REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Consider Hosting a Semiquincentennial Fourth of July Celebration Event and Approval of Budget Modification No. 3
Report
BACKGROUND
In 2024, the City of Sunnyvale hosted a first of its kind in Santa Clara County drone show to celebrate the Fourth of July. The event exceeded attendance expectations significantly, overwhelming staff and planning resources, creating risk to both attendees and staff. After a detailed debrief of the event and extensive planning discussions, the City Manager determined that a repeat event could not be held without significant changes to the event planning, attendance, and parameters.
In 2025, the City scaled back its Fourth of July event to a family focused celebration downtown during the day. This was more consistent with Fourth of July events held in previous years, although the annual event had been paused for at least a decade prior.
The City Manager requested that staff research the feasibility and analyze the cost of hosting a one-time Fourth of July event for Sunnyvale residents to mark the semiquincentennial anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The purpose of this report is for the Council to review event options and associated costs, determine feasibility and interest, and allocate required funding to host an event in Sunnyvale in 2026.
EXISTING POLICY
No local regulations pertaining to drones exist in the City of Sunnyvale, and the operation of drones is not addressed in the City's Municipal Code.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates and sets guidelines for the safe operation of drones in the United States. Furthermore, the FAA has a mandate from Congress to develop a comprehensive plan to accelerate the integration of civil Unmanned Aerial Systems and operate them in accordance with several best practice guidelines. Commercial drone operators are also required to learn specific drone rules (Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 107), o...
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