TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: Ken Maurice, Development Coordinator
DATE: August 18, 2014
SUBJECT:title
The Compassion Foundation has submitted a revision on its planned event and is requesting permission to block off the parking spaces on the southwest side section of the Downer Place Bridge to place an end loader on the bridge at 12:00pm, filled with approximately 2,500 miniature rubber ducks that will be dumped over the bridge into the Fox River by 12:15pm, as a part of their Lucky Ducky Derby on Saturday, September 13, 2014 from 12:00pm to 3:00pm.
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PURPOSE:
In the revised plans for this fundraising event the ducks will float down the river to Sci-Tech area after being dumped from the Downer Place Bridge instead of the East Galena Blvd Bridge. The view of the finish line of the Lucky Ducky Derby would have been limited in the initial plans submitted and the revised plans offer a better view and reduced chance of ducks being stuck in weeds along the riverside.
BACKGROUND:
This is the first year that this event is being proposed (see re-vised sketch at the end of the application). The event organizers had been granted permission to utilize the south side East Galena Blvd bridge space from 12:00pm-12:15pm by a written letter from Tim Rater, President & CEO of the Paramount, but will no longer be utilizing this area in the revised plans for this event.
DISCUSSION:
The organizers are responsible for all costs associated with this event. The organizers stated that a Certificate of Insurance has been applied for and will be submitted within the time frame listed on the application. The organizers indicated that spectators will watch the ducks dumped from the Downer Place Bridge and then walk to either behind Sci-Tech or River Street Plaza to watch the ducks finish the race.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Aurora Police Department Traffic Division services will be needed in the form of an Officer/Patrol car helping traffic through Downer Place while the end loader dumps the ducks and then leaves the bridge. The event organizers have stated that services from the Aurora Fire Department Dive Team has been requested to assist in the water. Aurora Downtown Services Division services are needed to post "No Parking" signs on the bridge. The organizers are requesting additional trash bins from Sanitation Division.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Please forward to the Government Operations Committee for review/consideration.
cc: Alderman Hart-Burns, Chairman
Alderman Johnson
Alderman Mesiacos
Alderman Mervine, Alternate