Title
Resolution to Approve Street Closures for the Ann Arbor Downtown Jazz Festival on Friday, June 19, 2020 at 7:00 PM to Saturday, June 20, 2020 at 9:00 PM
Memorandum
Attached for your consideration and approval is a request from Smooth Jazz Live, Inc. to close North Fourth Avenue between Ann and Huron Streets to host a new event, the Ann Arbor Downtown Jazz Festival from Friday, June 19, 2020 at 7:00 PM to Saturday, June 20, 2020 at 9:00 PM. The actual event will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2020 from 12:00 noon until 8:00 PM.
Smooth Jazz Live, Inc. is a non-profit organization with 501c3 status. The purpose of this organization is to raise money to help socio-economically disadvantaged kids ages 6-18. The goal is to help buy musical instruments and send them to summer camp to study music. The organizer has added this verbiage to their application:
“The city of Ann Arbor is known for diversity and inclusion. We feel our event will be a great asset to the citizens of the Ann Arbor community due to the fact that jazz music is universal. This festival will help broaden people's horizons by exposing them to live jazz music. This is an event the entire community can attend no matter age, race, religion or profession.”
Because this is the first time this event is being held, a meeting was held with City staff to determine impact and concerns by businesses in the area. There were some concerns which are noted in the attached email. The organizer has reached out to one representative and has significantly downsized the footprint of the event to its current request to allow as little impact to the surrounding businesses as possible; the organizer will also be in attendance at the Council meeting to respond directly to any concerns that Councilmembers may have.
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 MLCC regulations. The liquor sales to and consumption by legal aged participants will be in a roped off and monitored section within the footprint.
Notification of the street closure will be provided through the applicant’s social media sites and via the City’s website with GovDelivery.
The sponsor agrees to obtain all necessary permits, to 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.
Staff
Prepared by: Debra Williams, Office Manager
Reviewed by: Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Howard S. Lazarus, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City has received a request from the Smooth Jazz Live, Inc. to close North Fourth Avenue between Ann and Huron Streets for the Ann Arbor Downtown Jazz Festival on Friday, June 19, 2020 at 7:00 PM to Saturday, June 20, 2020 at 9:00 PM;
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; and
Whereas, The sponsor agrees to obtain all necessary permits, to 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;
RESOLVED, That a special liquor license for the event be approved, contingent upon the approval from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission;
RESOLVED, That the sponsor will pay the cost of City services associated with the staging of this event; and
RESOLVED, That City Council approve the closing of North Fourth Avenue between Ann and Huron Streets for the Ann Arbor Downtown Jazz Festival from Friday, June 19, 2020 at 7:00 PM to Saturday, June 20, 2020 at 9:00 PM.