Title
Recommendation to Cancel the 2020 Fourth of July Parade to Avoid Mass Gatherings Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. (Recreation 280)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Alameda 4th of July Parade (Parade) is a community event that celebrates its 44th year in 2020 and draws 60,000 spectators. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns with mass gatherings and necessary social distancing, staff recommends canceling the 2020 Parade.
BACKGROUND
On January 7, 2020, the City Council approved funding and staffing for the City of Alameda (City) to coordinate the parade after the long-time volunteers of the Parade Foundation officially retired. Only two months later, the COVID-19 virus grew to become a pandemic and on March 31, 2020, the nine Bay Area counties, including Alameda County, implemented a Shelter in Place (SIP) order.
DISCUSSION
The Parade spans the length of Alameda Island and has an estimated 60,000 spectators. Given the extensive breadth of the COVID-19 pandemic and the strong need for social distancing to reduce the spread and impact of the virus, staff recommends canceling the Parade. With tens of thousands of people gathering across three miles of roadway, it would not be possible to maintain appropriate social distance of 6 feet between people. At his press briefing on April 14, Governor Newsome stated that possibility of mass gatherings through this summer is “unlikely” as the fight against COVID-19 continues.
The Parade also takes a significant amount of time and resources to coordinate. City staff has continued to research and coordinate a variety of aspects of the Parade during the SIP period. However, if the uncertainty and possibility of cancelation continues into late May or June, this leaves little time to complete the extensive coordination required for the Parade, including soliciting volunteers and local business sponsorships. A portion of the budget depends on business sponsorships and many, if not all, of these local businesses are facing financial struggles from the wide spread economic impact of the SIP order.
The Parade is a deeply rooted and well-established Alameda event but the safety of Alameda and Bay Area residents during this public health crisis is paramount. Staff intends to continue the Parade organizing and management when it is safe for our community.
ALTERNATIVES
The safety of our community is of utmost importance during this COVID-19 pandemic and therefore, staff does not see a viable alternative to canceling the Parade. Staff continues to pursue ideas to bring our community together virtually and celebrate this summer in safe and appropriate ways.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Budget for the 4th of July Parade is in the General Fund. The City Council previously approved a budget with expenses totaling $157,927 and revenues totaling $28,500 for a total net budget in the amount of $129,427. This budget included hiring a Recreation Assistant position to help coordinate the Parade. This position will not be hired at this time and may be re-considered in January 2021 for coordination of the 2021 Parade. Canceling the 2020 Parade creates the following savings to the General Fund:
FY 2019/20 $55,085; and
FY 2020/21 $74,342.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action does not affect the Alameda Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is not a project and is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15378 (b)(4) of the CEQA Guidelines, because it involves governmental activities (event coordination), which does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment.
CLIMATE IMPACTS
There are no climate impacts as a result of this action.
RECOMMENDATION
Cancel the 2020 Fourth of July Parade to avoid mass gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends that the City Council cancel the Fourth of July Parade. While this recommendation does not come easily, I believe it is the best thing to do at this time due to the COVID-19 impacts and the current public order to avoid mass gatherings.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Wooldridge, Recreation and Parks Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Nancy Bronstein, Interim Finance Director
cc: Eric Levitt, City Manager