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City staff outlines insurance workarounds after residents, artists say $1 million auto/liability requirements hamper programs
Summary
Residents and arts organizers told the council that a $1 million auto or umbrella insurance requirement is stopping small vendors and performers from participating in city events; staff described a set of risk-management workarounds including waivers and alternative endorsements and said communications will be expanded.
Several commenters told the council that the city’s vendor insurance requirements are preventing artists and small performers from participating in public events and library programs.
John Vicaber, speaking as Arts and Culture Committee chair, said neighboring cities place a blanket non-owned auto endorsement on an umbrella policy that covers vendors driving on city business and asked whether El Segundo could adopt a similar master endorsement. Nancy Johns, a resident who said she coordinates some library cultural events, said the library won’t be able to continue some musical events because the $1 million liability policy requirement was too expensive for individual performers.
City staff described recent work by the risk-management team to reduce barriers. The city manager and Joaquin (staff) told the council that the new risk manager, Sharon Brandon, has identified at least three approaches: (1) a waiver for low-risk activities with aggregated contract value under $15,000; (2) an attestation for local residents who will not use a personal vehicle for the engagement; and (3) assistance linking vendors to non‑owned auto endorsements or affordable add-on endorsements. The city manager said some agreements executed this year reflect those solutions and acknowledged that the communications about the options had not reached all potential vendors.
Council members asked staff to follow up with clearer public guidance and to ensure departments (library, recreation and others) receive the information so cultural events can continue. Staff said they would reach out to affected vendors and adjust outreach.
