City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council consider a request from the Exchange Club of
Culver City (Exchange Club) for City sponsorship of the 48
th
Annual 4
th
of July
Fireworks Show (2014 Event) proposed to be held on the campus of West Los
Angeles College (WLAC).
BACKGROUND:
The Exchange Club’s 4
th
of July Fireworks Show has been an annual one-day
fundraising event held for almost 50 years. Traditionally, this community event was
held at Culver City High School. Due to major renovations of Culver City High
School's athletic field, the 2013 show was not held.
According to the Exchange Club, all profits made by the Exchange Club have been
used to fund Culver City charities, support child abuse prevention efforts, financially
assist the Culver City Unified School District, and provide annual student
scholarships. For past Fireworks Shows, personnel costs for City services, including
Meeting Date: 04/21/14 Item Number: A-1
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM: Consideration of City Sponsorship for the 48
th
Annual 4
th
of July Fireworks Show Charitable Fundraising Event Produced by the
Exchange Club of Culver City, a Non-Profit Organization Proposed to Be Held on
the Campus of West Los Angeles College.
Contact Person/Dept.:
Shelly Wolfberg, Assistant to the City
Manager
Phone Number:
(310) 253-6000
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [ ] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [ ] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X ]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date: _______________
Public Notification: Meetings and Agendas – City Council (04/16/14); Mailed Notice to
over 2000 postal addresses within approximately 1,000’ of the College Campus
(04/14/14)
Department Approval:
Martin R. Cole (04/14/14)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (04/15/14)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (04/15/14)
City Manager Approval:
John M. Nachbar (04/16/14) City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
the Police, Fire, Sanitation, and Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Departments, were borne exclusively by the City.
DISCUSSION:
The significant renovations to the Culver City High School athletic field (and desire to
keep the costly renovations in good repair) have led the Exchange Club to seek an
alternate venue for the resumption of the Fireworks Show in 2014. Mr. Nabil Abu-
Ghazaleh, President of WLAC, has graciously offered the campus of WLAC as the
venue for the 2014 Event.
Because WLAC is located within an unincorporated portion of Los Angeles County
(County), Culver City staff has had initial discussions with County personnel to gain
an understanding of the level of County services that could be provided for the 2014
Event. County Fire personnel have initially indicated that the 2014 Event could be
held at WLAC, with the belief that there is ample room for a fall out zone, with
specified logistical considerations. County Fire has initially indicated that its
personnel would inspect the fireworks portion of the event. If there were other
activities such as food vendors, tents, etc. then the County would require a second
Fire Safety Officer. Other factors under discussion would be the possible need for a
stand-by engine company. It is initially anticipated that crowd control, parking,
spectator areas, exit aisles, and any other logistical/crowd management support
facilities would be under the authority of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s
Department, WLAC, and the Exchange Club.
The City has traditionally provided a significant cash contribution to this event (the
amount budgeted for the 2014 Event is $24,000). Unless the City Council should
provide alternative direction, staff is prepare to release this budgeted amount to the
Exchange Club in the case the 2014 Event moves forward. Providing this amount to
the Exchange Club for the 2014 Event would meet the $1,000 minimum required for
City-sponsorship (as outlined in more detail below). Staff is seeking direction from
the City Council as to its desire to designate the 2014 Event as City-sponsored.
To be categorized as a “sponsored” event by the City, an event must comply with
City Council Policy and Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) Section
17.330.040.B.7.b.ii., confirming that the City is (a) participating in an official capacity
in the planning, preparation or promotion of the event or activity; and (b) contributing
25% of the total estimated costs of the civic event or activity or at least $1,000,
whichever is less. This contribution may take the form of funds, labor, staff time,
materials, a waiver of fees, or any combination thereof. If approved by the City
Council, the City would be contributing at least $1,000 in waivers to the event. The
CCMC requires both (a) AND (b) conditions be satisfied. Additionally, in order for an City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
event to be considered city-sponsored, the City Council must determine, by specific
action, that the above criteria have been met.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
The $24,000 City contribution is already appropriated in the City Council Adopted
Budget for Fiscal Year 2013/2014. Should the City Council determine to maintain
the traditional arrangement for the fireworks show, staff in-kind costs would continue
to be absorbed by the City.
ATTACHMENTS:
Letter dated March 25, 2014 from Exchange Club
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Determine whether to provide $24,000 in direct financial assistance and an
unspecified amount of in-kind staff support to the Exchange Club of Culver City
Charitable Foundation, Inc. for its 4
th
of July event on Friday, July 4, 2014 at
WLAC; and,
2. (If at least $1,000 in support is provided) Designate the 4
th
of July Fireworks
Show as a City-sponsored event.
MEETING DATE: April 21, 2014
AGENDA ITEM : Consideration of City Sponsorship for the 48th Annual
4th of July Fireworks Show Charitable Fundraising Event Produced by the
Exchange Club of Culver City, a Non-Profit Organization Proposed to Be
Held on the Campus of West Los Angeles College.
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
1. Letter from the Exchange Club
1