(A) Procedures; fees. The proponent of any special event shall obtain a special event permit following the procedures stated herein. The special event permit will be obtained through the proponent, who will be responsible for producing a list of all information as is deemed necessary and convenient by the City Clerk. The fees imposed shall be $100 per event that does not include the sale of alcohol and $200 per event that does include the sale of alcohol. Applicants proposing the sale of alcoholic beverages must adhere to all local and state rules and regulations, including obtaining all required permits and or licenses. The proponent is responsible for posting the special event permit for all days of participation at the special event.
(B) Permit. Any block party involving street closure will be required to obtain a neighborhood block party permit. There is no fee associated with the processing and issuance of a block party permit. However, the organizer is responsible for all fees related to renting or obtaining safety equipment, security, and or barricades.
(C) Security. For the safety of your events participants, security personnel are a necessity. Events including alcohol and minors may involve higher risk and may require more security. Events on public property require Marseilles Police Department personnel. Off-duty officers will be assigned with the cost to be paid by the applicant. The hourly costs are determined by the current union contract. The number of officers required is at the discretion of the Chief of Police.
(D) City services and equipment use fees.
(1) Prepayment of fees. Upon approval of an application for a special event permit or block park, the Public Works and/or Parks Director shall provide the applicant with a statement of the estimated cost of providing city personnel and equipment. The applicant/sponsor of the event shall be required to prepay these estimated costs for city services and equipment ten days prior to the special event. City services and equipment may include the use of police officers and public works employees for traffic and crowd control, pick up and delivery of traffic-control devices, picnic tables, extraordinary street sweeping, and any other needed, requested or required city service and the cost of operating city equipment to provide such services.
(2) Refunds or overruns. If the actual cost for city services and equipment on the date(s) of the event is less than the estimated cost, the applicant/sponsor will be refunded the difference by the city in a timely manner. If the actual cost for city services and equipment on the date(s) of the event is greater than the estimated cost, the applicant/sponsor will be billed for the difference.
(3) Waiver of fees. The fees for the use of city services and equipment, and prepayment, may be waived in part or in full by the City Council if, in review of the application, they find that the event is of sufficient community benefit to warrant the expenditure of city funds without reimbursement by the applicant/sponsor. The fees for city services and equipment may also be waived in part or in full by the City Council if the applicant/sponsor signs a verified statement that the event’s purpose is First Amendment expression, and that the cost of city services and equipment is so financially burdensome that it would constitute an unreasonable burden on the right of First Amendment expression.
(Ord. 1331, passed 2-20-08)