2017;
2. Approve two phase road closure plan on El Paseo from Highway 74 to Ocotillo
Drive; and
3. Allow the Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages on City -owned Property Pursuant to
Palm Desert Municipal Code 9.58.040.
Committee Recommendation
At its meeting of August 25, 2016, the El Paseo Business Improvement District Board of
Directors unanimously recommended approval to close El Paseo from Highway 74 to
Ocotillo Drive for the Palm Springs Women in Film and Television's Oscar Party on El
Paseo event scheduled for Sunday, February 26, 2017.
Strategic Plan Obiective
Approval of the 2017 Palm Springs Women in Film and Television's Oscar Party on El
Paseo event would help address the following Economic Development and Tourism and
Marketing priorities as specified in the 2013-2033 Strategic Plan, Envision Palm Desert —
Forward Together.
o Economic Development — Priority 3: Create and attract entertainment and events to
enhance and expand the Palm Desert economy and lifestyle.
o Tourism and Marketing — Priority 2: Grow existing events and develop new events to
enhance the desirability of Palm Desert as a year round destination.
STAFF REPORT
2017 PALM SPRINGS WOMEN IN FILM AND TELEVISION'S OSCAR PARTY ON EL PASEO
EVENT
OCTOBER 13, 2016
PAGE 2
Executive Summary
Mr. Warren Jones of The Jones Group (producer of Bighorn's Behind a Miracle event) is
requesting approval to hold the Palm Springs Women in Film and Television's (PSWIFT)
"Oscar Party on El Paseo" fundraiser on Sunday, February 26, 2017. The event will be held
in front of the Shops on El Paseo and will require closure of the street from Highway 74 to
Ocotillo Drive (including intersection). This event will feature a cocktail party, sit-down
dinner catered by Wolfgang Puck, live and prerecorded amplified music, "Legend Award"
presentation, and viewing of the 89`h Academy Awards ceremony on several large screens.
Proceeds for this fundraiser will benefit PSWIFT's BookPals and Scholarship programs. The
El Paseo Business Improvement District unanimously expressed their support of this event
and recommended approval of the road closure. There is no direct fiscal impact to the City
associated with this request.
Discussion
For the last two years, PSWIFT's Oscar Party event has been held at restaurants within the
Shops on El Paseo and, due to limited event space, ticket sales had to be capped at 180-
200. Moving the event into the street in front of the Shops on El Paseo would allow space
for more attendees (500 anticipated) thereby increasing funds raised for charity through
ticket sales. The organizer states that having the larger space will allow for the production of
a more glamourous and elegant event which will include a red carpet entrance, a stage for
live music, and six to eight large screens for attendees to view the 89`h Academy Awards
ceremony. Additional event elements include a cocktail reception with two bars and a
lounge area (requires City Council approval to allow the consumption of alcoholic
beverages on City -owned property pursuant to Palm Desert Municipal Code 9.58.040) and
a dining area consisting of one long Italian -style dinner table on both sides of the street
complimented by chandeliers. The event producer is also arranging to present a "Legend
Award" (sponsored by Tiffany & Co.) to an actor/actress with ties to the desert during the
cocktail hour (awardee to be determined). The event area will be completely fenced in and
only ticket holders will be permitted to enter.
Noting the amount of time it will take to set-up for the event, the applicant is requesting a
two phase road closure plan outlined as follows:
Phase I (closure Sundav, February 26, from 12:01 a.m. to noon): Close lane closest to
sidewalk on north and south side of El Paseo between Highway 74 and Ocotillo Drive.
Phase II (closure Sundav, February 26, from noon to midniciht): Closure of all north and
south lanes on El Paseo from Highway 74 to the east side of the Ocotillo intersection.
Note: Two-phase traffic control plans have been utilized for the Behind a Miracle event in
previous years to minimize impact to El Paseo traffic during set-up.
If the City Council approves the event, staff will work with the producer and other City
departments to ensure that an adequate traffic control plan is in place prior to the event (to
include detour signs in residential areas) and that advance notification to residents within
300 feet of the event area is given. Additionally, staff will ensure that sufficient police
services are provided and that all insurance and permits are in place (i.e. encroachment,
ABC, etc.).
STAFF REPORT
2017 PALM SPRINGS WOMEN IN FILM AND TELEVISION'S OSCAR PARTY ON EL PASEO
EVENT
OCTOBER 13, 2016
PAGE 3
With regard to the road closures, at its meeting of April 25, 2013, City Council approved
staff's recommendation to cap the number of events requiring road closures on El Paseo to
six annually in effort to alleviate impact to merchants throughout the year. As a refresher,
those six events originally included El Paseo Fashion Week (no longer impacts closure on
Larkspur and therefore the Swing N' Hops event was substituted), Bunny Hop 5K (last held
in 2013 and is being proposed again for 2017), Golf Cart Parade, Behind a Miracle,
Thanksgiving 5K, and an event to be determined (which later became Palm Desert Charter
Middle School's Panther 5K).
Approving the 2017 Oscar Party would result in a seventh event requiring closures on El
Paseo. Considering the El Paseo Business Improvement District's unanimous support for
the event and related road closures, as well as the City's Strategic Plan objectives, staff
feels that this particular event would be beneficial to add to El Paseo's portfolio.
Additionally, because this event only takes up one full block of the street (to include the
Ocotillo Drive intersection), and is scheduled to be held on a Sunday evening, impact
should be minimal.
Fiscal Analysis
There is no direct fiscal impact to the City associated with this request. The event producer
will be responsible for all costs related to the event.
Submitted By:
Amy Lawre e, Management Analyst
Department Head:
Frankie Riddle, Directo of special Programs
Reviewed:
Rudy A66sta, Assistant City Manager
Approval:
Lauri Aylaian, City Manager �—