Report Prepared by: Jacob Fister, Sergeant, Merced Police Department
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of Street Closure Request with the Use of City Owned Property Located at Bob Hart Square, and for In-Kind Services Provided by the City of Merced, Submitted by United Way of Merced County and the Merced Christmas Collaborative for the 2026 Annual Christmas Parade on December 5th, 2026, From 10:00 A.M. Until 7:00 P.M.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving to allow the use of City streets, Bob Hart Square, and requested in-kind services on December 5th, 2026, for the Christmas Parade.
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 18th Street, W 18th Street from “O” Street to “N” Street, and “N” Street from W 18th Street through W 19th Street to the park at 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, “K” Street from W Main Street to W 19th Street; and,
B. Approving the request for in-kind services from the City of Merced including placement of the Christmas Banner across G Street, downtown street sweeping, and special event refuse service; and,
C. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommend 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 received from Tracy Proietti and Kim Garner, United Way of Merced County and the Merced Christmas Collaborative to close the following streets for the Annual Christmas Parade:
Staging Area:
• W 18th Street from Canal St to “G” Street
• “K Street from W 19th Street to W Main Street
• Martin Luther King Jr Way from W 18th Street to W Main Street
• “I” Street from W 18th Street to W Main Street
• “H” Street from W 18th Street to W Main Street
Parade Route:
• W Main Street from “G” Street to “O” Street
• “H” Street from W 18th Street to W Main Street
• “I” Street from W 18th Street to W Main Street
• Martin Luther King Jr Way from W 18th Street to W Main Street
• “K Street from W 19th Street to W Main Street
• Canal St from W 18th Street to W Main Street
• “M” Street will remain open until the parade reaches that location. Once the parade reaches “M” Street it will be closed intermittently for the remainer of the parade.
• “N Street from W 18th St to W Main Street
• “O” Street from W Main Street to W 18th Street (northbound parade route).
• W 18th Street from “O” Street to “N” Street (eastbound parade route).
• “N” Street from W 18th Street through W 19th Street to the park at W 20th Street (northbound parade route).
• The parade will conclude at the park on W 20th Street.
The 2026 Christmas Parade staging area will be on “H” Street between W Main St and W 18th St, W 18th St from “G” St to Canal Street, and “K” Street from W 18th St to W 19th Street. 12:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. The staging area will be opened to traffic after the parade is cleared from the staging area. The Christmas Parade will commence at 2:00 P.M. from Main Street and “H” Street, going west bound on West Main Street to “O” Street. West Main Street and side streets off West Main Street will be opened to traffic at the conclusion of the Christmas Parade at the conclusion of the parade. West Main Street from “K” Street to “M" Street, Canal Street from W Main to the alley to the North will remain closed until completion of the tree lighting ceremony, which is anticipated to occur between 6:30 P.M. and 7:00 P.M.
The Merced Police Department will provide traffic control services during this event. The Merced Police Department will station a Police Staff at the intersections of West Main Street and Martin Luther King Jr Way and West Main Street and “M” Street to allow traffic to flow north and south bound during the parade. The additional intersections will be staffed by Police Staff, and Police Explorers. 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 two (2) Police Sergeants, three (3) Traffic Officers, five (5) Police Community Service Officers, two (2) Police Officers, one (1) Parking Enforcement Officer and twenty (20) Police Explorer Scouts to conduct traffic control for this event.
The United Way of Merced County/Merced Christmas Collaborative will take full responsibility for notifying the businesses and residences along the parade route, providing ample notification of the event. The posting of No Parking signs, along the parade route and staging area, shall be done no less than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the event. The parade is expected to bring approximately 5,000 spectators.
Request for In-Kind Service Donation: The event organizers are also requesting in-kind services to be provided by the City of Merced including installation and removal of the Christmas Parade banner across G Street, street sweeping before and after the event, and special event refuse service. The items are detailed in Attachment 3.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
This funding is included in FY26/27 Police Budget.
The Merced Police Department will utilize approximately two (2) Police Sergeants, three (3) Traffic Officers, five (5) Police Community Service Officers, two (2) Police Officers, one (1) Parking Enforcement Officer and twenty (20) Police Explorer Scouts to conduct traffic control for this event.
Cost to Police Department budget:
Staff on regular duty time:
Staff on Overtime:
Sergeant (2) $152/hr for 10 hours =$3040
Traffic Officers (3) $127/hr for 10 hours =$3810
Police Officers (2) $127/hr for 6 hours =$1524
Community Service Officers (1) $68/hr for 10 hours =$ 680
Community Service Officers (4) $68/hr for 6 hours =$1632
Parking Enforcement Officer (1) $52/hr of 10 hours =$ 520
Total cost $11,206
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2026 Christmas Parade Street Closure Application
2. 2026 Christmas Parade Map of Parade Route
3. 2026 Christmas Parade Donation Request City of Merced
4. 2026 Christmas Parade Sponsorship Letter