Re-regulating large events

Posted: Saturday, May 4, 2013 2:00 am

Re-regulating large events

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Frederick officials passed a sensible rule change Thursday night that will finally tighten up regulations for large-scale, private events within the city limits.

And while some of the aldermen and police officials continue to maintain it wasn’t necessarily because of last summer’s Tough Mudder fiasco — we all know better.

To briefly recap: Thousands of cars trying to turn into Crumland Farm from U.S. 15 last September had brought the four-lane highway to a virtual standstill. Residents living around the farm were landlocked in their own homes. Other cars trying to avoid the massive gridlock started looking for alternate routes and swamped those roads, in part because the city had shut down the downtown for most of the day because of the annual “In the Street” festival.

Fingers were pointing everywhere. Tough Mudder officials said they filed a parking and traffic management plan to the city, but city officials said they failed to follow it. The event attracted many more participants than anyone had projected. Things were so bad after the first day that Mayor Randy McClement stepped in and shut down the second day of the event.

It was such a mess that even Frederick County Sheriff Charles Jenkins threw up his hands and pointed back to the city to say it was their problem. When the county’s highest ranking law enforcement officials does that — you know you have a problem.

And it wasn’t like anyone didn’t think of regulating large-scale events like this before. Former Frederick Police Chief Kim Dine first recognized the need for tightening the rules on large-scale private events more than six years ago in a memo that was recently found.

In a Friday story by Frederick News-Post Reporter Pete McCarthy, Alderwoman Kelly Russell tried to explain that the change had been in the works for a long time. “This has been in progress for a number of years,” Russell said. “I’m glad to see it’s finally coming to fruition.

From our standpoint, it’s unlikely that this would have happened without the Tough Mudder catastrophe, since it was a simple change (adding the words “special events”) to an existing permitting process that already was regulating parades, races and walkathons. What this means is event coordinators expecting more than 2,000 people will need to get a permit to ensure that traffic, public safety and sanitation are addressed. Prior to the change, no notification was required and the event planners only needed to meet zoning requirements.

Aldermen Michael O’Connor did note that the Tough Mudder situation certainly accelerated the need to do something. And city officials should be commended for finally addressing it without overreacting and over-regulating special events, such as those that are held periodically at Crumland Farms and other private venues.

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Saturday, May 4, 2013 2:00 am.

Maritime Days still negotiating event fees with city

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Published: Friday, April 12, 2013

By Jeri Packer
Staff Writer

While the subject of event fees is not a new one for Marine City, coming to an equitable agreement between the city and event coordinators has been a long ways off.

Marine City Maritime Days Festival is one of the biggest, most long-lived annual events in town. The festival limped along for several years until last summer, when the spirit of the old-time Maritime Days seemed to revive.

Event fees last year came to $4,744. This year’s cost is $8,231. In the past, it was argued that those fees should be waived because the event brings people to the town who may come back to check out its other amenities. Now, with shrinking budgets all around, it has made more sense to at least share the costs with festival organizers.

The Maritime Days Committee recently asked the city to co-sponsor the event with them, meaning the city would pay half the expenses. If the city agreed, the committee would only pay a little less than last year. But the committee still has questions regarding many of the charges — especially from the Department of Public Works.

Commissioners Lisa Hendrick, Ray Skotarczyk, Jim Turner and Ray Meli attended the April 10 meeting of the Marine City Maritime Days Committee, after the committee invited the commission to come last week. They will meet again with the department heads and City Manager John Gabor before the next commission meeting on April 18.

Turner brought a spreadsheet he prepared on how costs have gone up in the last several years, showing support for wrestling down spiraling costs that discourage event organizers.

Hendrick said there’s got to be ways to cut the fees down.

“These people are working really hard,” she said. “Last year’s figures were half the costs.”

She also mentioned that, although four city officials were at the meeting — making a quorum — it was merely informational and no action or decisions were made, according to the city attorney.

In the meantime, the Maritime Days Committee came up with their own “manpower request.” Continued…

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“We had this idea to make out a manpower request that would be easier than making them guess what we need,” Treasurer Jennifer Knightstep said. “We could just tell them what we need.”

In an earlier e-mail to Gabor, the committee wrote: “(On police services) we felt that the coverage we had last year was more than adequate, and we’re not sure why there’s an increase in police staffing.

“(On fire services) the fee included in the estimate for water-ball but we didn’t list water-ball in our list of activities. I also do not understand why we need 11 firefighters for a fireworks display that is over the water.

“(DPW) We’re not sure what’s included because there are no line items or any description. We’re concerned about the amount; it’s about the cost of police and fire put together.”

On their “manpower request,” they estimated a cost savings of about $1,600 for police services and a $450 savings for fire. The DPW charges were a bit murkier and harder to put in numbers.

“We don’t’ even know where to start with the DPW,” Blanchard said. “We don’t know how to quantify it.”

The group brings its own dumpster and has free help from groups like the Boy Scouts and work release workers for cleanup.

They will be at the next Marine City Commission meeting on Thursday, when they will most likely resolve the event fee issue, said Blanchard.

“In response to our meeting last night, it was very apparent that we have the support of our community, elected officials, business owners, and organizations,” said Blanchard. “We have a meeting with the city manager, department managers, and a few commissioners to figure out how we can reduce these fees.”

Contact Jeri Packer at (586) 716-8100, ext 302; jeri.packer@voicenews.com or on Twitter @JeriPacker.

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While the subject of event fees is not a new one for Marine City, coming to an equitable agreement between the city and event coordinators has been a long ways off.

Marine City Maritime Days Festival is one of the biggest, most long-lived annual events in town. The festival limped along for several years until last summer, when the spirit of the old-time Maritime Days seemed to revive.

Event fees last year came to $4,744. This year’s cost is $8,231. In the past, it was argued that those fees should be waived because the event brings people to the town who may come back to check out its other amenities. Now, with shrinking budgets all around, it has made more sense to at least share the costs with festival organizers.

The Maritime Days Committee recently asked the city to co-sponsor the event with them, meaning the city would pay half the expenses. If the city agreed, the committee would only pay a little less than last year. But the committee still has questions regarding many of the charges — especially from the Department of Public Works.

Commissioners Lisa Hendrick, Ray Skotarczyk, Jim Turner and Ray Meli attended the April 10 meeting of the Marine City Maritime Days Committee, after the committee invited the commission to come last week. They will meet again with the department heads and City Manager John Gabor before the next commission meeting on April 18.

Turner brought a spreadsheet he prepared on how costs have gone up in the last several years, showing support for wrestling down spiraling costs that discourage event organizers.

Hendrick said there’s got to be ways to cut the fees down.

“These people are working really hard,” she said. “Last year’s figures were half the costs.”

She also mentioned that, although four city officials were at the meeting — making a quorum — it was merely informational and no action or decisions were made, according to the city attorney.

In the meantime, the Maritime Days Committee came up with their own “manpower request.”

“We had this idea to make out a manpower request that would be easier than making them guess what we need,” Treasurer Jennifer Knightstep said. “We could just tell them what we need.”

In an earlier e-mail to Gabor, the committee wrote: “(On police services) we felt that the coverage we had last year was more than adequate, and we’re not sure why there’s an increase in police staffing.

“(On fire services) the fee included in the estimate for water-ball but we didn’t list water-ball in our list of activities. I also do not understand why we need 11 firefighters for a fireworks display that is over the water.

“(DPW) We’re not sure what’s included because there are no line items or any description. We’re concerned about the amount; it’s about the cost of police and fire put together.”

On their “manpower request,” they estimated a cost savings of about $1,600 for police services and a $450 savings for fire. The DPW charges were a bit murkier and harder to put in numbers.

“We don’t’ even know where to start with the DPW,” Blanchard said. “We don’t know how to quantify it.”

The group brings its own dumpster and has free help from groups like the Boy Scouts and work release workers for cleanup.

They will be at the next Marine City Commission meeting on Thursday, when they will most likely resolve the event fee issue, said Blanchard.

“In response to our meeting last night, it was very apparent that we have the support of our community, elected officials, business owners, and organizations,” said Blanchard. “We have a meeting with the city manager, department managers, and a few commissioners to figure out how we can reduce these fees.”

Contact Jeri Packer at (586) 716-8100, ext 302; jeri.packer@voicenews.com or on Twitter @JeriPacker.

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Event planners, businesses get permit lowdown for SXSW

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9:03 AM

By: Dan Robertson

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The South by Southwest conference is just around the corner, and this year, city officials say they will enforce code and permit ordinances more strictly than ever before.

It’s something that will impact Carmen Valera, whose family started the Tamale House restaurants.

“Our family has been in the restaurant business since 1958, so we know our way around that,” she said.

Valera is hoping to do something special for SXSW this year. Like dozens of other party and event planners, she headed to the city’s informational meeting Wednesday about special permits for some answers.

“It does seem like a lot, a lot of hoops to run through and hitting your deadlines,” Valera said. “From people wanting to throw a party in their backyard, to doing something in a warehouse, to doing something like me in a space that already has a license, but learning what you can and can’t do.”

This year, city staff says permit regulations will be strictly enforced, but they don’t want to discourage the festivities.

“The city is concerned about a number of activities that have been going on in past years of un-permitted events and we’ll be increasing our enforcement,” Frances Hargrove, Manager of the Office of Special Events, said.

That’s why they’ve gathered all the involved departments for a one-stop permit shop to help guide event planners through the process.

“We work in a store downtown and we’re planning on having a small event during SXSW, and so we just wanted to make sure we had all our permits,” Hilary Bilhtimer with Brown Helm Boot Company said.

Under city ordinances, any gathering of more than 50 people could need permits no matter where the event is held.

City staff also says in some cases, posting party information on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter could result in permit requirements.

Christmas on Coosa makes the Top 10

Wetumpka’s Christmas on the Coosa has been named one of the Alabama Tourism Department’s Top 10 events for 2013. The list was released Friday.

Christmas on the Coosa will celebrate its 30th consecutive year in 2013. A series of activities comprise the event, including pageants, the community tree lighting, a nativity program, luminaria night and a formal ball, in addition to the centerpiece of the season – Christmas on the Coosa day, held the second Saturday in December.

Christmas on the Coosa day features a street parade, a boat parade, a children’s breakfast, arts and crafts vendors, free children’s activities, concessions, a classic car show, a variety of entertainment, an art show, a run, fireworks and more. Depending on weather, an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people attend.

“A lot of people deserve credit for making Christmas on the Coosa the successful and iconic event it is now,” said Peggy Blackburn, current Christmas on the Coosa Board chairman. “The support of city officials and volunteers over the past 30 years has been vital. And, of course, it couldn’t happen without the participation of those who march in the parade, provide entertainment, visit the vendors and simply come to enjoy the festivities.

“There are some people deserving of special recognition for their contributions to Christmas on the Coosa. The first is Jack DeVenney, who dreamed the whole thing up and worked tirelessly to get it off the ground. Then there are those who have served as event coordinators or assistants for the city – most recently Gwen Turner, who has dedicated countless hours and much patience to the event.

“Many other city employees have worked hard to make Christmas on the Coosa successful and enjoyable, as have Christmas on the Coosa Board members over the years.”

Other events listed in the Tourism Department’s top 10 are:

•Mardi Gras, Mobile, Jan. 26-Feb. 12.

•W.C. Handy Music Festival, Shoals area, July 19-28.

•Alabama Restaurant Week, statewide, Aug. 16-25.

•Fort Mims Massacre 200th Anniversary, Tensaw, Aug. 30- Sept. 1.

•Magic City Classic Weekend, Birmingham, Oct. 25-26.

•50th Annual Bluff Park Art Show, Hoover, Oct. 5.

•National Shrimp Festival, Gulf Shores, Oct. 10-13.

•Barber Vintage Festival, Birmingham, Oct. 11-13.

•Galaxy of Lights, Huntsville, Nov. 28-Dec. 31.

The tourism department compiles a comprehensive list of state events each year and selects the top 10 based upon significant anniversaries, unique events and those with large attendance. The Top 10 events are listed in the department’s annual vacation guide/calendar of events. Nearly 1,900 events are scheduled around the state for 2013.

For a complete list of 2013 events visit www.alabama.travel

Forge commission to examine proposed housing bureau for event planners

PIGEON FORGE — At a workshop ahead of its regular meeting Monday, the Pigeon Forge City Commission will discuss the water service agreement with the county and a planned service that would help event planners connect with local lodging officials.

The workshop will be held at 4 p.m. in City Hall, with commission’s regularly scheduled meeting following at 5:30.

The hotel service, called a housing bureau, is a joint venture with the Pigeon Forge Hospitality Association. Using software the city recently purchased, it will give event organizers the ability to look for deals with lodging businesses in the city.

Officials have said the local businesses will be able to get placed in a database and be contacted when organizers are looking for lodging deals that offer the opportunity for special rates. It will be up to event organizers to decide whether to use it and to decide which hotels to book.

The workshop agenda also calls for discussion of the agreement to provide water for the county’s new water service; it doesn’t specify which parts of the agreement will be up for discussion.

Items on the agenda for the regular meeting:

n Sale of three surplus trolleys

n Purchase of portable message boards

n Purchase of exercise equipment

n Continued participation in the TML Management pool “Driver Safety” matching grant program

n Purchase of new computers

n jfarrell@themountainpress.com

Expect some traffic delays in Annapolis for Ten Mile Run

Posted: Sunday, August 26, 2012 5:00 am
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Updated: 11:16 pm, Sat Aug 25, 2012.

Expect some traffic delays in Annapolis for Ten Mile Run

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ANNAPOLIS – Heading downtown for church, brunch or your boat this morning?

You may encounter traffic delays, as some streets close for the Annapolis’ Striders’ Ten Mile Run.

The annual race, which draws about 5,000 runners, will begin and end at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium at Taylor Avenue and Rowe Boulevard. It starts at 7:45 a.m. today and will end at about 10 a.m.

City officials said event coordinators and police will close several area roads on a staggered basis during the race. People will still be able to park in spaces on the route’s roads, including Main and King George streets downtown.

Police will direct motorists on a Rowe Boulevard detour around the stadium at the Farragut Road and Herbert Sachs Drive intersections.

The Striders, who started the 10-mile run 1980, had to modify part of the race route this year. For the first time, Naval Support has asked them to reroute the race for safety concerns.

Instead of crossing through Ferry Farms and along Route 648, the runners will use Route 450 at the far side of the Naval Academy Bridge, up to Boulter’s Way toward the BA Trail. Participants will travel a short distance into the Winchester neighborhood before backtracking to the bridge.

For more information on the race and street closures, visit tinyurl.com/annapolisstriders10.

© 2012 CapitalGazette.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Sunday, August 26, 2012 5:00 am.

Private parties at city-owned facilities bring in much-needed revenue for …

Having a wedding in El Monte? That’ll cost roughly $2,000.

Hosting an anniversary party in Pasadena? It could be around $3,000.

That’s the price of renting a city-owned facility anyway.

As city budgets continue to shrink and financial belts keep tightening, cities are increasingly looking for ways to grow their revenue stream, or at least stay afloat.

City-owned facilities present the opportunity to bring in some extra cash from groups hosting everything from weddings to anniversary bashs.

While they’re not exactly the cash crop a municipality may be needing, many city officials say these special private events are the lifeline to the upkeep and maintenance of their community centers, historical buildings and other city-owned facilities. They provide just enough revenue to keep costs down for nonprofit organizations to use them and to preserve the spaces where cities themselves host recreational and other events.

Facilities available for rent are sprinkled all over the San Gabriel Valley.

In El Monte, the city made their facilities available for private special events late last year when they introduced fees for the Community Center and Lambert Park – both places that are becoming increasingly popular for private parties.

In the past, it was city practice only to allow the rental of the facilities to nonprofit organizations and other city groups, said Alexandra Lopez, El Monte director for

parks, recreation and community services.

However, with declining revenues and budget cuts, it became more important for the facilities to be “self-sustaining,” she said.

“We didn’t have any maintenance replacement program,” Lopez said. “A refrigerator or freezer would break down and we would have fix it. We said there has to be a way that we didn’t have to go to the council for money or beg for money. It was bad.”

In the last fiscal year, the use of city facilities, including the city’s Aquatic Center and Community Center, brought in roughly $116,000 in revenue, which has allowed the city to replace equipment, perform general maintenance and pay the staff that is required to be on-site during private events, she said.

The cost to rent the city’s most popular venue – Grace T. Black Auditorium in El Monte’s community center – runs between $150 to $290 an hour depending on the guest count. There are additional fees for security guards, insurance or to host a ceremony on-site.

However, local nonprofit organizations only have to pay $30 to use the facility, Lopez said.

Revenues generated from the private events in El Monte go into a special account within the general fund, although City Council members in recent weeks have questioned that account, which some say allows too much spending flexibility.

In some cities, such as Pasadena and Santa Fe Springs, revenue generated by facility use permits is funneled directly into the general fund.

However, Pasadena officials say they’re hoping that will change.

“We’re trying to establish a maintenance fund or capital improvement fund for improvements and maintenance to facilities, but right now it goes straight to the general fund,” said Raphael Guillen, the city’s director of parks and recreation.

In Santa Fe Springs, the Clarke Estate, a historic landmark completed in the early 1920s, is a hot commodity, with prospective brides booking up to a year-and-a-half in advance, city officials said.

Although rentals there brought in $155,250 in the last fiscal year, it’s all for maintenance and staffing, according to Carole Joseph, director of Parks and Recreation.

“We’re in the business of providing services for our community and it’s a beautiful service I think,” said Joseph. “It just helps pay for the cost for that our facilities. The revenue offsets the costs.”

The business of renting out their facilities also gives cities the task of ensuring parties stay under control and that there’s no underage drinking. Most rentals require a security guard on site, insurance and a security deposit.

“I know that a lot of event planners have traditionally avoided city-held venues because of the folklore out there that the restrictions are not worth the trouble,” said Jordan Stringfellow, of the Pasadena-based event planning business Jordi Co. “I would be delighted to find out that cities are bending over backwards to make it easier.”

Still, some cities are proposing rate hikes to deal with the blow from recent budget cuts.

In Glendora, city staff said they will be proposing a minimal fee increase to the City Council in the coming weeks.

This would be effective at two popular event facilities, including the La Fetra Center, the city’s senior center, as well as Glendora’s American Legion building, which hosts private parties on the weekends.

“It’s hugely important,” Debbie Dozal, the city’s Human Services/Transportation superintendent, said of rental revenues. “It helps offset our maintenance costs, it helps offset our equipment replacement like tables and chairs. It helps offset probably minimally 20 percent of our operational budget.”

maritza.velazquez@sgvn.com

626-962-8811, ext. 2236

Cyclists hope to send message with ‘Ride of Silence’

BLOOMINGTON. Ill — As the weather warms in the heart of Illinois motorists can expect to see a rise in bicycle riders on area streets and sidewalks, and one local group wants to help make sure everyone stays safe.

The McLean County Wheelers hosted their annual “Ride of Silence” in downtown Bloomington today. The event’s purpose is to commemorate cyclists who have died due to traffic accidents in the past year, as well as to remind motorists to keep an eye out for riders.

Bloomington city officials are currently considering adding bike lanes to Main street. Event coordinators say this decision would greatly increase safety.

“The reality is it’s legal for us to ride on streets now,” Scott Richardson, member of the McLean County Wheelers said. “What bike lanes do, and what signage does, is to help people remember that we are there. It brings awareness, so they take a little more care.”

Event coordinators also ask motorist to keep at least three feet between their vehicle and cyclists on roadways.

Celebrate Chamblee to kick off

The inaugural Celebrate Chamblee community festival is set to kick off a campaign.

Billed as the premier family event for the city, the occasion is designed to showcase diversity through cultural activities and offerings, according to event coordinators.

“With all the international perspectives we have in our community, we want to develop a community feel,” said Chamblee City Manager and CEO Niles Ford. “I jokingly call Chamblee a fine gumbo.”

“There’s a lot of buzz going on throughout our community about this event — we’re talking all areas and backgrounds,” he added. “We’re very excited about it.”

An array of food vendors and entertainers will line the streets near Chamblee City Hall as part of the festivities.

Getting the event off the ground has been a task spanning several months and involving individuals representing various ethnic and business interests.

“We tried to reach out and make it as diverse as possible,” said Ford. “Our focus is family fun … we’re trying to draw people who want to come out, have a good time and promote goodwill.”

Celebrate Chamblee is part of an initiative being undertaken by city officials espousing unity and inclusion among the municipality’s eclectic, melting pot population.

Attendees, hailing from the city and surrounding areas, will have the opportunity to take part in salsa lessons and line dancing. They can also take in the musical stylings of area groups spanning a wide range of genres, including a mariachi band, Korean drummers as well as pop, R B and hip hop acts among others.

For young festival-goers, a children’s’ play area will offer an array of activities, including moon walks, clowns and their shenanigans, an art studio and face painting section.

Since this year marks the event’s initial run, officials said they are not looking to define success solely from a quantitative standpoint.

“Different segments of the community have already started to develop relationships, both professional and personal,” Ford said.

“If we see respectable numbers and [residents] leave here saying ‘When is the next event?,’ I’ll consider it a success,” he added. “If they are satisfied, had fun, had a great experience and recognize what Chamblee has to offer … that spells success to me.”

Atlanta Fire Inspectors Under Investigation

ATLANTA – Atlanta fire inspectors are under investigation for how they approved shows coming into town. Now, investigators will try to determine if fire inspectors demanded money to let certain shows and exhibitions go on in the city.

Many Atlanta residents say the fire division is at the top or near the top of the most respected departments in the city, making the allegations against them especially troubling.

Before shows come to the city, event coordinators must meet local government requirements to stage them. For example, the Atlanta Fire Department may send an inspector to the site.

FOX 5 has confirmed there are allegations that some firefighters have stepped outside that process for their own financial gain.

Atlanta City Councilman Michael Bond told FOX 5 some inspectors are being accused showing up at events and telling event coordinators they need their services, and they need to pay them directly or face being shut down.

FOX 5 contacted Bond, the city council public safety chairperson, after top city officials confirmed the fire department probe. Sources say the Dogwood Festival and the recent Cavalia show in midtown are two of the events where fire inspectors allegedly requested a direct fee.

Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin J. Cochran released the following statement to FOX 5 in reference to the allegations and pending investigation of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department Inspections Section:

“As a department, we take the allegations seriously, and support the investigation wholeheartedly. We are interested in getting the facts surrounding the allegations, and will take any necessary actions driven by the results of the investigation.”

In the city of Atlanta, there’s a role for inspectors—including fire inspectors—in planners getting approved for events. It’s run through the permitting process through the mayor’s office.

But, Bond says there’s a hole in the process. He says there used to be a forum where all of the affected would get together around the time of the event and discuss what was needed to have a safe and prosperous event. Bond says that doesn’t happen anymore, and that leaves the process open to potential abuse.

Chief Cochran says he will not prejudge the outcome of the investigation, but he favors a revamping of the process that would require any exhibition or show to pay a permit fee which would go to the city of Atlanta, and not any individual inspectors.

The investigation is expected to take several weeks.