CR 97-73 Fireworks Raspberry Festival
April 10, 1997
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Council Report 97-73
SPECIAL EVENT APPLICATION FOR FIREWORKS
BY THE HOPKINS RASPBERRY
Proposed Action
Staff recommends that the Council adopt the following motion: Move to aporove the
fireworks permit application for the Raspberrv Festival with the conditions that a certificate
of insurance for the amount of one million dollars naming the City of Hopkins as additional
insured be submitted and that arrangements be made to have the Hookins Police Reserve
officers for traffic control.
Overview
The Raspberry Festival has applied for a permit to hold a fireworks display at Central Park by
the fenced softball fields on July 12 beginning at dusk and lasting approximately one hour,
The proposed display is described as a close proximity show with no large aerial rockets,
The permit application has been reviewed by the Police Department, Public Works, the Park
Department, the Finance Department and the Fire Department, They all recommended
approval with conditions.
Primary Issues to Consider
o What are the concerns regarding this event?
Supoorting Information
o Analysis of the issues
o Statement from Captain Jim Liddy
o Complete application available in the City Clerk's office
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Council Report 97-73
Page 2
Primary Issues to Consider
Safety issues are again the greatest concern. Traffic brought into the area is already
high with the tent dance and other activities. The Pavilion and Public Works lots are
designated on the application as available parking, but it is likely that many will want
to park on the south side of Excelsior Boulevard and walk across the street to the
park. Because of the heavy traffic on Excelsior Boulevard, staff feels that this traffic
should be controlled to ensure the safety of all concerned,
The applicant has identified the above lots as parking for the events, however,
because of the other activities, they may not be available for those coming specifically
for fireworks, They may have to be directed to parking areas, This will require either
additional officers or volunteers from the commission,
Should Council agree to allow the fireworks, staff is recommending the following
conditions,
o Obtain a City Fireworks Permit from the Fire Department
o The Shooter must be certified by the State of Minnesota
o Any damage is to be repaired by the Raspberry Festival Committee
o Clean up of the site is to be done by the Raspberry Festival Committee
o Refuse service will not be supplied by the City
o The ballfield will not be used
o Request police assistance with security or traffic direction
o Provide certificate of insurance for one million dollars naming the City of Hopkins
as additional insured
Alternatives
1. Approve the application for fireworks in Central Park on July 12, with conditions,
2. Do not approve the application for fireworks
Staff recommends alternative #1
RASPBERRY FESTIVAL FIREWORKS PERMIT APPLICATION:
The police department would approve the request but we do have some concerns and questions
about this application.
First of all, there is no request in this application for police assistance with security or traffic
direction. If this Ilvent receives a lot of promotion and publicity, we would anticipate that there
would be many people, most ofthem coming by car, attending this event. It is likely that many
people driving to the display would no doubt be parking on the south side of County Road 3 and
walking across the street to the park. This is a potential pedestrian safety hazard and would
require police res~urces for traffic control. We already have off duty officers who will be
assigned to the tent dance and it is not practical to rely on the availability of on duty officers to be
able to assist with traffic direction as they may be needed to respond to other calls. We could
possibly use reserve officers for traffic control.
The permit implies that people would also be using the pavillion parking lot and the lot on the
north side ofthe City shops. Depending on other activities going on at the park (softball games,
etc) there may not be much parking available ill these areas.
As this event is taking place on City property, the finance director should be consulted concerning
the liabiltity risk should something go wrong.