HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-13-24 Special Events Committee Minutes
SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
March 13, 2024, 1:00 PM
731 S. Lafayette Blvd, South Bend, IN 46601
Members present: Amy Roush, Brad Rohrscheib, Kyle Ludlow, Darwin Shipley.
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 1:02 PM by Ms. Roush.
2. Approval of minutes
Upon a motion by Ms. Roush and seconded by Mr. Rohrscheib, the minutes from the previous
meeting held on February 28, 2024 were approved unanimously.
3. Approval of Special Event Permits
3a. April thru December First Fridays 2024-4/5, 5/3, 6/7, 7/5, 8/2, 9/6, 10/4, 11/1,
12/6/2024
Kylie Carter from DTSB joined the committee meeting in person to discuss the application
for First Fridays April thru December 2024. This year will be a continuation of the First
Fridays block parties. The event has continued to grow in popularity and requires more
space. Ms Carter requested flexibility to close part or all of Michigan Street between W
Wayne and W Washington according to the number of vendors expected monthly. The
map attached to the application includes four options for closures. Ms Carter (DTSB)
committed to notifying Traffic & Lighting each month prior to the planned activities to
coordinate with the Traffic & Lighting team which closure options will need to be
implemented.
DTSB has partnered with various merchants in the First Fridays location to encourage
special offerings.
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The committee was satisfied that none of the closure options interfere with bus operation
at the hotel or any other scheduled activities in the area surrounding the First Fridays
area.
Upon a motion by Ms. Roush and seconded by Mr. Rohrscheib and later amended to clarify that
approval would be based on an email submitted in addition to the original map specifying
closure options for each month, the permit for April thru December First Fridays was approved
unanimously.
3b. Art Beat 2024-August 9-11 2024
Ms Carter remained at the meeting to discuss Art Beat 2024. Art Beat is a day-long
showcase of visual, performing and culinary arts on the City streets of Downtown South
Bend. This year’s event will implement the same closures used in 2023. Setup for the
event will begin at 6:00 pm on August 9th, to allow for the exit of the downtown
workforce. The closure of Jefferson will re-open on August 11th by noon.
DTSB ambassadors will be on hand to assist vendors, participants, and visitors. The area
will be patrolled by walking officers. Ms Roush volunteered to email Ms Thompson at
SBPD to ensure that the event was on SBPD’s calendar and that an EMT team would be
available.
Upon a motion by Ms. Roush and seconded by Mr. Ludlow, the permit for Art Beat 2024 was
approved unanimously.
3c. Chet Waggoner LL Opening Day Parade-April 27 2024
Kevin Ridenour joined the meeting via Teams to offer a brief description of the annual
little league opening day parade and answer questions from the committee members
concerning the event. The parade of players, parents, coaches, along with a police escort
will begin at Holy Cross School. From there, the parade proceeds North on Portage via
Wilber and Vassar Streets to Highland Cemetery to briefly pay respect at the Chet
Waggoner memorial. Afterwards, the parade will continue to the Little League Park
located on Riverside Drive. Historically, the timeline for the parade is 20-30 minutes. Mr
Ludlow mentioned a potential conflict with construction on a new trail located on the
West side of Boland but, it was decided that the construction would not interfere with the
parade.
Mr Ridenour agreed to provide a copy of their Certificate of Insurance and to drop off the
application fee for the event.
Upon a motion by Ms. Roush and seconded by Mr. Ludlow, the permit for Chet Waggoner LL
Opening Day Parade was approved unanimously.
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3d. Bacon Around the Bend 5K-June 22 2024
Amy Stewart-Brown, Director of the Family Justice Center, joined the meeting via Teams
to discuss the application for this year’s annual 5K. The route thru the Harter Heights
Neighborhood is the same route used in 2023. The finish line is located at Corby’s Irish
Pub located on Niles Avenue. This years application requested the closure of (2) blocks
North of Corby’s on Niles Ave to facilitate a safe environment for runners and volunteers
near the finish line. This year’s 5K is expected to attract 500 plus runners and 50
volunteers.
Mr Ludlow identified construction scheduled for Hill Street and South Bend Ave during
the race timeframe. He wanted the race organizers to be aware of potential traffic from
the planned detour. Sgt Rohrscheib stated that the officers at the event would be made
aware of the detour and would control traffic as needed.
The committee had no further questions or concerns.
Upon a motion by Ms. Roush and seconded by Mr. Rohrscheib, the permit for Bacon Around
the Bend 5K was approved unanimously.
3e. Clover Street Block Party-June 29 2024
William Laske joined the meeting via Teams to discuss his application for the annual
Clover Street Block Party. Mr Laske organized the block party as a community gathering
for new and existing residents to meet and provide the neighborhood children with a safe
space to have fun.
Mr Laske’s application included signatures of approval from affected neighbors for the
closure of Clover Street between Hildreth Street and Ruskin Street.
Mr Shipley said that Traffic & Lighting will drop cones at the intersection of the closure on
Friday prior to the block party. The organizers will be responsible for the closure and re-
opening of the block at the approved times. Traffic & Lighting will retrieve the cones the
following Monday.
Upon a motion by Ms. Roush and seconded by Mr. Ludlow, the permit for Clover Street Block
Party was approved unanimously.
3f. Coffee & Cars-July 20 2024
Carissa McNeil joined the meeting via Teams to discuss the application for his year’s
Coffee & Cars. The annual event is sponsored by the merchants of Eddy Street Commons
and will require the closure of Eddy Street Commons Ph 1 between Angela and Napoleon.
Local car clubs bring vehicles for display. In addition to the merchants, a DJ, inflatable
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obstacle course, and a video game truck will be at the event. Last year’s event drew a
crowd of approximately 600 visitors.
Eddy Street Commons has barriers and cones and will not require additional items from
the City.
The committee members had no questions or concerns.
Upon a motion by Ms. Roush and seconded by Mr. Ludlow, the permit for Coffee & Cars was
approved unanimously.
4. Other Business
4a. The committee members present asked that it should be noted that the meeting held
on February 28 2024 was the last meeting that Gerard Ellis will attend as a member of
the Special Events Committee. Mr Ellis retires from the City of South Bend on March 8
2024. A replacement to represent SBFD on the committee is pending an appointment.
Ms Roush passed on an invitation to Mike Damiano at SBFD to monitor upcoming events
and make sure they are on the department calendar.
4b. Sgt Rohrshceib introduced Sgt Javier Bourne to the Special Events Committee and
stated that he would be working along with him going forward.
5. Privilege of the Floor
None
6. Adjournment
With no additional business to discuss, Ms. Roush motioned for adjournment, and Mr.
Rohrscheib seconded. The meeting concluded at 1:50 PM.