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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Funding shortfall for Fourth of July fireworks display RESOLUTION NO. 14-374 RESOLUTION APPROVING FUNDING SHORTFALL REQUEST FROM YOUNG PROFESSIONALS OF AMES FOR FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS DISPLAY FOR THE CITY OF AMES,IOWA WHEREAS, the Young Professionals of Ames (YPA) plans to host the community's Independence Day fireworks display on July 3, 2014, with a rain date identified for July 5; and, WHEREAS, during the fireworks display,thousands of residents and visitors gather in the Jack Trice Stadium parking lots across from the fireworks launch site, and ISU has neither encouraged nor prohibited the public from using these lots as a viewing area; and, WHEREAS, following the 2013 fireworks display, the City received complaints from residents regarding the lack of traffic control at the conclusion of the fireworks display,and because of these complaints and due to the anticipated larger crowd for the sesquicentennial activities,City staff and ISU staff met with YPA on April 2; and, WHEREAS, City staff relayed the complaints that have been received and requested that YPA manage the fireworks as a comprehensive event, including making provisions for traffic control; and, WHEREAS,ISU staff indicated that it has had challenges with trash,alcohol consumption, and use of illegal fireworks in the lots during the display; and, WHEREAS, City staff requested that YPA pay for two community safety officers to help with traffic control on City streets after the event at a cost of$200, and ISU Police requested that YPA pay for four ISU patrol officers and two community safety officers at a cost of$1,000 to patrol the lots before, during, and after the display and to control traffic on ISU roads at the conclusion of the fireworks; and, WHEREAS,additionally,YPA was asked to consider renting portable toilets to place in the lots, since the only available restrooms in the area are located in Reiman Gardens, and City staff estimates eight to ten portable toilets dispersed throughout the lots would cost $500; and, WHEREAS, at that time, the YPA representative felt that these requests could be accommodated;however,staff was subsequently informed that YPA would not pay for the requested police staffing because it was not aware of these traffic control and portable toilet expenses at the time it applied for and received funding from the ACVB; and, WHEREAS, when it approached the ACVB for additional funds to cover these costs, it learned that the ACVB's allocation of grant funds available for such activities had already been exhausted, and City staff has been told that the ACVB would have considered the request to fund traffic control and toilets if it had come with YPA's original request to fund the fireworks; and, WHEREAS, regardless of the City Council's decision regarding the upcoming 4t' of July display, City staff believes that there would be benefit in having staff meet with YPA,ISU, and the ACVB to develop a plan for funding these services at future 4t' of July celebrations. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa, that funding from the 2014/15 Council Contingency Fund to pay for portable toilets($500)and the City portion of police costs ($200) for the Fourth of July Fireworks Display is hereby approved.. ADOPTED THIS 24th day of June, 2014. `Lfka , A610W Diane R. Voss, City Clerk Ann H. Campbell, Mayor Introduced by: Corrieri Seconded by: Orazem Voting aye: Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin, Goodman,Nelson, Orazem Voting nay: None Absent: None Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 241h day of June, 2014.