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Council approves two special events, declines fee waiver request
Summary
The council approved a Sun Runners Carne Asada Run application and an Imperial Irrigation District Festival of Lights application but did not approve a requested fee waiver for the car‑club signage; staff said unauthorized signs were placed last year and the festival’s traffic plan was accepted by police and public services.
The Imperial City Council approved two special events but declined a request to waive event permitting fees.
Tony Lopez presented an application for the Sun Runners Car Club’s 40th annual Carne Asada Run and explained the group requests A‑frames and steel plates to allow low vehicles onto the park and seeks permission to place directional signs on city right of way. Staff outlined a $208 processing fee and a $1,000 deposit. Council approved the event application by motion (4‑0) but did not make a separate motion to waive fees; the fee‑waiver request therefore died for lack of a motion.
Lopez said the club had placed unauthorized signage last year: "So last year, they had, set up signs without the city's permission, and we took those signs down," he said, noting the city will require permit paperwork and review for signage this year.
Council then reviewed an application from the Imperial Irrigation District for a Festival of Lights. Lopez said the festival submitted a traffic plan that public services and police have reviewed and accepted and that the contractor Vision will handle traffic control. Council raised concerns about prior backup on 2nd, P Street and Highway 86; staff said mitigation includes using the IID parking lot and Vision‑provided traffic control and that staff will secure contact numbers and specific barricade removal plans before final approval. The festival application was approved 4‑0.
The council approved both event applications and left the fee waiver unapproved; staff will continue processing permits and expect to work with applicants on signage details and traffic controls.
Next steps: staff to process permit details, confirm signage plans through community development, and collect contact numbers for on‑site event day coordination.
