Report Prepared by: Jacob Fister, Police Sergeant
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of Street Closure Request for West Main Street, 18th Street, Canal Street, and “O” Street, The Use of Bob Hart Square, and Power Connections at Bob Hart Square, West Main Street at Martin Luther King Jr. Way, and West Main Street at “O” Street. Submitted by Benjamin Hernandez with the County of Merced for the 22nd Annual Veterans Day Parade on November 11, 2026, from 9:00 A.M. Until 7:00 P.M.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers allowing the use of City streets on November 11th, 2026, for the Veteran’s Day Parade. The Street Closure Request includes 18Th Street, West Main Street, H Street, Canal Street, and O Street. The use of Bob Hart Square, and power connections at Bob Hart Square, West Main Street at Martin Luther King Jr Way, and West Main Street at “O” Street.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving the street closures for the parade route: W Main St from “G” Street to “O”, “O’ Street from W Main Street to W 20th Street, and the staging area from “H Street from W Main Street to W 18th Street, W 18th St from “G” Street to Canal Street as requested by Benjamin Hernandez, Merced County Veterans Services for the 22Nd Annual Veterans Day Parade on Tuesday, November 11, 2026.; and,
B. Authorizing the use of Bob Hart Square from 09:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.; and,
C. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by Staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by Staff; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to Staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
5. Continue to a future meeting.
AUTHORITY
City of Merced Charter Section 200.
City of Merced Municipal Code Section 12.42.010.
State of California Vehicle Code Section 21101(e).
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2026-2027 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
A request has been received from Benjamin Hernandez, Merced County Veterans Office, to close the following streets for the 2026 Veterans Day Parade.
Staging Area:
• W 18th Street from Canal St to “G” Street
• “H” Street from W 18th Street to W Main Street
Parade Route:
• West Main Street between “G” Street and “O” Street
• “H” Street to thru traffic at West Main Street
• “I” Street to thru traffic at West Main Street
• Martin Luther King Jr. Way to thru traffic at West Main Street
• “K” Street to thru traffic at West Main Street
• Canal Street from West Main Street to Alley south of W 18th Street
• “M” Street to thru traffic at W Main Street
• “N” Street to thru traffic at w Main Street
• “O” Street to thru traffic W 21st Street to W Main St
• 18th Street to thru traffic at “O” Street
• 19th Street to thru traffic at “O” Street
• 20th Street to thru traffic at “O” Street
The date of this event is scheduled for Wednesday, November 11, 2026, and the time of the street closure will be as follows: 18Th Street from Canal Street to “H” Street will be closed at 9:00 A.M. for parade staging and assembly. West Main Street from “G” Street to “O” Street, “O” Street from W. Main Street to 21st Street will be closed from 9:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M. for the parade (If the parade finishes prior to 7:00 P.M. West Main Street will be opened earlier at the completion of the parade). Opening Ceremonies at Bob Hart Square start at 12:00 A.M. The Parade start time is approximately 1:00 P.M.
Merced County Veterans Office will take full responsibility for notifying the businesses and residences along the parade route and providing ample notification of the event. The posting of “No Parking” signs, along the parade route, shall be done no less than 24 hours prior to the event. The expected attendance is 1000 spectators.
The Merced Police Department will provide traffic control services during this event. The Merced Police Department will utilize sworn police officers, explorer scouts, citizen volunteers and community service officers to provide traffic control. If other City services are needed, beyond the assistance of the Merced Police Department, the request will be made separately and to the appropriate departments.
The Merced Police Department will utilize approximately one (1) Police Sergeant, three (3) Traffic Officers, four (4) Police Community Service Officers, four (4) Police Officers, one (1) Parking Enforcement Officers and twenty (20) Police Explorer Scouts to conduct traffic control for this event.
The 2026 Veterans Day Parade will be held subject to the following conditions:
1. Event sponsors shall furnish a certificate of liability insurance with coverage of no less than $500,000 and naming the City of Merced as additional insured.
2. Event sponsors shall contact all businesses and residences affected by the street closure, advising them of the hours, conditions, and reason thereof.
3. Event sponsor shall be responsible for placing and removing all traffic barricades and posting of parking restrictions where streets are closed no less than 24 hours prior to the parade.
4. Event sponsor shall be responsible for disposing of any trash and debris generated from the event.
5. Event sponsor shall provide adequate supervision throughout the parade route as required by the Merced Police Department.
6. Event sponsors shall agree to indemnify and hold harmless the City, its officers, agents, and employees from any and all liability, costs, damages, or injuries to persons or damage to property which might arise out of or in any way be connected with the use of an encroachment/street closure permit for this event.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
The Merced Police Department will utilize approximately one (1) Police Sergeant, three (3) Traffic Officers, four (4) Police Community Service Officers, four (4) Police Officers, one (1) Parking Enforcement Officers and twenty (20) Police Explorer Scouts to conduct traffic control for this event.
Cost to Police Department budget:
Staff on regular duty time:
Sergeant (1) $150/hr for 10 hours =$1500
Traffic Officers (3) $120/hr for 10 hours =$3600
Parking Enforcement Officer (1) $50/hr of 10 hours =$ 500
Community Service Officers (1) $65/hr for 10 hours =$ 650
Staff on Overtime:
Police Officers (4) $120/hr for 7 hours =$3360
Community Service Officers (3) $65/hr for 7 hours =$1365
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Total cost $10,975
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2026 Veterans Parade Street Closure Application
2. 2026 Veterans Parade Bob Hart Square Use Application
3. 2026 Veterans Parade Route Map