(A) Those planning an organized public assembly, demonstration and/or protest shall file a notice of intent to gather at least one month prior to the event, listing the date and time, the issue and organization, and the number of individuals expected to gather, together with a safety plan for the event.
(B) Two weeks prior to the date and time, if not listed in the notice of intent, an organization responsible for a public assembly, demonstration or protest shall provide the name of the organizer, including contact information; proof of insurance naming the City of White Sulphur Springs as an additional insured; or, for events anticipating under 20 participants, in lieu of insurance, shall post a bond of $5,000 to cover potential injuries or damages to the location, existing structures, and/or streets or sidewalks in the event of any damage.
(C) An event not sponsored by a specific organization, or anticipating more than 20 participants, shall be required to obtain insurance for the event naming the City as an additional insured; events anticipating under 20 participants shall alternatively post a bond of $5,000 to cover potential injuries or damages to the location, existing structures and/or streets or sidewalks in the event of any damage.
(D) The organizer shall arrange a meeting with the Mayor and the head of the responsible law enforcement agency one week prior to the event to discuss issues related to crowd control, parking and other safety concerns to allow the event to occur peaceably.
(E) Events which anticipate attendance in excess of 50 people shall submit a request for a permit from the City with the notice.
(F) A permit fee as set by the Council by resolution shall be due and payable at the time the notice and permit application are filed.
(G) An event conducted without an event permit may be immediately shut down and the organizer shall be charged with conducting a public assembly without a permit and fined not less than $300 and more than $500, in addition to the cost of shutting down the event and any other costs associated with the event. If there is more than one organizer, the costs shall be assessed as joint and several among the organizers.
(H) Events which appear to be spontaneous shall be immediately quashed should the event become disorderly. Individuals identified as participating or inciting the event shall be held responsible, jointly and severally, for any injuries or damages which may occur and may be charged with incitement of an unpermitted public assembly, demonstration or protest. Penalty for such violation shall be a fine of not less than $300 or more than $500. (Ord. 362, passed 11-21-2017)