Council approves special-event permits for IB Athletic Club and San Diego Air‑Cooled Fiesta; one councilmember recuses from IBAC vote

The Imperial Beach City Council on Aug. 20 approved special-event permits and associated sound-amplification requests for two community events: the Imperial Beach Athletic Club (IBAC) summer series and the San Diego Air‑Cooled Fiesta and La Playa car show. CAO Cortez Martinez summarized the IBAC application and said the nonprofit requested fee waivers totaling $19.80 (as listed on the staff report). The council approved the permit and fee-waiver request; Councilmember Leyba Gonzales recused herself from the IBAC vote because she is an IBAC member. Marty Mattis, speaking for IBAC, described the organization as a local nonprofit that reinvests proceeds into community programs and asked for the waiver to preserve the group’s ability to run family events. City staff also presented the San Diego Air‑Cooled Fiesta request to close Seacoast Drive, use Pier Plaza and the pier, and run live music; organizers said the show typically fills the pier and brings clubs and visitors, including Mexican car clubs, to Imperial Beach. The council approved that permit and associated conditions; staff noted the event organizers must also coordinate Port of San Diego permits for activities on the pier. Both approvals included the standard conditions in the staff reports: insurance and indemnity, non-disparagement/waiver clauses, traffic control and public-safety plans, and a post-event report on attendance and economic impact. The IBAC permit included a staff recommendation to require a post-event financial report within 60 days stating attendance and beneficiary funds. Council votes on both permits carried without opposition from members present, except the noted recusal on the IBAC item.