HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 157-09CMR:157:09 Page 1 of 2
TO: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY SERVICES
DATE: MARCH 16, 2009 CMR: 157:09
REPORT TYPE: REPORTS OF OFFICIALS
SUBJECT: Human Relations Commission Recommendation to the Council That June
21st Should Be Established as World Music Day in Palo Alto and Applicable
General Fund Fees Should be Waived
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report conveys to the Council the recommendation of the Human Relations Commission
(HRC) that the Council declare June 21 as World Music Day in Palo Alto commencing in 2009.
The HRC also requests that the Council waive all fees for special events and police officers, if
additional officers are required for World Music Day this year. This report also includes the
World Music Day in Palo Alto written proposal authored by Commissioners Ezran and Khan as
Attachment A.
RECOMMENDATION
The celebration of World Music Day started 27 years ago in France. The event is now celebrated
around the world and in the California cities of Sacramento, Pasadena, San Francisco, Oakland
and Woodside. Amateur and professional musicians perform on street corners in downtown
areas of cities free to the public.
At the September 11, 2008 HRC meeting, Commissioner Ezran proposed the first World Music
Day to be held on Sunday, June 21, 2009 from 4pm to 7pm in downtown Palo Alto on University
Avenue and surrounding streets. He stated that there are numerous community benefits:
The event engages citizens of all ages in a community activity that furthers the Council’s
priority of Civic Engagement for the Common Good
The event is fun, unique, and family oriented
The event could bring extra business to downtown stores and increase revenue for the
City
The event complements Palo Alto’s Twilight and Brown Bag Concert Series.
Commissioners Ezran and Khan volunteered to lead the organization of the event and have
garnered support from the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, the Palo Alto Downtown Business
CMR:157:09 Page 2 of 2
& Professional Association and the Palo Alto Weekly/Palo Alto Online. Insurance coverage will
be potentially provided by either the Chamber of Commerce or the Downtown Business &
Professional Association.
One objective for the first year of the event is to minimize the cost and complexity. Therefore,
no large outdoor concerts that require stages, sound systems, street closures or portable toilets are
being proposed. The event will be limited, at least for the first year, to individual performers and
small bands on street corners in the downtown area. The World Music Day event will be
reviewed by the City’s special event committee to determine which permits apply (Attachment
A).
At the September HRC meeting, Commissioner Ezran moved that the HRC endorse celebrating
World Music Day on June 21, 2009 and seek an endorsement of the Palo Alto City Council that
will also include: waiving the special event permit fee and waiving the fee for additional officers,
if additional officers are required. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bacchetti and
passed unanimously.
RESOURCE IMPACT
The HRC requests that the Council waive permit, police officer and utility bill insert costs for
publicity for the event. The following permits may be required:
Temporary Use Permit
Special Event Permit
Encroachment Permit
Amplified Music Permit
In addition, special events of this nature require a minimum of two police officers. The
approximate costs for the permits, utility bill inserts and police officers may be between $2,000
to $3,000 dollars.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: World Music Day in Palo Alto Project Description
PREPARED BY: ______________________________________________________________
KATHY ESPINOZA-HOWARD
Division Manager, Cubberley and Human Services
Division
DEPARTMENT HEAD: _______________________________________________________
GREG BETTS
Interim Director of Community Services
Department
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: _________________________________________________
JAMES KEENE
City Manager