Councilmembers pick up the tab for LHS’ Homecoming Parade
Susanville City Councilmember Russ Brown got the ball rolling when he asked about contributing $1,000 from his discretionary funds to help defray the city’s costs for closing Main Street for Lassen High School’s Homecoming Parade. File photosSusanville City Councilmembers used their discretionary funds to cover the city’s costs for Lassen High School’s Homecoming Parade Friday, Sept. 29.
The council unanimously approved Resolution No. 23-6207 authorizing the closure of Main Street from North Weatherlow Street to Alexander Avenue from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, authorizing the public works director to execute a Caltrans encroachment permit application and authorizing the finance director to adjust the budget as necessary.
Public works director Bob Godman said Caltrans does not charge for the encroachment permit, but the city is required to accept liability for the event.
According to Godman, the event requires “three street division crew members to sweep Main Street before and after the event, six public works department employees to set up (and) take down traffic control signs and assist four police officers with traffic control.”
According to the staff report, Godman estimated the event would cost the city $2,689.50 — $1,200 for the public works department, $500 for the police department and $989.50 for special event insurance.
Prior to the meeting, councilmember Russ Brown asked an item be placed on the agenda allowing him to use his $1,000 in discretionary funds to offset the expenses for the Homecoming Parade. The city’s Civic Contribution Policy provides $1,000 annually to each councilmember to be used at their discretion with council approval.
Susanville City Councilmember Mendy Schuster contributed $500.Mayor Quincy McCourt said the council had not budgeted funding for the Homecoming Parade and acknowledged Brown’s desire to contribute $1,000.
Councilmember Mendy Schuster said she would contribute $500, councilmember Thomas Herrera said he could contribute $1,000 and then McCourt said he would cover the remaining costs.
“Looks like we’ve got it covered,” McCourt said.
McCourt then asked councilmember Kevin Stafford if he’d like to make the motion to approve the contributions, and he said, “No, I would not,” but the motion passed unanimously anyway.
Lassen High School ASB Activities Director Shelley Bennett said Homecoming Week will start Monday, Sept. 25. The Powder Puff Game will be held Wednesday, Sept. 27, time to be announced, and the Homecoming Assembly and the Homecoming Parade will be held Friday, Sept. 29. She said the public is invited to watch the parade along Main Street near the high school, and the theme for this year is Gold Rush.
Other street closures
As part of its consent calendar, the council also unanimously approved street closures for the Veterans Day Parade Saturday, Nov. 11; for the Rails to Trails Festival Saturday, Oct. 7; for the CASA Superhero Fun Run Saturday, Sept. 30; for the Gravel Adventure Ride Saturday, Sept. 9; and for the Safe and Sane Halloween event Tuesday, Oct. 31.
Thomas Herrera contributed $1,000.
Susanville Mayor Quincy McCourt said he would cover any additional costs for the Homecoming Parade.
