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Council OKs up to $15,000 trial spending for July 4 parade safety measures
Summary
After staff and Chamber briefings on logistics and costs, the Enumclaw City Council amended and approved a one-time appropriation of up to $15,000 for parade safety (barricades and additional staffing) on a trial basis for the July 4 parade, citing growth in attendance and concurrent large events.
The Enumclaw City Council approved a one-time appropriation of up to $15,000 for enhanced parade safety measures on a trial basis for the July 4 parade.
Council member Martinell introduced the original proposal to allocate funds for parade safety; after discussion and an amendment limiting the appropriation to $15,000 for a single parade trial, the council approved the amendment and then the motion. Council members and staff outlined that the $15,000 figure reflects a government‑priced rental quote for temporary barricades (about $8,000) plus funds to hire additional temporary staffing to manage staging and keep spectators inside barriers.
Parks and administration staff described logistical tradeoffs: deploying 4,000 linear feet of aluminum panels requires multi‑day staging, dedicated crews to set and remove panels, impacts to downtown parking while barricades are in place, and potential overtime or contractor costs to install and dismantle the system. Staff said renting under a government contract cut the fence estimate roughly in half from an initial quote and that plastic, lighter barricade options might be less expensive but lacked firm quotes.
Council members expressed support for a trial that focuses on key intersections and deployable measures, rather than closing the entire route with continuous fencing. An amendment by Council member Lefler (to set the trial at $15,000 for July 4, to be determined by administration, police and the Chamber) passed by voice vote. On the final vote the council approved the motion (vote recorded as 5–1 in favor). Council asked staff to coordinate logistics with businesses, the Chamber and the police department and to report back after the trial to inform December planning.
The allocation is intended as a pilot; the administration warned the first deployment will likely be imperfect given the compressed timetable and that staff will return to council with lessons learned and any requested funds for future parades.
