HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC AG PKT 2008-02-11 #BB
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
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DATE: February 11,2008
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
THRU: David Carmany, City Manager
FROM: Jeff Kirkpatrick, Chief of Police
SUBJECT: REQUEST TO CLOSE CENTRAL AVENUE BETWEEN
MAIN STREET AND THE ALLEY SOUTH OF MAIN
STREET TO FACILITATE POLICE OPERATIONAL
EFFORTS TO CONTROL THE ANNUAL MARCH 17TH
SAINT PATRICK'S DAY ACTIVITIES.
SUMMARY OF REQUEST:
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Staff requests City Council approval to close a small portion of Central Avenue to
through-traffic, between Main Street and the first alley south of Main Street to
facilitate police operations to control the annual March 1 i" Saint Patrick's Day
festivities.
T-his type of road closure is authorized under the California Vehicle Code,
~ 21101: Local authorities, for those highways under their jurisdiction, may adopt
rules and regulations by ordinance or resolution on the following matters:
(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.
BACKGROUND:
The Seal Beach Main Street business strip houses severallrish-themed bars and
saloons serving alcohol and catering to revelers, lawfully or otherwise,
celebrating Saint Patrick's Day on March 1i" of each year. During years past,
throngs of people numbering in the thousands congregate on Main Street during
the late afternoon and evening, moving from one saloon to another and in
various states of sobriety. Some year's festivities have resulted in violence and
acts of civil disobedience resulting in physical harm to persons and local property
e damage to businesses and residences within and adjacent to the business zone.
Agenda Item .BB
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The police department has historically found it necessary to staff the event with
its entire staff and with borrowed labor from nearby police departments to
maintain the peace and provide a safe environment. In prior years, Saint
Patrick's Day activities have resulted in numerous arrests and occasional
property damage.
Last year, the police department closed the area of Central Avenue between
Main Street and the alley immediately south of Main Street to enable police
personnel and other event stakeholders committed to a safe environment for the
revelers, and staged their resources in an omnipresent manner. Certain
equipment, including a mobile command post, flood lighting, portable restrooms,
other police vehicles, and stakeholder volunteer groups offering safe and sober
travel home, used the area to stage.
Last year's Saturday evening event was very heavily attended by literally
thousands of people and the police deployment strategy resulted in an extremely
peaceful and safe evening without personal or property damage and civil
disobedience.
Staff would like to repeat the experience by using the same portion of Central
Avenue to meet pUblic safety needs for this year's Monday evening event.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
e None.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council authorize the police and public works
departments to close that portion of Central Avenue between Main Street and the
alley immediately south of Main Street for the purposes stated above.
This type of road closure is authorized under the California Vehicle Code,
~ 21101: Local authorities, for those highways under their jurisdiction, may adopt
rules and regulations by ordinance or resolution on the following matters:
(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.
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NOTED AND APPROVED:
C5Jr-1',
David Carmany, City Manager
Attachments:
A. Resolution
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RESOLUTION NUMBER
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEAL
BEACH, CALIFORNIA AUTHORIZING THE TEMPORARY
CLOSURE OF CENTRAL AVENUE BETWEEN MAIN STREET
AND THE FIRST ALLEY IMMEDIATELY SOUTH OF MAIN
STREET DURING MARCH 17TH SAINT PATRICK'S DAY
FESTIVITIES.
WHEREAS, the Seal Beach Main Street business corridor Is home to several
lrish-themed bars, saloons, and restaurants that cater to large numbers of
people celebrating Saint Patrick's Day on March 17th of every year; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seal Beach desires to maintain a safe and peaceful
environment for alllts community members and visitors; and
WHEREAS, the Chief of Police has recommended the temporary closure of a
small portion of Central Avenue between Main Street and the first alley south of
Main Street for the purpose of maintaining the peace and safety of revelers
visiting the Main Street business corridor on March 17th.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH
DOES HEREBY RESOLVE:
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Section 1. The City Council hereby approves and authorizes the temporary
closure of Central Avenue between main Street and the first alley south of Main
Street for the purpose of maintaining the public peace and safety during the
March 17th Saint Patrick's Day festivities, all pursuant California Vehicle Code
!i211 01 (el,
Section 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this
resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Seal
Beach at a regular meeting held on the 11th day of Februarv , 2008 by
the following vote:
AYES: Councllmember
NOES: Councllmember
ABSENT: Councllmember
ABSTAIN: Councllmember
Mayor
ATTEST:
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City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF ORANGE } SS
CITY OF SEAL BEACH }
I, Linda Devine, City Clerk of the City of Seal Beach, California, do hereby certify
that the foregoing resolution Is the original copy of Resolution Number
on file In the office of the City Clerk, passed, approved, and adopted by the City
Council of the City of Seal Beach at a regular meeting held on the 11 th day
of Februarv , 2008.
City Clerk