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CC SR 20160503 03 - Fourth of July DisplayRANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT AGENDA DESCRIPTION: MEETING DATE: 05/03/2016 AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business Consideration and possible action regarding a Fourth of July fireworks display. RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION: (1) Direct Staff to not proceed with preparations for a 2016 Fourth of July fireworks display; and, (2) Direct Staff to proceed with preliminary preparations for a potential 2017 Fourth of July Fireworks show, including identification of potential sponsors. FISCAL IMPACT: None Amount Budgeted: None Additional Appropriation: None Account Number(s): None ORIGINATED BY: Matt Waters, Senior Administrative Analyst REVIEWED BY: Cory Linder, Director of Recreation and Parks. APPROVED BY: Doug Willmore, City Manager ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: A. April 19, 2016, Fireworks Staff Report and attachments (page A-1) B. Public Correspondence (page B-1) BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION: Following a request from Councilmember Misetich, Staff analyzed the possibility of a fireworks display and presented those findings at the April 19, 2016, Council meeting. Staff presented approximate costs ranging from $50,000-$65,000 for an ocean -based, barge -launched Fourth of July display. At the April 19th meeting, Council authorized the expenditure of a maximum of $30,000 of City funds for the event, and directed Staff to return on May 3rd with an update addressing concerns raised at the April 19th meeting including public notification, safety, costs, sponsorship, logistics and other issues. The display would take place approximately 1,000 feet off -shore. There would also be additional costs for staffing, security and logistics on -shore. Staff also reached out to the California Coastal Commission (Commission), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to assess the regulatory requirements. While there are a number of challenging logistical hurdles that would need to be addressed in a short period of time, Staff is recommending that the City not pursue a 1 Fourth of July fireworks display this year due to two primary reasons: 1) information recently received from Commission Staff indicating that approval for a fireworks display could not be obtained in time; and 2) the total cost of the event would be almost $65,000, which is approximately $35,000 above the City Council -authorized amount. Staff does not believe it likely that donors can be found to cover such a large amount within the next several weeks. These issues and other concerns are addressed in more rommiTaM Cost: The three (3) firework companies contacted by Staff indicated that they typically receive a 50% payment by the end of May for a Fourth of July fireworks show, with the balance due after the event (see table below). Firework Company Est. Cost for 18 -Min. Fireworks Display, incl. Barge P ro Spectacular $57,000 - $62,000 Fireworks America $55,000 - $65,000 Bay Fireworks $55,000 The fireworks display financial plan involved sponsorships to significantly reduce the City's financial exposure. The City approached both the Terranea Resort and Trump National Golf Club as potential co-sponsors. At this time, no sponsorships have been identified, so the entire cost of the fireworks display would be borne by the City. By comparison, the City's long-standing Fourth of July event has an established list of donors, but the funds generated each year is approximately $5,000 with additional in- kind donations such as shuttle buses provided by Los Angeles County. These donations fall far short of the amount needed for the added fireworks event. Additionally, pursuing donations for a fireworks component could negatively impact donations for the City's Fourth of July event itself. The Lomita Sheriff's Department provided the following recommended deployment estimate for traffic control and security: 14 Deputies $7,000 1 Sergeant $ 600 1 Lieutenant 600 Total $8,200 City Staff costs are estimated at $1,500 for assistance with traffic control, event management, and cleanup. The total estimated costs are listed below: Total Estimated Costs: Fireworks Display $55,000 min. City Staffing $1,500 Sheriff Expenses $8,200 Total: $64,700 2 Unless last-minute sponsors are identified, the cost to the City will be $64,700 which exceeds the $30,000 expenditure approved on April 19th by $34,700. However, if City Council does wish to proceed with preparations for a 2016 event, Staff can bring more - detailed cost estimates back at the May 17th City Council meeting. California Coastal Commission Coastal Development Permit Required: Staff indicated in its April 19th report that the timeline for obtaining a Coastal Development Permit (CDP)—including the exhaustion of all appeals—in order to book a fireworks contractor for a Fourth of July display this year would be challenging. Staff has been in communication with Commission Staff, requesting a letter of exemption from the Commission Executive Director. On April 21, 2016, Staff again reached out to Commission Staff to clarify whether or not a CDP would be required for this event. Based on prior conversations with Commission Staff, City Staff believed that an exemption might be issued, which would not require approval by the entire Commission. However, Commission Staff has subsequently indicated that a CDP would be required. This would need to be approved at the June 8th -10th California Coastal Commission meeting in Santa Barbara, and Commission Staff have advised the City that it is too late for such a request to be placed on the June agenda. Even if the City was able to have the issue considered and approved by the Commission in June, it would be too late to reliably enter into a contract with a fireworks company. Entering into a contract with a fireworks company in advance of Commission consideration, with the possibility that it would not be approved, would be financially unadvisable. Additional Regulatory/Permit Requirements Since the April 19th City Council meeting, Staff has continued to work with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Potential impacts on the two (2) Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) along the City's coastline may need to be addressed. Staff is not aware of any restriction imposed by the City MPAs (Attachment B) that would preclude City Council from approving or denying a fireworks display request. Even if potential locations are not within an MPA, Staff has been advised that biological surveys may be required to determine the potential impact and appropriateness of fireworks displays in any given area. Approval is also required from Los Angeles County Fire Department, United States Coast Guard, and the Federal Aviation Administration. Staff's understanding is that these approvals could still be obtained well before a final permit would need to be issued for this event. Location The original sites considered were directly off the coast from either the Terranea Resort or Trump National Golf Course, based on the premise that one of those businesses 3 would be a potential sponsor, given their coastal locations and stature in the community. Based on feedback from the April 19th meeting, locations off the coast from Abalone Cove Shoreline Park or the Point Vicente Interpretive Center were also considered as possible sites. Direct Public Notification If the event is approved, extensive public outreach will be conducted including multiple social media messages, banners, press releases, RPVty segments, and mayoral announcements at future City Council meetings. Additionally, mailed written notice will be provided to surrounding residents a minimum of fifteen (15) days prior to the event, The City's typical notification radius is five hundred feet (500'), measured from the property line nearest to the location of the display. In this case, however, notification would be expanded to one thousand feet (1,000') because of the potential adverse effect that loud, unexpected noises could have upon residents and their pets living adjacent to the event. It is Staff's intent that such notification would help mitigate any negative consequences for the fireworks display. Impact on Existing Fourth of July Event The City's long-running Fourth of July event is a major undertaking that requires significant Staff time, both in pre -planning and on the Fourth. This is a mandatory Staff day for all part-time Staff, either at the event or at other staffed park sites. Adding an additional event occurring several hours after the regular Fourth of July event would place a strain on staffing levels, and would likely require the use of outside contract services, the cost of which is unknown. Public Response Subsequent to Council's direction to seek public input on this item, Staff informed the public about the proposed fireworks display on April 20th via the City's website listserv, Nextdoor page and Facebook page, and well as posting information on the City's website "Spotlight." The majority of responses received by the City regarding the proposed fireworks display have been mainly negative. Emails are included as Public Correspondence in Attachment B. Major issues raised include: • Likelihood of fog and lack of visibility • Crowding • Anticipated large numbers of non-residents • Traffic and impacts upon limited access points into and out of the Peninsula • Cost • Liability concerns • Potential for illegal activities and unwanted partying • Will not deter people from using illegal fireworks/could increase their use • Lack of sufficient public notice • Better uses for City funds El • Potential impact on the Nature Preserve • Cleanup • Already enough public fireworks displays available locally • Impact of trash and fireworks debris in oceans • Would be a spectacular community event • Potential boon to local businesses • Patriotic display for the nation's birthday CONCLUSION: While most of the logistical hurdles facing this event could be successfully addressed in a timely fashion, the likely high financial cost to the City in the absence of identified sponsors, combined with the lack of Coastal Commission exempt status, are the primary reasons why Staff recommends that consideration of a fireworks display be continued until 2017. This would give ample lead time to obtain California Coastal Commission review and approval, address environmental concerns, and research possible sponsorship options to reduce the City's financial exposure. ALTERNATIVES: Based upon City Council discussion, the alternative actions available for the City Council's consideration include the following: Direct Staff to continue with preparations for a potential July 4, 2016, fireworks display, and report back to the City Council on May 17, 2016. 5 RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT AGENDA DESCRIPTION: MEETING DATE: 04/19/2016 AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business Consideration and possible action regarding a Fourth of July fireworks display. RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION: (1) Provide Staff with direction regarding a potential fireworks display on July 4, 2016. FISCAL IMPACT: None Amount Budgeted: None Additional Appropriation: None Account Number(s): None ORIGINATED BY: Matt Waters, Senior Administrative Analyst REVIEWED BY: Cory Linder, Director of Recreation and Parks- . f, APPROVED BY: Doug Willmore, City Manager.` .r1 ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: A. Municipal Code Section 8.08.020 -Fire Code Amended (page A-1) B. Marine Protected Areas Map (page B-1) BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION: The City of Rancho Palos Verdes has hosted an annual Fourth of July Celebration at Point Vicente Park/Civic Center for decades. This daytime event attracts several thousand residents and visitors each year, but has never included a nighttime fireworks display. The issue of hosting an over -the -ocean evening Fourth of July fireworks display, either at Point Vicente Park/Civic Center or some other location in the City, has been discussed over the years but has never come to fruition. Estimated Cost Following a request from Councilmember Misetich, Staff contacted several fireworks companies to determine approximate costs for an ocean -based, barge -launched Fourth of July display. Estimates for a display of approximately 15-25 minutes in duration range from $50,000 to $65,000, which includes the cost of renting a barge. The display would take place approximately 1,000 feet off -shore. Depending upon the location, there would likely be additional costs for staffing, security and logistics on -shore. Staff has contacted potential sponsorship partners to share or defray the overall cost of the event. While Staff is hopeful that full or substantial sponsorship of this event may be A-1 achievable, no sponsorship support has been solidified. If no sponsorship support is obtained, the show would either need to be cancelled or the City would need to bear its full cost. The firework companies contacted indicated that they typically receive a 50% payment by the end of May for a Fourth of July fireworks show, with the balance due after the event. Approval Process Even though the display would be launched over the ocean and therefore not on City property, it is subject to the City's Municipal Code Section 8.08.020 -Fire Code Amended (Attachment A). The Code requires that any fireworks display be approved by the City Council. The Code states that if the fireworks display can be made without danger or nuisance to the general public, then the City Council shall grant the permit; otherwise, it shall deny it. Approval is also required from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, United States Coast Guard, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These requirements are based on the Municipal Code's requirements and on staff's research into barge - launched fireworks displays. Staff has already reached out to these agencies to review the approval process. Typically, the selected fireworks company would obtain these permits. If approved, written notice will be provided to surrounding residents a minimum of fifteen (15) days prior to the event, The City's typical notification radius is five hundred feet (500') measured from the property line nearest to the location of the display. Notification is recommended because of the potential adverse effect that loud, unexpected noises could have on residents adjacent to the event and their pets. It is Staff's intent that such notification would help mitigate any negative consequences for the fireworks display. Depending upon the precise location of the fireworks display, potential impacts on the two (2) Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) along the City's coastline may need to be addressed'. Staff is not aware of any restriction imposed by the City MPAs (Attachment B) that would preclude City Council from approving or denying a fireworks display request. While much of the ocean off the City's coastline is not within an MPA, Staff has reached out to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for guidance. Staff has been advised that biological surveys may be required to determine the potential impact and appropriateness of fireworks displays in any given area. Staff has also contacted California Coastal Commission Staff to determine if a letter of exemption or a Coastal Development Permit will be required. The timeline for obtaining a Coastal Development Permit—including the exhaustion of all appeals—in order to book a fireworks contractor for a Fourth of July display this year would be challenging. The Point Vicente State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) and the Abalone Cove SMCA were established in 2011 as a part of the implementation of the 1999 Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA). A-2 ALTERNATIVES: Based upon City Council discussion, the alternative actions available for the City Council's consideration include the following: 1. Direct Staff to proceed with preparations for a potential July 4, 2016, fireworks display, and continue to seek out potential sponsors/co- sponsors. 2. Direct Staff to not proceed with preparations for a potential July 4, 2016, fireworks display. A-3 4/12/2016 Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Code of Ordinances 8.08.020 - Fire code amended. A. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8.08.010, Section 101.1 is amended to read: 101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Fire Code of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, hereinafter referred to as "this code." B. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8.08.010, Section 503.4.1 is amended to read: 503.4.1 Traffic calming devices. Traffic calming devices that alter City -owned streets and rights-of- way, including, but not limited to, speed bumps and speed humps, shall be prohibited, unless approved by the City Council, after having received a recommendation from the fire code official. Traffic calming devices, including, but not limited to, speed bumps and speed humps, that are located on private streets or property shall be prohibited, unless approved by the fire code official. C. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8.08.010, Section 5608.1.2 is added to the fire code to read: 5608.1.2 Displays. Permits are required from the City to conduct a fireworks display. The City Council shall have the power to adopt reasonable rules and regulations for the granting of permits for supervised public displays of fireworks by the municipality, fair associations, amusement parks or other organizations. Every such display shall be handled by a competent operator approved by the City Council, and shall be of such character and so located, discharged or fired as in the opinion of the City Council after proper investigation, so as not to be hazardous to property or endanger any person. Applications for permits shall be made in writing to the Fire Chief not less than thirty days in advance of the date of display or other use. The Fire Chief shall within ten days after receipt of said application make a report and recommendation to the City Council. If the City Council finds that such display can be made without danger or nuisance to the general public, it shall grant the permit; otherwise it shall deny it. If the City Council finds that such display as applied for may create danger or nuisance to the public, but that if displayed subject to conditions may not create such danger or nuisance, it shall grant the permit subject to conditions. After such permit is granted, sale, possession, use and distribution of fireworks for such display subject to the conditions of this Chapter and such other conditions, if any, as may be imposed by the City Council, is lawful for the purpose only for which such permit is granted. In all cases the decision of the City Council shall be final. D. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8.08.010, Section 5608.1.3 is added to read: 5608.1.3 Insurance. The permittee shall furnish a certificate of insurance in an amount deemed adequate by the City Council for the payment of all damages which may be caused either to a person or persons or to property by reason of the permitted display, and arising from any acts of the permittee, his agents, employees or subcontractors. The policy shall provide limits of bodily injury and property damage liability of not less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) combined single limits for each occurrence annually. The policy may have a deductible not to exceed fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000). A deductible in excess of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) may be permitted provided a security deposit, such as, but not limited to, a surety bond, pledge of assets or bank letter of credit covering the value of the excess is approved by the City Council. https://www.municode.com/library/calrancho_palos verdes/codes/code_of ordinances?nodeld=TIT8HESA_CH8.08FICO-8.08.020FICOAM A-4 1/2 4/12/2016 Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Code of Ordinances The certificate of insurance shall provide that the insurer will not cancel the insured's coverage without fifteen (15) days prior written notice to the City, that the City shall not be responsible for any premium or assessments on the policy, and that the duly licensed pyrotechnic operator required by law to supervise and discharge the display, acting either as an employee of the insured or as an independent contractor and the City, its officers, agents, and employees are included as additional insureds, insofar as any operations under this Section are concerned. (Ord. No. 558, § 1, 9-2-14) https://www.municode.com/library/calrancho_palos verdes/codes/code_of ordinances?nodeld=TIT8HESA_CH8.08FICO-8.08.020FICOAM A-5 2/2 33144.8001 N Santa Monica Bay 0 Harbor City Q Palos Verdes Estates 0 Lomita L107) Rolling Hills. Estates T Rancho Palos Verdes Q m W 33" 44.190'N 33" 44.240'N 118" 23.800",.W 118" 22.500 VV 0 San Pe w 35 1 J�k25th St f N 6w Wil PmjectionInfo vnAion d 1 2 I]ecembeormatb 1 WorldMereaior ��77 ��}y��yy��yy 1 ■ 1 ■ IStawteMiles �;�L��VUV NauticaI Miles ito rcampleteMPAinfo-rms. nfase WGS 1984 Wgift bo-u:dari.i and regulations, please go- g 0 1 2 htt :ifnvn. avlrcl a Scale( representative fractlo n) ac^_urate onlj when printed at 8.5'x11" Matt Waters From: Kit Fox Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 9:30 AM To: Cory Linder; Matt Waters Subject: FW: 4 th of July FYI Kit Fox, AICP City of Rancho Palos Verdes (310) 544-5226 kitf@rpvca.gov -----Original Message ----- From: G_ZITPA [mailto:gzitpa@gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2016 10:23 PM To: CC <CC@rpvca.gov>; cc@rpv.ca.gov Subject: 4 th of July watching a part of your debates and having lived here only since 19711 will predict a perfect foggy night on the 4th of July 2016 As Matt Waters From: Kit Fox Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 7:34 PM To: Matt Waters; Daniel Trautner; Cory Linder Subject: Fw: Fireworks FYI Kit Sent using OWA for iPad From: Noel Park <noelparkone@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 7:26:36 PM To: CC; John Freeman Subject: Fireworks This is in response to a list serve email received today. I am not in favor of spending ANY City funds for a fireworks display, less still $50,000 to $65,000. It seems like restating the obvious to say that we have many competing uses for scarce dollars, many of which would create some sort of lasting value for our community. Planting some trees in the long empty planters in the median of Hawthorne Blvd. springs to mind for a start. If someone wants to sponsor it, I guess that's OK. But frankly, blowing $50K+ on a 25 minute fireworks show seems pretty wasteful to me, no matter who is paying for it. Noel Park 6715 El Rodeo Road RPV 90275 (562) 413-5147 Matt Waters From: PVTurners <pvturners@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 9:29 PM To: Matt Waters Subject: Fwd: Opposition to Proposed 4th of July Fireworks Display -- Public Hearing Required Matt: Below is a message I sent to the City Council this evening expressing my opposition to the fireworks proposal. Michael Turner 213-400-0760 (cell) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: PV Turners <1?Vturners6gmail.com> Date: Wed, Apr 20, 2016 at 6:26 PM Subject: Opposition to Proposed 4th of July Fireworks Display -- Public Hearing Required To: susan.brooks r vca., bran.campbellMvca.gov, ierry.duhovic rpyca.ov, ken.dyd r2vca.gov, anthony.misetich@,rpvca.gov Cc: cc c,rpvca.gov Dear Mayor and City Council: I write in opposition to the proposal to hold an offshore 4th of July fireworks display. It is a horrible idea. I oppose the proposal for the following reasons: 1. Crowds — This proposed event will bring thousands of non-residents to RPV. People love to come to the Peninsula. For many non-residents, it is quite a treat to come to our beautiful, non -congested city. This event will become known and will become a destination for many non-residents. Because sight lines will be good and the display will be visible from many parts of the Peninsula, it will be difficult to monitor and control the crowds that will come to the many places on the Peninsula from where the display would be visible. With so few public fireworks displays in the South Bay, non- residents will flock to the Peninsula. Also, the novelty of this being the first such show in Palos Verdes will further attract many non-residents. 2. Traffic — With crowds come traffic. Our roads are small and in some cases, a single lane. The Peninsula is one giant "pinch point" for crowds and traffic. It will be a traffic nightmare. Even with all of the city's resources deployed it will be a nightmare. 3. Cost — We will need hundreds of sheriffs to control the crowd and traffic. Clean-up. Bathrooms. Trash. Liability. Even if you find sponsorship it will cost the city money. It is already wasting valuable staff time on exploring the idea. I don't want my tax dollars spent on this issue. 4. Risk — The City will be exposed to claims from attendees who get injured on city property. It will be dark. It will be crowded. People will trip and fall. They will sue the city. It will happen. 5. Illegal activity - with the crowds will come people who want to "party" before, during and after the display and engage in other illegal activity. There will be conflicts over parking and other issues. There will be fights. People will get hurt. People have been murdered at the Wilson Park display and at the former Santa Monica fireworks display over trivial disputes. Regarding the cancellation of the Santa Monica fireworks show, see: mittwww.smmirror.com articles Santa - Mon ica- Pier/ Problems -in- the -Past- Keep-Firewo rks-Out-of-Santa-Monica-Today anta-Monica-Pier/Problems-in-the-Past-Keep-Fireworks-Out-of-Santa-Monica-Today 2 2 where the author wrote, "For 25 years, the City put on a fireworks show on the pier, and people would come from all over Los Angeles — bringing with them all sorts of problems.... A report in the Santa Monica Observer from 1986, the last year fireworks were held on the pier, cited some 200 fights, M9 including 12 felony assaults, and two gang -related shootings, one of which resulted in the death of a 16 -year-old boy. The report also describes brushfires from illegal fireworks and unprecedented gridlock as 500 thousand people flocked into Santa Monica. Streets, alleys, the freeway, and the Pacific Coast Highway were all filled with cars, which prohibited ambulances, fire trucks, and police from getting anywhere. Lt. Trisler described how the only way to attempt to manage such chaos was to strategically station medical emergency personnel in various locations because the roads were at a standstill. "Drinking and fireworks violations on the beach and on the Santa Monica Pier were so blatant by 8:30 p.m. that `enforcement was impossible,"' the Observer quoted then -City Manager John Jalili, who reported this to the city council shortly after the 1986 festivities. The story went on to note that "during peak hours the stretched thin, police force, gave up trying to handle misdemeanor crimes, such as burglaries and fights, in order to attend to the more -dangerous felonies." Regarding the problems with a privately -funded fireworks display held off ofTorrance Beach display, see this article http://www.whittieudailynews.com/article/ZZ/2013_0702/NEWS/130709064 where the author noted, "Last year [2012] patrolling officers broke up fights, dealt with heavy traffic and parking issues and issued citations for the illegal consumption of alcohol and the setting off of fireworks on the beach, said police Sgt. Chris Roosen of community affairs." "Torrance cited the $150,00o expense [in 2011 dollars] of its fireworks show in canceling the annual Fourth of July event at Wilson Park, which typically drew crowds from all over the South Bay." h=-J/Nvwv v.xnercur- news-corn/california jci 18217792 We will have the same problems on the Peninsula. We should learn from the experiences of Santa Monica, Torrance and other cities which no longer have fireworks displays. There is a reason why. 6. No benefits to RPV residents - the fireworks display will not benefit RPV residents. Residents will not want to battle the crowds and traffic to see 10-15 minutes of fireworks. Some may be able to see it from where they live, but for those few residents, 10-15 minutes of " 000hs" and "ahhhs" for those who can see it does not justify the cost, inconvenience and risk. 7. The Marathon is not a proper analogy. People don't flock to marathons. Marathons are not at night, when it is harder to see/patrol/enforce laws, control crowds. 8. Not unpatriotic — I love fireworks, but RPV is not a good place to do this. It is not unpatriotic to oppose a fireworks display on our country's birthday when it will not be safe, will be expensive and will negatively impact residents. 9. No Deterrence — It will not deter people from using illegal fireworks. People set off there own fireworks not because there are no public fireworks displays. They do it because it is fun and they want to set off fireworks. Having fireworks shoot off of a barge will not deter people from setting off their own fireworks. lo. Timing — Why is this being brought up on such short/no notice? The 4th of July happens fairly predictably every year. Why is this idea being proposed less than three months before the event? This is not something that can be properly planned and executed in such a short time, nor should it be. 11. Public Hearing required — This is a big deal. Councilman Misetich is trying to rush this through without a proper public hearing. Why? What is the rush? A public hearing should be held. This is a bad idea. Please don't approve this well -intended, but misguided, proposal. I am sure that if the residents of RPV were aware that this is being considered, that they will overwhelmingly oppose it. Give them a chance to speak their minds. Thank you. Michael Turner 3 Avenida de Rosa Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90274 (213) 40o-o76o (cell) Matt Waters From: Nelsongang <nelsongang@aol.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 10:02 PM To: Matt Waters; thaack@destinationhotels.com Subject: Fwd: City exploring Fourth of July Fireworks Display Matt, copy Terri Haack (CEO: Terranea Resort) In response to city email re Council debating 4th of July Fireworks (below), Sandie and I are 100% in favor of July 4th fireworks using a barge probably between Trump and Terranea. The previous fireworks we saw related to a wedding at Terranea and were spectacular and a delight! Urge you keep pushing to make this a done deal. If so, we know future years will be a shoo in. If you are looking for community groups to participate we would look no further than Terranea and, in return, do it off their shore. The add'I impact to their July 4th business could be considerable and they have a staff fully capable of making that estimate and participation decision. Therefore, you might inquire re interest in coming onboard. Bob and Sandie Nelson 6612 Channelview Court -----Original Message ----- From: City of Rancho Palos Verdes To: nelsongang <nelsongang@aol.com> Sent: Wed, Apr 20, 2016 3:09 pm Subject: City exploring Fourth of July Fireworks Display View this in Your browser The City of Rancho Palos Verdes is exploring a coastal fireworks display on July 4th. A precise location has not been determined. The City Council discussed this matter at its April 19, 2016 meeting ( click here to see attached Staff Report) and directed staff to do additional research on the feasibility and logistics of a fireworks display. The City Council will address this matter again at its May 3, 2016 meeting. For more information, please contact Recreation and Parks Senior Analyst Matt Waters at mattw@rpvca.gov or at 310-544-5218. The May 3, 2016 City Council Meeting begins at 7pm at Fred Hesse Jr. Community Park 29301 Hawthorne Blvd, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. AN Matt Waters From: Kit Fox Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 7:00 PM To: Matt Waters; Daniel Trautner; Cory Linder Subject: Fw: Opposition to Proposed 4th of July Fireworks Display -- Public Hearing Required From: PV Turners <pvturners@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 6:26 PM To: Susan Brooks; Brian Campbell; Jerry Duhovic; Ken Dyda; Anthony Misetich Cc: CC Subject: Opposition to Proposed 4th of July Fireworks Display -- Public Hearing Required Dear Mayor and City Council: I write in opposition to the proposal to hold an offshore 4th of July fireworks display. It is a horrible idea. I oppose the proposal for the following reasons: 1. Crowds — This proposed event will bring thousands of non-residents to RPV. People love to come to the Peninsula. For many non-residents, it is quite a treat to come to our beautiful, non -congested city. This event will become known and will become a destination for many non-residents. Because sight lines will be good and the display will be visible from many parts of the Peninsula, it will be difficult to monitor and control the crowds that will come to the many places on the Peninsula from where the display would be visible. With so few public fireworks displays in the South Bay, non- residents will flock to the Peninsula. Also, the novelty of this being the first such show in Palos Verdes will further attract many non-residents. 2. Traffic — With crowds come traffic. Our roads are small and in some cases, a single lane. The Peninsula is one giant "pinch point" for crowds and traffic. It will be a traffic nightmare. Even with all of the city's resources deployed it will be a nightmare. 3. Cost — We will need hundreds of sheriffs to control the crowd and traffic. Clean-up. Bathrooms. Trash. Liability. Even if you find sponsorship it will cost the city money. It is already wasting valuable staff time on exploring the idea. I don't want my tax dollars spent on this issue. 4. Risk — The City will be exposed to claims from attendees who get injured on city property. It will be dark. It will be crowded. People will trip and fall. They will sue the city. It will happen. 5. Illegal activity - with the crowds will come people who want to "party" before, during and after the display and engage in other illegal activity. There will be conflicts over parking and other issues. There will be fights. People will get hurt. People have been murdered at the Wilson Park display and at the former Santa Monica fireworks display over trivial disputes. Regarding the cancellation of the Santa Monica fireworks show, see: http:I jwww.smmirroncom I articles/ Santa - Mo nica- Pierl Pro blems-in-the- Past- Keep- Fireworl<s-Out-of-Santa- Monica -Today/ 32429 where the author wrote, "For 25 years, the City put on a fireworks show on the pier, and people would come from all over Los Angeles — bringing with them all sorts of problems.... A report in the Santa Monica Observer from 1986, the last year fireworks were held on the pier, cited some 200 fights, including 12 felony assaults, and two gang -related shootings, one of which resulted in the death of a 16 -year-old boy. The report also describes brushfires from illegal fireworks AM and unprecedented gridlock as 500 thousand people flocked into Santa Monica. Streets, alleys, the freeway, and the Pacific Coast Highway were all filled with cars, which prohibited ambulances, fire trucks, and police from getting anywhere. Lt. Trisler described how the only way to attempt to manage such chaos was to strategically station medical emergency personnel in various locations because the roads were at a standstill. "Drinking and fireworks violations on the beach and on the Santa Monica Pier were so blatant by 8:30 p.m. that `enforcement was impossible,"' the Observer quoted then -City Manager John Jalili, who reported this to the city council shortly after the 1986 festivities. The story went on to note that "during peak hours the stretched thin, police force, gave up trying to handle misdemeanor crimes, such as burglaries and fights, in order to attend to the more -dangerous felonies." Regarding the problems with a privately -funded fireworks display held off offorrance Beach display, see this article htt: www.whitt erdail news.com article LZ 201,10702/ NEWS 13o7o9064 where the author noted, "Last year [2012] patrolling officers broke up fights, dealt with heavy traffic and parking issues and issued citations for the illegal consumption of alcohol and the setting off of fireworks on the beach, said police Sgt. Chris Roosen of community affairs." "Torrance cited the $150,00o expense [in 2011 dollars] of its fireworks show in canceling the annual Fourth of July event at Wilson Park, which typically drew crowds from all over the South Bay." hiti)://www.mercuUnews.com/california/ci 182127–q2 We will have the same problems on the Peninsula. We should learn from the experiences of Santa Monica, Torrance and other cities which no longer have fireworks displays. There is a reason why. 6. No benefits to RPV residents - the fireworks display will not benefit RPV residents. Residents will not want to battle the crowds and traffic to see 10-15 minutes of fireworks. Some may be able to see it from where they live, but for those few residents, 10-15 minutes of " 000hs" and "ahhhs" for those who can see it does not justify the cost, inconvenience and risk. 7. The Marathon is not a proper analogy. People don't flock to marathons. Marathons are not at night, when it is harder to see/patrol/enforce laws, control crowds. 8. Not unpatriotic — I love fireworks, but RPV is not a good place to do this. It is not unpatriotic to oppose a fireworks display on our country's birthday when it will not be safe, will be expensive and will negatively impact residents. 9. No Deterrence — It will not deter people from using illegal fireworks. People set off there own fireworks not because there are no public fireworks displays. They do it because it is fun and they want to set off fireworks. Having fireworks shoot off of a barge will not deter people from setting off their own fireworks. 10. Timing — Why is this being brought up on such short/no notice? The 4th of July happens fairly predictably every year. Why is this idea being proposed less than three months before the event? This is not something that can be properly planned and executed in such a short time, nor should it be. 11. Public Hearing required — This is a big deal. Councilman Misetich is trying to rush this through without a proper public hearing. Why? What is the rush? A public hearing should be held. This is a bad idea. Please don't approve this well -intended, but misguided, proposal. I am sure that if the residents of RPV were aware that this is being considered, that they will overwhelmingly oppose it. Give them a chance to speak their minds. Thank you. Michael Turner 3 Avenida de Rosa Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90274 (213) 400-076o (cell) Matt Waters From: Katie Lozano Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2016 10:37 AM To: Matt Waters Cc: Cory Linder Subject: FW: City exploring Fourth of July Fireworks FYI From: cicoriae@aol.com [mailto:cicoriae@aol.com] Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2016 10:32 AM To: Katie Lozano <KatieL@rpvca.gov>; Cory Linder <CoryL@rpvca.gov> Cc: avona@pvplc.org; amohan@pvplc.org; barbailor@gmail.com; swensonsathome@aol.com Subject: Fwd: City exploring Fourth of July Fireworks Hi Cory and Katie, If the City goes forward with this July 4 fireworks plan, please consider the potential impacts to the Preserve lands. There are things that need to be thought through, because you can bet that members of the public far and wide will foresee an opportunity to view the offshore display from the hills --on and off trail. It sounds fun, actually, but for the impacts --I foresee a big mess during and afterwards. Have you ever seen Torrance Beach the morning after the fireworks off that city's coastline? While the Preserve will likely still be "open" when the fireworks start, since the norm for public fireworks displays to start is within an hour after sunset, will people be ushered out in the middle of the show? Will the Preserve be closed early on the 4th, so people aren't already in? And how early, since people tend to set up for such things well in advance of the show itself? And where will people be allowed to set up and how will that be enforced? In any case, the City should be prepared to have staff and sheriff at every possible Preserve entry point as well as roaming the trails. Eva -----Original Message ----- From: City of Rancho Palos Verdes <Iistservocivicplus.com> To: cicoriae <cicoriae@aol.com> Sent: Wed, Apr 20, 2016 3:01 pm Subject: City exploring Fourth of July Fireworks View this in your browser The City of Rancho Palos Verdes is exploring a coastal fireworks display on July 4th. A precise location has not been determined. The City Council discussed this matter at its April 19, 2016 meeting ( click here to see attached Staff Report) and directed staff to do additional research on the feasibility and logistics of a fireworks display. The City Council will address this matter again at its May 3, 2016 meeting. For more information, please contact Recreation and Parks Senior Analyst Matt Waters at mattw .rpvca.gov or at 310-544-5218. The May 3, 2016 City Council Meeting begins at 7pm at Fred Hesse Jr. Community Park 29301 Hawthorne Blvd, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. This message is been sent by the City of Rancho Palos Verdes as part of a "Notify Me" Listserve category you are signed up for. Please do not press "reply" when responding to this message, it is an unmonitored email address. You can make changes to your subscription by visiting http://www,rpvca.gov/list.aspx. You are receiving this message because you are subscribed to Breaking News on www.rpvca.gov. To unsubscribe, click the following link: http://www.rpvca-gov/list.aspx?mode=manage&Email=cicoriae(6-aol.com If clicking the link doesn't work, please copy and paste the link into your browser. B-11 Matt Waters From: Kit Fox Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2016 2:17 PM To: Matt Waters; Daniel Trautner; Cory Linder Subject: Fw: 4th of July fireworks display. NO FYI Kit Sent using OWA for iPhone From: Yvetta Williams <yvetta2@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2016 9:51:25 AM To: CC Subject: 4th of July fireworks display. NO It is not needed. The trash from the fireworks will fall in the ocean and wash to shore. We do not need more trash in the ocean. There are SO MANY firework shows on the 4th and almost every week end night that can be seen from the East side of the hill. Why spend that money. Ladera Linda could use the money to repair some of the water issues. PVIC NEEDS Ladera Linda facility as no storage was given to PVIC for the museum. Fire works is a waste of money. In the plan for Lower Pt. Vicente there has to be restrooms and running water, Please put that money there. We do not need fireworks to mess up RPV and the ocean. PLEASE rethink this. Yvetta Williams 1 B-12 Matt Waters From: Sent: To: Subject: resident Yours, Sylvia Macia Shafiezadeh syl mac <macsyl202O@yahoo.com> Friday, April 22, 2016 9:31 AM Matt Waters 4th f july fireworks YES YES YES we would love to have such a community building event let me know how i can support this effort Sent by my mind via The Force B-13 Matt Waters From: Kit Fox Sent: Friday, April 22, 2016 3:14 PM To: Matt Waters; Daniel Trautner; Cory Linder Subject: Fw: Fireworks Display Considerations FYI Kit Sent using OWA for iPhone From: Rick Anchan <anchanrj@cox.net> Sent: Friday, April 22, 2016 2:39:44 PM To: CC Subject: Fireworks Display Considerations Dear Council Members I would like to provide my comments and recommendation concerning the proposed July 4th fireworks display in RPV. First of all, no one likes fireworks more than me. I grew up with them and always enjoyed the displays in the area. However, there are several compelling reasons why NOT to do this as a city: 1. Traffic — we enjoy the serenity of our community partly because there are limited means of egress into the area. Having a large number of people driving into the area on the 4th, an already busy day because of the wonderful outdoor opportunities our community provides would put an unnecessary burden on the residents and our city services. 2. Terrain — While the proposed fireworks display would be off shore on a barge, my experience is that people who come to watch fireworks also like to have their own mini display, using bottle rockets, etc. While these are illegal, every year we see and hear them. With our dry hillsides prone to fire, this creates an unnecessary risk. 3. Additional costs. While the cost of the display may be 50-75,000 the additional costs of police and fire, trash, etc will add another significant amount. Many of us already can see the displays from Long Beach and other communities. Please do not approve this measure and help us keep our community safe and sane during the July 4 holiday. Thanks Rick Anchan Matt Waters From: Mickey Rodich <mickeyrodich@gmail.com> Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2016 5:55 PM To: Matt Waters; CC Subject: Fireworks Display on July 4th Being a resident of Ladera Linda, I want to make you aware that I and most all residents of Ladera Linda ( LLHOA held its Annual Meeting on April 21, 2016 and everyone present was against a fireworks display from a barge at Terranea or Trump) are against any fireworks display in our City. We must be careful what we wish for. It is a terrible idea that will cause many serious problems for our City no matter who pays for the display. I attend many CC meetings and I hear about all of the problems associated with Sacred Cove, the 10 foot dia. storm drain pipe at Narcissa Road, the 12,000 member Santa Monica Hiking Club's hike last year from Ladera Linda to Sacred Cove , Golden Cove and Terranea and all of the Social Media that goes along with it. A fireworks display would be patriotic, but it would cause many problems for our City: 1) It would draw thousands of people, most from out of our area. 2) It would require a LARGE police presence that would be expensive. 3) It will draw a criminal element and give them access to opportunities in our City. 4) It would create a huge traffic jam. 5) It would create a major parking problem because our coastline has limited parking spaces. Think of Abalone Cove problems with Sacred Cove Parking. 6) It would create a huge trash problem. Cleanup will be a big job. 7) It would provide a party atmosphere. Think of the problems with the 10 foot dia. storm drain pipe on Narcissa Dr. Another issue would be the weather. We have lived in Ladera Linda for over 45 years and when Marineland was here, they had July 4th fireworks displays. Seven out of 10 years there was a fog bank that blocked us all from seeing their display. Therefore I am against a July 4th fireworks display. As I said before "Be careful what we wish for". B-15 (/city/create_post/) (/city/fee8/'ity of Rancho Palos Verdes eate post (/city/create_post/) Home (/city/feed/) Inbox (/city/inbox/) Map & Metrics (/city/m... Invite residents (/city/... Events (/events/cafe... AGENCY Directory (/city/directory/) Add staff members (/city... HELP Help center (https://agen... © Nextdoor 2016 About (/about/) Blog (https:Hblog.nextdoor.com) Terms of Service (/agency_agreement/) (/picQVlCpD)scussion of Possible July 4th Fireworks Display (/news_feed/? post=24277227) 5d ago Senior Administrative Analyst Kit Fox (/profile/3489903) from City of Rancho Palos Verdes The City of Rancho Palos Verdes is exploring the possibility of an offshore fireworks display on July 4th. A precise location for such a display has not yet been determined. The City Council discussed this matter at its April 19th meeting (click http://www.rpvca.gov/DocumentCenter/View... (http://www.rpvca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8467) for the Staff report), and directed Staff to do additional research on the feasibility and logistics of a presenting a July 4th fireworks display. The City Council will review this matter again at its May 3rd meeting, which will be held at 7:00 PM in McTaggart Hall at Fred Hesse, Jr. Community Park, located at 29301 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. For more information, please contact Recreation & Parks Department Senior Administrative Analyst Matt Waters at mattw@rpvca.gov (mailto:mattw@rpvca.gov) or (310) 544-5218. Edited 5d ago - Shared with City of Rancho Palos Verdes in General REPLY 21 Kelly, Jennifer, Ema, and 7 others thanked you Suzanne G. from Point Vicente 5d ago Wow! That would be stupendous! The last time I saw a professional fireworks show in Rancho Palos Verdes was probably in the late 1960s at Marineland (now Terranea). Thank Remove Kelly, Christine, and Ginger thanked Suzanne Kit Anu S. from Palos Verdes Drive South 5d ago Air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, light pollution. Can't we entertain ourselves without the drama? Personally I moved here to escape all that. Thank Remove Ed, Michelle, and Ami thanked Anu Susan H. from Eastview 5d ago This would be doable! Have the fireworks sent from a barge just off the coast. No dry brush issue if done right. Thank Remove Marianne, Christine, Betty, and 1 other thanked Susan Larry H. from Point Vicente 5d ago Nice idea to bring the community together on a patriotic day! Thank Remove Marianne, Christine, Betty, and 1 other thanked Larry Co)Christine W. from Seaview 5d ago Thumbs up for the RPV Fireworks! i Thank Remove Ginger thanked Christine Nina S. from Mira Catalina 5d ago Great idea! Barge off Terenea? Easily viewed from lots of places! Thank Remove Ginger thanked Nina Suzanne G. from Point Vicente 5d ago The barge off Torrance Beach has been great the past few years. With that show you could view all the way from Bluff Cove and along the Esplanade. Has RPV thought about getting together with PVE and doing a similar show from about the same area? Since Jackie Briles just recently passed away, I'm not sure if there will be a barge off Torrance Beach this year. B-17 Thank Remove Christine thanked Suzanne Gail D. from Eastview 5d ago Awesome Thank Remove Ed H. from Seaview 5d ago HORRIBLE idea. There are plenty of places to see fireworks in Southern California. Anu is right, most people live here because of the seclusion and quiet. We'll have hundreds, if not thousands of people from outside the community crowding PV Drive South to see the show with the accompanying drinking, peeing, noise, trash and traffic. Google any combination of "fireworks, barge, pollution, accident," Thank Remove Anu, Karen, Betty, and 2 others thanked Ed Suzanne G. from Point Vicente 5d ago That's why I suggested doing something with PVE and the barge could be off the area were the Briles family has done theirs. Thank Remove Delanie thanked Suzanne Michelle L. from Friendship Park 4d ago In addition to the air pollution, noise pollution, and additional traffic, it seems like a horrible waste of my tax dollars when there are plenty of other coastal fireworks to view. Thank Remove Ed, Karen, and Ami thanked Michelle Ed H. from Seaview 4d ago o OH YEAH! Thanks Michelle! I FORGOT who's paying for the proposed fireworks.... Sorry Suzanne (and others who want this), but we've seen a rash of crime on the Peninsula lately and the last thing we need are MORE people coming into the area. Thank Remove Karen thanked Ed Suzanne G. from Point Vicente 4d ago 1 do understand your concerns. I do have to let the City know and it will probably please the ones who are voicing "no". FOG!! I've lived here all my life and I could probably count on one hand the number of times it has been clear on the peninsula- especially the Terranea/ Marineland side at night. So Mother Nature might've solved this issue for us all. Stephen K. from Seaview 4d ago Don't need it! Don't want it! There's no site where EVERY taxpayer can observe his/her funds going up in smoke.. Thank Remove Heather thanked Stephen Ginger F. from Palos Verdes Drive South 4d ago We should have fireworks!! Thank Remove Christine thanked Ginger Ed H. from Seaview 4d ago From the above link, "Estimates for a display of approximately 15-25 minutes in duration range from $50,000 to $65,000, which includes the cost of renting a barge. Depending upon the location, there would likely be additional costs for staffing, security and logistics on -shore." At the Ladera Linda HOA meeting last night, Mayor Dyda was asked why he voted to approve the fireworks and he said he only voted to have staff look further into the proposal. He said he was hearing numbers of $100,000 to $150,000 because of the staffing, logistics and security (additional Sheriff's deputies) and was not for it (at that cost). This idea was brought to us by the same RPV Park Staff (Matt Waters and Cory Linder) who brought us the brilliant idea of building a park (Gateway) on an ACTIVE land slide. Thank Remove Dorothea F. from South Shores 3d ago Can you imagine how better spent this money could be used?! Something that could improve the lives of the elderly in need?! Dot Thank Remove Tom B. from Los Verdes 3d ago "...fireworks have been a tradition of America's Fourth of July celebrations since the country's inception, with the founding fathers themselves seeing fireworks fit to mark the birth of their nation." Why We Watch Fireworks on the Fourth of July US News & World Report I'm OK with my tax dollars being spent celebrating the anniversary of this great nation. Thank Remove Christine and Ginger thanked Tom Delanie S. from Point Vicente 2d ago F I would LOVE the fireworks!!! Think it would be amazing for our kids!!! Thank Remove Connie S. from Los Verdes 2d ago �. Also, the barge fireworks is so much safer. I'm all for it. Thank Remove Marianne thanked Connie Karen S. from Country Club 2h ago ` My husband and I are NOT in support of RPV fireworks. I personally love fireworks and think it would be wonderful for our children to see but I agree with Ed Hummel. It is unfortunate that our formerly safe, B-20 serene, secluded neighborhood has been affected by an increase in crime. Let's not draw attention to our beautiful area by inviting others that will not respect it or our families like us residents do. Thank Remove Write a reply... B-21