Title
Resolution to Approve W. Washington Street Closing for Oktoberfest - September 16-17, 2011, Requested by Grizzly Peak Brewing Company and the Blue Tractor
Memorandum
Attached for your consideration and approval is a request from Grizzly Peak Brewing Company and the Blue Tractor to close W. Washington Street from S. Main Street to S. Ashley Street starting at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 16, 2011 through 11:50 p.m. on Saturday, September 17, 2011 for Oktoberfest. The event itself is scheduled to run from 6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 16, 2011 through 11:50 p.m., Saturday, September 17, 2011. The remainder of the time will be used for set up before the event and cleanup following the event. The intersection of S. Main and Washington Street will remain open during the event.
The sponsor agrees to obtain all necessary permits, pay applicable permit fee(s), provide evidence of proper liability insurance as required, to comply with all City regulations governing the use of the streets and reimburse the City for all event expenses. It is understood that special event permits are not issued until all permit requirements are met.
Notification of the street closings will be provided through the City's website.
Police Services did not approve the underlying event based on increased work load and safety concerns related to University of Michigan home football weekends (especially involving alcohol) in the downtown area. The University of Michigan will be playing Eastern Michigan University on the requested event dates. Transportation did not approve the underlying event based on the closing of Fifth Avenue, which has resulted in diversion of vehicular and bus traffic to Fourth Avenue (which is the designated emergency route) and the additional congestion on downtown streets from the University of Michigan home football game.
The sponsor will submit an application for approval from the State of Michigan Liquor Control Commission for temporary sales, service and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the defined areas pursuant to the M.L.C.C. regulations.
The event will be coordinated with all relevant City service units for the purposes of traffic control and for the protection of the health and safety of the participants and the general public.
Staff
Prepared by: Mary Joan Fales, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Sponsors: Councilmembers Smith, Higgins, and Anglin
Body
Whereas, The City has received a request from Grizzly Peak Brewing Company and the Blue Tractor to close W. Washington Street from S. Main Street to S. Ashley Street from 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 16, 2011 through 11:50 p.m., on Saturday, September 17, 2011 to facilitate the staging of Oktoberfest;
Whereas, The street closures will be signed, barricaded and properly supervised by the sponsor;
Whereas, The sponsor requires the approval of the Michigan Liquor Control Commission for a special outdoor liquor license;
Whereas, The sponsor agrees to obtain all necessary permits, pay applicable permit fee(s), provide evidence of proper liability insurance as required, to comply with all City regulations governing the use of the streets and will reimburse the City for all event expenses; and
Whereas, Notification of the street closing will be provided through the City website;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve the closing of W. Washington Street from S. Main Street to S. Ashley Street for Oktoberfest from 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 16, 2011 through 11:50 p.m. on Saturday, September 17, 2011; and
RESOLVED, That a special liquor license for the event be approved, contingent upon approval from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.