HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-15-22_Special Events Committee Minutes
SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
March 15, 2022, 10:00 AM
731 S. Lafayette Blvd, South Bend, IN 46601
Members present: Brad Rohrscheib, Toy Villa, Jonathan Jones, Darwin Shipley, Coby Deal,
Clara McDaniels (Teams).
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 10:04 AM by Rohrscheib.
2. Approval of minutes
Upon a motion by Rohrscheib and seconded by Shipley the minutes from the previous
meeting held on February 15th, 2022, were approved unanimously.
3. Approval of Special Event Permits
a. 1st Annual Mother's Day Pop-Up Event-May 7, 2022
Norma Blackmon along with Latanya Bailey (virtually) joined the committee meeting to
describe the event and answer any questions the committee members had concerning
the event. Ms Bailey stated that they wanted to have a Mother's Day Block Party
featuring vendors, to celebrate the mothers coming out. The church will charge a $50.00-
$65.00 (depending on the desired plot size) fee per vendor. All proceeds will go to the
building of the church as they are trying to pay off the church mortgage. The organizers
hope to bring the community out, encourage worship and have a good time in a family
environment. Ms Blackmon hopes to hold a mortgage burning ceremony using proceeds
from the event. Ms Blackmon expressed her desire to bring people in the community
together, bring their mothers and enjoy their parents. Rohrscheib explained to the
organizers the procedure typically used to block off streets for a Block Party. Ms Bailey
described the type of vendors currently registered as those offering goods or activities. If
the event has interest from food vendors, the organizers have already made it clear that
the business must have a current food vendor's license with the City. Rohrscheib also
reminded the organizers that the Garth Brooks concert will be on the same day and
police response times may be delayed. Villa instructed the event organizers to make sure
the closure was from block to block, rather than mid block. The committee had no further
concerns regarding the street closure.
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Upon a motion by Rohrscheib and seconded by Villa the permit was approved unanimously.
b. Sunburst Races-June 4, 2022
Courtney Kipker with Beacon Health Systems joined the meeting virtually to discuss
street closures along the race route for Sunburst Races 2022 with the Special Events
Committee. This will be the 38th running of Sunburst and will follow the same route used
in 2021. Starting times have been bumped back as the races are being held in June. The
races will finish in the tunnel of the ND Stadium and should also conclude earlier this year
vs 2021. Villa confirmed that the LaSalle St construction project scheduled to begin in
June will not interfere with the Sunburst Races. Rohrscheib mentioned the large amount
of traffic control provided by different area city and state departments for the 2021
races and the need for additional resources in 2022. Susie Krill from Fire and Safety
suggested reaching out to the St Joseph County mounted team as a potential resource
for traffic control. Beacon has planned for an expected 3500-5000 participants in the
2022 Sunburst Races. Ms. Kipker mentioned that all the residents in the area have been
notified about early morning announcements being made on the PA system at Four
Winds on the day of the races. With additional meetings anticipated leading up to the
Sunburst Races, the committee had no further questions pertaining to the closure of
streets along the race courses.
Upon a motion by Rohrscheib and seconded by Shipley the permit was approved
unanimously.
c. 32nd Annual Stand by Me Walk-June 11, 2022
Madelyn Martinec with Real Services attended the Special Events Committee meeting in
person to discuss this year's annual walk to benefit the Alzheimer's and Dementia
Services of Northern Indiana. Alzheimer's and Dementia Services is a program of Real
Services. Participants will pay $20 registration fee and all proceeds will benefit the
Alzheimer's and Dementia program. The 2022 Walk will utilize the same route as the
2021 Walk. Participants will remain on the sidewalks, except for when they cross
Jefferson. Ms Martinec expressed interest in having a fire truck with a flag flying parked
on Jefferson in front of Howard Park for the start of the walk. The committee agreed that
"No Parking" signs should be put up in the parking spaces reserved for the fire truck. Real
Services staff will remove these signs at the conclusion of the walk. Rohrscheib discussed
with Martinec where officer assistance was needed at major street crossings to insure
adequate protection for participants. This event includes the use of Howard Park and the
organizer has all necessary applications and details submitted to VPA. No food or drink
vendors are scheduled to be at this event. 200-250 participants are expected for this
year's event. The committee had no further concerns or questions regarding this event.
Upon a motion by Rohrscheib and seconded by Shipley the permit was approved
unanimously.
d. Leeper Park Art Fair-June 17-20, 2022
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Hedy DeNolf joined the Special Events Committee meeting to discuss this year's Leeper
Park Art Fair sponsored by the St Joseph Valley Watercolor Society. Villa had concerns
over a conflict with construction near the fountain scheduled in Leeper Park during the
same time frame as the Art Fair. The event will be held on the West side of the Park. The
only street closure request is for Riverside between N Michigan St and Lafayette Blvd.
Security has been secured for the event however, police assistance will be needed for
crossings on Michigan between parking and the event. Deal confirmed details concerning
the closure of Riverside with the event organizer. Aay's Rental will be responsible for
erecting the tents this year. DeNolf mentioned that Aay's was experiencing a shortage of
staff and asked if the tents could be set up on Monday or Tuesday prior to the event.
Jones will notify VPA grounds staff that there may be a delay in the tents being taken
down after the Art Fair. Villa will verify the construction schedule and communicate the
information to DeNolf via the committee coordinator. The Lafayette/Riverside closure
will be movable to allow for vendor setup and emergency vehicles. The committee had no
further concerns or questions regarding this event.
Upon a motion by Rohrscheib and seconded by Jones the permit was approved unanimously.
e. Angel of Hope Ride-August 20, 2022
Rohrschieb reached out to the organizer of this event and explained the new
requirements need for the ride to have a police escort. This event remains "Tabled" as no
new information has been received.
Upon a motion by Rohrscheib and seconded by Villa the permit was tabled unanimously.
4. Other Business
a. Jones discussed wanting to use Boomer at the rescheduled St Patty's Day Parade and
wanted to know if it would it be possible to close the intersection of Jefferson/St Louis at
9:30 am to allow more time to set Boomer up. Rohrscheib and Deal didn't have any
concerns about this change.
b. Susie Krill asked if anyone knew where the sign that is used on the back of the fire truck
during the parade is located. If not, could Traffic & Lighting make a new one.
5. Privilege of the Floor
6. Adjournment
With no additional business, Rohrscheib motioned for adjournment and Shipley seconded.
The meeting ended at 10:57 AM.