12-10-18 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING December 10, 2018 REPORTS OF CITY OFFICES Representing the City Administration: Laura O'Sullivan, Chief of Staff RESOLVE INTO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE At 7:40 p.m. Councilmember Karen White made a motion to resolve into the Committee of the Whole. Councilmember Jake Teshka seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic, Chairperson, presiding. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic explained the procedures to be followed for tonight's meeting in accordance with Article 1, Section 2-11 of the South Bend Municipal Code. PUBLIC HEARINGS BILL NO. 55-18 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING, CHAPTER 14 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE BY THE INCLUSION OF NEW ARTICLE 14 ENTITLED SPECIAL EVENT ON PUBLIC PROPERTY REGULATIONS Councilmember Karen White made a motion to hear the Substitute version of Bill No. 55-18. Councilmember Tim Scott seconded this motion which carried by a voice vote of nine(9) ayes. Councilmember John Voorde, chair of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee, reported that they met this afternoon and send this bill forward with a favorable recommendation. Jitin Kain, Deputy Director for the Department of Public Works with offices located on the 13th floor of the County-City Building, South Bend, IN, served as the presenter for this bill. Mr. Kain stated, I would like to go through a brief presentation(which is available in the City Clerk's Office) to talk about the proposed changes to the Special Event Ordinance. A Special Event is any temporary event that is planned on public property and within the City's public right-of-way. This includes events such as parades,marches,festivals,runs,marathons and so forth.Here(referencing a slide in the presentation)are some facts about special events in the City of South Bend. The City approves approximately eighty-five (85) special events in the public right-of-way annually. This does not include events that happen in City parks. There is a separate process to organize large gatherings in public parks and that goes through the Parks Board. The City's website currently has three (3) different ways of applying for special events. There are three (3) applications. One (1) for a residential block party. One(1)is a non-residential block party and one(1)is for processions. The current process includes an applicant submitting one(1) of those three (3) applications to the Board of Public Works. It goes through a review process and is sent to various departments for their feedback. It is compiled and then a recommendation is sent to the Board of Public Works and an official permit is granted at the Board meeting. Mr. Kain continued, So, why do we need a new ordinance? There are a few reasons we are recommending a new ordinance. One (1) is to simplify the process. We are asking to create three (3) tiers of special events. One (1) would be neighborhood scale and that would be for events that are small-scale like block parties that would attract individuals from within the neighborhood. Another tier would be a City-scale, so that would be for events that attract people from throughout the City. And then there is a larger tier that would have things such as Art Beat that attract individuals and families from around or even outside of the region. Each of these tiers will have a filing fee structure which I will talk about next. The other reason is to improve efficiency. We will be creating a five(5)person Committee that will oversee the event process.We will have meetings as needed and we will create a single form for all different kinds of events in the public right-of- way to streamline the process. Another reason is to create a more equitable cost-share. Currently, 7