A2 ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Date: May 23, 1996 File No. 3504-26 TO: Vancouver City Council FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services SUBJECT: Five Year Extension of the "Symphony of Fire" RECOMMENDATION A. THAT, in so far as its powers permit, Council approve, in principle, a "Symphony of Fire" International Fireworks competition for English Bay for the five-year period 1997 to 2001, subject to compliance with all City requirements as established through the FEST Committee. B. THAT Council, in so far as it has the legal power to do so, authorizes the event to take place for such five year period as required by the Noise Control By-law and other relevant by-laws. COUNCIL POLICY Council will approve annually major special events occurring on street, using City property, or where the event could have an impact on the adjacent public. PURPOSE The purpose of this report is to submit for Council's approval, a request from the Vancouver Fireworks Society for a five-year extension to the Benson & Hedges Inc. "Symphony of Fire" International Fireworks Competition (see attached letter). BACKGROUND The first "Symphony of Fire" was held in the Summer of 1990. This first year resulted in significant impacts mainly in the West End from the large crowd of people driving around, looking for parking. In March 1991, a meeting was held with West End residents to talk generally about the many events that were taking place in the West End in the Summer, and particularly the Symphony of Fire. In addition to a number of useful suggestions with respect to portable toilets, transit and information signing, two conclusions arose from the meeting: 1. A majority of the audience were supportive of the Fireworks. 2. The West End should be closed to all non-resident vehicles as a way to control the traffic and parking impacts. As a result of this meeting, a very significant traffic control plan was, and continues to be, implemented that closes the West End to non-resident traffic. This plan is reviewed and modified as necessary each year. Any significant changes to the Traffic Plan would be reported to Council. In September, 1991, Council approved the "Symphony of Fire" for a five-year period, from 1992 to 1996. DISCUSSION The overall impacts of the "Symphony of Fire" have stabilized. The crowd size, which largely determines the level of impact, does not vary significantly unless the weather is particularly poor. Many Departments within the City (including Police, Engineering, Parks, Fire and Health) as well as a number of outside agencies (including the Coast Guard, Harbourmaster and Ambulance Service) are involved in successfully putting on a "Symphony of Fire". Co-ordination of these agencies is monitored by the FEST Committee. The major issue of most concern to the public is traffic control. Each year, Police and Engineering, in consultation with the event organizer, review this plan. Any issues that may require a modification to the plan are reviewed and addressed. One issue that has never arisen, but which could happen under very adverse weather circumstances, is the cancellation of an evening's fireworks. This could happen only when winds are in excess of 50 km/hr. In this case, a decision would be made prior to the 6:00 p.m. evening news so the public could be informed. The event would be rescheduled for the next evening. The impacts and circumstances of the "Symphony of Fire" have not changed appreciably over the last four years and are not anticipated to change in the future. Therefore, staff are recommending approval of the event for a further five years. The event organizer understands that circumstances could change appreciably and impacts of the event may exceed what Council is prepared to accept. In this case, if these impacts cannot be reduced, Council will review its approval of this event. * * * * *