SR 09-13-2022 5G
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: September 13, 2022
Agenda Item: 5.G
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: David Martin, Director, Administration
Subject: Approval of Memorandum of Understanding for the 2022 Open Main Street
October Festival and Adoption of a Resolution to Authorize Closure of a
Portion of Main Street for the Festival
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a Memorandum of
Understanding with the Main Street Business Improvement Association for the
City to co-produce a one-day open streets event called Open Main Street
October Fest.
2. Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Community Services Director to close for one-
day an approximate half-mile portion of Main Street for the Open Main Street
October Fest event so as to comply with the State of California Vehicle Code.
Summary
The Main Street Business Improvement Association (MSBIA) has submitted a
community events application requesting a partnership with the City to co-produce a
one-day, closed street event called Open Main Street October Fest. This event meets
the criteria for a co-produced event, as outlined in Administrative Instruction (AI) II-4-21.
In order to authorize the street closure, the City will need to adopt a resolution to comply
with the State of California’s Vehicle Code Section 21101(e) to authorize this year’s
event. California’s Vehicle Code Section 21101(e) authorizes local authorities, for those
highways under their jurisdiction, to temporarily close a portion of any street which is not
governed by the City’s Municipal Code Chapter 4.68. Staff recommends adopting a
resolution to authorize the Community Services Director to close the approximate half-
mile portion of Main Street. Staff also recommends entering into a Memorandum of
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Understanding (MOU) with MSBIA for the City to co-produce the Open Main Street
October Fest, which would define the roles, responsibilities and financial contributions of
each party.
Discussion
Since 2001 MSBIA has produced an annual one-day, live-music event called the
Soulstice festival. This summer event, typically held in June, was organized to
celebrate Main Street’s businesses, attract residents and visitors to the area, and
expand the entertainment offerings provided at the Sunday Main Street Farmers
Market. The Soulstice event brought vitality to the street, offered the community an
opportunity to enjoy free, live musical entertainment in an outdoor setting, and provided
an economic boost to the retailers and restaurants on Main Street. City Council
approved co-producing Soulstice in 2017, 2018 and 2019 as well as for 2020 although
Soulstice did not take place in 2020 due to the pandemic. The City co-producing the
Soulstice allowed for the closure of Main Street to vehicular traffic from Pico Boulevard
to Marine Street, some City fees to be waived or reduced, and in-kind support from City
staff.
While the COVID-19 pandemic halted events in 2020 and 2021, Council directed staff in
2021 to implement an “open street” pilot program in partnership with Ocean Park
Association (OPA) and MSBIA. This pilot program, called “Sharing an Open Main
Street” occurred in 2021 on one weekend each for four months: July 24-25, August 21-
22, September 18-19 and October 16-17. The pilot authorized the closure of two blocks
of Main Street to vehicles between Hill and Kinney Streets to create a pedestrian plaza
with outdoor dining, shopping and recreation (see attachment B).
Building on the success of the Sharing an Open Main Street pilot program and the
economy’s emergence from the worst of the COVID pandemic, MSBIA submitted a
community events application in July for a one-day, closed street event to be held on
October 22, 2022 called Open Main Street October Fest. Similar to past Soulstice
events, Open Main Street October Fest will feature live bands, a sidewalk sale by Main
Street merchants, vendor booths in the street, and beer and wine gardens in private
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parking lots. The proposed closed street event includes the closure of a half-mile portion
of Main Street to vehicular traffic beginning at Strand Street and ending at Pier Avenue
from 6:00AM to 11:59PM. The Ocean Park Association (OPA) has expressed its
support for the road closure.
Council’s adoption of a resolution is necessary to comply with the State of California’s
Vehicle Code Section 21101(e) which authorizes local authorities, for those highways
under their jurisdiction, to temporarily close a portion of any street which is not governed
by the City’s Municipal Code Chapter 4.68, for the safety and protection of persons who
are using the closed portion during the temporary closing.
The annual Summer Soulstice is a beloved event and MSBIA has indicated that the
Soulstice event will return in the future. For this year, MSBIA was unable to obtain the
City approvals in time to organize a June 2022 Soulstice event.
Staff recommends that the City enter into a MOU with MSBIA to co-produce the 2022
Open Main Street October Fest being held on October 22, 2022. Under the terms of the
proposed MOU, MSBIA would assume responsibility for organizing and managing the
event, as well as obtaining all appropriate permits. MSBIA would also be responsible
for contracting with an event promoter and musical acts, securing the event space on
private property, contracting with vendors and sponsors, and raising all the funds
necessary to support the event, which is estimated to cost approximately $50,000.
The proposed Open Main Street October Fest application has been reviewed by City
staff from Community Services and Community Development to determine if the event
meets the conditions for a City co-produced event, per Administrative Instructions II-4-
21. Staff supports this event as it advances the City’s goal of supporting local
businesses through economic recovery from the pandemic. This event is similar to
other “buy local” events that the Economic Development Division has supported for the
other Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). City Council has provided Discretionary
Funds to MSBIA and the other BIDs in support of these events.
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The City would be responsible for providing oversight and coordination of the City’s
permitting process, coordinating the City’s social media promotion of the event,
providing certain fee waivers and reductions in accordance with the Community Event
AI. Staff anticipates that the amount of City support for this Open Main Street October
Fest will be less than what was provided in 2019 due to the event taking place with a
half-mile street closure versus a full one-mile street closure. Due to MSBIA’s experience
and success with organizing community events and securing sponsorship funds, they
have requested a reduced level of City commitment/participation for this year’s event. In
addition to indirect support, the City is expected to provide $9,666 in direct financial
assistance to support the event costs, from Council Discretionary Funds appropriated at
its July 14, 2022 meeting. At its August 23, 2022, MSBIA requested Council to allocate
an additional $10,000 from its Discretionary Funds to be used toward event costs, which
Council approved.
Past Council Actions
Meeting Date Description
02/25/20
(attachment C)
Authorization to enter into a MOU with MSBIA to co-produce the
2020 Soulstice festival
02/26/19
(attachment D)
Authorization to enter into a MOU with MSBIA to co-produce the
2019 Soulstice festival
05/08/18
(attachment E)
Authorization to enter into a MOU with MSBIA to co-produce the
2018 Soulstice festival
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to enter into a MOU with MSBIA to co-produce the 2022 Open
Main Street October fest. The indirect costs associated with the event that includes fee
reductions and in-kind staff time are funded from the various City department budgets,
including Economic Development Community Services and Transportation.
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Prepared By: Erika Cavicante, Senior Development Analyst
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. 2022.09.13 Main Street Closure Authorization
B. Sharing An Open Main St Info Item FINAL 02.08.2022
C. Council Report February 25, 2020
D. Council Report February 26, 2019
E. Council Report May 8, 2018
F. Written Comments
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City Council Meeting: _________ Santa Monica, California
RESOLUTION NUMBER _________ (CCS)
(City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF THE
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO CLOSE PORTIONS OF MAIN STREET
FOR OPEN MAIN STREET, OCTOBERFEST
WHEREAS, California Vehicle Code Section 21101(e) authorizes local authorities,
for those highways under their jurisdiction, to adopt rules and regulations by ordinance or
resolution to temporarily close a portion of any street for celebrations, parades, local
special events, and other purposes when, in the opinion of local authorities having
jurisdiction or a public officer or employee that the local authority designates by resolution,
the closing is necessary for the safety and protection of persons who are to use that
portion of the street during the temporary closing; and
WHEREAS, on September 13, 2022, the City Council of the City of Santa Monica
authorized the City Manager to negotiate and execute a Memorandum of Understanding
with the Main Street Business Improvement Association to co-produce a one-day open
streets event called “Open Main Street, Octoberfest”; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to authorize the City’s Director of the Community
Services Department to temporarily close a portion of Main Street, since closure is
necessary for the safety and protection of persons who are using the closed portion of
Main Street during the temporary closing pursuant to Open Main Street, Octoberfest.
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Packet Pg. 276 Attachment: 2022.09.13 Main Street Closure Authorization (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October
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NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Director of the Community Services Department is hereby
authorized to temporarily close the portion of Main Street between Strand Street and Pier
Avenue from 6:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on October 22, 2022, because closure of this area
is necessary for the safety and protection of persons who are using the closed portion
during the temporary closing for Open Main Street, Octoberfest.
SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and
thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________
Douglas T. Sloan
City Attorney
5.G.a
Packet Pg. 277 Attachment: 2022.09.13 Main Street Closure Authorization (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October
Information Item
Date: February 8, 2022
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Edward F. King, Director, Department of Transportation
Subject: “Sharing an Open Main Street” Pilot Evaluation
Introduction
Pursuant to the discussion at the June 8, 2021, City Council meeting and subsequent
direction, the Mobility Division worked collaboratively with other City departments and
in partnership with Ocean Park Association (OPA) and the Main Street Business
Improvement Association (MSBIA) to implement an “open street” pilot program, Sharing
an Open Main Street, on one weekend each for four months: July 24-25, August 21-22,
September 18-19, and October 16-17, 2021. The pilot closed two blocks of Main Street
to vehicles between Hill and Kinney Streets to create a pedestrian plaza with outdoor
dining, shopping, and recreation. This information item summarizes the Open Main
Street pilot and provides a program evaluation of the pilot.
To support the pilot, City staff engaged a consultant to prepare temporary traffic
control plans for the roadway closure and to report data for event and non-event
traffic and pilot parking conditions. City staff oversaw traffic control installations,
collected noise readings, and performed observations during each event. MSBIA and
OPA collected survey responses from residents, visitors and business operators during
each event.
In summary:
• Parking levels for on-street and lots, increased moderately during event
weekends
• Traffic levels immediately adjacent to the pilot area increased slightly during
event weekends
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Packet Pg. 278 Attachment: Sharing An Open Main St Info Item FINAL 02.08.2022 (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October
Information Item: Sharing an Open Main Street Pilot Program Evaluation
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• There was no significant change in traffic speed during event weekends
• Pedestrian levels increased significantly during event weekends
• All noise readings were within authorized levels for the location
• Stakeholder responses to follow-up surveys were overwhelmingly positive
Below: Pedestrians and diners at the first Sharing an Open Main Street.
Overview of Sharing an Open Main Street Events and Activities
Sharing an Open Main Street provided an opportunity for the community to experience
a massive public space in a completely new way. Without cars, two blocks of Main
Street functioned as an open playground for residents and visitors to come together to
dine, exercise, play, and visit. Business operators were allotted more space in the street
to expand their operations and experiment with new concepts to serve customers. The
slow pace of Sharing an Open Main Street on roads commonly filled with high volumes
of loud and fast-moving traffic allowed people to visit local establishments they might
not otherwise frequent and discover businesses they may not have known existed while
driving. Main Street businesses overwhelmingly perceived the pilot as a benefit to their
business.
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Packet Pg. 279 Attachment: Sharing An Open Main St Info Item FINAL 02.08.2022 (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October
Information Item: Sharing an Open Main Street Pilot Program Evaluation
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Family-friendly programming, organized by MSBIA and OPA, provided local businesses,
artists, musicians, dancers, health and fitness instructors, and other participants with a
platform to showcase their talent and actively engage attendees by drawing their
services out onto the street.
Exhibit 1 illustrates the project area, barriers, and fire access lane
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Packet Pg. 280 Attachment: Sharing An Open Main St Info Item FINAL 02.08.2022 (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October
Information Item: Sharing an Open Main Street Pilot Program Evaluation
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Exhibit 2 illustrates the detour routes for vehicles and buses and location of public
parking lots
Traffic Control Plan and Traffic Assessment
Michael Baker International, the project’s traffic control consultant, prepared the
temporary traffic control plans (TTCPs) for the closure of Main Street between Hill and
Kinney streets based on input provided by the City in accordance with the City’s
Procedures and Requirements for TTCPs and the California Manual on Uniform Traffic
Control Devices (MUTCD). The plans included the following components:
• Water-filled temporary safety barricades
• Fire access lane (minimum width of 17-feet)
• Detour signage for vehicles
• Changeable Message Signs (CMS)
• Temporary bus stop closures and detours
Traffic and parking count data was obtained in June 2021 to establish baseline non-
event conditions. These counts were conducted on the weekend of Saturday and
Sunday, June 19-20. The same traffic counts were re-collected during the July Sharing
an Open Main Street event on Saturday and Sunday, July 24-25 to establish traffic and
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Packet Pg. 281 Attachment: Sharing An Open Main St Info Item FINAL 02.08.2022 (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October
Information Item: Sharing an Open Main Street Pilot Program Evaluation
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parking conditions during the event. The extents and location of the count data efforts
included the following:
• Intersection Turning Movement Counts (10 AM – 8 PM Saturday only) – Turning
movement counts are obtained by counting vehicles that move left, through, or
right at every intersection approach (e.g, north, south, east and west) at the
following intersections:
1. Neilson Way / Hill Street
2. Neilson Way / Kinney Street
3. Neilson Way / Marine Street
4. Main Street / Hill Street
5. Main Street / Kinney Street
6. 2nd Street / Hill Street
• Automobile Daily Segment Counts (48-hour Saturday & Sunday) – Automobile
roadway counts are obtained by counting the vehicles mid-block on a roadway
segment. The counts can determine the number, speed, and classification
(passenger, truck, etc.) of vehicles. This information was captured for:
1. Neilson Way – between Hill Street and Ashland Avenue
2. 2nd Street – between Hill Street and Ashland Avenue
3. 3rd Street – between Hill Street and Ashland Avenue
4. 4th Street – between Hill Street and Raymond Avenue
The following data analysis is a comparison of the baseline non-event data to the traffic
and parking conditions during the first event. Please note that traffic collection
equipment at the intersection of Main and Kinney streets was tampered with on
multiple occasions and therefore it is not included in this analysis.
Automobile Counts and Speeds
Automobile Counts
Baseline daily trips on Neilson Way average 18,550. The first event weekend shows an
increase in traffic volumes on Neilson Way by an average of 5,800 daily trips over
baseline of 18,550 daily trips for an overall average of 24,350 daily trips during the event.
Exhibit 3, below, illustrates non-event baseline versus first event weekend automobile
counts.
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Packet Pg. 282 Attachment: Sharing An Open Main St Info Item FINAL 02.08.2022 (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October
Information Item: Sharing an Open Main Street Pilot Program Evaluation
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Exhibit 3 –Average traffic counts for non-event baseline and first event weekend
• Fourth Street experienced an average increase of 1,000 daily trips over baseline
of 4,656 daily trips for an overall average of 5,700 daily trips.
• Third Street experienced an average increase of 1,110 daily trips over its baseline
of 1,682 daily trips for an overall average of 2,800 daily trips.
• Second Street experienced an average increase in vehicles of 550 daily trips
over its baseline of 850 daily trips for an overall average of 1,400 daily trips.
Automobile Speeds
Speed data was also obtained at the same locations. No significant change in speed
was evident in the data when comparing the non-event baseline vs. the first event
weekend. The only roadway segment that showed a decrease in speeds was Neilson
Way at 33 miles per hour (MPH) during the first event conditions compared to 36 MPH
during non-event conditions (a difference of 3 MPH).
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Packet Pg. 283 Attachment: Sharing An Open Main St Info Item FINAL 02.08.2022 (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October
Information Item: Sharing an Open Main Street Pilot Program Evaluation
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Exhibit 4 - Average speed during baseline and the first event conditions
Street
Segme
nt
Day Directio
n
Baseline
Conditions
First Event
Conditions
Delta
(Increase/Decrea
se)
Avera
ge
Speed
(MPH)
85th
Percentil
e (MPH)
Avera
ge
Speed
(MPH)
85th
Percenti
le (MPH)
Avera
ge
Speed
(MPH)
85th
Percentil
e (MPH)
Neilson
Way
Saturday
& Sunday Both 29 36 26 33 -3 -3
2nd
Street
Saturday
& Sunday
South-
bound 18 24 19 24 1 0
3rd
Street
Saturday
& Sunday Both 15 19 14 19 -1 0
4th
Street
Saturday
& Sunday Both 19 24 20 24 1 1
Pedestrian, Bike and Scooter Counts
Pedestrian, bicycle, and scooter volumes were collected at the following intersections:
1. Neilson Way / Hill Street
2. Neilson Way / Kinney Street
3. Neilson Way / Marine Street
4. Main Street / Hill Street
5. 2nd Street / Hill Street
All five intersections showed an increase in pedestrian traffic when comparing the two
weekends. During the non-event conditions, 1,150 pedestrians, 1,050 bicyclists, and 100
scooters were counted at the intersection of Main and Hill streets over an 8-hour period
between 10 AM and 8 PM, compared to 7,500 pedestrians, 950 bicycles, and almost
100 scooters during the first event on Saturday, July 24. This reflects a 550% increase in
pedestrian traffic while bicycle and scooter traffic dropped 9% and 5%, respectively.
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Packet Pg. 284 Attachment: Sharing An Open Main St Info Item FINAL 02.08.2022 (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October
Information Item: Sharing an Open Main Street Pilot Program Evaluation
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Exhibit 5 - Pedestrian, bicycle, and scooter counts for baseline and first event weekends
at all five study intersections
Parking Observations
On-Street Parking Observations (7 AM – 7 PM Saturday only)
Parking surveys document the number of occupied parking spaces on an hourly basis
for the duration of the survey period. This information was collected at:
1. Hill Street – between 3rd Street and Main Street
2. Ashland Avenue – between 3rd Street and Main Street
3. 2nd Street – between Ocean Park Boulevard and Marine Street
4. 3rd Street – between Ocean Park Boulevard and Marine Street
Parking surveys were conducted for 12 hours on Saturday, June 19 as well as during the
first event. The parking survey included a detailed parking inventory that identified
parking characteristics including handicap parking, restricted parking, permit parking,
etc. During the survey, the occupancy of each parking space was recorded every hour
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Packet Pg. 285 Attachment: Sharing An Open Main St Info Item FINAL 02.08.2022 (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October
Information Item: Sharing an Open Main Street Pilot Program Evaluation
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for 12 hours from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. This data was used to determine the parking
utilization as a percent of parking spaces occupied.
During non-event days, data shows that on-street parking is highly utilized, with
occupancies generally at or above 85% throughout the day within the residential
neighborhoods on Second and Third streets as well as during the afternoons after 2:00
PM on Hill Street and Ashland Avenue. The peak parking conditions under non-event
conditions occurred from 3:00 – 4:00 PM where overall occupancy was at 93.5%.
With the first event conditions, several areas within the study area are shown to have a
parking utilization at 100%. The highest occupied areas occurred on Ashland Avenue
between Second and Third streets, as well as on Third Street. Peak parking conditions
during the event were from 3:00 – 4:00 PM where overall occupancy within the study
area was at 95.5%.
Exhibit 6 - Parking occupancy on nearby streets during baseline and first event
weekends
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Packet Pg. 286 Attachment: Sharing An Open Main St Info Item FINAL 02.08.2022 (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October
Information Item: Sharing an Open Main Street Pilot Program Evaluation
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Off-Street Parking Observations
Parking data for off-street parking in Lot 9 (located along Neilson Way between Hill and
Kinney streets) and Lot 5 (located at the beach along Barnard Way between Sea
Colony Dr and Ocean Park Blvd) was also analyzed during baseline and the first event
days. In both instances, Lot 9 remained full. During the first event weekend in July, Lot 9
experienced high occupancies on both Saturday and Sunday, while on the
comparison weekend, Sunday parking was lighter. Beach Lot 5S occupancies were
very similar to Lot 9, where the event and comparison weekends show similar activity on
Saturday, while the event weekend stayed busier on Sunday.
Exhibit 7 - Parking occupancy in City Lot 9 during baseline and first event weekends
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Packet Pg. 287 Attachment: Sharing An Open Main St Info Item FINAL 02.08.2022 (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October
Information Item: Sharing an Open Main Street Pilot Program Evaluation
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Exhibit 8 - Parking occupancy in City Beach Lot 5S during baseline and first event
weekends
Noise Levels
Code Enforcement Officers conducted noise readings for two time periods (12PM and
7PM) during three different events: on July 17-18, as a baseline condition when the
street was open to vehicular traffic; during the first event weekend on July 24-25; and
during the final event weekend on October 16, 2021.
Code Enforcement Officers did not observe or hear unreasonably loud noise activity
during the first event on July 24-25 or during the final event on October 16, 2021. The
noise readings collected on October 16, 2021 were in direct response to eight
complaints from residents regarding noise generated during the August and September
events.
Based on the Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapter 4.12, Main Street (which falls in
Noise Zone II), was within the allowable noise standards when the readings were taken
during the event weekends. The readings did not identify noise levels to be
unreasonably loud, raucous, jarring or disturbing to persons of normal sensitiveness
within the area of audibility.
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Packet Pg. 288 Attachment: Sharing An Open Main St Info Item FINAL 02.08.2022 (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October
Information Item: Sharing an Open Main Street Pilot Program Evaluation
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Exhibit 9 - Average noise levels for baseline and event weekends
General Observations by City Staff
Staff observations during each event did not indicate significant neighborhood traffic,
noise, transit, or parking disruption. Staff observed some bicyclists and skateboarders
who did not dismount as requested when entering the pedestrian plaza. In general, the
environment was family-friendly with fitness, dance, lawn games, music, and art
activities for all.
Staff made minor adjustments to the traffic control plan after the first event,
determining that a full closure at Main Street and Ashland Avenue would eliminate
conflicts between drivers and pedestrians crossing at the intersection and improve
pedestrian flow and continuity across the two blocks.
Staff received less than a dozen inquiries after each weekend event from residents and
businesses regarding lack of on-street parking, general inconvenience to residents due
to the closure, excessive noise levels, and reports of trash. Staff also received half a
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Packet Pg. 289 Attachment: Sharing An Open Main St Info Item FINAL 02.08.2022 (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October
Information Item: Sharing an Open Main Street Pilot Program Evaluation
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dozen emails from residents who expressed enthusiasm for the events and a desire to
formalize the pilot.
City staff coordinated closely with OPA and MSBIA to address inquiries from the
community and to reduce impacts wherever possible. Each event weekend, OPA set
up a booth staffed by volunteers to help answer questions about the pilot. MSBIA hired
two Chrysalis team members for each weekend closure, whose responsibility was to
pick up trash and assist with event breakdown. Two of MSBIA’s farmers market team
members also assisted with cleaning trash throughout the events.
Four portable restrooms and sinks were secured at Hill and Kinney streets for each
weekend closure and included cleaning each Sunday morning. OPA and MSBIA invited
local businesses to participate in each weekend event, offering dedicated space in the
street for them to host free activities such as dance classes, fitness classes, art, sports,
and other entertainment. OPA also coordinated with scooter companies to create a
“no throttle zone” within the pedestrian plaza and designated scooter drop zones for
parking.
Below: Local businesses host fitness classes in the street.
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Packet Pg. 290 Attachment: Sharing An Open Main St Info Item FINAL 02.08.2022 (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October
Information Item: Sharing an Open Main Street Pilot Program Evaluation
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Below: A climbing wall was a major attraction, especially for families with children.
Below: Ten Women Gallery hosted face painting and a crafts table.
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Packet Pg. 291 Attachment: Sharing An Open Main St Info Item FINAL 02.08.2022 (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October
Information Item: Sharing an Open Main Street Pilot Program Evaluation
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Below: Pumpkin Patch
Below: Visitors set up lawn chairs in the street and enjoyed popcorn while watching
Beetlejuice
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Packet Pg. 292 Attachment: Sharing An Open Main St Info Item FINAL 02.08.2022 (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October
Information Item: Sharing an Open Main Street Pilot Program Evaluation
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Below: Dancing to the music
Below: Best in show at the annual Howl-o-ween costume contest. Photo by: Pet Shot
Studios
Survey Responses
OPA collected survey responses from event attendees and through electronic mailing
lists. Responses were overwhelmingly positive, with respondents living within two blocks
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Packet Pg. 293 Attachment: Sharing An Open Main St Info Item FINAL 02.08.2022 (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October
Information Item: Sharing an Open Main Street Pilot Program Evaluation
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of the closure providing most of the negative responses. Respondents reported
spending more time on Main Street because of Sharing an Open Main Street. In terms
of travel behavior to the event, walking was the preferred choice of travel by 64% of
the event attendees.
Exhibit 10 - General impression of survey respondents by home location by month of
survey
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Packet Pg. 294 Attachment: Sharing An Open Main St Info Item FINAL 02.08.2022 (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October
Information Item: Sharing an Open Main Street Pilot Program Evaluation
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Exhibit 11 - Reported impact of Sharing an Open Main Street on time spent on Main
Street
Exhibit 12 - How survey respondents traveled to the event
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Packet Pg. 295 Attachment: Sharing An Open Main St Info Item FINAL 02.08.2022 (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October
Information Item: Sharing an Open Main Street Pilot Program Evaluation
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MSBIA also collected surveys from businesses on Main Street, both inside and outside of
the pilot area. Businesses located within the event area were equally split between
loving the event and rating it as “okay,” whereas the majority of businesses located
outside the event area felt it was okay. Of the business types, restaurant/bars reported
very favorable impressions of the event whereas retailers were overwhelmingly “okay”
and a small percentage (6%) reported a negative sentiment.
In terms of economic impacts, 54% of businesses located within the pilot area reported
increased sales versus 24% of those located outside of the event area, and an average
of 19% of businesses along Main Street reported worse sales with the greatest positive
impact reported by restaurants/bars versus the most negative impact report by
retailers. A summary of the results is listed below.
Exhibit 13 - Survey respondents' feelings toward the event by location
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Packet Pg. 296 Attachment: Sharing An Open Main St Info Item FINAL 02.08.2022 (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October
Information Item: Sharing an Open Main Street Pilot Program Evaluation
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Exhibit 14 - Survey respondents' feelings toward the event by business category
Exhibit 15 illustrates how businesses in and out of the pilot area on Main Street
responded when asked about the economic impact on their business
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Packet Pg. 297 Attachment: Sharing An Open Main St Info Item FINAL 02.08.2022 (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October
Information Item: Sharing an Open Main Street Pilot Program Evaluation
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Exhibit 16 illustrates how different business categories responded when asked what kind
of economic impact the pilot had on their business
Email comments to Council regarding Sharing an Open Main Street
Following the last event on October 17, 2021, the City Council received 248 emails
expressing their opinion about the pilot including 242 positive and 6 negative.
Approximate Cost and Staff Time
The Sharing an Open Main Street pilot was primarily funded from repurposed Metro
grant funds, originally intended for the 2020 COAST open streets event, which could not
occur due to the pandemic. Metro allowed for repurposing $70,000 of the funds to this
and other Art of Recovery projects, on a one-time basis. In addition, MSBIA received
Council Contingency Funds of $25,000 which was applied towards the event to help
fund activities, entertainment, and cleaning services. This funding was previously
designated for Main Street SOULstice and was approved to be re-purposed to the
Open Streets event instead. Ongoing or future funding for this program has not been
identified. Below is a breakdown of how the Metro funds were used, in-kind costs from
the City, MSBIA costs, and approximate number of hours spent by City staff. The overall
Sharing an Open Main Street pilot cost was $141,070, not including City or MSBIA staff
time. Future events, including City co-produced events, would carry a higher price tag
as they would incur permit fees and City staffing costs as required under the City’s
Community Events Policy.
5.G.b
Packet Pg. 298 Attachment: Sharing An Open Main St Info Item FINAL 02.08.2022 (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October
Information Item: Sharing an Open Main Street Pilot Program Evaluation
22
ITEM COST FUNDING SOURCE
Traffic Control & Supervision
Design Traffic Control Plan & Data
Collection/Analysis $28,582 Metro Coast Funding
Traffic Control Services/Parts $20,000 Metro Coast Funding
Big Blue Bus Detour $27,572 In-kind
City Fees
Water Fees for Hydrant Meter - Hookup $225 In-kind
Water Fees for Hydrant Meter - 4 events $572 Metro Coast Funding
TNPS/Meter Revenue Fees $1,266 In-kind
RRR - additional trash carts $4,390 MSBIA
Street Closure Permit Fees $307 In-kind
Marketing & Materials
Graphic Designer - flier, poster, banner, social
media $855 Metro Coast Funding
Printing - flier, poster, signs, banner $1,839 Metro Coast Funding
Banner Installation $2,709 Metro Coast Funding
Advertising - social media/digital $800 Metro Coast Funding
Advertising - social media/digital, press, etc. $6,931 MSBIA
Supplies $1,555 MSBIA
Activations and Vendors $3,150 MSBIA
Street Team - door to door flier distribution $2,500 MSBIA
Live Music $2,975 MSBIA
Day-of Staff, Street Clean-up Crew $4,550 MSBIA
Rentals - tables, chairs, tents, stanchions, porta
potties $30,293 MSBIA
City of Santa Monica Staff Time
Mobility Hours
Chief Mobility Officer 50 In-kind
Mobility Manager 10 In-kind
Principal Transportation Planner 10 In-kind
Principal Traffic Engineer 15 In-kind
Transportation Planning Associate 420 In-kind
Traffic Engineer 40 In-kind
Planning Assistant 6 In-kind
Communications
Senior Marketing Manager 15 In-kind
Economic Development
Economic Development Manager 20 In-kind
Senior Development Analyst 15 In-kind
Community Development
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Packet Pg. 299 Attachment: Sharing An Open Main St Info Item FINAL 02.08.2022 (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October
Information Item: Sharing an Open Main Street Pilot Program Evaluation
23
Planning Manager 20 In-kind
Senior Planner 15 In-kind
Police 6 In-kind
Fire 4 In-kind
BBB 8 In-kind
RRR 8 In-kind
Code Enforcement 6 In-kind
CAO 20 In-kind
TOTAL HOURS - CITY OF SM STAFF 688 hours
TOTAL - PAID BY METRO COAST FUNDS $55,357
TOTAL – IN-KIND (not including staff costs) $29,369
TOTAL - MSBIA $56,344
TOTAL OVERALL EVENT COSTS: $141,070 (or approx. $35k per weekend)
Conclusion
Overall, the pilot is considered a success by City staff in that it did not create any
unforeseen traffic issues or have a significant negative impact on the character of the
neighborhood. Survey responses were overwhelmingly positive, with respondents living
within two blocks of the closure providing most of the negative responses.
Open street events are not new to Main Street. Summer SOULstice, Santa Monica
COAST, and the 4th of July parade are all annual events that have been celebrated for
years, closing off vehicle access to portions of Main Street between Pico to Marine for
varying amounts of time. Sharing an Open Main Street was the next step in the
evolution of those events. These events align with local and national movements that
look at creative ways to repurpose space on our streets to support our communities.
Prepared By: Jacqui Swartz, Transportation Planning Associate, Mobility Division
5.G.b
Packet Pg. 300 Attachment: Sharing An Open Main St Info Item FINAL 02.08.2022 (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October
City Council Report
City Council Meeting: February 25, 2020
Agenda Item: 3.B
1 of 3
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Andy Agle, Director, Housing and Economic Development, Economic
Development Division
Subject: Approval of Memorandum of Understanding for 2020 Soulstice Festival
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Main Street Business Improvement
Association to co-produce the 2020 Summer Soulstice festival.
Summary
The Summer Soulstice festival (Soulstice) is an annual community event that the Main
Street Business Improvement Association (MSBIA) launched in 2001 to showcase the
local businesses in the Main Street commercial district. For the third year in a row, Main
Street is proposed to be closed to vehicles for the Soulstice festival. Staff recommends
entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MSBIA to co-produce the
2020 Soulstice festival and define the roles, responsibilities, and financial contributions
of each party.
Discussion
The MSBIA has produced the Soulstice festival, an annual, free, one-day, live-music
event since 2001. The summer event was organized to celebrate Main Street’s
businesses, attract residents and visitors to the area, and expand the entertainment
offerings provided at the Sunday Main Street Farmers Market. The event brings vitality
to the street, offers the community an opportunity to enjoy free, live musical
entertainment in an outdoor setting, and provides an economic boost to the retailers and
restaurants on Main Street. The 2020 Soulstice is planned to feature live bands, a
sidewalk sale by Main Street merchants, 150 vendor booths in the street, and beer and
wine gardens in private parking lots. This year marks the 20th year of the festival.
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As in 2019, the 2020 Soulstice festival is planned to include the closure of Main Street
to vehicular traffic from Pico Boulevard to Marine Street on June 28, 2020 from 9:00AM
to 9:00PM. The 2019 street closure was a success because it provided for an
expanded closed-street environment, increased the number of exhibitors and activity
areas, and allowed for a better integration of the north and south sections of the
commercial district. The Ocean Park Association, which represents the neighborhood
surrounding Main Street, has expressed its support for the full road closure.
Staff recommends that the City enter into an MOU with MSBIA to co-produce the 2020
Soulstice festival, to be held on June 28, 2020. Under the terms of the proposed MOU,
MSBIA would assume responsibility for organizing and managing the event, as well as
obtaining all appropriate permits. MSBIA would also be responsible for contracting with
an event promoter and musical acts, securing the event space on private property,
contracting with vendors and sponsors, and raising the funds necessary to support the
event, which is estimated to cost approximately $120,000.
The City would be responsible for providing oversight and coordination of the City’s
permitting process, granting access to the street banner on Main Street, coordinating
the City’s social media promotion of the event, and providing fee waivers and reductions
as well as direct and indirect financial assistance. In addition to indirect support, the
City is expected to provide $26,000 in direct financial assistance to support the event
costs, including $1,000 from the Buy Local program budget and $25,000 from the
Council Discretionary Funds ($8,000 appropriated June 25, 2019 and $17,000
appropriated January 14, 2020).
Past Council Actions
Meeting Date Description
02/26/19
(attachment A)
Authorization to enter into MOU with MSBIA to co-produce
the 2019 Soulstice festival
05/08/18
(attachment B)
Authorization to enter into a MOU with MSBIA to co-produce
the 2018 Soulstice festival
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Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to enter into an MOU with MSBIA to co-produce the 2020 Soulstice
festival. The indirect costs associated with the event, including fee waivers, fee
reductions, and in-kind staff time, are funded from the various City department budgets,
including Housing and Economic Development, Community and Cultural Services,
Police, and Fire. The City’s direct financial contribution is $26,000.
MOU Request
Request Amount FY 2019-20 Department / Account # Total MOU Amount
$17,000 Council / 01100001.532330.12012 $17,000
$ 8,000 Council / 01100001.532330.12002 $ 8,000
$ 1,000 HED / 01160004.537040 $ 1,000
Total $26,000
Prepared By: Erika Cavicante, Senior Development Analyst
Approved
Forwarded to Council
5.G.c
Packet Pg. 303 Attachment: Council Report February 25, 2020 (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October Festival)
City Council Report
City Council Meeting: February 26, 2019
Agenda Item: 3.H
1 of 3
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Andy Agle, Director, Housing and Economic Development, Economic
Development Division
Subject: Memorandum Of Understanding for 2019 Soulstice Festival
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Main Street Business Improvement
Association to co-produce the 2019 Summer Soulstice festival.
Summary
The Summer Soulstice festival (Soulstice) is an annual community event that the Main
Street Business Improvement Association (MSBIA) launched in 2001 to showcase the
local businesses in the Main Street commercial district. For the second year in a row,
Main Street will be closed to vehicles for the Soulstice festival. Staff recommends
entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MSBIA to co-produce the
2019 Soulstice festival and define the roles, responsibilities, and financial contributions
of each party.
Discussion
The MSBIA has produced the Soulstice festival, an annual, free, one-day, live-music
event, since 2001. The summer event was organized to celebrate Main Street’s
businesses, attract residents and visitors to the area, and expand the entertainment
offerings provided at the Sunday Main Street Farmers Market. The event brings vitality
to the street, offers the community an opportunity to enjoy free, live musical
entertainment in an outdoor setting, and provides an economic boost to the retailers and
restaurants on Main Street. The 2019 Soulstice will feature live bands, a sidewalk sale
by Main Street merchants, 150 vendor booths in the street, and beer and wine gardens
in private parking lots.
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For the first time in its history, the 2018 Soulstice festival included the closure of a
portion of Main Street to vehicular traffic, from Pico Boulevard to Ocean Park Boulevard.
The street closure expanded the capacity for public participation in the event and
allowed for additional activation of the area. The street closure was a success and
MSBIA proposes for the 2019 Soulstice festival to extend the closure of Main Street
from Pico Boulevard to Pier Avenue, from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM on June 23, 2019 to
provide an expanded closed street environment, increase the number of exhibitors and
activity areas, and better integrate the north and south sections of the commercial
district. The Ocean Park Association has expressed its support of the extended street
closure.
Staff recommends that the City enter into an MOU with MSBIA to co-produce the 2019
Soulstice festival, proposed to be held on June 23, 2019. Under the terms of the
proposed MOU, MSBIA would assume responsibility for organizing and managing the
event, as well as obtaining all appropriate permits. MSBIA would also be responsible for
contracting with an event promoter and musical acts, securing the event space on
private property, contracting with vendors and sponsors, and raising all the funds
necessary to support the event, which is estimated to cost approximately $110,000.
The City would be responsible for providing oversight and coordination of the City’s
permitting process, granting access to the street banner on Main Street, coordinating
the City’s social media promotion of the event, and fee waivers and reductions. Staff
anticipates that the amount of indirect City support for the 2019 Soulstice will be higher
than in 2018 due to the increased expenses associated with the extended street
closure. In addition to indirect support, the City is expected to provide $26,000 in direct
financial assistance to support the event costs, including $1,000 from the Buy Local
program budget and $25,000 from Council Discretionary Funds ($8,000 appropriated
June 12, 2018 and $17,000 appropriated January 22, 2019).
Past Council Actions
5.G.d
Packet Pg. 305 Attachment: Council Report February 26, 2019 (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October Festival)
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Meeting Date Description
02/28/17
(attachment A)
Authorization to enter into a MOU with MSBIA to co-produce
the 2017 Soulstice festival
05/08/18
(attachment B)
Authorization to enter into a MOU with MSBIA to co-produce
the 2018 Soulstice festival
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to enter into an MOU with MSBIA to co-produce the 2019 Soulstice
festival. The indirect costs associated with the event, including fee waivers, fee
reductions, and in-kind staff time, are funded from various City department budgets,
including Housing and Economic Development, Community and Cultural Services,
Police, and Fire. The City’s direct financial contribution is $26,000.
MOU Request
Request Amount FY 2018-19 Department / Account # Total MOU Amount
$17,000 Council / 01100001.532330.12012 $17,000
$ 8,000 Council / 01100001.532330.12002 $ 8,000
$ 1,000 HED / 01160004.537040 $ 1,000
Total $26,000
Prepared By: Erika Cavicante, Senior Development Analyst
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Council Rpt 02.28.2017 - Staff Report
B. Council Rpt 05.08.2018 - Staff Report
5.G.d
Packet Pg. 306 Attachment: Council Report February 26, 2019 (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October Festival)
City Council Report
City Council Meeting: May 8, 2018
Agenda Item: 3.F
1 of 6
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Andy Agle, Director, Housing and Economic Development, Economic
Development Division
Subject: Memorandum of Understanding for 2018 Soulstice Event
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Main Street Business Improvement
Association to co-produce the 2018 Summer Soulstice event.
Executive Summary
The Summer Soulstice festival is an annual community event that the Main Street
Business Improvement Association (MSBIA) has held since 2001 to showcase the Main
Street commercial district. The event attracts approximately 7,000 to 10,000 local and
regional attendees to hear live music and to experience the businesses along the one-
mile business corridor. Beginning in 2011, the City has provided funding and staffing
assistance to MSBIA for the event’s production. Staff recommends a memorandum of
understanding to define the roles, responsibilities, and contributions of each party.
For the first time in its history, the 2018 Soulstice festival proposes to close a portion of
Main Street to vehicle traffic. Starting at Pico Boulevard and extending south to Ocean
Park Boulevard, the street would be closed from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. The street
closure would not only expand the capacity for public participation in the event, it would
also allow for additional activation of the area. The proposed street closure also
increases the costs for staging the event, especially in the areas of public safety and
traffic control. While MSBIA is working to raise additional funding for the event through
increased sponsorships and vendors, a funding gap is anticipated. At its April 10, 2018
meeting, Council allocated an additional $14,000 of its discretionary funds to MSBIA to
help offset the additional public safety expense.
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Background
The Main Street Business Improvement Association (MSBIA) has produced the
Summer Soulstice festival (Soulstice), an annual, free, one-day, live-music event,
since 2001. The event features bands on stages located on several closed side streets
along Main Street, as well as an accompanying sidewalk sale by Main Street
merchants, and, in some years, an entertainment area for children. The summer event
was organized to celebrate Main Street’s businesses, attract residents and visitors to
the area, and expand the entertainment offerings provided at the Sunday Main Street
Farmers Market. The event brings vitality to the street, offers the community an
opportunity to enjoy free, live musical entertainment in an outdoor setting, and provides
an economic boost to the retailers and restaurants on Main Street. The Main Street
commercial district begins at Pico Boulevard to the north and extends to the southern
City boundary, just south of Marine Street.
For many years, MSBIA’s Executive Director and the organization’s board members
solely produced and financed the one-day Summer Soulstice event. As production
costs and administrative responsibilities have risen over time, MSBIA has sought
participants to help with the administrative duties, as well as sponsors and vendors to
help offset the expense.
Beginning in FY 2011-12 and annually thereafter, Council has allocated discretionary
funds to support events organized by the business improvement districts (BIDs) that
include MSBIA, as well as the Pico Boulevard and Montana Avenue districts.
Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. does not participate in the discretionary funding allocation
since it is primarily organized as a property-based assessment district. MSBIA has
used the discretionary funds to cover the City’s fees related to the production of the
Soulstice event. The amount of Council discretionary funds allocated to MSBIA has
varied each year. The City provided $2,500 in FY 2011-12; $3,750 in FY 2012-13, and
$7,000 in FY 2013-14. In FY 2014-15, the amount of discretionary funding was reduced
to $4,000 because the City was able to reduce Police and Fire staffing costs associated
with the event. In FY 2015-16 and FY 2016-17, Council provided $7,000 in
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discretionary funds to MSBIA and to each of the other BIDs. For FY 2017-18, the City
has increased the amount each of the three BIDs receives to $8,000.
In 2011, the City’s Buy Local program began providing partnership grant funds to the
three BIDs of up to $1,500 annually. MSBIA has primarily used the Buy Local grant to
help fund some of the Summer Soulstice marketing and promotion costs, as the event
helps promote the Buy Local program.
In 2015, the City established an Event Partnership Administrative Instruction (AI) that
specified conditions and requirements for City sponsorship and co-production of
community events. The AI authorizes the City to partner with organizations to provide
funds, fee waivers, and use of City staff time for planning and implementation of
qualified events. The value of the sponsorship or co-production varies. The City co-
produced the 2015 Summer Soulstice event and MSBIA received approximately
$13,604 in City support, comprised of Council discretionary funds, Buy Local funds, fee
waivers, fee reductions, and in-kind staff time to contribute to the event’s total expense
of approximately $32,000. The City also co-produced the 2016 Soulstice festival, and
MSBIA received $16,823 in City support, which included allowing for an over-the-street
banner, promotion of the event via the City’s social media outlets, fee waivers, fee
reductions, and additional City fees associated with public safety staffing requirements,
to help offset the total event expense of approximately $40,000. The value of the City
resources provided to MSBIA is based on the actual cost of City fees, as well as staff
time. While the City was considered a co-producer for both the 2015 and 2016 Soulstice
events, both events were processed by the Community and Cultural Service events
program and no MOU was executed.
At its February 28, 2017 meeting, Council authorized staff to enter into a MOU with
MSBIA to co-produce the 2017 Soulstice festival (Attachment A). MSBIA received
$19,313 of City support in the form of expense reimbursement, in-kind staff assistance,
and some fee waivers to contribute towards the total event expense of approximately
$66,000. The City’s increased support in 2017 was primarily due to a change in the
City’s parking-rate structure for reserving spaces in the City parking lots.
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The Soulstice festival is a signature event for MSBIA and the Main Street commercial
district. The City has historically welcomed the opportunity to co-produce the event
because it aligns with several City’s goals. For example, the event draws a broad
audience that includes both locals and regional visitors of all ages. The festival also
brings the community together and creates a sense of connection where attendees can
gather and socialize. In addition, the event allows attendees to explore Main Street
stores and restaurants, and encourages spending locally, thereby supporting Economic
Opportunity.
Discussion
For several years, MSBIA has been interested in the closure of Main Street in
conjunction with Soulstice in order to expand the event program area and increase
pedestrian circulation. Due to the success of COAST, the open-streets event the City
produced in 2016 and 2017, MSBIA requested the closure of Main Street for the 2017
Soulstice. Staff determined that a variety of internal policies and requirements would
need to be addressed in order to permit the closure of Main Street and that there was
insufficient time to do so prior to the 2017 event. While evaluating the closure of Main
Street from Pico Boulevard to the southern City boundary for the 2018 Soulstice,
a closure of Main Street from Pico to Ocean Park Boulevard was agreed upon between
staff and MSBIA. The 2018 Soulstice festival will be held on June 24, 2018. Main
Street will be closed to vehicle traffic beginning at Pico Boulevard, and extending south
to Ocean Park Boulevard from 10:00AM to 9:00PM. The street closure allows for
additional activations, and it will provide attendees a new way to interact and experience
the businesses along Main Street. The Ocean Park Association expressed their
support for the closure of Main Street as part of the 2018 Soulstice.
The street closure also increases the costs for staging the event because of the
increased requirements for public safety and traffic control. For 2018’s Soulstice, water
barricades will be required at a cost of approximately $15,000; the costs for fire and
medical personnel is estimated at $7,800, an increase of $6,500 from the 2017
Soulstice; and additional traffic control and police cost is estimated at $5,100, an
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increase of $2,200 from 2017. The public safety expenses add up to a total of $27,900
in production costs, an increase of $23,700 over 2017’s costs.
While MSBIA has been working to offset the increased costs by increasing the number
of sponsors and vendors, at its April 10, 2018 meeting, Council allocated an additional
$14,000 in discretionary funds to help with the additional public safety and traffic control
expenses. For FY 2017-18, MSBIA will receive a total of $22,000 in Council
discretionary funds, reflecting $14,000 allocated on April 10, 2018 and $8,000 allocated
for FY 2017-18.
Staff recommends that the City enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with
MSBIA to co-produce the 2018 Soulstice festival being held on June 24, 2018. This is
the second year the City will formalize its co-production of the event by entering into an
MOU with MSBIA that would outline the scope of the event, responsibilities of each
party, and City support. Staff anticipates that the amount of City support for the 2018
Soulstice will be higher than what was provided in 2017 due to the increased expenses
associated with the street closure. The MOU would assign MSBIA with the
responsibility for obtaining all appropriate permits, as well as organizing and managing
the event. The City would be responsible for providing oversight and coordination of the
City’s permitting process, access to the street banner on Main Street, coordination of
the City’s social media promotion of the event, fee waivers, fee reductions, and $23,500
in direct financial assistance to support the event. MSBIA would be responsible for
contracting with an event promoter, musical acts, securing the event space on private
property, contracting with vendors and sponsors, and managing the event expenses,
which are estimated at $71,500.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Funds in the amount of $23,500 to support the event are available in the FY 2017-18
budget in the City Council and Housing and Economic Development Departments at
accounts 01201.579002 ($22,000) and 012681.522340 ($1,500), respectively. The
indirect costs associated with the event, including fee waivers, fee reductions, and in-
kind staff time, are funded from the various City department budgets, including Housing
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and Economic Development, Community and Cultural Services, Police, and Fire.
Prepared By: Erika Cavicante, Senior Development Analyst
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. MSBIA MOU for Soulstice 2017 Council Meeting 02.28.2017 - Staff Report
B. MSBIA Oaks Initiative 05. 2017
5.G.e
Packet Pg. 312 Attachment: Council Report May 8, 2018 (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October Festival)
1
Vernice Hankins
From:Curt Cotter <Curt.Cotter@hotmail.com>
Sent:Friday, September 9, 2022 3:18 PM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Main Street Closing for Octoberfest.
EXTERNAL
Sent from Mail for Windows
Dear Santa Monica Council person,
I object to the closing down of Main Street and the Money given to the Main Street Merchants for their Octoberfest.
I live a block from Main Street and object to the closing down of Main St. because it disrupters traffic patterns causing
more problems for near by residents from added traffic and less parking available to residents.
I very much object to giving Main Street merchants $20,000 to subsidize their Octoberfest. The Octoberfest is an
enterprise activity that only benefits the Main Street merchants. It does not benefit the residents by making the city
greener, a better place to live or reduce property taxes; there are so many other ways to better spend the city’s
money.
Sincerely
Dawn Cotter
Item 5.G 09/13/22
1 of 2 Item 5.G 09/13/22
5.G.f
Packet Pg. 313 Attachment: Written Comments (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October Festival)
1
Vernice Hankins
From:Sean Besser <besser@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, September 13, 2022 8:10 AM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Support for Roctober Street Closure on Main Street
EXTERNAL
Hello Mayor Himmelrich, CouncilMembers,
Sean Besser here. I am VP of The Ocean Park Association and chairing our Main Street Task Force. I ask you to vote yes
on the Rocktoberfest street event. OPA voted to support the Main Street Merchants and we are looking forward to a
day of Main Street as a pedestrian plaza.
Once again, we are going to have a pet costume contest and plan on showing a kid friendly movie in the Street.
Thank You,
~~Sean Besser
Item 5.G 09/13/22
2 of 2 Item 5.G 09/13/22
5.G.f
Packet Pg. 314 Attachment: Written Comments (5309 : Resolution Adoption and MOU Approval for Open Main Street October Festival)