Consider Assistance Request for Martin Luther King Jr. Parade & Program
Submitted By:
Dana Lodge, CVB & Events Director
Strategic Focus Areas:
Enhanced Quality of Life through Amenities, Arts, and Events Customer-Focused City Services
ISSUE
The Garland NAACP has requested the City Council to consider waiving expenditures for city services required for their events celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Saturday, January 14, and Sunday, January 15, 2023. The City Council policy on special event states that requests from nonprofit organizations for donated services in excess of $5,000 be brought to the City Council for consideration.
OPTIONS
The City Council may:
Approve the proposed recommendations for special events assistance,
Deny or revise proposed funding levels, or
Return the item to staff for further review and recommendations.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve funding assistance (waiving fees and charges for City services) in the amount of $25,550 for the 34th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade & March and the MLK Youth Extravaganza. For the 2023 the MLK event, planning discussions via email to each necessary department has been conducted to capture costs and layout plans for the event. In addition, planning meetings will be held between representatives from Transportation, Police, Health, Environmental Waste, Fire, Park Maintenance, and Cultural Arts.
At the meetings, the below areas and plans will be examined: • Traffic Plan/Street Closure Plan • Emergency Services (EMS and Fire) Plans • Police and Event Security Plans • Environmental Waste Plan • Setup/Teardown Plan
It has been determined that this year's estimated cost for the MLK Parade will be:
Police
$18,000
Traffic control & security
Transportation
$550
Installation and removal of barricades
EWS
$500
Installation and removal of waste containers
Cultural Arts Facilities
$1000
Brownlee Auditorium rental and fees
Cleaning Services
$5000
Cleaning parade route
In-Kind Equipment & Services
$500
Staffing
TOTAL
$25,550
Unless otherwise directed by City Council, staff will proceed with the proposed assistance for the special event.
BACKGROUND
This annual event spotlights the unity among Garland's diverse communities. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 14, ending at the Granville Arts Center Brownlee Auditorium for a commemorative program that is free to the public.
The MLK Youth Extravaganza (showcasing dance, step routines and military style drills) takes place at the Granville Arts Center Brownlee Auditorium at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 15, and is also free to the public.
By assisting various nonprofit organizations through the donation of City services for the nonprofits' special events, the City promotes and celebrates the diversity and vitality of the community. From parades and festivals to various multicultural events, the City of Garland is showcased through the efforts of these nonprofit organizations.
CONSIDERATION
The 2022-2023 annual operating budget has funds to provide assistance in covering fees and expenses for City services for special events hosted by nonprofit organizations. The proposed assistance for the Martin Luther King, Jr., Parade & March is within the budgeted amount.
