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Council approves temporary license for two circus events with $30,000 community benefit
Summary
Council approved a license agreement allowing Circus Caballero (Jan. 19'Feb. 3) and a Cirque Entertainment show (March 10'17) on a city-owned lot; applicants must provide safety plans, security and a $30,000 donation to the senior rent subsidy fund prior to operations.
The City Council voted to authorize the mayor to execute license agreements permitting two temporary circus events on city-owned property at 5933 Telegraph Road, after staff described conditions intended to mitigate safety and neighborhood impacts.
Planning staff presented the applications and 27 conditions of approval, including a safety plan reviewed by planning, building and safety, public works, traffic, fire, and the sheriff's department; a requirement for six security personnel during show hours; health and business permits; and a $500 per-applicant administrative fee. The applicants agreed to a combined $30,000 community-benefit contribution that staff said will be deposited into the city's donation account and used for the senior rent-subsidy program; the donation is due prior to the start of operations.
Staff also noted a $1,000 per-day holdover fee for each day a production remains on the property beyond its approved exit date and said the operator must obtain required electrical and generator permits. The applicant, Mark Landon, said both shows have internal security protocols, that LA County Fire frequently stations a fire-safety officer on site for similar productions, and that neither show will use pyrotechnics or animals.
Several council members urged a post-event "lessons learned" review because of problems associated with a prior, unrelated event at the same site. Council discussed coordination between private security and public safety and asked staff to notify neighboring businesses and property owners. The council moved to approve staff recommendations; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.
The license agreements include safety inspections, coordination with the sheriff's sergeant assigned to Commerce, and the requirement that the community-benefit contribution be paid before operations begin. Staff will follow up on any outstanding operational issues and provide confirmation to council that permitting and pre-event inspections are complete.
