Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Standing Committee on Planning & Environment

FROM:

General Manager of Engineering Services in Consultation with VPD

SUBJECT:

Annual Khalsa Diwan Society Vaisakhi Parade

 

RECOMMENDATION

COUNCIL POLICY

There is no relevant Council Policy.

BACKGROUND

Since 1993, the FEST Committee has requested Council approval of the Khalsa Diwan Society's annual parade due to its significant size, duration and impact on the community, as well as the ongoing and unresolved concerns about the ability of the Khalsa Diwan Society to adequately monitor and control the event. In past years FEST Committee members, particularly the Vancouver Police Department, felt that safety issues were not sufficiently addressed by the organizers, and that participants and spectators, as well as neighbouring homes and businesses on the parade route, were at risk.

On February 22nd, 2001 Council approved the Khalsa Diwan Society's Vaisakhi parade scheduled to be held Saturday, April 14th, 2001, subject to the conditions set out by the FEST Committee in the Administrative Report dated February 13, 2001. This included a clause that Council would levy a fee of $10,000 for the use of closed streets or portions thereof, pursuant to the Street and Traffic By-Law, to be paid within 30 days of the conclusion of the event, if Council was not satisfied with the Society's compliance with the conditions set out in the report.

DISCUSSION

After a new Khalsa Diwan Society Executive was elected late in 2001, the FEST Committee met with them and their designated Parade coordinator to discuss issues about the parade that had not been satisfactorily addressed in past years , and to look at new initiatives that might be taken to ensure that the safety issues were addressed, and how Council might be assured of their willingness to cooperate. Conditions were laid out in a letter dated April 2nd, 2001 (Appendix A), and the President of the KDS acknowledged their agreement with each of the conditions with a signature, and returned a copy of the letter to the City, along with a cheque ($22,000) to cover the estimated cost of City services. (Invoice for City Services attached- Appendix B)

On Friday afternoon April 13th FEST members met at the Temple to inspect the floats, and were given a complete list of organizations with vehicles in the parade, as well as copies of insurance and licenses for all drivers involved. On Saturday morning, April 14th, FEST members were again on hand to ensure that vehicles were clearly identified and safe for people to travel on. All large floats were equipped with approximately 35 feet of rope attached to the bumper on each side of the vehicle, and accompanied by six or eight volunteers who walked in front of each float holding the rope to create a barrier between the float and the spectators

Although unexpected problems with the sound system inside the Temple caused the parade to be delayed one-half hour from the agreed to 10am start time, everything else went relatively smoothly. The parade moved at a slow but steady pace for most of the route, by 11:30 am Marine Drive was reopened to all traffic, by 2pm the parade had cleared Main Street and turned onto 49th, and the parade was back at the Temple just fifteen minutes later than planned, at 3:15pm. The parade was slowed considerably by congestion in the Punjabi Market area. It was noteworthy to see those floats that maintained the rope barrier moving at a more steady pace, as the volunteers walking in front dispersed the crowds. The addition of a stage at the corner of 50th & Main didn't compound the problem, the delay was caused by the large number of people who spilled into the street from the sidewalks, and blocked steady progress of the floats. However, spectators spread out along the route more than in past years, and the parade moved faster through the Market area because of it.

Organizers and volunteers did a good job of picking up garbage along the parade route itself, but litter on side streets was not dealt with adequately. As well, no arrangements were made to pick up the numerous garbage bags that were left on the sidewalks along the route. The FEST Committee will determine in advance of next years parade whether volunteers will do this, or if City services will be provided at cost to the Society.

CONCLUSION

The annual Vaisakhi Parade is an important celebration for the Khalsa Diwan Society and Vancouver's Indo-Canadian community. The new Khalsa Diwan Society executive made every effort to ensure that this year's parade complied with conditions set by Council and, although there were still a few minor concerns about safety issues that could be better addressed, the event was very successful from everyone's perspective. The $10,000 fee for use of City streets need not be collected; however, Council may wish to impose similar conditions for next year's event.

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Appendix A and B are on file in the City Clerk's Office.

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