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San Dimas council approves $4,000 reserve appropriation to keep San Dimas High homecoming parade downtown
Summary
After a staff presentation on route changes and rising traffic-control costs, the council voted 4–0 to use $4,000 from reserves to cover a shortfall for the San Dimas High homecoming parade; councilmembers urged better communication with Bonita Unified School District and discussed future cost-sharing and route alternatives.
The San Dimas City Council on Sept. 10 voted 4–0 to cover a shortfall for the San Dimas High homecoming parade by appropriating $4,000 from city reserves, concluding a tense discussion about rising parade costs and a breakdown in communication with the Bonita Unified School District.
City staff said the total cost of producing this year’s downtown parade is approximately $9,640; most of the expense was already budgeted, but staff asked the council to appropriate an additional $4,000 to cover overtime, deputy staffing and other off-hour costs. "I would like to make a motion for us to cover the cost of the entire parade this year including that $4,000 for the roadway and I would like it spent from our reserves," Councilmember Bacos said before the vote.
Parks and Recreation Director Scott Waserman and Engineering Manager Steve Baran reviewed the event’s history and explained why recent construction and changes to the Gold Line alignment have increased traffic-control needs. Baran said full street closures and Metro-related permit requirements now mean more devices, more staff and sometimes Metro flaggers; staff estimated a minimum extra cost of about $6,000 in some routing scenarios and noted the city has subsidized most parade costs historically.
Public comment favored keeping the parade downtown. "The parade belongs downtown," business owner Cindia Williams said, adding that the short disruption to local sales is outweighed by the event’s community value and family participation.
Councilmembers acknowledged the parade’s community importance but faulted staff–district communications for allowing rumors to spread that the city would cancel the event. Council members urged the city and the district to engage at an executive level earlier, and several suggested exploring slightly different routes to reduce staffing needs and costs in future years.
The motion carried 4–0 with Mayor Badar, Councilmember Bacos, Mayor Pro Tem Nano and Councilmember Weber voting yes; Councilmember Vianna was excused. Staff indicated they will continue discussions with Bonita Unified School District about a future cost-sharing arrangement and will return with any required permitting conditions or route changes.
