R2023-125 Resolution Supporting Temporary Closure of a Portion of Lost Bridge Road, a Macon County Roadway for 217 Wiffle Ball Classic

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217 WB Classic, Inc. 2910 Lewallen Decatur, IL 62521 217-413-1036 June 13, 20203 Mr. Scot Wrighton City Council Members City of Decatur One Gary K.Anderson Plaza Decatur, IL 6523 Dear Mr. Wrighton and City Council Members: As many of you may already know, the 217 WB Classic, Inc is a non-profit organization that was created to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer's and other forms of Dementia. Many of our family and friends have suffered from these terrible diseases in some form. As we've grown, so has our mission. Along with our annual donations and sponsorships to the Alzheimer's Association and their walks, we have also started donating money to several local families who have suffered from other forms of tragedy. For example, Shoni Anderson, a local Mt. Zion girl who was diagnosed with leukemia at 5 years old. As an organization, we made several contributions to the family and hosted a benefit tournament at our Sliderz fields on her behalf. Our main event that we host to bring awareness and raise money is our annual 217 ALZ Backyard Wiffle Ball Classic. We are going into our 81h year this August and can't wait to raise more money for local families and the Alzheimer's Association. In our 7 years we have donated roughly$250,000 to the Alzheimer's Association and local families. On behalf of the 217 WB Classic, Inc, I would like to formally request a conditional road closure for our event August 1st—August 61h. Our event takes place from 6pm — 10pm on Tuesday the 1St and Wednesday the 21d and from 9am — 10pm Thursday the 3,d through Sunday the 611. We propose that the city and the county, grant these temporary detours with the following conditions: 1) that WB Classic volunteers staff barricades at Baltimore/Lost Bridge; at Lost Bridge/Fitzgerald at Greenlake/34th whenever the detours are in effect to help motorist navigate the detour and to grant entrance to local residents, first responders, and those going to the tournament, and 2) train volunteers to know and execute their responsibilities fully; and 3) appoint a volunteer to respond to complaints from local and effected residents and find solutions for their problems. We feel that in the past we have taken all measures to ensure the safety of our patrons, including a manned cross walk, "Event Ahead" signage, and even the digital speed sensor from the DPD. Even with the precautionary measures we've attempted, we feel the safety of the patrons could be enhanced with this temporary closure request. On the attached map we have illustrated the proposed detour. Traffic would take Baltimore to Fitzgerald from the East and vice versa from the West, with the exception of local traffic and emergency vehicles. Again, all of the gates will be manned for the entirety of the closures and will be equipped with radios/phones to communicate any necessary updates. We would open the gates back up to all traffic over night. Manning the gates will also allow residents of the area to be allowed to get to and from their homes conveniently.