Report Prepared by: Daniel Dabney, Lieutenant Merced Police Department
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of Street Closure Request Submitted by Merced County for the 2021 Annual Veterans Day Reverse Parade on November 11, 2021 From 8:00 A.M. Until 5:00 P.M.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers Merced County’s request for approval of the use of City streets and Bob Hart Square on Thursday November 11, 2021 for the Veterans Day Reverse Parade. The request seeks approval to close W. Main Street, between G Street to M Street, including Bob Hart Square, on Thursday, November 11, 2021 from 8:00 A.M. through 5:00 P.M.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion approving the street closures of east bound traffic on West Main Street, from M Street to G Street, including Bob Hart Square, from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. on Thursday, November 11, 2021, subject to the details and conditions outlined in the administrative report.
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
AUTHORITY
City of Merced Charter Section 200; California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 21101(e), as follows:
“CVC 21101. Local authorities, for those highways under their jurisdiction, may adopt rules and regulations by ordinance or resolution on the following matters:
(e) Temporarily closing a portion of any street for celebrations, parades, local special events, and other purposes when, in the opinion of local authorities having jurisdiction or a public officer or employee that the local authority designates by resolution, the closing is necessary for the safety and protection of person who are to use that portion of the street during the temporary closing.”
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2021-22 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
A request received from Merced County to close the following streets for the Veterans Day Reverse Parade:
• East bound West Main Street from M St to G St.
• Canal Street to thru traffic at West Main Street
• K Street to thru traffic at West Main Street
• Martin Luther King Jr. Way to thru traffic at West Main Street.
• I Street to thru traffic at West Main Street
• H Street to thru traffic at West Main Street
EVENT DESCRIPTION
Reverse Parade: State of California COVID-19 Guidelines prohibits the gathering of individuals for events and festivals. Typically, the sidewalks of Downtown Merced would be lined with hundreds of spectators watching the annual Veterans Day Parade. As an alternative, many communities are holding parades in a format known as a “reverse parade.” In a reverse parade, the floats are stationary, and the onlookers pass by them.
For Merced’s Veterans Day Reverse Parade, participants will travel by car in a west to east direction on W. Main Street starting at M Street. Floats will be appropriately spaced lining the parking spaces along W. Main Street from M Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Once the participants pass through enjoying the floats and scenery, they will safely depart the event at G St.
STREET CLOSURE DETAILS
The 2021 Veterans Day Reverse Parade area will be on West Main Street between “M” Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way on Thursday, November 11, 2021. The time of the street closure will be as follows: West Main Street from “M” Street to “G” Street at 8:00 A.M. to 12 P.M. for clearing the roadway, staging and assembly. Ceremonies will begin at 12:00 P.M. with the Reverse Parade beginning at 1:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. All roadways will open at 5:00 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 5000 spectators.
The Merced Police Department will provide traffic control services during this event. The Merced Police Department will utilize approximately two (2) Police Sergeants, eight (8) Police Officers and approximately twenty (20) Police Explorer Scouts to conduct traffic control for this event.
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.
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
The 2021 Veterans Day Reverse 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 $500,000.00 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 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.
The Merced Parks and Recreation will take full responsibility for notifying the businesses and residences along the 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 event is expected to bring approximately 1,000 vehicle spectators.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Street Closure Application
2. Insurance Certificate
3. Route Map