A. Generally:
1. Offense To Obstruct Or Encumber: It shall be an offense for any person to obstruct or encumber, by fences, buildings, boxes, stands, structures or otherwise, any of the public highways, streets, alleys, roads, sidewalks or crosswalks within the corporate limits of the City. Nothing herein contained shall prohibit the loading or unloading of any goods or materials whatever without needless delay.
2. Notification To Remove: The Chief of Police or any of his deputies having knowledge of such violation may notify the person so offending, if he can be found, to immediately remove any such obstruction or encumbrance placed or made by him upon any public highway, street, alley, sidewalk, road or crosswalk within the City contrary to the provisions of this section.
3. City May Remove: If such person does not immediately remove such obstruction or encumbrance, or if such person cannot immediately be found, the Chief of Police or deputy may remove the obstruction or encumbrance. (1991 Code § 19-2)
4. Permits For Street/Sidewalk Closures: Subsection 5-1-6A10 of this Code and subsection A1 of this section may be abrogated on an individual basis for events including, but not limited to, an event, march, ceremony, show, exhibition, pageant, celebration, cross country running event, or any similar type of display or event; upon the submission of a written application at least fourteen (14) days prior to the planned event.
a. Applications: The application for an event permit shall set forth the following information:
(1) The name, address and telephone number of the person seeking to conduct such event;
(2) If the event is proposed to be conducted for, on behalf of, or by an organization, the name, address and telephone number of the headquarters of the organization, and of the authorized and responsible heads of such organization;
(3) The name, address and telephone number of the person who will be the event chairman and who will be responsible for its conduct;
(4) The date when the event is to be conducted;
(5) The route to be traveled or identify which street(s) and portion(s) thereof to be closed;
(6) The approximate number of participants which will constitute such event;
(7) The location where such event will start and terminate. If the event is to take place in a City park or City owned building, the name and location of such City owned property;
(8) A statement as to whether the event will occupy all or only a portion of the width of the streets proposed to be traversed;
(9) The time at which units of the event will begin to assemble at any such assembly area or areas;
(10) If the event is designed to be held by, and on behalf of or for, any person other than the applicant, the applicant for such permit shall file with the City Manager a communication in writing from the person proposing to hold the event, authorizing the applicant to apply for the permit on his behalf;
(11) Any additional information which the City Manager shall find reasonably necessary to a fair determination as to whether a permit should issue;
(12) Use of any sound amplification equipment by type.
b. Consideration: The City Manager, with the advice of the Chief of Police, shall have the authority to approve permit applications which propose the obstruction of three (3) blocks or less. All other applications, for which proposed obstruction exceeds three (3) blocks, shall be approved only by a majority vote of the City Council.
c. Compliance With Laws And Permit Conditions: The event shall be conducted in compliance with all applicable laws and ordinances, including any permit directions and conditions which may be prescribed by the granting authority, whether it is the City Manager or City Council.
d. Right Of Appeal: Any applicant shall have a right of appeal to the Council from any application denial by the City Manager pursuant to this section. Such appeal shall be taken by filing a written notice of appeal with the Clerk within ten (10) days after the denial is issued. (Ord. 981, 11-21-2017)
B. Obstruction By Railroads: It is unlawful for the directing officer or the operator of any railroad train to direct the operation of or to operate the same in such a manner as to prevent the use of any street for purposes of travel for a period of time longer than five (5) minutes, except that this provision shall not apply to trains or cars in motion other than those engaged in switching. (1991 Code § 21-272)