Report Prepared by: Nathan McKinnon, Police Sergeant
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of Street Closure Request for East Main Street, West Main 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 Edward Skelton with the County of Merced for the 21st Annual Veterans Day Parade on November 11, 2025, from 9:00 A.M. Until 7:00 P.M.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving to allow the use of City streets on November 11th, 2025, for the Veteran’s Day Parade. The Street Closure Request includes East Main Street, West Main 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 approving the street closures of East Main Street, from “Calimyrna Avenue to G” Street; West Main Street, from “G” to Canal Streets; Canal Street from W. Main Street to West 18th Street; West 18th Street from Canal Street to “O” Street and “O” Street, from W. 18th Street to 20th 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 as requested by Edward Skelton, Merced County Veterans Services for the 21st Annual Veterans Day Parade on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
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 2025-2026 Adopted Budget. No additional funding request needed.
DISCUSSION
A request has been received from Edward Skelton, Merced County Veterans Office to close East Main Street, West Main Street, Canal Street, 18th Street and “O” Street for the 2025 Veterans Day Parade. The request is for the Merced Police Department to close the following streets:
• East Main Street from “Calimyrna Avenue to “G”
• “D” Street to thru traffic at E. Main Street
• “E” Street to thru traffic at E. Main Street
• “G” street to thru traffic at E. Main Street
• 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 (intermittently)
• “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 Tuesday, November 11, 2025, and the time of the street closure will be as follows: East Main Street from “G” Street to Calimyrna Avenue 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 P.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 5000 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 one (1) Police Sergeant, two (2) Traffic Officers, four (4) Police Community Service Officers, four (4) Police Officers, one (1) Parking Enforcement Officer and twenty (20) Police Explorer Scouts to conduct traffic control for this event.
The 2025 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, two (2) Traffic Officers, four (4) Police Community Service Officers, four (4) 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 hours:
• Sergeant (1) $90/hr for 10 hours = $900.
• Traffic Officers (2) $75/hr for 10 hours = $1,500
Staff on Overtime:
• Police Officers (4) $120/hr for 7 hours = $3,360
• Community Service Officers (1) $65/hr for 10 hours = $650
• Community Service Officers (3) $65/hr for 7 hours = $1,635
• Parking Enforcement Officer (1) $50/hr of 10 hours = $500
Total cost = $8,545
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2025 Veterans Parade Street Closure Application
2. 2025 Veterans Parade Bob Hart Square Use Application
3. 2025 Veterans Parade Route Map