HomeMy WebLinkAbout1H1CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT DATE: March 25, 2021 CONSENT CALENDAR SUBJECT: WAIVER OF FEES RELATED TO PALM SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING CARAVAN, GRADUATION CARAVAN, AND BANNERS PROMOTING OUTSTANDING 2021 SENIORS FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager BY: Cynthia Alvarado, Director of Parks & Recreation SUMMARY The City has received a request to waive City fees for services provided for a Palm Springs High School homecoming caravan (in lieu of a parade), 2021 graduation caravan (in lieu of a formal graduation ceremony), and fees to hang banners celebrating outstanding 2021 seniors. The total fee waiver requested will not exceed $16,900. RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the City Manager to waive fees in the amount of $16,900 for City services requested by Palm Springs High School associated with the 2021 Homecoming Caravan, 2021 Graduation Caravan, and Outstanding 2021 Senior Banners. BACKGROUND: Students across the country have dealt with a year of missing school milestones, such as homecoming celebrations (and parades), senior proms and graduation ceremonies. The Palm Springs High School Activities Committee has created 2 COVID safe events to help celebrate their students and honor the 2021 Seniors in a year where they are unable to hold events involving large gatherings. Fundraising for these Senior events was difficult during the COVID pandemic. STAFF ANALYSIS: The Special Events Planning Team (SEPT) has reviewed a tentative proposal from the Palm Springs High School Activities Committee. Based on the review of the proposal submitted by Tyrus Brown, Director of Student Activities, the following is the cost breakdown of City services for both parades that funding is being requested for: ITEM NO. _\;;_\1 __ _
2City Council Staff Report March 25, 2021 --Page 2 Waiver of Fees for PSHS 2021 Senior Events Homecoming Parade -Proposed date: April 14 Police Staff Costs: Street Division: (including Staff costs, barricades and signage): Fire Department Staff Costs: Special Events Application Fee: Event Total: Graduation Parade -Thursday May 14 Police Staff Costs: Street Division: (including Staff costs, barricades and signage): Fire Department Staff Costs: Special Events Application Fee: Event Total: Banners Total: FISCAL IMPACT: $3,500 $3,000 $500 $287 $7,287 $4,200 $3,000 $500 $287 $7,987 $1,626 $16,900 Waiver of the fees will require City services to be provided through currently budgeted sources in each of the respective Departments. SUBMITTED: ", ~~~ David H. Ready, Esq.,. City Manager Attachments: Marcus L. Fuller, MPA, P.E., P.L.S. Assistant City Manager 1: Request from Mr. Tyler Brown/ Activities Director
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4Dear Mrs. Mayor and members of the City Council, I am writing on the behalf of the graduating class of 2021. I am writing because this class has been hit harder than any other group with the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the COVID 19 pandemic and the corresponding shutdowns. Palm Springs High School wants to honor and recognize our graduating seniors, and we need your help to make this a reality. We are looking at three different types of celebrations for our students. First, we would like to host a homecoming caravan (like our normal homecoming parade) that would travel north down Palm Canyon starting at the corner of Baristo and turning east on Alejo, finishing up at the high school. The approximate cost of the parade would be $8,200 ($4,200 for the Police Department, $3,500 for the Streets Department, and $500 for special events). The date for the parade is tentatively set for Wednesday April 14th• Next, we would like to host a graduation caravan similar to the aforementioned homecoming caravan. The route would be the same, but this would only be for our graduating seniors ( cost would be approximately the same $8,200). The homecoming caravan would be open to all students and schools within the Palm Springs Unified School District. This event would take place on Thursday May 27th, the scheduled day for our graduation ceremony (whether it be live or virtual). Finally, we would like to hang up banners downtown recognizing some of our outstanding seniors and their accomplishments. We would like to recognize our top ten in the class of 2021, and then some outstanding student/athletes and club members who were denied many opportunities to shine their senior year. We would be able to provide the banners, but we would need the City's assistance to hang them up. This would cost roughly $500 ($21 per banner for the first week, and $6 per banner per week thereafter). Unfortunately, the school does not have a budget for this considering the senior class was forced to miss our main fundraisers. As juniors, this class missed some fun fundraisers including their annual backwards week where they host PowderPuff (girls football), and Bufffiall (boys volleyball) games; they also missed out on planning and hosting their junior/senior prom (an event they will likely miss again as seniors). This year the class of 2021 missed out on planning their homecoming dance (probably our biggest fundraiser); they couldn't attend or plan the annual Winter Formal at the P.S. Aerial Tramway; and they are likely to miss out on most if not all of their graduation activities (no grad nite at Disneyland, and possibly not even a graduation ceremony). We all feel terrible for our graduating seniors, and it would be great if we could recognize them and show them how much we care. We humbly request that you help us accomplish these goals by providing funding for some of the end of the year activities. Honestly if we were able to do one caravan it would be special and memorable enough for the class. The banners would also be something the students would love to see and would treasure. I have discussed these programs with the special events planning team for logistical guidance and cost estimates. I hope you can help the class of 2021 celebrate their success. We anxiously await your response. Sincerely, Tyrus Brown Director of Student Activities Palm Springs High School tbrowwn@psusd.us email 760-902-5770 Cell Phone