Council approves up to $15,000 for July 4 parade safety measures on trial basis

The Enumclaw City Council voted 5–1 on May 26 to appropriate up to $15,000 on a trial basis for additional safety measures at the July 4 parade, including rental of temporary barricades and hiring supplemental staffing to manage crowds.

Council member Martineau introduced the original request for $30,000 to cover two parades, explaining the request came after a meeting with Enumclaw Police Department, event planning staff and the Chamber. She described the proposal as a minimum professional safety infrastructure package and said it reflects a city responsibility to protect participants, volunteers and spectators.

"The request is for funding of safety of $15,000 per parade, which includes $8,000 to go towards temporary barriers to put up, and the balance of the 15 for each parade is to hire additional staffing," Council member Martineau said during the presentation.

Staff described logistics and cost estimates: an initial quote around $16,000 was reduced to roughly $8,000 under a government-pricing contract; staff said the estimated barricade length for the route is about 4,000 linear feet (2,000 per side) and deployment may require multi-day setup and coordination to avoid peak business hours. Council discussed alternatives such as targeted intersection barricades, lighter plastic panels, and increasing roving security rather than barricading the full route.

Council member Marano moved to amend the original motion to fund up to $15,000 for the July 4 parade on a trial basis, with administration, police and the Chamber to determine appropriate measures. The amendment passed on voice vote and the amended motion was approved 5–1. The council directed staff to coordinate logistics with the Chamber and the police department and to report back after the trial.