Report Prepared by: Nathan McKinnon, Police Sergeant
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of the Use of City Owned Property Known as Parking Lot 6 From May 16, 2025 at 3:00 PM to May 17, 2025 at 11:00 P.M. Street Closures of West Main Street, From “H” Street to Martin Luther King Jr Way, on May 17, 2025 From 7:00 A.M. to May 17, 2025 at 11:00 P.M. A Rolling Road Closure for the Parade on May 17, 2025 From 12:00 P.M. to 2:00 PM on Martin Luther King Jr Way Between West Main Street and West 18th Street, West 18th Street Between Martin Luther King Jr Way and “H” Street, and “H” Street Between West 18th Street and West Main Street Submitted by Chris Bounlangsy with the Vatthanatham Lao Foundation for the 2025 Lao New Year Celebration, May 16, 2025, at 3:00 P.M. Through May 17, 2025, 11:00 P.M.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving to allow the use of City streets and City owned property on May 16th and May 17th, 2025, for the Lao New Year Celebration. The Street Closure Request includes West Main St, from “H” St to Martin Luther King Jr Way, a rolling street closure on May 17, 2025, to include Martin Luther King Jr Way, W 18th St and “H” St, and the use of City owned property known as Parking Lot 6.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion approving the use of City owned property know as Parking Lot 6 from May 16th, 2025 at 3:00 PM to May 17, 2025 at 11:00 P.M. Street closures of West Main St, from “H” St to Martin Luther King Jr Way, on May 17, 2025 from 7:00 A.M. until 11:00 P.M., A rolling road closure for the parade on May 17, 2025 from 12:00 P.M. to 3:00 PM on Martin Luther King Jr Way between W Main St and W 18th St, W 18th St between Martin Luther King Jr Way and “H” St, and “H” St between W 18th St and W Main St. Submitted by Chris Bounlangsy with the Vatthanatham Lao Foundation for the 2025 Lao New Year Celebration, May 16, 2025, at 3:00 P.M. thru May 17, 2025, 11:00 P.M.
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 consideration of specific items.
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 2024-2025 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
A request has been received from Chris Bounlangsy with the Vatthanatham Lao Foundation to close and use City owned property known as Parking Lot 6 located on the north side of W Main St adjacent to Bangkok Thai Restaurant. This would be used for seating and a stage for the event, starting on May 16, 2025, at 3:00 P.M. until May 17, 2025 at 11:00 P.M. There will be alcohol served in this location.
The closure of W Main St from “H” St to Martin Luther King Jr Way on May 17, 2025, at 7:00 A.M. to May 17, 2025 at 11:00 P.M.
A rolling road closure for the parade on May 17, 2025, from 12:00 P.M. to 2:00 PM on Martin Luther King Jr Way between W Main St and W 18th St, W 18th St between Martin Luther King Jr Way and “H” St, and “H” St between W 18th St and W Main St.
• City owned Property “Parking Lot 6” from May 16, 2025, at 3:00 P.M. to May 17, 2025, at 11:00 P.M.
• W Main St from “H” St to Martin Luther King Jr Way on May 17, 2025, at 7:00 A.M. to May 17, 2025 at 11:00 P.M.
A rolling road closure for the following streets:
• Matin Luther Kin Jr Way from W Main St to W 18th St
• W 18th St from Martin Luther King Jr Way to “H” St
• “H” St from W 18th St to W Main St
Vatthanatham Lao Foundation 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, reserve 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 two (2) Police Officers on Overtime and one (1) Police Officer on duty, to conduct traffic control for this event.
The 2025 Lao New Year Celebration 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 two (2) Police Officers on Overtime and one (1) Police Officer on duty, to conduct traffic control for this event.
Cost for Staffing
Traffic Officer 1 on Overtime (minimum 3 hours per contract) is $351.00
Traffic Officer 2 on Overtime (minimum 3 hours per contract) is $351.00
Officer on Duty 2 hours $120.00
Total cost for staffing is approximately $822.00. The cost for staffing is not recovered via the application fees or billed directly to the organizer but are paid from the General Fund.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2025 Lao New Year Celebration Street Closure Application
2. 2025 Lao New Year City-Owned Real Property Use Permit Application
3. 2025 Lao New Year Celebration Map
4. 2025 Lao New Year Insurance Certificate