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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD Special Event Street Closures in Downtown San Rafael____________________________________________________________________________________ FOR CITY CLERK ONLY Council Meeting: September 6, 2022 Disposition: Resolution 15123 Agenda Item No: 4.i Meeting Date: September 6, 2022 SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Department: Police Department Prepared by: Lisa Holton, Lieutenant City Manager Approval: ____________ TOPIC: SPECIAL EVENT STREET CLOSURES IN DOWNTOWN SAN RAFAEL SUBJECT: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CLOSURES OF FOURTH STREET BETWEEN F STREET AND G STREET ON OCTOBER 6TH, 7TH AND 14TH TO SUPPORT THE LIMITED EXTENSTION OF OUTDOOR EVENTS INCLUDING THE SAN RAFAEL THURSDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT BLOCK PARTY RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the Resolution authorizing closures of Fourth Street between F Street and G Street on October 6th, 7th and 14th to support the limited extension of outdoor events including the San Rafael Thursday and Friday Night Block Party. BACKGROUND: The San Rafael Municipal Code requires City Council approval of all special events which necessitate the temporary closure of City streets and temporary parking restrictions. Historically, the City has brought all proposed street closures to City Council in compliance with this code. However, in spring 2020, the Coronavirus pandemic and the unprecedented economic hardship it brought upon San Rafael’s business community called for a temporary expansion of this approval authority to the City Manager in order to support the local economy more quickly with expanded options for COVID-safe outdoor dining and commerce. On June 1, 2020, the City Council approved several temporary COVID- relief measures, including the Dining Under the Lights (DUTL) program and the implementation of a separate temporary outdoor dining and retail program. The Council action taken on June 1, 2020, authorized evening street closures twice per week at times and locations determined by the City Manager. Importantly, the Council action also granted the City Manager the ability to modify the existing municipal code requirements, which included full cost recovery associated with any street closures. Therefore, the Council action granted the City Manager the authority to temporarily reduce and/or waive the fees associated with street closures to make it easier, faster, and less expensive for local restaurants and retail businesses to use the City’s streets and sidewalks for their business operations. The West End neighborhood and the San Rafael Business Improvement District have organized highly successful community events on Thursday and Friday evenings. The events were held in conjunction with DUTL (now called San Rafael Thursdays featuring dining under the lights, live music, makers SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2 marketplace, and kids activities) through the end of September. The organizers of the event have requested an extension into October, necessitating the closure of Fourth Street between F and G Streets for the safety of the community. Staff is recommending extending the closure to the following dates: October 6th, 7th, and 14th. ANALYSIS: Temporary road closures require that the City Council adopt a resolution finding that the closing is necessary for the safety and protection of persons using the road during the closing, per Vehicle Code section 21101(e) which states: “(e) Temporarily closing a portion of any street for celebrations, parades, local special events, and other purposes when, in the opinion of local authorities having jurisdiction or a public officer or employee that the local authority designates by resolution, the closing is necessary for the safety and protection of persons who are to use that portion of the street during the temporary closing.” Department of Public Works staff will support the street closure by providing closure signage and traffic control support. The Police Department and Fire Department may provide ancillary support as well. Street to be closed: Fourth Street between F Street and G Street on October 6th, 7th, and 14th. COMMUNITY OUTREACH: The City has partnered closely with the BID and Chamber of Commerce with all proposed and implemented street closures for DUTL/San Rafael Thursdays, the Friday Night Block Party and the City’s Outdoor Dining and Retail program. Both the BID and the Chamber have surveyed and spoken to dozens of businesses to make sure the current programs are continuing to meet their needs and assist in ensuring the economic vitality of their operations. Chief among concerns was keeping diners and shoppers coming to patronize businesses in downtown San Rafael, since many downtown areas saw a sharp decrease in traffic during the pandemic FISCAL IMPACT: The City will provide in-kind services, such as “no parking” signage and traffic control support and advice. Any cost associated with this support will be minimal. OPTIONS: The City Council has the following options to consider on this matter: 1. Adopt resolution. 2. Adopt resolution with modifications. 3. Direct staff to return with more information. 4. Take no action. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt the resolution. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Resolution authorizing the temporary closure of Fourth Street between F and G Streets. RESOLUTION NO. 15123 RESOLUTION OF THE SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING CLOSURES OF FOURTH STREET BETWEEN F STREET AND G STREET ON OCTOBER 6TH, 7TH AND 14TH TO SUPPORT THE LIMITED EXTENSION OF OUTDOOR EVENTS INCLUDING THE SAN RAFAEL THURSDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT BLOCK PARTY WHEREAS, the San Rafael City Council has determined that it is in the best interests of the public health and safety to implement a modified Traffic Plan and Road Closure for all special events in San Rafael and nearby neighborhoods; and WHEREAS, after reviewing plans for the events and the traffic patterns, City staff has determined and recommended that, in the interest of the safety and welfare of pedestrian and auto traffic in the downtown area, Fourth Street between F street and G Street should be temporarily closed to through traffic for the date and locations as specified in the Staff Report; and WHEREAS, the specific time periods for the temporary closures described in the Staff Report shall be as determined by the City’s Event Coordinator in consultation with the Police Department, and the Events Coordinator shall give timely notice to the public of those time periods by signage and/or other appropriate means; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL HEREBY RESOLVES: 1. That all the above findings are true and correct; and 2. That pursuant to the authority of Vehicle Code section 21101(e), for the safety and protection of persons, both pedestrians and vehicle drivers, the City Council hereby authorizes the temporary closure of the listed streets for the locations and dates shown in the staff report. I, Lindsay Lara, City Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 6th day of September 2022 by the following vote, to wit: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Bushey, Hill, Kertz, Llorens Gulati & Mayor Kate NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None Lindsay Lara, City Clerk