ALOHA DAYS: STAGE LOCATION CHANGE AND REQUEST FOR PROP A FUNDS

Recommendation

It is recommended by staff that Council:

1. Approve the request (see Attachment A) from the Aloha Days Committee to locate the performance stage on the beach instead of the west end of the Plaza; and
2. Consider whether or not to allocate $2,000 of Proposition A Transportation Funds to pay for shuttle bus service for the event.

Background

At the August 12, 1997 meeting, Council approved a request from the Bay Cities

Surf Club to present "Aloha Days," a longboard surf competition and Hawaiian Festival. In addition, Council approved fee waivers for: (a) the daily permit fee, (b) banner fees, (c) amplification permit, (d) parking fees, and (e) Police overhead charges. Council also appropriated $2,500 from the DEC to help fund the event.

Analysis

At the pre-event operations and security meeting, the Aloha Days Committee indicated that the response to this event has been overwhelming from Hawaiian cultural clubs and the surf community. As such, the anticipated attendance exceeds what was originally projected (current estimates are at 8,000).

As a result, the event organizers and Police personnel determined that the originally proposed location of the stage on the Plaza may not be optimum for accommodating a larger crowd from both an event and a safety standpoint. The newly proposed location on the beach at 13th Street (facing south to direct speakers away from residential areas), will provide increased spectator viewing areas and will also leave more space on the Plaza for the public to see the vendor booths (see Attachment B).

In order to improve traffic flow and alleviate parking concerns, the event organizers are also requesting that Council consider funding shuttle bus service from Mira Costa or TRW with Proposition A Funds. With the off-season date and the newness of this event, it is difficult to determine whether or not parking would be a problem, however, the Committee wanted to be prepared for the possibility.

Based on the Committee's reported enthusiastic response from vendors, cultural groups, performers and surfers, Aloha Days is already well received in its first year of operation.

Fiscal Impact:

$59,743 Prop A Funds (estimated fund balance as of 6/30/98)

$ 2,000 Amount requested

$57,743 Fund Balance