08 Staff Report - Plaza Park Opening Celebration PlansDATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
MEETING DATE: 7/15/02
ITEM NO. �(
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
JULY 9. 2002
MAYOR AND TOWN COIJNCII_
DEBRA J. FIGONE, TOWN MANAGER
ACCEPT PLAZA PARK OPENING CELEBRATION PLANS
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Accept plans for the Plaza Park Opening Celebration on September 22, 2002, including street
closures.
Allow banners) to be hung accross a downtown street announcing the Celebration in
accordance Town Code Section 29.10.120.
BACKGROUND:
In celebration of the opening of the renovated Plaza Park, a festive event with the theme "Celebrate
Los Gatos!" is being planned. This unique event will begin with an opening ceremony and ribbon
cutting, and an invitation to the citizens of Los Gatos to enjoy a day at the park filled with music.
balloons, games, crafts, historical displays, and food, and concluding with a street dance featuring
the music of the Joe Sharino Band.
A planning committee composed of the Mayor, Vice Mayor, staff, and a community representative
met twice with community members representing the Town's service clubs and organizations. This
large community committee then created four subcommittees. Each subcommittee is responsible
for the planning and implementation of one of the following event components: food, entertainment,
displays and activities, and children's activities. Town staff is supporting the event through facility
and event coordination, and event promotion.
DISCUSSION:
Schedule. The event is scheduled to run from approximately noon to 8:00 pm. It was originally
planned for Saturday, September 28. However, in order to accommodate all of the business -related
activity in the Downtown on Saturdays. the planning committee is recommending that the event be
PREPARED BY:
Regina A. Fal
Community SerDirector
Reviewed by: (73.N Assistant Town Manager
D PPW
own Attorney ct, Finance
Revised: _ 116/02
Reformatted 7/ 1499
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MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: AeC- EPT PLAZA PARK OPENING CELEBRATION PLANS
July 9, 2002
held instead on Sunday, September 22. The Parks and Public Works Department is confident that
the park renovations will be completed in time to hold the event one week earlier than originally
planned.
Street closures. This event has the potential to attract thousands of participants. In order to
accommodate the expected crowds and to protect the newly -renovated park, it is recommended that
activities, displays, and performers be placed on the streets surrounding Plaza Park. This placement
will draw the public to the streets, increase the venue size, and help to protect the newly -established
park turf.
The planning committee recommends that the following streets be closed:
• Montebello Way, 6:00 am to 10:00 pm
• North Santa Cruz Avenue from Elm Street to Broadway, 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
• Main Street from Victory Lane to University Avenue, 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Staff has also spoken to Cal Trans about closing the Highway 17 on- and off -ramps at South Santa
Cruz Avenue for the event. This closure will be confirmed.
In addition, the following activities are planned to maximize the success of the event and minimize
the impact on the business and residential communities:
• The closure of the Highway 17 on and off ramps at South Santa Cruz Avenue will greatly
reduce the number of cars that will need to be redirected through neighborhoods.
• Parking on South Santa Cruz Avenue next to the post office will be posted "Post Office
Parking Only."
• Appropriate signage will be placed informing the public of the road closures and
alternate routes.
• Information concerning the location, date, and time of the road closures and alternate
routes will be included in all promotional materials for the event.
• All parking lots will remain open for the convenience of shoppers.
• Traffic control strategies will be implemented.
• Staff will regularly evaluate the street closures during the day.
Banner. The planning committee would like to erect a banner advertising the event, across North
Santa Cruz Avenue. Town Code Section 29.10.120, "Temporary signs," states that a sign permit is
required for all event signs, as follows:
Subject to the conditions of this section, a permit may be issued for a temporary sign
promoting a civic, political, charitable, cultural, recreational, educational or religious
event as follows:
► An event in town sponsored by a non-profit organization; or
► An event sponsored by a non-profit organization with its principal business
address in Town; or
► An event sponsored by a public school; or
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MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: ACCEPT PLAZA PARK OPENING CELEBRATION PLANS
July 9, 2002
► An event sponsored by a non-profit organization to which the Town contributes
funds: or
► An event co -sponsored by the Town.
In the past, the Town has not permitted banners to be placed across streets. However, the sign
ordinance does not prohibit the placement of banners across streets, and this Town -sponsored event
is one for which the Town may want to permit the display of a banner to announce this unique
celebration. This action would not commit the Council to consider other requests for displaying
banners across streets; rather, the action would be specifically for this Town -sponsored significant
event. All requirements of the Town Code would be followed, including size restrictions and
,ration of installation. The Town Code states that an event sign may be erected no more than 14
says before an event. The Town will meet all standard safety requirements including site distance
guidelines. It will also be properly secured to prevent flapping. Staff would need to explore the
options available for suspending the banner at an appropriate location.
Outreach. Staff has created and implemented a comprehensive Outreach Plan. The Outreach Plan
is designed to educate surrounding neighborhoods, businesses, and the public about the event, and
to minimize the effect of the proposed street closures. All of the businesses surrounding Plaza Park
have already received personal contact from staff. All residents of the surrounding neighborhoods
will receive fliers in early September, with information about the event, street closures, and alternate
routes.
CONCLUSION:
The planning committee is thrilled to be able to bring Los Gatos an outstanding community event,
one designed to celebrate not only the history and culture of Los Gatos, but also the new Plaza Park
facility. The planning of "Celebrate Los Gatos!" has certainly been a community effort, and the
event will reflect the small-town charm of the community.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
The event is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The planning committee is currently developing cost estimates for each event element. An
allocation of $20,000 is included in the Town's 2002-03 operating budget (a/c 1111-60700).
Attachment:
1. Plaza Park Map
RAF:SB/jlm