Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.2 Fireworks Booth Select ... - <~ CITY CLERK File # D~(3J0J-~~ . AGENDA STATEMENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: (April 6, 1999) SPBJECT: Status Report on Fireworks Booth Selection (Report Prepared by: Julie Carter, Assistant to the City Manager) ATTACHMENTS: 1. March 29, 1999, Memorandum from Fire Marshal, Jim Ferdinand 2. March 22, 1999, Letter from American Promotional Events, Inc. as j prepared by Don Hewell, Area Manager with attachments ~II Take no action and maintain current process. RECOMMENDATION: FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None DESCRIPTION: At its meeting of March 16, 1999, the City Council requested staff to report to the Council with a status report on the Dublin Fireworks Booth selection process. Attached to this report is a Memorandum from Fire Marshal, Jim Ferdinand of the Alameda County Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau which describes in detail how the Alameda County Fire Department participates . in the selection of non-profit organizations that participate in the firework sales and not the site selections of the fireworks sales booths. Historically, the Fireworks Company representative determines the fireworks booth locations and works Wi h property owners to secure the site and necessary utilities for booth operations. In addition, the Fi!'eworks Company then provides the booth, product, safety information, training and necessary in~'urance and liability coverage or waiver of same, to the property owner and the non-profit organization. Ac.:cording to Mr. Don Hewell of American Promotional Events Inc. the process currently in practice by the City <_ works well. Staff has attached a report (Attachment 2), as prepared by Mr. Hewell, - summarizing the last five years fireworks booth selections, location sites, and net sales. It appears that some non-profits are allocated the same location and Mr. Hewell states this is because of the wishes of the property management at that particular site. Mr. Hewell and Fire Marshal, Jim Ferdinand agree, that per City Ordinance, the lottery is used to fairly distribute the limited number of booth permits on an annual basis. And, in 1997, the City Council voted to allow the non-profits organizations to share with other qualified groups in the sale and operation of the fireworks booth if they were not drawn for that particular year. This has been a great help to the non- profits. . COPIES TO: Tammie Lund, Don Hewell ITEM NO. r.z Hlcc- fo rms/a gdastmt.d oc . P~e2 Fireworks Booth Selection It is Staff's recommendation that the City Council take no action on this item which will leave the current. practice of selecting fireworks booths in place for the reasons outlined in the Fire Marshal's memorandum. . . "1- .- V' . . . ALAMEDA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU City of Dublin Division REC:- j\j cLJ .-. 1 - _ ,". 1999 1t:6 en 't ur uUdLlN MEMORANDUM Date: March 29, 1999 TO: Richard Ambrose, City Manager FROM: Jim Ferdinand, ~ire Mars~ SUJ3JECT: Fireworks Booth Selection - I have compiled the following information in response to your request for infonnation related to the selection of sales locations for fireworks booths in the City. The Alameda County Fire Department nor, prior to the contract for services, the Dougherty Regional Fire Authority have been involved in the selectie)O of sales locations for the fireworks booths. The role the fire department has been to determine by lottery drawing, the non- profit organizations that will be eligible to participate in the fireworks sales on an annual basis. As part of the permit process the fire department reviews the site locations for access, safety and inspects the stands prior to the issuance of a permit to' sell. Additionally, the site is inspected following the end of the sales period to assure removal of the booth and clean up of any debris. / Historically, the Fireworks Companr representative has detennined the sales site. The representative works with the property owners to secure the site and necessary utiliti~s for the booth. The non-profit organization enters into a contract with the Fireworks Company, their representative and the property owner to allow the use of the site. The Fireworks Company then provides the booth, product, safety information, training and necessary insurance and liability coverage or waiver of same, to the property owner and the organization. According to Mr. Don Hewell of American Promotional Events Inc. the process has been ongoing for many years. He knows the organizations and their abilities to operate a booth. Now that the City allows organizations to band together and share the work load and profits, he places organizations where they can do the best.. He has developed a relationship with the site OVv'ners and management companies over the years which benefits the non-profit organizations. I have attached a detailed description of the process with earnings for the last 5 years, which he has prepared. He has attempted to describe ATTACHMENT 1 .~trd? the manner in which booth locations are selected and- details of earnings by bJTOUP and location. . I would recommend that the City support the process 'currently in place. This is a business that the non-profit enters into each year. Per the City Ordinance, the lottery is used to fairly distribute the limited number of booth permits on an annual basis. Additionally, there are a number of fireworks companies that are an option for the non- profit to use. If a non-profit chooses a company other than American they, the Fireworks Company and the non-profit must secure the site and release forms or property owner clearance for the sales booth. If a lottery was in place for the location as well as the permit, we would have to assure the organization that they would be able to use the assigned site. We do not have the property owner contacts, staff time or process in place to run the sales events once, or twice a year. This has been a City supported event, not a City sponsored event. . If you have any comments or questions after you have reviewed the attachment please cal I me at 6609. , I . . . . . 11LN1~ PROMOTIONAL m~ '1- ~ ~t.t ~.; l,'~_ f 5.v1 March 22, 1999 Mr. Jim Ferdinand Fire Marshal Alameda Co. Fire Dept. 100 Civic Plaza Dublin, California 94568 Dear Mr. Ferdinand: In response to you rec~nt request, regarding the outcome of the annual fireworks permits drawing over the past five [5] years, please find enclosed the followIDg information: 1. The number of applicants per year and the number of permits awarded 2. A breakdown of the Dublin Locations that have been utilized and the Net Sales per Location for the Groups that operated the stand for that year. 3. The Net Sales by Organization and the Location that they operated on over the past years. As you can observe, it is historically the same Organizations that apply for a permit over the last years except for the new Groups that have applied in the past couple of years. When the drawing date arrives, it is a very apprehensive time for the Organizations as well as myself, when apx. 15 Groups are applying for 8 to 9 permits. I have come to know the Organizations over the years and appreciate what their activities and what their needs are to support their special programs. They are very dedicated to their Organization. " In 1997, with the support of the City Council, who voted to allow the Organizations to share with another qualified Group in the sales and operation of the fireworks booth if they were not drawn for that year. This has been a great help to the Organizations and most of the Groups do share in their profits with other Organizations for the last two years. In some cases, the Organizations are allocated the same location, because of the wishes of the property management preference. For example: The Parents, Faculty Student Organization has been on the same location if dravm, because the property manager wanted a Group from the Dublin High School. Also the Tri- Valley Minor Hockey has used the same location because this is where they skate and the Dublin Iceland gives them first choice if they are drawn for that year. 1780 Whipole Road. Suite 101 · Union Citv CA 94587 . (510) 489-155 ATTACHMENT 2 itLet1~ PROMOTIONAL Jbt2,tj,; :It:-~t;'~ ,~L-,'t F, Page 2 The Soroptimist Club started using their location in 1995 and the Chairperson had a business in the adjacent property and the location was adequate for their operation. As you look at the Organizations sales over the last five years. you can see how I have tried to be fair and equal with each Group and sometimes the Organization that is sharing and is capable of operating the allocated booth will be taken into consideration for the larger locations. There is also a greater responsibility for these Organizations. Unfortunately. there are.about 4 locations that support a bigger return.to the Organization and about 4 to 5 locations that are successful to the Organizations. but are not as rewarding to the Groups that operate these larger locations. I have a responsibility to my Company and a sincere desire to make the operation as successful as possible to the operating Organization., If! can be of any assistance. please don't hesitate to call on me. fr~ Don Hewell Area Manager 1780 Whipple Road. Suite 101 . Union City CA 94587 · (510) 489-1559 . fax (510) 489-1726 l.j tr6 Q . . . .-;,; ~ ~ . . . . r.~~P9.V' SPjt'} . City of Dublin Fireworks Drawing 1994 to 1998 Year Permits Applicants 1998 9 15 1997 8 15 1996 8 15 1995 8 13 1994 8 14 Sea attacbed results of Drawing for the last 5 years. . . - ~ ~.~1 lPft7 . Dublin Cinema 1998 Dublin Little League $21,967. 1997 VaHey Christian Center 21,991. 1996 Valley Christion Center 27,450. 1995 BriarhilI Barracuda's 26,607. 1994 No Use -0- $98,015. Valley Center (Fandango's) 1998 Dublin Senior Center Found. $20,575. 1997 No Use -O~ 1996 Briarhill Barracuda's 12,930. 1995 Dublin Rotary Club 13,389. 1994 Soroptimist Club 11,991. $58,885. . Orchard Supply Center 1998 Dublin Irish Guard Band $28,325. 1997 John Knox Church 17,503. $45,828. Smart & Final Center 1998 No Use (Closed) $ -0- 1997 No Use (Closed) -0- 1996 No Use (Closed) -0- 1995 Wells Marching Band 16,291. 1994 Valley Christian Center 15,185. $31,476. Shamrock Village Center 1998 Tri-Vallcy Unity Church $12,529. $12,529. . The above figures are from our net sales records by Organization and Location of fireworks booths in the City of Dublin for the last five (5) years. They do not show any expenses that the Groups have for License, Pennits,Insurance,Stand Rental, Electrical Hook Up, etc.