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Community Development Agency, Transportation Division, recommending the Board approve Final Passage (Second Reading) of Ordinance 5048 amending County Ordinance 4231, Title 12, Chapter 12.37 Parades, to incorporate text changes to reference Special Events, delegate authority to the Transportation Director to issue permits for Special Events including those requiring road closure, and modify language to remove Section 12.37.020, Item B referencing permit fee charges associated with Special Events. (Cont. 3/21/17, Item 32)
FUNDING: N/A
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Community Development Agency, Transportation Division (Transportation), recommending the Board waive full reading of the Ordinance and approve Final Passage (Second Reading).
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
At their meeting of March 21, 2017 (Item 32) the Board approved Ordinance 5048 with minor modification and set for Final Passage (Second Reading) on March 28, 2017. Pursuant to the Board’s discussion on March 21, 2017, Section 12.37.020, Item B, which stated, “To the extent allowed by law, permit fees therefor shall be charged by the Director in the amount established by resolution of the Board of Supervisors upon recommendation of the Director,” was removed from the Ordinance.
Consistent with Board Policy A-3, Ordinances - New or Amended, the Board provided conceptual approval on September 13, 2016 (Item 34), to amend County Ordinance 4231, Title 12, Chapter 12.37 Parades (Parades Ordinance) to incorporate text changes to reference “Special Events” and delegate authority to the Transportation Director to issue permits for Special Events including those requiring road closure.
The County’s current Parade Ordinance details the process for applying for, and obtaining, a road closure permit, which culminates in the Board adopting a resolution approving the road closure. During a typical year, there may be as many as thirty (30) special events that would require the issuance of a permit with the accompanying ordinance.
Transportation is seeking to update the County’s current Parades Ordinance, which references only parades and is not representative of the many types of events that seek road closure permits. During the past years, permits have been issued to events such as runs, bicycling, wagon trains, arts and crafts fairs, Jeepers Jamboree events, and parades that require road closures to be successful.
In processing applications/permits pursuant to the Parades Ordinance, Transportation has observed that many of these events occur annually and, therefore, must obtain a permit each year, which currently requires Board action/approval. Transportation is proposing that these events be approved by the Transportation Division Director each year.
An additional change to the Parades Ordinance incorporates language from adopted Resolution 110-79 (Attachment F) which details the need for the special event sponsor to provide liability insurance, execute a hold harmless clause, and clean up roadways during and after an event.
Applicants will still be required to complete an application and provide public notification, insurance, detour and event signage, etc. so there is very little change in the permitting process itself. The main change will be in the time required to process the entire permit since the Board will no longer be required to review/approve them. These changes will also make the ordinance more representative of the many types of “Special Events” that seek road closure permits. These changes make the entire process much more efficient, saving time for both staff and Board Members by eliminating the need for staff to prepare, and Board Members to review, upwards of thirty (30) Board items per year.
ALTERNATIVES
1) No changes to existing Ordinance and procedures.
2) Approve updating the Ordinance from Parades to Special Events (Chapter 12.37), but don’t delegate authority to the Transportation Director to issue the associated permits. The Board would retain the authority to approve all road closures for Special Events.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost associated with this item.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) After Final Passage, the Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair’s signature on the Ordinance.
2) The Clerk of the Board will forward one (1) fully executed original of the Ordinance to Transportation, Attn.: Andrew Gaber.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety, Effective Services
CONTACT
Bard R. Lower
Director, Transportation Division
Community Development Agency