The array of special events in Naperville, and what residents think of them, will be under scrutiny at this week’s City Council meeting.
Officials Wednesday are scheduled to go over a staff report produced in part from information gleaned from a survey taken last fall soliciting feedback about the configuration of parades, festivals, 5K races and other running events that take place annually in the city.
Among the report’s recommendations is drawing the line on annual parades that need city services. The city has seen an uptick in requests for parade permits in recent years, and it’s being suggested that the five existing ones – Hometown Holidays, the West Suburban Irish St. Patrick’s Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Indian Day parades – be the limit.
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Because the 30 major yearly events in the city take up significant staff time, the report also recommends that no additional ones should be approved.
The report further advises that criteria be established to quantify the impact and efficacy of Special Events and Cultural Amenities fund grant awards used for events, to “evaluate cost per participant and city service cost versus charitable financial impact.” The aim is to set thresholds for recipients of the funds to meet to continue receiving the city’s OK for their events.
Other suggestions in the report include streamlining the ticketing for Ribfest sponsors, to even out the flow of visitors to the sponsor tent; using better technology to compile real-time data about attendance at major festivals; and keeping an eye on the use of drones at events.
More than 80 percent of the 426 survey participants said they at least sometimes are inconvenienced by increased traffic during event periods, and two-thirds said parking and detour complications affect them sometimes or often. Ribfest, which draws an estimated 200,000 visitors each year, was the occasion most commonly cited for those troubles. Twenty-one percent of the respondents said there are too many events in the city, and 17 percent said there should be more.
Comments added to the survey showed many are satisfied with the operation of the existing events. However, a substantial number of the participants had complaints about access to their neighborhoods, obstacles to church attendance when events are held on Sundays, and the admission fees sometimes charged.
The council meeting, moved back one day because of Tuesday’s elections, will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the council chambers of the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St.
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Up for consideration
Issue: Laying a foundation for permits needed by Mariano’s for its future store at 75th Street and Naper Boulevard.
Background: The upscale supermarket chain plans to demolish and rebuild in the retail space vacated with the closure of the region’s Dominick’s supermarkets in 2013.
What it means: The developer needs to have the site rezoned from its current residential designation – a “cleanup,” according to a staff memo – and also seeks variances for parking, storage, outdoor sales and an outside eating area.
Issue: Letting contracts for the $10.6 million 2015 street resurfacing project, which encompasses slightly more than five miles of city roadways.
Background: All of the bids received were at least $500,000 higher than engineers’ estimates.
What it means: Low bidder K-Five Construction is being recommended for the work. Revenue taken in from state motor fuel tax surcharges will cover $3.5 million of the expense.
Issue: Approving a fiscal 2015-16 budget, which was reduced by $1.75 million through a series of council workshops, with a lower tax levy than initially planned.
Background: Officials learned last week that the city’s 2014 equalized assessed valuation increased 1.1 percent over the previous year, to more than $5.9 billion. Budget estimates had anticipated a 1percent increase.
What it means: The tax rate will slightly lower than anticipated during the workshops. A legally required public hearing for the $445.8 million spending plan will precede a vote on adoption of the budget. The fiscal year begins May 1.