Agenda Item Wording:
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Approval of single exemption for alcohol consumption at Riverway Sports Park - Authorize City Manager to grant a single use exemption for the issuance of an alcohol permit for alcohol consumption at Riverway Sports Park for a City of Visalia hosted Independence Spectacular community special event.
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Deadline for Action: 6/2/2025
Submitting Department: Community Services
Contact Name and Phone Number: Laurissa Roggenkamp, Recreation Manager Laurissa.roggenkamp@visalia.city 713-4336 and Jason Glick, Parks & Recreation Director Jason.glick@visalia.city 713-4042
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that City Council authorize the City Manager to grant a one-time permit for alcohol consumption at Riverway Sports Park in conjunction with the City of Visalia led community special event, Independence Spectacular scheduled to be held on July 3rd, 2025.
Background Discussion:
In 2024 the City Council approved a request from staff to fund the inaugural Independence Spectacular, due to the success of the inaugural event, the 2nd Annual event is scheduled to be held Thursday, July 3, 2025, at Riverway Sports Park. This year’s event will feature free admission, live music, free kids’ amusement area, community services information booths, food and boutique vendors, a beer garden, the festivities will conclude with two drone shows synced to music. The drone shows times are 9pm and 10pm, each lasting approximately 12 minutes in length with 300 drones.
Staff are seeking City Councils approval to authorize the City Manager to grant a one-time permit for alcohol consumption in conjunction with the City of Visalia hosted Independence Spectacular scheduled to for July 3, 2025 at Riverway Sports Park.
• Per Visalia Municipal Code Article 4. Prohibiting Alcoholic Beverages Section 12.32.065 states that it is unlawful for possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages within the boundaries of every City of Visalia public park/recreation area. The City Manager, or designee, shall maintain a listing of the park and recreation facilities where possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages may be allowed with a permit of issued pursuant to Article 2 Park Reservation Permits.
The event will have a designated beer garden for sales of alcohol, this area will be delineated and will have security guards. Local non-profit, Visalia Community Enhancement Foundation, will host the beer garden and will procure all designated permits for sale of alcohol and insurances.
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
Prior Council Action: May 31, 2024 - City Council reviewed and approved a request from staff to authorize the City Manager to grant a one-time permit for alcohol consumption at the Inaugural Independence Spectacular on July 3, 2024 located Riverway Sports Park.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Alcohol consumption is not permitted at the event, resulting in loss of sponsorships that are secured to offset the cost of the event entertainment.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
Move to authorize the City Manager to grant a one-time permit for alcohol consumption at Riverway Sports Park for the City of Visalia Independence Spectacular community special event to be held on July 3, 2025.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: N/A