Report Prepared by: Nathan McKinnon, Police Sergeant
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of the Use of City Owned Property Known as Parking Lot 6 from May 3rd, 2024 at 3:00 PM to May 5th, 2024 at 1:00 A.M. Street Closures of West Main Street, from “I” Street to “K” Street, on May 4th, 2024 from 6:00 A.M. to May 5th, 2024 at 1:00 A.M., West Main Street from “K” Street to Canal Street, and Canal Street from West Main Street to West 18th Street, on May 4th, 2024 from 11:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. for the Parade; the Remainder of the Parade will be a Rolling Street Closure Submitted by Alisak Sanavongsay with the Vatthanatham Lao Foundation for the 2024 Lao New Year Celebration, May 3rd, 2024, at 3:00 P.M. thru May 5th, 2024, 1:00 A.M.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving the use of City streets and City owned property on May 3rd and May 4th, 2024, for the Lao New Year Celebration. The Street Closure Request includes West Main St, from “I” St to “K” St, No Parking on W Main St from “K” St to Canal St, and Canal Street for W Main 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 known as Parking Lot 6 from May 3rd, 2024 at 3:00 PM to May 5th, 2024 at 1:00 A.M. Street closures of West Main St, from “I” St to “K” St, on May 4th, 2024 from 6:00 A.M. to May 5th, 2024 at 1:00 A.M., W Main St from “K” St to Canal St, and Canal Street from W Main St to W 18th St, on May 4th, 2024 from 11:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. for the parade. The remainder of the parade will be a rolling street closure. Submitted by Alisak Sanavongsay with the Vatthanatham Lao Foundation for the 2024 Lao New Year Celebration, May 3rd, 2024, at 3:00 P.M. thru May 5th, 2024, 1:00 A.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 2023-2024 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
A request has been received from Alisak Sanavongsay 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 3rd, 2024, at 3:00 P.M. until May 5th at 1:00 A.M.
The closure of W Main St from “I” St to “K” St on May 4th, 2024, at 6:00 A.M. to May 5th at 1:00 A.M.
The W Main St from “K” St to Canal St, and Canal Street from W Main St to W 18th St, on May 4th, 2024 from 11:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. for the parade. The remainder of the parade will be a rolling street closure. With the parade to start at 1:30: P.M. If the parade ends sooner than 3:00 P.M. Canal and W Main St from Canal to “K” St would be opened to traffic and parking prior to the 3:00 P.M. time.
The request is for the Merced Police Department to close the following streets and Parking Lot 6:
• City owned Property “Parking Lot 6” from May 3rd, 2024, at 3:00 P.M. to May 5th, 2024 at 1:00 A.M.
• W Main St from “I” St to “K” St on May 4th, 2024 at 6:00 A.M. to May 5th at 1:00 A.M.
A Street closure for the following streets on May 4th, 2024, from 11:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.:
• W Main St from “K” St to Canal St”
• Canal Street from W Main St to W 18th St
A rolling road closure for the following streets:
• W 18th St from Canal St to “I” St
• “I” 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 Sergeants, three (3) Police Officers, two (2) Parking Enforcement Officers and ten (10) Police Explorer Scouts to conduct traffic control for this event.
The 2024 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 Sergeants, three (3) Police Officers, two (2) Parking Enforcement Officers and ten (10) Police Explorer Scouts to conduct traffic control for this event.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2024 Lao New Year Celebration Street Closure Application
2. 2024 Lao New Year Celebration Map