SPEV 2020-0010 AM/EX Golf Tournament 2021 (01.14.2021)
January 14, 2021
CASE NUMBER
Special Event Permit 2020-0010
ACTIVITY/EVENT
American Express event
January 18-24, 2021
56150 PGA Blvd (PGA West)
APPLICANT
Bryce Leon
Lagardere
APPROVAL
The Design and Development Department has reviewed and approved Special Event
Permit 2020-0010, pursuant to LQMC Section 9.60.170 (Special events – Residential),
based on the following Findings:
A. The event will not be detrimental to the health, safety and general welfare of the
community in the area of the proposed event. The Riverside County Department
of Environmental Health has reviewed and approved the event as proposed. The
Riverside County Department of Environmental Health is the review authority to
determine that the event will not be detrimental to the health, safety and general
welfare of the community, on the basis that the event and its participants will be
in compliance with COVID-19 related guidelines. This finding can be made due
to the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health’s review and
approval.
B. There is adequate area to conduct the event and to accommodate the anticipated
attendance. No guest attendance is proposed or allowed as part of this event;
only event participants are allowed.
C. Sufficient parking will be provided for the anticipated attendance.
D. Food service operations, medical facilities, solid waste facilities, sewage disposal
methods and potable water service have been provided. The Riverside County
Department of Environmental Health has provided review and approval of these
operations and facilities.
E. Fire protection plans and facilities have been provided to the satisfaction of the
Fire Marshal.
F. Security plans and facilities have been provided to the satisfaction of the
Riverside County Sheriff.
G. Public roadways providing access to the event are capable of accommodating the
anticipated traffic volumes in a reasonable and safe manner with minimal
disruption to local traffic circulation.
This approval authorizes the applicant to conduct the event pursuant to compliance with
all conditions of approval of this permit. The applicant must obtain any permits, as may
be required below, in order to physically set up the event.
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
Completion/confirmation prior to start of the event:
1. The applicant agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the City of La Quinta
(“the City”), its agents, officers and employees from any claim, action or
proceeding to attack, set aside, void, or annul the approval of this temporary use
permit. The City of La Quinta shall have sole discretion in selecting its defense
counsel. The City shall promptly notify the applicant of any claim, action or
preceding and shall cooperate fully in the defense.
2. The scope of the event is approved based off the event information provided to
the City of La Quinta and Riverside County Department of Environmental Health,
on file with the City of La Quinta Design and Development Department. This
event is approved as a private sports event with no guest attendance.
Any changes to the scope of the event shall require approval of both the City of
La Quinta and Riverside County Department of Environmental Health.
3. The applicant shall adhere to the Emergency Action Plan throughout the entirety
of the event, submitted and on file with the City of La Quinta.
4. Per the County of Riverside Environmental Health’s approval, the applicant shall
follow the Department’s Temporary Event guidelines
(https://www.rivcoeh.org/OurServices/Foods/CommunityEvents/TemporaryFoodFacilities)
and the State of California’s Professional Sports guidelines
(https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/)
5. The applicant shall obtain all other applicable permits, if required, from the
appropriate agencies (i.e. Fire Department, Building Department, Sheriffs
Department, etc.). The applicant shall adhere to BSPN2020-0019 for proposed
structure(s). City staff conducting an inspection may request additional or
modification of conditions as they arise during inspection. These additional
requests shall be responded to in a timely manner, prior to first use.
6. No offsite signage or traffic control has been proposed or approved for this event.
Any proposed offsite signage and/or traffic control shall be submitted to the City
for review and may require an encroachment permit.
7. Prior to this Special Event, you must be cleared by the Fire Department by way
of a Pre-Event Fire Safety Inspection.
8. All vendors shall obtain a City Business License. The serving of food and alcoholic
beverages during the event shall be subject to the rules and requirements of the
Riverside County Health Department and State of California Alcoholic Beverage
Control, respectively.
9. Structural Observation is required by the Engineer of Record. Each structure shall
be reviewed for conformance with the approved structural calculations and have
a stamped and signed letter submitted to the Building Division prior to the event
per the requirements in Section 1704 of the 2016 California Building Code.
10. Additional comments may still apply based on further review of separate
applications with the Building Division and Fire Department.
11. Notification of the event shall be provided to the PGA West Homeowner’s
Association. Proof of notification shall be provided to the City of La Quinta’s
Planning division prior to the event.
Completion/confirmation during the event:
12. The event shall comply with the City of La Quinta’s Noise Ordinance (LQMC
9.100.210) throughout the event, including noise emitting from generators for
the scoreboards.
13. Certain areas providing access to the event area are public and, as such, general
public access may not be denied or restricted in any manner that extends beyond
the limits of this event as approved.
14. No on-street parking outside the approved event area may be utilized for valet
parking services. All on-street parking areas shall remain available for public
use.
15. Security personnel shall be easily identifiable to the public and staff by the
provision of uniformed personnel. All designated private security personnel must
be licensed by the State of California and possess a valid Private Security license.
16. Public property shall not be defaced by paint or other types of permanent
materials such as pen, markers, etc.
17. The serving of food at the event shall be subject to rules and requirements of the
Riverside County Health Department.
18. Smoking shall not be permitted in any tent or canopy or in any adjacent area
where hay, sawdust or any other combustible materials are stored or used unless
approved by the fire inspector. NO SMOKING signs shall be posted in all tents
and canopies.
19. No fireworks, or open flame, or any other device emitting flame or fire or creating
a glow capable of igniting combustibles shall be permitted.
20. All motor vehicles shall be parked in designated parking areas. Designated Fire
Lanes are to be kept open with minimum of 20 feet unobstructed access at all
times.
Completion/confirmation after the conclusion of the event (if necessary):
21. The event sites used shall be left clean and in its original manner after the event.
Temporary trash receptacles shall be provided in and around the event areas. All
event areas shall be left free of debris at the end of each day’s activities, and
after the event concludes.
22. All signage must be removed at the conclusion of the event, or each sign is
subject to a $50.00 fine. No offsite signage is approved as part of this event.
Please contact the Code Compliance Department at (760) 777-7050 regarding
removal of signage.
23. Any damage to public hardscape due to the installation and/or removal of the
directional signs shall be repaired as directed by the City Engineer. This includes
but is not limited to sidewalks, curb and gutter, landscaping, and pavement
especially within the surrounding public streets.
FINAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT/CONTACT INFORMATION
The City may elect to add and/or modify any Conditions to this application to mitigate
any problems that arise not previously addressed herein. The City reserves the
right to modify its approval due to circumstances changing where one or more of the
findings can’t be met, including if the County of Riverside Department of Environmental
Health makes any changes to their approval.
OFFICE OF THE FIRE MARSHAL – LA QUINTA
78495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA 92253 • Phone (760) 777-7074
• www.rvcfire.org
January 14, 2021
Sport Five
5671 SW Arctic Drive
Beaverton, OR 97005
PGA West
ATTN: Bryce Leon
56150 PGA Blvd.
La Quinta, CA 92253
Re: SPEV2020-0010 – The American Express 2021 – Fire/Life Safety Conditions for Event
[PGA Tournament without spectators due to COVID-19 pandemic concerns, as approved by Riverside
County Public Health. Media and Sporting Event management team only. Expected 1,000 persons for the
multi-day/multi-location sporting event.]
In regard to the submitted special event to be held from January 18th to January 24th, 2021; due to the scale,
multiple venues and request for Fire Department Services – the La Quinta Office of the Fire Marshal, CAL
FIRE & Riverside County Fire Department shall establish a Public Safety Plan for the overall event that
shall be complied with.
California Fire Code (CFC) Section 403.12 and subsections as adopted by La Quinta Municipal Code is
being referenced.
CFC 403.12.2 Public safety plan for gatherings. Where the fire code official determines that an indoor or
outdoor gathering of persons has adverse impact on public safety through diminished access to buildings,
structures, fire hydrants and fire apparatus access roads or where such gatherings adversely affect public
safety services of any kind, the fire code official shall have the authority to order the development of or
prescribe a public safety plan that provides an approved level of public safety and addresses the following:
1. Emergency Vehicle Ingress and egress – At all event venues, adequate fire access, with a clear
width of 24-feet shall be maintained to within 150-feet of all permanent and temporary structures
located at and surrounding the event venues. Compliance shall be enforceable by the La Quinta
Office of the Fire Marshal, Code Enforcement, Police Department and Riverside County Fire
Department personnel.
2. Fire Protection - For temporary event structures that are to be located remote from any fire access
or by way of alternate road surface structure, the Riverside County Fire Department shall be
provided the authority to utilize any resources to make reasonable access to these remote structures
in an attempt to mitigate and eliminate hazards.
3. Emergency egress or escape routes – Event staff and personnel at all event venues shall be
provided with clear direction and training for Emergency Egress or Escape Routes as appropriate to
their location.
4. Emergency Medical Services –
a. To ease the potential need for event response equipment, it is being requested that the event
promoter supply and make available the following equipment to be strategically located for
use in the event of a medical emergency. This equipment can be used by the responding
resources as deemed beneficial.
i. Stadium/Tournament – (1) flatbed cart for medical response and transport at event
site. (1) Cart for utility and multi-use services of emergency personnel as needed.
b. Event Promoter is permitted to resource alternative First Aid Care Services to be utilized for
the event as may be required by other interested parties. The personnel assigned to First Aid
Care Services shall be knowledgeable in the procedures for notifying need for emergency
services response and transportation services in compliance with the Riverside County
Emergency Medical Services Agency requirements.
c. Any emergency or medical event rising to the level, in the opinion of the responsible
individual providing patient care, to require ambulance transport – such service shall be
immediately requested and arranged. Emergency Ambulance transportation services shall be
resourced from the approved EMS authorized service provider in the jurisdiction.
5. Public Assembly Areas – For the 2021 event, no Public Assembly Areas are proposed.
6. The directing of both attendees and vehicles, including the parking of vehicles. –
a. Traffic Control Plan – For the 2021 event, there is not an expected impact in vehicle traffic
to require a Traffic Control Plan.
b. Clubhouse and PGA West Access and Parking –
i. Golf Course Clubhouse locations and other public access areas of PGA West shall be
provided with restricted access of vehicles. At no time should there be over-
congestion of vehicles that block or restrict Fire and Emergency Service access to the
structures or event site.
ii. Any vehicles parked in existing marked fire lanes will be cited and a tow will be
ordered at the vehicle owner’s expense.
7. Vendor and food concession distribution – *And other safety requirements.
a. All food vendors utilizing fuel-fired appliances shall be located in a safe, level location.
b. They shall not be located under or within grandstands, stages or platform assemblies.
c. Open flame cooking equipment shall not be located within or under tents or canopies not
flame-resistant rated.
d. All vendor locations shall be provided with adequate portable fire extinguishers with current
annual service tags.
e. Food Trucks shall be maintained in an orderly manner and provided with a kitchen hood
suppression system with current semi-annual (6-month) servicing.
f. All facilities shall not operate until cleared by the Fire Code Official and Environmental
Health Official.
8. The need for the presence of law enforcement –
a. Event Promoter shall adequately communicate with the La Quinta Police Department
(Riverside County Sheriff’s Department) to confirm on-site and surrounding areas staffing
requirements.
b. Levels of Police Department staffing may be modified as determined by Police Department
Management and when the event(s) is provided with private contract security services that
are trained and have experience working large special events.
9. The need for Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel –Fire Department Emergency
Medical service requests will come from the available system status resources in the area at the time
of a requested emergency response.
10. The need for a weather monitoring person – Event Promoter should consider appointing a
specified weather monitoring person, who will at regular intervals monitor current and forecasted
weather conditions at each event location. In the event of developing storm and weather patterns that
cause concern, the weather monitoring person shall communicate appropriate severe weather actions
to be complied with by all present.
Questions should be directed to the La Quinta Office of the Fire Marshal.
Kohl Hetrick - Fire Safety Specialist
Kohl.hetrick@fire.ca.gov
Bonifacio DeLaCruz – Battalion Fire Chief
Bonifacio.delacruz@fire.ca.gov
The emergency procedures, as defined in this text, reflect a standardized response to a variety of
scenarios that may impact the health and safety of participants, staff, and patrons. The origin of
the threat could be criminal or an act of nature.
The American Express will have a working Emergency Management Team that will address any
and all security or safety situations that arise during the tournament. The Emergency
Management Team will be responsible for creating Emergency Action Plans onsite that
addresses the specific safety or security emergency. The Emergency Action Plan is then put into
effect by the various Emergency Divisions.
Emergency Management Team
Bryce Leon Emergency Management Team Leader / Operations Division
David Sawler Security Division
Sgt. Chris Olsen Riverside Sheriff’s Office (Security Division)
George Krumpetich PGA TOUR Representative (Security Division)
Lacey Kinsella Volunteer Division
Pat McCabe Communications Division
Emergency Management Team Responsibilities
Operations Division
The Operations Division readies and distributes the appropriate materials and resources specific
to the emergency. This team is led by the Director of Operations (Bryce Leon) and is comprised
of Course Leaders, Club Management, Transportation Service, Parking, and other operational
vendors.
Security Division
This team initiates and manages the response specific to the threat or circumstances relating to
the emergency. This team is led by the Director of Security, David Sawler, and is comprised of
PGA TOUR Security, Riverside Sheriff’s Dept., Bower Security, FBI, and Cal Fire.
Volunteer Division
This team is responsible for putting our volunteer resources to maximum use during the event of
an emergency. This team is led by the Volunteer Chairman and is comprised of Volunteer
Leaders of the following groups: Marshals, Walking Scorers, and Hospitality.
Communications Division
This team authors all public communication and manages onsite media in relation to the
emergency. This team is led by the Tournament Director (Pat McCabe) and is comprised of a
tournament spokesperson (Pat McCabe/Jeff Sanders), and the Media Director
Emergency Management Team
Emergency Management
Team Leader
Bryce Leon
Tournament Director
Pat McCabe
PGA TOUR Tournament
Director
George Krumpetich
Board of
Directors
American Express
PGA TOUR
Players
PGA TOUR
Staff
Operations Division
Bryce Leon
Communications
Division
Pat McCabe
Course Leaders
Bryce Leon (ST)
Tucker Mitchell (NT)
Club Management
Chris Caballero
(PGA)
Transportation &
Parking
David Dangleis
ReRe(Parking)
Security Division
Richard Bower
PGA TOUR
Security
George
Krumpotich
RSO Event Leader
Chris Olsen
Bower Security
Leader
David Sawler
CAL Fire
Bonifacio De La Cruz
Tournament
Spokesperson
Pat McCabe
Volunteer
Division
Lacey Kinsella
Marshal Leaders
Dick Schiehl (NT)
Ray Leonard (ST)
Walking Scorers
Ellen Roy
La Quinta
Emergency
Management Dept
Zander Johnson
Modes of Operation
Standard Operation
• Normal operating procedures with no identified incidents or threats.
• Morning meeting held with Emergency Management Team to address upcoming events, and
potential emergency situations
Cautionary Operations
• A potential issue has been identified whether it is an act of nature or crime.
• Emergency Management Team gathers at Operations Office and devises an emergency
action plan
• Each division of the Emergency Management Team prepares to enact the emergency action
plan if necessary
Emergency Operations:
• An incident has occurred, and the decision is made to enact the emergency plan
• Each division of the Emergency Management Team will carry out their responsibilities as
directed by their leader
Location Specific Emergency Procedure – Non Evacuation
If there is a medical or security situation or emergency that does not impact the safety of the
entire course, and does not warrant a course evacuation, please follow the procedures below.
Examples include injured spectator, spectator harassing a player, etc.
Medical Emergency Procedure
1. In the event of a Medical Emergency please follow these procedures:
2. Marshals advise Hole Captain immediately of any situation
3. Hole Captain will contact tournament dispatch on Emergency Dispatch channel and advise
them of the location of the emergency and any other pertinent data. Hole Captains should use
the following reference points to identify their locations
a. Hole Number and Course
b. Green, Tee, or Fairway
c. Golfer’s Left or Right
4. Hole Captain should then inform their Volunteer Leaders of the situation
5. Marshals should keep control of spectators in order to allow medical personnel quick access
to the victim and so they may perform their duties without hindrance.
6. Volunteer/Security Response MUST complete Incident Report Forms at the time of the
incident.
Security Concern Procedure
In the event security personnel are needed, please follow these procedures:
1. Marshals advise Hole Captain immediately of any situation
2. Hole Captain will contact tournament dispatch on Emergency Dispatch channel and advise
them of the location of the emergency and any other pertinent data. Hole Captains should use
the following reference points to identify their locations
a. Hole Number and Course
b. Green, Tee, or Fairway
c. Golfer’s Left or Right
3. Volunteers should keep control of spectators in order to allow security personnel to perform
their duties.
4. Volunteer/Security Response MUST complete Incident Report Forms at the time of the
incident.
Course Evacuation Scenarios
The evacuation plan for this event outlines the process and procedures that will be followed for a
“Controlled Evacuation” or “Emergency Evacuation”. There are also actions that must take place
relative to severe weather conditions. The size and multiple locations utilized by this event
require an extremely flexible plan and response. To this end it will be necessary that all team
members are aware and available to respond immediately.
“Controlled Evacuation”
In the event of a controlled evacuation, players will be evacuated to their designated safe house,
or the clubhouse depending on the situation and the preparation time. Spectators will be
evacuated to shuttles. An example of a controlled evacuation would be a weather incident with
ample warning and planning time, end of play due to darkness, etc.
“Emergency Evacuation”
In the event of an emergent incident it is imperative that the teams respond to their areas of
responsibility immediately and initiate emergency operations as soon as it is safe to do so. In this
case each team should respond to the team leader’s location listed below in order to organize,
assess, and mobilize the appropriate response specific to the emergency.
Operations Division – Tournament Office
Security Division – Police Command Center
Volunteer Division – Volunteer Headquarters
Communications Division – Tournament Office
Examples of emergency evacuations include sudden and severe weather incidents, criminal acts
of violence, or violent threats to the site.
Course Evacuation Procedure
In the event that a controlled or emergency evacuation of the golf course is ordered, The
American Express has the following system to get players, caddies, volunteers, and spectators
safely off the course. The procedures are the same for both types of evacuations. However,
emergency evacuations will have an emphasis on speed and finding safe shelter for players.
Unless specific directions are given to alter the plan, the following guidelines should be followed
in all evacuations.
Radio transmission will go out on all channels that there is a course evacuation and each
respective group should assume their evacuation responsibilities:
Players
When the announcement has been made by the PGA TOUR to halt play there will be specific
instructions on whether or not to begin evacuation of the players. If it is announced that a player
evacuation is required all players will proceed to their designated carts that will be staged on
each hole. It is the responsibility of the Hole Captain to ensure that they know the location of the
carts. If carts are not provided on that specific day, players should be moved to the nearest safe
house.
Walking Scorers
Walking Scorers will stay with the players and caddies in their respective group and direct them
to the nearest evacuation carts or safe house.
Marshals
Marshals should be ready for direction from their Hole Captain and group leaders on how to best
assist the evacuation process. Marshals may be asked to assist players getting to carts, remaining
in place to control spectators, or returning to a gathering place for their individual group. If
Marshals do not receive direction they should return to the Volunteer Tent for further
instructions.
Hole Captains
Hole Captains will be responsible for guiding the players and caddies to their evacuation carts or
safe house, as well as overseeing the other marshals’ activities on their hole. Hole captains will
have a radio and will be expected to provide updates to their leader on the status of evacuation of
their hole. Once their hole has been completely evacuated, Hole Captains are expected to update
the Volunteer Leader via radio.
Volunteer Leaders and Assistants
The primary function of the leaders and assistant leaders during the evacuation will be to gather
information from their Hole Captains on evacuation and assist in the flow of the evacuation
resources. Leaders and Assistants should proceed to the Volunteer Tent in order to streamline
communication. Information gathered by the leaders will be then communicated to the Volunteer
Chairman.
Volunteer Chairman
Manage the Volunteer Leaders and Assistants in the Volunteer Tent. Coordinate evacuation
effort from the volunteers and report status updates to the Emergency Management Team.
Transportation (TMS)
Preparations should be made in order to accommodate the influx of spectators leaving the venue.
Spectators
Depending on the type of weather conditions, information will be given to staff and volunteers
how to direct spectators during this evacuation. Likely direction will be given for spectators to
proceed to the parking lot shuttles. In some weather conditions the Emergency Management
Team will inform staff and volunteers to direct spectators to pre-determined staging areas on the
property.
Hospitality Guests
With the possible exception of high winds or earthquake, patrons within hospitality structures
will be advised to stand by inside their hospitality tents until the weather issue subsides. The
Emergency Management Team will be monitoring the safety of the hospitality structures and
will give direction if an evacuation is necessary for those structures.
Emergency Management Team Contact List
Leader Name Division Radio Cell Phone
Bryce Leon Emergency Mgt. Leader / Ops Yes 831.818.1464
David Sawler Security Yes 760.574.8939
Sgt. Chris Olsen Riverside County Sheriff Yes 760.863.8453
Lacey Kinsella Volunteer Chairman Yes 503.616.1662 PGA TOUR Division
Steve Rintoul Rules Official Yes 904.607.5470
Peter Dachisen Rules Official Yes 813.267.3466
George Krumpotich PGA TOUR Security Yes 760.285.1130
Meteorologist TBD PGA TOUR Weather No TBD Operations Division
Bryce Leon Leader Yes 831.818.1464
Bryce Leon Stadium Course Yes 831.818.1464
Tucker Mitchell Nicklaus Course Yes 208.559.5219
Chris Caballero PGA WEST GM Yes 760.238.7536
Robert Durkee PGA WEST Superintendent No 760.238.0073
David Dangleis Parking Yes 760.668.5207
Zander Johnson LQ Emergency Mgmt No 760.501.6221 Security Division
David Sawler Leader Yes 760.574.8939
Ron Ayala Bower Security Leader Yes 760.250.3229
George Krumpotich PGA TOUR Security Yes 760.285.1130
Bonifacio De La Cruz CAL Fire Yes 951.892.1641
Kohl Hetrick
Sergeant Chris Olsen
CAL Fire
Riverside County Sheriff Yes
760.409.5109
760.275.1726 Volunteer Division
Lacey Kinsella Leader Yes 503.616.1662
Dick Schiehl Nicklaus Marshals Yes 760.333.0822
Ray Leonard Stadium Marshals Yes 760.709.6474
Russ Sinco La Quinta Marshals Yes 360.201.1191
Communications Division
Pat McCabe Tournament Director Yes 503.866.2993
Ryan Fowler Media Manager No 503.748.9985
The American Express
Scoreboard Map
Electronic Scoreboard Locations indicated by blue pin points. All scoreboards powered by generators located directly next to scoreboard.
Locations based upon approved locations from 2020 event. Holes indicated by red numbers located on map. All scoreboards located on PGA WEST
Stadium Course.
Driving
Range 1
9
14
6 7
5
3
2
8
15
13
12 16
11
17 18
10
4