Tonight, the resolution is at Board of Estimates. Looks like it is also referred to the Board of Park Commissioners and then will be voted on by the council. 5 more years.
The city has limited power here, but they are authorizing the closing of the Olin Park boat launch and Shake the Lake will have to pay the city $1,250. The boat launch gets closed for 2 weeks out of the year for this event. The resolution says the “event itself will largely be controlled by the annual use permit and parks event permit”.
So, this is essentially the only vote the council takes on this matter. For the next 5 years.
The 10 page agreement further spells out the following:
– This agreement is for “use of the Olin Park Boat Launch and surrounding area for the Event in 2016-2020, including detailing User’s post-event responsibilities.This Agreement will also exempt User, and its contractors, from the anchoring and mooring restrictions of Madison General Ordinances Section 8.188.”
– Boat Launch Closure Plan. No later than March 31 of each calendar year of this Agreement, User shall submit a request to the Madison Parks Division detailing the Event date and the boat launch closure plan, including any “rain date” that will be utilized in the event of hazardous weather or other conditions. The boat launch closure plan may provide for up to fourteen (14) days of full or partial Boat Launch closures, and is subject to any closure related conditions as required by the Board of Parks Commissioners or the Parks Division. Once approved by the Parks Superintendent, User shall abide by the annual boat launch closure plan.
– They enclosed a map that shows a large portion of the park being closed, from the creek up to the bridge over to the beach and it includes about 20 parking stalls. The parks superintendent can add to this area if he wants to.
– The public communication plan about the closure of this area of the park is not subject to public review, it is approved by the Parks Superintendent only.
– How this area is used is not subject to a public meeting, it is done with the parks and fire staff.
– This agreement appears to include the clean up plan after the event . . . for the next 5 years.
User shall be responsible for the following post Event responsibilities, which responsibilities shall be done to the satisfaction of the City, as noted herein:
(1) User shall be responsible for cleaning up and restoring the Boat Launch Area to its original condition so that it may be fully and safely used as a public boat launch beginning on three days following the Event, or four days following the Event if a rain date is used.
(2) Within 48 hours of the end of the Event, User shall be responsible for cleaning up and removing all visible debris associated with the Event from the shoreline of Olin Park and Law Park, and from the Boat Launch.
(3) No later than 8pm on the day following the discharge of fireworks, User shall be responsible for removing all visible surface debris from the fireworks show and Event staging in Lake Monona within 2640 feet of the firing location and within 1000 feet of the Boat Launch Area.
(4) User is responsible for the disposal of all debris collected under this provision.
(5) The Superintendent shall be responsible for ensuring User’s compliance with Subdivisions (1) and (2), while the City Engineer, or his designee (“City Engineer”), shall be responsible for ensuring User’s compliance with Subdivision (3).
– They have to have a $3000 damage deposit.
– The employees for the event are restricted from carrying firearms.
– Within thirty (30) days following the Event, User shall provide the City Engineer with a report detailing the
following:
(1) The number and kinds of fireworks which were fired as part of the Event.
(2) The net weight of explosives in the fireworks display.
(3) A list of all the chemicals in the fireworks that were used as part of the Event.
– Lots of language releasing the City from responsibility for any “hazardous substance” that might be used.
– If the Shake the Lake doesn’t clean up or communicate the boat launch closure the city can do the work and charge Shake the Lake.
Wow. If I were on the council I would at least ask for:
– Follow up report to the council by the event organizers and staff. Allowing the council to ask questions and seek improvements if necessary. I realize this is largely a parks commission issue, but it impacts the entire city and city approval is needed for this and in order to get that approval, the council should at least be able to get a report back.
– More than $3,000 damage deposit.
– Require the report to engineering be made in advance of the event, with a follow up report on the actual items used. This report that is made in advance should be made public and the public should have a chance to comment on it and make changes if necessary.
I’m sure there are more things that should be done and there are citizen experts all over the city that have been looking into this issue for years. They would likely have more to add, which is why I focused on making sure information is more readily available and the public is informed, in advance, and that there is a public venue to discuss these issues . . . or the council can approve this 5 year contract and then shrug its shoulders and say they have no control. I wish they’d do the former. I fear they do the later.
