Title
An Ordinance to Amend Section 3:6 of Chapter 39, Parks, Title III of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor to Provide for Exemptions to the Permit Requirement for Group Activities in Parks (Ordinance No. ORD-13-27)
Memorandum
Following concerns about the perceived threat to the Pizza in the Park program at Liberty Plaza and to further activate Liberty Plaza, Park Advisory Commission recommended and City Council approved a waiver of park rental fees at Liberty Plaza. Local faith communities in conjunction with Camp Take Notice have successfully distributed food to persons in need in Liberty Plaza on a regular basis.
The Parks Advisory Commission has considered a request from Camp Take Notice to extend the fee waiver to all parks. In some circumstances (e.g., during Art Fair), Liberty Plaza may be unavailable or its central location might not permit adequate service. Also a concern was that for organizations assisting persons in need, a park rental fee should not serve as a barrier.
Parks Advisory Commission is recommending the ordinance be amended to state:
There shall be no park rental fee charged in association with a permit, where the permitted event's primary proposed activity is the charitable distribution of goods for basic human needs.
Staff does not believe the provision will have an adverse impact on Parks. All use, cleanup, and permit restrictions continue to apply.
Staff
Sponsors: Council members Taylor and Teall
Body
ORDINANCE NO. ORD-13-27
First Reading: November 7, 2013 Approved: November 18, 2013
Public Hearing: November 18, 2013 Published: November 21, 2013
Effective: December 1, 2013
PARKS
An Ordinance to Amend Section 3:6 of Chapter 39, Parks, Title III of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor to Provide for Exemptions to the Permit Requirement for Group Activities in Parks
The City of Ann Arbor Ordains:
Section 1. That Section 3:6 of Chapter 39 of Title III of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor be amended to read as follows:
3:6 - Group activities.
No person shall organize, advertise or publicize any event or activity to be held in a park for which more than 50 people will be expected to attend without first receiving a permit from the Community Services Area Administrator, Public Services Area Administrator, or designee. There shall be no park rental fee charged in association with a permit, where the permitted event's primary proposed activity is the charitable distribution of goods for basic human needs.
Section 2: In the event any court of competent jurisdiction shall hold any provision of this Ordinance invalid or unenforceable, such holding shall not invalidate or render unenforceable any other provision thereof.
Section 3: This Ordinance shall take effect ten days after passage and publication.
C E R T I F I C A T I O N
I hereby certify that the foregoing ordinance was adopted by the Council of the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan, at its regular session of November 18, 2013.
Jacqueline Beaudry, Ann Arbor City Clerk
Date
John Hieftje, Mayor
I hereby certify that the foregoing ordinance received legal publication on the City Clerk's webpage on November 21, 2013.
Jacqueline Beaudry, Ann Arbor City Clerk