Title
Discussion regarding a partnership between the City of Hudson and the Hudson American Legion Lee-Bishop Post 464 to put on the Memorial Day Parade.
Brief Description: The City of Hudson has been in contact with the new leadership from the Hudson American Legion Lee-Bishop Post 464 regarding a partnership to organize and put on the 2022 Memorial Day Parade.
Body
Legislative History
None
Purpose & Explanation
The Hudson Memorial Day Parade has been an annual tradition for over 75 years. The Memorial Day Parade was canceled in 2020 and 2021.
Staff has been in conversation with new leadership from the American Legion to discuss the return of the Memorial Day Parade in 2022. The American Legion has suggested a partnership with the City to put on the parade that previously had been organized by the American Legion Auxiliary. This partnership is intended to continue this annual tradition in Hudson.
History of Parade Responsibilities:
The American Legion Auxiliary was the organizer of the Memorial Day Parade through 2019. Responsibilities included:
• Submittal of the annual Special Events Application to host the Memorial Day Parade.
• Purchased Certificate of Insurance naming City of Hudson as additional insured covering Parade and related activities.
• Set tone of Parade and parameters for participation in Parade.
• Contacted Parade participants and collected applications.
• Organized lineup of Parade and distribute to participants.
• Provided volunteers to coordinate the staging of the Parade on Memorial Day.
The City of Hudson has provided services needed to facilitate the Memorial Day Parade. Estimated costs, approximately $12,000, are mainly associated with Public Works union overtime costs and Police manpower. These costs have never been charged to the Parade organizer. Responsibilities included:
• Road closures and associated safety precautions.
• Traffic management.
• Manning of road closures.
• Overall security of event.
• Fire Department members volunteered unpaid time as participants in Parade.
Proposed Partnership Responsibilities for 2020 and going forward:
The Hudson American Legion Lee-Bishop Post 464 will assume these responsibilities:
• Submittal of Special Events Application to host the Memorial Day Parade
o Deadline of February 1. This will give the City proper notice to ensure all City personnel are scheduled to perform City responsibilities. Note- deadline waived in 2022.
• Purchase of Certificate of Insurance naming the City of Hudson as an additional insured covering Parade and related activities.
• Set tone of Parade and parameters for participation in Parade.
• Provide volunteers to work with a designated City staff person to coordinate the staging of the Parade on Memorial Day.
The City of Hudson will continue these responsibilities:
• Road closures and associated safety precautions.
• Traffic management.
• Manning of road closures.
• Overall security of event.
• Fire Department members volunteer unpaid time as participants in Parade.
In addition, the City will assume the responsibilities of:
• Contacting Parade participants and collecting applications.
• Organizing lineup of Parade and distributing to participants.
• Staff member to coordinate volunteers to stage the Parade on Memorial Day.
The following remains unchanged:
• The Parade route begins on State Route 303 at Milford Road, travels east on SR303, heads north on SR91 and continues north, ending at the Markillie Cemetery. The City has a well-rehearsed plan in place for this route in terms of road closures and traffic flow.
o In 2022, the American Legion will not host a service at the Markillie Cemetery at the end of the Parade. By continuing the traditional route of the Memorial Day Parade ending at the cemetery, it allows a Memorial Day service to be easily reintroduced as part of the Memorial Day activities should the American Legion decide to do so in the future.
• The parade will begin at 10:00am.
• Hudson Community Television will film the parade from a location near the Clocktower at Aurora Street/Main Street.
Timing Considerations
None
Fiscal Impact
Currently Budgeted (Account #, $)
Supplemental Appropriation Required (Account #, $)
X Appropriation Not Required.
Recommendation
Suggested Action
Staff recommends City Council approve this partnership between the Hudson American Legion Lee-Bishop Post 464 and the City of Hudson to continue the tradition of the Hudson Memorial Day Parade in 2022 and going forward.
Submitted by,
Jane Howington, City Manager
Thom Sheridan, Asst. City Manager- Professional Services
Frank Comeriato- Asst. City Manager- Operations
Jeff Knoblauch- Asst. City Manager- Finance Director
Rhonda Kadish- Community Relations Manager-Special Events