DEPARTMENT: Center City Development & Operations Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: John Jacks
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-wide
SUBJECT:
2021 Fiesta Street Closures
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the closure of certain streets in connection with Fiesta 2021; approves the conditions, dates, times, and locations for specified Fiesta events, Fiesta river parade route; amendments to events; and approves the dates and times for the Fiesta Carnival and related requirements and conditions. There will be no street parades for Fiesta 2021.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The annual Fiesta celebration begins Thursday, June 17, 2021 and runs through Sunday, June 27, 2021. The Fiesta events which require street closures are outlined in Attachment 2.
On December 13, 2018, the City Council authorized a 10-year contract with the Fiesta Commission of San Antonio and designated the non-profit organization as the planning and coordinating entity for Fiesta. This agreement expires after Fiesta 2028. The Fiesta Commission has a multi-year contract with Wade Shows, Inc. (Wade) for operating the Fiesta Carnival.
Each year, the carnival concessionaire is required to coordinate security at the carnival area, maintain operating standards and policies, and ensure that revenue and cleanup requirements are maintained. This year the carnival agreement and hours are indicated in Attachment 3.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fiesta 2021 was delayed from April to June and will operate in a manner to ensure public health and safety. The unique circumstances of Fiesta 2021 require the amendment of the license agreements for events at Market Square and A Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA). The amended agreements are attached.
On January 19, 2012, the City Council authorized prohibiting smoking on city property and within the public right of way along the Texas Cavaliers' River Parade, the Fiesta Battle of Flowers Parade, and the Fiesta Flambeau Parade routes, with the exception of patio space along the River Parade route. The City has coordinated with the Fiesta Commission on public outreach efforts.
In the 2018 contract with the Fiesta Commission, the alcohol policy for public Fiesta events specifies that all beverages would be served in a plastic, paper container, or aluminum can/bottle. In addition, Municipal Code Section 32-30 specifies these same beverage restrictions for Market Square events. In an effort to increase recycling and reduce waste, and at the request of the Fiesta Commission, the agreement grants an exception to the Municipal Code and vendors will be allowed the possession and sale of aluminum cans/bottles at their events.
Per the agreement with the Fiesta Commission, the City funds all costs required for traffic control personnel and security along the parade routes including the Battle of Flowers, Fiesta Flambeau Parade, and River parades, as well as the carnival. While there are no street parades planned for FY2021, expenses for the River parade are included in the FY 2021 General Fund Budget.
ISSUE:
The Fiesta events will have enhanced health protocols, including hand washing stations, sanitizer, cleaning, and other efforts to ensure the safety of attendees. Due to the increased costs with hosting this year’s event, and the NIOSA organizer’s decision to limit attendance, the City will amend the NIOSA agreement to remove the Minimum Annual Guarantee. The organizer will contribute nineteen percent of net proceeds from ticket sales to the La Villita Historic Preservation Fund for the year 2021 only. For Fiesta 2022, the organizer will contribute the contractual rate of twenty-five percent of net ticket sales to the La Villita Preservation Fund. In addition, the agreement for the Fiesta Event at Market Square will also be amended to remove the Minimum Annual Guarantee and remove the requirement to pay City commission on beverage sales. The organizer will pay a license fee of 50% of revenues to the City, which benefits the Market Square Fund.
Various Fiesta events will require street closures including Fiesta Fiesta, NIOSA, Market Square Fiesta Event, 10th Street River Festival and the United Way Kids Fest.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council has the option to not approve the proposed ordinance. Staff would need to find alternative street closures because the Fiesta activities cannot occur without closing various streets downtown.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City has a 10-year contract with the Fiesta Commission to plan, coordinate, and support San Antonio’s annual Fiesta celebration from 2019-2028. The commission is responsible for clean-up services for Fiesta Events and delivery and removal of barricades/detour/traffic signs for all Fiesta events. While there are no street parades planned for FY2021, expenses for the River parade are included in the FY 2021 General Fund Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the street closures, Fiesta river parade route, amendments to events, and carnival operating hours in order to allow the Fiesta activities to occur.