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EGty1� ,.,�� Request for Action <br /> River <br /> To Item Number <br /> Mayor and City Council 10.2 <br /> Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by <br /> Work Session October 7, 2019 Tina Allard, City Clerk <br /> Public Works Director Justin Femrite <br /> Police Chief Ron Nierenhausen <br /> Item Description Reviewed by <br /> Special Events Cal Portner, City Administrator <br /> Reviewed by <br /> Action Requested <br /> Discussion about the special event policy,process, and fees. <br /> Background/Discussion <br /> The Council established the Special Event Permit to assist event planners in planning safe and successful <br /> events by systematically coordinating efforts of city departments. Special events often affect the ordinary <br /> use of public streets,rights-of-ways, and/or sidewalks and require time and resources. Staff would like to <br /> review current practices and make sure everyone is on the same page regarding policy, process, and fees. <br /> Races <br /> The city gets various requests for fundraising runs throughout the year. Depending on the start/finish <br /> line placement, timing of the event and preparedness of the organization running the event, some of the <br /> events are more troublesome than others. Challenges include: <br /> ■ Races that begin/end downtown require street closures impacting Highway 10. <br /> ■ Downtown street closures required traffic control plans contracted through local traffic <br /> engineering firms and cost about$3,000 per intersection. Many of these events are fundraisers <br /> and applicants avoid adding the expense. <br /> ■ Applicants often try to avoid the cost of road closure by intending to keep runners on the <br /> sidewalk,which has not been successful to date creating public safety issues. <br /> ■ Limited resident access to their homes along race routes. How frequently should a neighborhood <br /> be affected by a special event? <br /> ■ Disruptions to traffic flow, arterial connections. <br /> ■ Two major highways cut through city and limits route options. <br /> ■ Wintertime runs <br /> o The city attorney indicted the city has exposure if a route is not inspected and cleared. <br /> o Run events can cause snow/ice/plowing challenges. Depending on the severity of winter, <br /> it can be impossible to have sidewalks cleared for runner safety and it can be difficult to <br /> commit plowing/support resources at this time of year. <br /> ■ Additional police services cost approximately$3,000 (5 FT and police reserves for a downtown <br /> race . <br /> The Elk River Vision <br /> A PehoMing community 2a itb revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional POWERED By <br /> service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity INAMIRE1 <br />