Taft council approves El Dorado celebration permits, street closures for fall festival

The Taft City Council on an unanimous recorded vote approved a resolution authorizing special-event permits and encroachment permits for the 2025 El Dorado celebration, including multiple street closures and related conditions.

City Manager Jones presented the request, which included a list of nine separate street closures and requests to use city property for festival activities. Conditions of approval included naming the City of Taft as a certificate holder on liability insurance with $2,000,000 per-occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate limits, security and fire protection per Taft Police Department and Kern County Fire requirements, sufficient restrooms and hand-wash stations, trash receptacles, and a $1,500 refundable cleaning deposit for use of city property for flat-track races.

The council moved to adopt a resolution "approving the special event permit for the 2025 Old Dorado celebration and encroachment permit for street closures" and found the activity exempt from CEQA under the cited guidelines. The motion carried on a 4-0 roll-call vote; Council member Shavir was absent. Mayor North announced, "That passed on a 4-0 vote," after the roll call.

Council members offered brief remarks in support of the event, noting its periodic five-year schedule and local economic and civic significance. One council member said the celebration "brings our city together" and noted volunteers and local service clubs benefit from festival activity.

The resolution directs city staff to coordinate required permits, insurance evidence, and public-safety staffing with event organizers before the festival dates. No separate environmental study beyond the CEQA determination was requested during the meeting.

The council adjourned shortly after the vote.