Item 6-F

City Council Meeting: August 10, 1999 Santa Monica, California

TO: Mayor and City Council

FROM: City Staff

SUBJECT: Recommendation to Approve an Alternate Race Route and a Race Fee Waiver for the 22nd Annual Christmas Venice-Marina 5/10K Run on December 11, 1999

INTRODUCTION

The City has received a request from Harvest Home, a Santa Monica-based nonprofit organization, to conduct a race on a route other than one of the City's authorized race routes and to have the $10,000 race fee waived. The following report describes this event and recommends approval of the alternate route and a waiver of the entire race fee with City established conditions.

BACKGROUND

Resolution number 7011 (CCS) outlines procedures and criteria for conducting running races in Santa Monica and designates the approved City courses. The Council, however, is authorized to approve other running race routes. The resolution also establishes a $10,000 race fee in addition to requiring that race organizers bear all costs including police, signage, notification flyers mailed to affected residents, barricade rentals, and other related expenses.

DISCUSSION

The organizers of this running race have requested December 11, 1999, as the date for their 22nd annual 5/10K race which will run from 8:00-11:00 a.m. The requested race route, which has been the same for over 12 years, starts and finishes in Santa Monica but predominately takes place in the City of Los Angeles. This event benefits Harvest Home, a Santa Monica-based charity. The route is as follows:

The race starts on Barnard Way at Ocean View Park, south to Marine Street, east to Neilson Way then south on Neilson into the City of Los Angeles. The return route uses the same part of Neilson Way, Marine Street, and Barnard Way.

The race route, including the area north of Ocean View Park to Pacific Avenue, will be closed from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m. Race organizers will be required to notify all businesses and residents along the requested route about the street closure at least two weeks prior to the race.

In the past, Council has approved a waiver of the race fee. The race organizer is requesting that Council approve a waiver of the race fee. As in previous years, they are prepared to pay for all other costs associated with race. Staff is reviewing event-related practices, regulations, and fees and anticipates bringing necessary ordinance and resolution changes to Council in the next few months. So long as it is understood by the race organizers that fees may be reinstituted for the next race, staff recommends a waiver of the race fee for the 1999 race provided that all other conditions are met and costs covered.

BUDGETARY/FINANCIAL IMPACT

Harvest Home will assume and pay for all direct event costs.

RECOMMENDATION

City staff recommends that the attached resolution authorizing the proposed race route and a waiver of the race fee be adopted by the City Council.

Prepared by:

Barbara Stinchfield, CCS Director

Carole Curtin, Event Facilities Manager

Trinie García-Valdez, Community Events Liaison

Community and Cultural Services