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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSupplemental Communication - Study Session #2 - PowerPoint cCity of Huntington Beach File #: 18-171 Consideration of Concerts on the Beach MEETING DATE: 8/20/2018 City of Huntington Beach 34 Page 1 of 1 Printed on 8/15/2018 powered by LegistarT" Concerts on the Beach CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION AUGUST 20, 2018 Issue: ► Should the City re -visit the current policy of not allowing concerts on the beach either as a stand alone event or in conjunction with another Specific Event? And if so, what policies should be put into place to allow them? Consideration: ► Should the City re -visit the current policy and allow concerts on the beach, the City may be limited in its ability to restrict the types of music selections that would be promoted. History ► Since the early 90's, concerts and live music was allowed in conjunction with Specific Events conducted on the beach ► Around 2010, the concerts with the US Open began to grow in popularity and size with Weezer as the headliner in 2012 ► After the concert, there was a civil disturbance that took place in the Main Street area of Downtown ► The disturbance necessitated a large- scale mobilization of police resources from agencies across Orange County and some from Los Angeles County ► The incident resulted in arrests, property damage and negative publicity for the City of Huntington Beach ► As a result of this disturbance, the City Council formed a Downtown Task Force (DTF) to address various safety related issues. ► On June 16, 2014, the DTF presented their recommendations to the City Council at a Study Session. ► Recommendation #2 stated: Reduce the size and scope of the US Open of Surfing to eliminate concerts, expo and non-competitive related items. The minutes of the Study Session indicates Council concurred with Recommendation. ► Since the 2014 Study Session, Specific Events staff has consistently denied all requests for concerts on the beach. ► Routinely, those requests have come from the US Open of Surfing, AVP Tour, Branches Church, Paintball, as well as anecdotally 4-5 other general inquiries a year by outside promoters. ► Currently, live entertainment is only allowed as a part of smaller scale events focused at Pier Plaza such as Surfin Sundays. ► Since 2014, the City's position not to allow concerts on the beach has been stated at numerous public meetings. Public Safety Concerns Public Safety Concerns If a policy decision is made to again permit concerts on the beach, there will be public safety challenges. Staffing for the Police Department is not adequate to continue adding multiple complex events without additional resources. , Event specific staff is only part of what is necessary Multiple event weekends and back to back weekends present staffing problems. Current event planning takes away from day to day policing in HB Outside agencies have been used in HB to supplement resources ► The Police Department has consistently carried the previous City Council's message that events on the beach will be regulated and planned to be family friendly and not include large concert events and/or alcohol. ► We believe that a significant policy shift allowing concerts with alcohol would have to be adequately explained to the public. ► Complaints surrounding noise, traffic, and parking would naturally fall to the Police Department to handle. Currently these complaints are referred to the State Parks Department for concerts on their beach. Staff Recommendation: o- Staff is not recommending a change in our current policy, and unless directed otherwise will continue to deny applications for concerts on the beach If the policy is changed to allow concerts, staff recommends: Concerts are not allowed during the time period between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends A decision is made to cap the number of concerts a year (i.e. only 4 a year) _ Develop a strategy in advance related to the City's operation of these concerts and the types of events that would be allowed. If using an outside promoter, a Request for Qualifications should be issued in advance to pre -qualify promoters to ensure the City is working with promoters of the highest caliber Concert events should cover all public safety, City staff and associated costs A fee schedule should be established that contains a revenue sharing component. For example, State charges $10 per person Concert events should be capped at no more than 5,000 - 8,000 attendees ► Questions? ►Comments?