Report Prepared by: Nathaniel McKinnon, Sergeant Merced Police Department
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of a Street Closure Request Submitted by Parks and Recreation Department for the 2021 Christmas Tree Lane Reverse Parade on December 4, 2021, from 12:00 P.M. Until 9:00 P.M.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers the Parks and Recreation Department’s request for approval of the use of City streets and the Bob Hart Square on Saturday, December 4, 2021 for the Christmas Tree Lane Reverse Parade. The request seeks approval to close West Main Street, between M Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Way, including Bob Hart Square, and Canal Street on Saturday, December 4, 2021 from 12:00 P.M. through 9:00 P.M. and close N Street, O Street, P Street, Q Street, and W 18th Street from M Street to Q Street on Saturday, December 4, 2021 from 4:00 P.M. through 9:00 PM.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion approving the street closures of east and west bound traffic on West Main Street, from Martin Luther King Jr. Way to M Street, including Bob Hart Square, Canal Street, from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM, on Saturday, December 4, 2021 and approving street closures of east bound traffic on W 18th Street from M Street to Q Street, north and south traffic from 16th Street to W 18th St on N Street, O Street, P Street, and Q Street from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, on Saturday, December 4, 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 Parks and Recreation to close the following streets for Christmas Tree Lane Reverse Parade:
• West bound West Main Street from Q St to Martin Luther King Jr. Way not including M St.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Way to thru traffic at West Main Street
• K Street to thru traffic at West Main Street
• Canal Street to thru traffic at West Main Street
• East bound W 18th Street from Q Street to M Street
• North and south N Street from West 16th Street to W 18th St
• North and south O Street from West 16th Street to W 18th St
• North and south P Street from West 16th Street to W 18th St
• North and south Q Street from West 16th Street to W 18th St
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 Downtown Christmas 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 Christmas Tree Lane Reverse Parade, participants will travel by car and enter the parade route entrance at M Street and West 18th Street, traveling west on West 18th St to Q Street. They will turn south on Q Street to West Main Street. They will turn east on West Main Street and travel to K Street. Floats will be appropriately spaced lining the parking spaces along W. Main Street from M Street to K Street. Once the participants pass through Christmas Tree Lane enjoying the floats and scenery, they will safely depart the event at Martin Luther King Jr. Way. A changeable message board will be placed on M Street between 18th Street and 19th Street advising Christmas Parade Route Entrance M Street and W.18th Street.
The co-organizers of the event are the City of Merced Parks and Recreation Department and the Merced Main Street Association. Typically, vendors and street performers would be part of event. To prevent gatherings, vendors and street performers will not be permitted to participate.
STREET CLOSURE DETAILS
The 2021 Christmas Tree Lane Reverse Parade area will be on West Main Street between “M” Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way from 12:00 P.M until 9:00 P.M. on Saturday, December 4, 2021.
West Main Street from M Street to Q Street, West 18th Street from M Street to Q Street. N Street between West 16th street and West 18th Street, O Street between West 16th street and West 18th Street, P Street between West 16th street and West 18th Street, Q Street between West 16th street and West 18th Street from 4:00 P.M until 9:00 P.M. on Saturday, December 4, 2021.
West Main Street from M Street to Martin Luther King Jr Way and side streets off West Main Street will be opened to traffic after the stationary floats are cleared.
West Main Street from M Street to Q Street, West 18th Street from M Street to Q Street. N Street between West 16th street and West 18th Street, O Street between West 16th Street and West 18th Street, P Street between West 16th street and West 18th Street, Q Street between West 16th street and West 18th Street we be open to all traffic at the 9:00 P.M.
The Merced Police Department will provide traffic control services during this event. The Merced Police Department will station a Police Officer at the intersections of West Main Street and “N” Street, West Main Street and Martin Luther King Jr Way, West Main Street and “K” Street and West Main St and Canal Street. 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, eight (8) Police Officers and approximately twenty (20) Police Explorer Scouts to conduct traffic control for this event. Changeable Message Boards signs will be used to advise traffic of entrance location.
No appropriation of funds is needed for this event.
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
The 2021 Christmas Tree Lane will be held subject to the following conditions:
1. Event sponsors shall furnish a certificate of liability insurance with coverage of no less than $1,000,000.00 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.
7. Event participants (floats) shall not be allowed to connect to City power outlets or other City-owned utilities and must provide their own quiet generator.
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.
The City of Merced is self-insured and will provide coverage for the event.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Map of parade route