Consideration and Approval of Street Closure(s):  2013 Dew Downtown Flagstaff Urban Snowboard and Ski Festival and Consideration and Approval of Amplification Exception: 2013 Dew Downtown Flagstaff Urban Snowboard and Ski Festival.

• Approve the street closure of San Francisco Street between Birch and Dale avenues on February 7, 2013, at 8:00 p.m. through February 10, 2013, at midnight; and
• Approve the amplification exception, allowing for calling out play-by-play and starting box commentating for contestants  to occur on Sunday, February 10, 2013, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon.

By allowing the Dew Downtown Flagstaff Urban Snowboard and Ski Festival street closure as an exception to the special event permit regulations, the City is providing a safe alternative location for a new community event. By allowing for the Dew Downtown Flagstaff Urban Snowboard and Ski Festival amplification exception to the special event permit regulations, the City is creating an opportunity for economic activity in the community during the traditionally low performing month of February. No subsidiary decision points

The Dew Downtown Flagstaff Urban Snowboard and Ski Festival budget was approved in the City's FY13 budget and is projected to meet a 100% cost recovery.  Street closures change traffic patterns for local businesses and may have the potential to affect sales.  Based off of feedback from the 2012 event, many businesses reported a significant increase in sales over the previous year.  Three businesses reported a decline in sales from the previous year.  Review of sales tax data for the Downtown area showed a 19% increase in sales in February 2012 versus February 2011, which staff believes could be attributable to the Dew Downtown Flagstaff Urban Snowboard and Ski Festival.

Livability through good neighborhoods, affordable housing and varied recreational activities.

City Council approved the street closure for the 2012 Dew Downtown Flagstaff Urban Snowboard and Ski Festival and postponed this item for two weeks at the 10/02/2012 Council meeting to obtain additional community input.

1) Deny the request to close the proposed downtown streets and propose other street alternatives
2) Deny the request to close the proposed downtown streets and not hold the event
3) Deny the request to approve the amplification exception for play-by-play announcements

This special event is managed by the City of Flagstaff for the threefold purpose of (1) providing an economic stimulus for the community during the traditionally low performing month of February;  (2) continue to brand Flagstaff as a four season tourism destination; and, (3) provide a family-friendly winter event for all ages. 

The event features snowboarding and skiing on an urban course in the heart of historic downtown.   Snow is packed onto San Francisco Street between Birch and Dale Avenues, allowing skiers and snowboarders the opportunity to complete “tricks” while maneuvering various urban obstacles.  The event will run from 9:00 am - 8:00 pm on Saturday, February 9, 2013 and 9:00 am - 1:00 pm on Sunday, February 10, 2013.  Sound amplification is planned for Sunday, February 10th. 

In addition to the activities on the course, vendors will set up on the street and on the County Courthouse lawn.  Types of items sold at the event include food, beer, ski and snowboard related items, and sponsors' wares.  An RFP has been sent out to expand the event into the Heritage Square venue.  This additional component of the festival will be managed by an outside company. 

In August of 2012, the Dew Downtown Flagstaff Urban Snowboard and Ski Festival received the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association's award for "Most Outstanding Community and Neighborhood Event for a population of 25,000-100,000." 

Street closure of San Francisco Street is permitted by Council action under the Special Events rules and regulations and is not expected to begin until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 7th. Of note, Cherry Avenue is a two-way street and its closure is allowable under the special event permit guidelines without requiring permission of the City Council.

In 2012, this event drew roughly 10,000 spectators to the downtown area, increasing sales tax revenue by 19% (7% growth trend was occurring in the Downtown area without the event).  The Dew Downtown Flagstaff Urban Snowboard and Ski Festival is attributable for the majority of the increase.  Numerous businesses in the downtown area noted an increase in sales during the weekend of the Dew Downtown Festival. The Dew Downtown Flagstaff Urban Snowboard and Ski Festival has become one of the centerpieces of the WinterFest activities.  This event will be advertised throughout Arizona and the Southwestern states. The 2013 event plans to expand into the Heritage Square venue and directly involve more businesses and restaurants.

INFORM, CONSULT and INVOLVE:  On August 31, 2012, the City of Flagstaff mailed over 800 postcards to residents and businesses in the north downtown area in order to notify them of a public meeting on September 12, 2012, and the upcoming City Council meeting on October 2, 2012.  The date and times of the public meeting and City Council meeting were included in the 'Downtown Newsletter', which is posted on the City of Flagstaff's website (flagstaff.az.gov/downtown) as well as in the downtown kiosks, Main Library facility downtown, City Hall and the Aquaplex.

Three (3) community members attended the September 12, 2012 public meeting and voiced their support for the event and its location.  Input from attendees included: adding additional portable toilets, support for the current route and detour, support for the night portion of the event, support for the festival component, suggestions to improve the judging, prizes and announcing. Additionally, staff met with residents and business owners one-on-one in order to address their concerns.  Those who are opposed dislike the current event location and would like to see it moved to a different venue.

On Wednesday, September 19, 2012, the Dew Downtown Flagstaff Urban Snowboarding and Ski Festival was presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission for their input and approval.

In 2012, staff responded to community feedback by creating an ambassador program that integrated a trash/recycling component and an extensive parking plan.  Many noted that the area was cleaner than it had been prior to the festival.  In addition, ambassadors staffed intersection corners in order to direct people into parking areas.  The ambassador program hopes to expand by integrating private parking lot options and by handing out maps to visitors attending the festival.

1.  Deny the request to close the proposed downtown streets

•  Pro: No impact to the traffic flow of the north downtown area.
• Con: Economic benefit may not be seen by Flagstaff businesses during a traditionally slow sales period.

2.  Deny the request to approve the amplification exception to the special event permit packet

•  Pro: No impact to surrounding businesses and residents
• Con: The ability to provide play-by-play commentating for the contestants and to call participants to the starting box for the competition portion of the event would be compromised.