Agenda Item Wording:
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Authorize staff to apply for grant for Independence Spectacular community event - Grant is through the San Joaquin Valley Air District for Clean Alternative to Fireworks.
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Deadline for Action: 4/21/2025
Submitting Department: Community Services
Contact Name and Phone Number: Jason Glick, Parks & Recreation Director, jason.glick@visalia.city (559)713-4042 and Laurissa Roggenkamp, Recreation Manager laurissa.roggenkamp@visalia.city (559)713-4336
Department Recommendation:
It is recommended that City Council authorize the City Manager to designate and authorize Parks & Recreation Director, Jason Glick as the City’s representative, to apply for and implement the clean alternative to fireworks grant program. The grant funding will support the 2nd Annual Independence Spectacular drone show.
Background Discussion:
In 2024 the City hosted the Inaugural Independence Spectacular event on July 3rd. This community event featured free admission, live music, free kids amusement area, community services information booths, food and boutique vendors, and the night accumulated with two drone shows synced to music. The drone shows were approximately 12 minutes in length with 200 drones, show times were 9pm and 10pm.
The 2024 event was supported by funding from the City’s General Fund, grant sponsorship from San Joaquin Vally Air District, and in-kind contributions and support from Momentum Broadcasting, Bueno Beverage, and the Visalia Community Enhancement Foundation. As the inaugural event, the event was highly successful with an estimated 5,000 community members in attendance.
In the planning of the 2025 event, staff have identified a grant opportunity through the San Joaquin Valley Air District. They are accepting applications for the Clean Alternatives to Fireworks Pilot Incentive Program. This program is offered to public and private entities to fund clean firework alternatives, such as drone light shows, in lieu of fireworks displays performed within the their boundaries in celebrations for the Fourth of July or New Year’s Eve, and other celebratory public gatherings.
The City of Visalia is an eligible applicant for the second portion of funding. San Joaquin Valley Air District is first solicitating applications who have not previously received funding, for the first 30 days of the solicitation period, priority will be given to applicants that have not previously received funding for the Clean Alternatives to Fireworks Pilot Incentive Program. The City of Visalia was a recipient of funding for the inaugural 2024 Independence Spectacular. Subsequent eligible applications received will be awarded funding on a first-come, first serve basis until program funds are exhausted.
An applicant may request grant funding up to 50% of total eligible costs, but cannot exceed $20,000. Eligible costs include contractor costs for approved clean alternatives to fireworks and local permitting costs for the event. With these parameters, staff hopes to be awarded up to $20,000 for the eligible cost of the drone light show contractor expenses. Staff went through the Request for Proposal process and received proposals from vendors for the drone show. The awarded project includes 300 drones, an increase of 100 drones from prior year, and two showtimes. The cost for the drone show portion of the event totals $45,000. Grant applications are due Friday, May 2, 2025.
San Joaquin Valley Air District requires public agencies to provide a formal action of the governing body (i.e. City Council), authorizing the submittal of the application and identifying the individual and/or title of the individual authorized to implement the clean alternative to fireworks program.
In addition to applying for this grant, staff are also procuring monetary sponsorships. Momentum, Bueno Beverage, and the Visalia Community Enhancement Foundation are continuing their support of the event and will be providing a variety of in-kind supports which will include providing several live music acts and additional amusements and enhancements to the event.
Fiscal Impact:
Any awarded funding will be utilized towards the cost of the alternative to fireworks aerial drone show display at the 2025 Independence Spectacular. The City will be required to spend an amount equal to the amount of any award, up to $20,000 to match the 50% of costs eligible under the grant. The City currently has $21,948 remaining in 2024/25 and an additional $40,000 in the 2025/26 Capital budget (available July 1, 2025) for 4th of July Fireworks (CP0237).
Prior Council Action: February 20, 2024 Council Approved staff to apply for the 2024 Clean Alternatives to Fireworks Pilot Incentive program.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: N/A
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
City Council authorizes the City Manager to designate and authorize Parks & Recreation Director, Jason Glick as the City’s representative, to apply for and implement the clean alternative to fireworks grant program.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: Clean Alternatives to Fireworks Pilot Incentive Program Guidelines and Application.