10 - Multi-Year Interlocal AGreement with TxDOT for temporary closure of State right-of-way in support of the Festival of Pumpkins

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Item No. 10 TO: Mayor & City Council Gene Anderson, Interim City Manager FROM: Carla Easton, Engineering & Community Development Director SUBJECT: FESTIVAL OF PUMPKINS AGREEMENT WITH TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DATE: September 17, 2019 BACKGROUND: The Festival of Pumpkins has become a fall community staple for the promotion of Paris to visitors as well as residents. This event offers fun for family where patrons can enjoy food, music, vendors, crafts, and free games for children in the downtown areea. This event stimulates the economy by bringing in anywhere between 8,000 — 10,000 people. Festival of Pumpkins is in its 19th year. STATUS OF ISSUE: This year, the festival will again be held at Bywaters park and will extend into the street right-of-ways of South Main (TxDOT on -system route) and 1St St SE for one block between Sherman St and Austin St. Vendors at the event need time to set up in advance, so the roads need to be closed the Friday before the festival to accommodate them. TxDOT allows special events on state routes through an approval process and an inter -local agreement with the City. Staff is proposing a three year agreement with TxDOT for the closure of South Main Street (BUS 271) so that the Festival of Pumpkins can extend into the right-of- way. Past agreements for the festival were for closures of all streets around the Plaza, so the proposed traffic control plan for this agreement will be modified to detour only northbound traffic on Main Street by taking Washington St to 7th SW, then north to Grand Ave and back to the Plaza. This is better for parking and existing businesses in downtown because it provides on - street parking for patrons to the festival along all streets in the area, increasing foot traffic along many downtown businesses. City Council must approve a resolution for the street closure so we can complete the process of the inter -local agreement with TxDOT. 1. The Agreement will be for a period of 3 years. a. 10/25/2019 5:00 p.m. — 10/27/2019 12:00 a.m.- Event date 26t"