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CC - CONSENT ITEM: Adoption of a Resolution Granting an Alcohol Use Permit to the Exchange Club to Conduct a Beer and Wine Garden in Veterans Memorial Park During the 2025 Fiesta La Ballona.
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Meeting Date: July 14, 2025
Contact Person/Dept.: Adam Ferguson/Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
Phone Number: (310) 253-6685
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (07/10/2025)
Department Approval: Ted Stevens, PRCS Director (06/23/2025)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a resolution granting an alcohol use permit to the Culver City Exchange Club to conduct a Beer and Wine Garden in Veterans Memorial Park during the 2025 Fiesta La Ballona (Attachment 1).
BACKGROUND/ DISCUSSION
Fiesta La Ballona (Fiesta) is a three-day carnival that will be held on Friday, August 22; Saturday, August 23; and Sunday, August 24, 2025 at Veterans Memorial Park. It includes carnival rides, food trucks, a food court, entertainment stage and booths selling artisan wares. Specifically, the Beer and Wine Garden (BWG) has been a part of the Fiesta since 2005. Culver City Municipal Code Section 13.03.025.A grants the City Council authority to issue a permit for a beer and wine garden at Fiesta.
Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) staff accepted applications from Culver City non-profits to become the BWG Operator at Fiesta for the next 4 years, beginning with the 2025 event. The application period was open from April 26, 2025- May 8, 2025. Throughout that period, two GovDelivery emails were released, and various announcements were posted on multiple social media platforms.
The following applications were received from non-profits:
• The Culver City Exchange Club
• Nourish LA
• We Grow LA
Applicants were rated on the mission and history of the local non-profit, its experience running beer and wine gardens, and the intended use of the proceeds raised during the event.
Based on the scores from the raters, The Culver City Exchange Club (Exchange Club) was chosen as the BWG Operator. The Exchange Club is a local non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing financial support to various community-based organizations benefiting children, seniors, and those with disabilities. The Exchange Club co-sponsors annual events with the City of Culver City throughout the year and has been the permittee for the BWG since 2007. The only exception occurred in 2020 when a “Virtual Fiesta” was held due to the coronavirus pandemic.
As the selected BWG Operator for Fiesta through 2028, the Exchange Club has agreed to comply with all of the conditions imposed in the proposed 2025 Resolution. The Resolution includes the required permit conditions set forth in City Council Policy Statement 2501: Alcohol Use Permits for City-Produced and City-Sponsored Special Events.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The adoption of the proposed Resolution will have a nominal positive fiscal impact to the City due to the collection of the $1,900 event space fee that will be charged to the Exchange Club for the use of the area within Veterans Memorial Park which the BWG occupies during Fiesta. This fee will be posted to a revenue account in 10130285 (Community Events - Fiesta La Ballona). These revenue accounts can be found in the Revenue Detail section of the Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 in General Fund - Charges for Services.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2025-07-14 - ATT 1 Resolution Approving 2025 Fiesta Beer and Wine Garden Permit
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
Adopt a resolution granting an alcohol use permit to the Culver City Exchange Club to conduct a Beer and Wine Garden in Veterans Memorial Park during the 2025 Fiesta La Ballona.