Title:
Consider and take action on an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of League City by amending Chapter 14, entitled "AMUSEMENTS AND ENTERTAINMENTS", to establish Article I, to be entitled "SPECIAL EVENT ADMINISTRATION & PERMITTING", and to add various sections regarding permitting requirements and procedures connected to the administration of special events within League City; providing for codification, publication, and an effective date (Fire Chief, Director of Parks and Cultural Services, Director of Planning, Emergency Management Coordinator, and Assistant City Manager)
Background:
Approval of this item will amend Chapter 14 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of League City, entitled "Amusements and Entertainments" to create requirements and associated procedures governing the administration of special events within the City of League City.
During the early spring of this year, the Assistant City Manager, under the auspices and direction of the City Manager, organized a cross-functional team composed of various City directorates and departments to examine the City’s current methodologies associated with the long-standing issue of the administration of special events. This investigation concluded that the current methodology lacks appropriate structure and definition. As a result, staff concluded that the City and event presenters could benefit from the establishment of a process that better defines staff roles, clarifies requirements, and elevates departmental understanding of special events. Such a process will additionally improve customer service, inspire a greater quantity of quality special events, allocate City resources more efficiently, and reduce the City’s exposure to potential risk. The larger team organized a small working group to develop a process, requirements, and procedures that bring uniformity, consistency, safety, and professionalism to the City’s administration of special events. In developing these requirements and procedures, staff mapped the current process, contrasted it against those of other communities, examined municipal best practices, and forged a new process that captures the best elements, while accommodating League City’s unique needs and character.
Administered by the City’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM), the process requires an event presenter to apply for a special event permit utilizing an Esri® portal (similar to an Internet landing site). He or she will describe in detail the proposed event, venue, dates, times, and any other information that would allow staff to evaluate presenter needs and relevant ancillary permits (i.e. - alcohol, amplification, street closure, inspections, etc.). Once the event has been received on the portal, City departments will be notified of and will review the application, inputting their requirements and comments on the portal. OEM will then interface with the applicant to ensure that requirements are met, fees are paid, and special permits obtained. Once all requirements are met, OEM will issue the permit.
No fee associated with the application of a special event permit is being requested.
It should be noted that there is a companion Public Hearing - Ordinance combination on this agenda that will take action to remove the current event requirements from the “Unified Development Code” in Chapter 125 of the Code of Ordinances. The same action (approval or rejection) must be taken on both ordinances to avoid internal inconsistencies in the Code.
Attachments:
1. Proposed Ordinance
2. Final Draft - Special Event Administration & Permitting Ordinance
FUNDING
{X} NOT APPLICABLE
STRATEGIC PLANNING
{X} Addresses Strategic Planning Critical Success Factor # 3 Safe and Desirable Community