REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GEORGEANNE A. WHITE, City Manager
Office of the Mayor & City Manager
BY: RUTH F. QUINTO, CPA, Assistant City Manager
Office of the Mayor & City Manager
SUBJECT
Title
Approve a Torch Relay Agreement, including Addendums A through D, between the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games 2028 (“LA28”) and the City of Fresno (“City”).
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Approve a Torch Relay Agreement, including Addendums A through D, between the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games 2028 (“LA28”) and the City of Fresno (“City”).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno is currently engaged in active discussions with the LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Committee (LA28) regarding the City’s potential participation in the historic 2028 Olympic Torch Relay. For the first time in Olympic history, the Olympic flame will travel to all fifty states before arriving in Los Angeles for the Opening Ceremony on July 14, 2028. This represents an extraordinary opportunity for Fresno to showcase our diverse community, culture, and civic identity to a global audience. The city is presently reviewing a proposed agreement with LA28 that addresses specific guidelines that remain confidential at this stage of the consideration process.
BACKGROUND
As the fifth-largest city in California and the most populous inland city in the state, Fresno represents a compelling and symbolically significant stop along the way to Los Angeles. Fresno is home to one of the most ethnically diverse communities in the nation, including one of the largest Hmong and Armenian American communities in the country, a significant Latino population, and a rich agricultural heritage that defines the Central Valley. The opportunity to participate in the LA28 Torch Relay would provide a unique and unifying experience for the City of Fresno.
Participation in the LA28 Olympic Torch Relay would provide the City of Fresno with an unparallelled opportunity to showcase our community to a national and global audience. The city has a strong tradition of celebrating local high school, collegiate, and professional sporting events along with supporting our diverse community events.
GENERAL AGREEMENT TERMS
The terms of this Agreement remain confidential. However, such special events have traditionally involved city support for operational support services, city facility use and services, public safety measures, and the support of community partners. Several key items are highlighted below:
• Creation of Community Task Force
• Community Planning Guide will facilitate the planning and execution of events
• Marketing guidelines and restrictions
• Fundraising guidelines and restrictions
• City/Local services support (medical, sanitation, traffic management, public safety)
• City must provide regular status updates
The prospect of participating in LA28’s historic Torch Relay requires careful navigation and consideration. LA28 will lead a coordinated national public announcement unveiling the full Olympic Torch Relay route in the first half of 2027 and highlight the communities that will help bring it to life. The Administration is fully supporting this historic opportunity and recommends the Council’s support.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provide in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 this item does not qualify as a “project.”
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local Preference was not implemented as this item does not involve the bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
The preliminary estimated fiscal impact is approximately $80,000 to $100,000 for traffic management of street closures, stage and cauldron event setup and takedown, safety, security, and sanitation.
Attachments:
Torch Relay Agreement, including Addendums A through D