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(1) Approval of Finalizing the usage of Veterans Memorial Complex for the 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration; and (2) Finalizing of the date(s) and time(s) for the 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.
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Meeting Date: August 27, 2025
Contact Person/Dept: Adam Ferguson/PRCS Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-6685
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-mail) Meetings and Agendas - MLK Celebration and Juneteenth Advisory Committee (8/21/2025); (E-mail) Parks, Recreation & Community Service Department Updates (8/21/2025)
Department Approval: Ted Stevens, PRCS Director (8/21/2025)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Juneteenth Celebration Advisory Committee (1) Finalized the usage of Veterans Memorial Complex for the 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration; and (2) Finalize the date(s) and time(s) for the 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.
BACKGROUND
The Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Juneteenth Celebration Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) is tasked with advising Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) staff with the planning of the 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.
At the July 23, 2025, Advisory Committee meeting, members unanimously voted to select the Veterans Memorial Auditorium as the preferred venue, with the option to utilize adjacent indoor rooms and/or outdoor areas.
The Committee also proposed Saturday, January 17, 2026, as the tentative event date, with the potential for a two-day celebration.
DISCUSSION
Staff is requesting the Advisory Committee’s input on whether to incorporate additional spaces beyond the main auditorium for the event. In making this decision, the Committee should consider:
• Opportunities to enhance community engagement
• Venue capacity and layout
• Accessibility and ease of public attendance
• Event duration (i.e., one or multiple days, start and end times)
The staff is also recommending that the Advisory Committee determine:
• Final event date(s) (e.g., single-day or two-day format)
• Start and end time for each day
PRCS staff will evaluate the feasibility of the Committee’s recommendations based on logistics, including budget, staffing availability, and operational resources. Please note that additional venue spaces confirmation is subject to availability, cost, and other scheduling considerations.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this discussion.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
MOTIONS
That the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Juneteenth Celebration Advisory Committee:
1. Approve a venue usage for the 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration; and
2. Approve a date and time for the 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.