Residents urge city to enforce rules after carnival operator advertises event before approval
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Summary
Public commenters at Margate’s Oct. 8 meeting said Hildebrand posted a November carnival on social media and sold ads before the city approved a business tax receipt; callers urged the commission to require the operator to pay fines or bonds before staging an event
During public comment on Oct. 8 several residents said they saw social‑media advertising and paid ads for a carnival in Margate before the city approved the operator’s business tax receipt.
Tracy Van Winkle said she saw a Facebook post and ads announcing a Hildebrand carnival scheduled for Nov. 21–Dec. 7 and asked how the operator could advertise dates before the city had voted. “I’d like to know how they could know that if you guys haven’t voted on it until the next meeting,” Van Winkle said.
Donna Fellows told the commission she expects the city to require the operator to resolve outstanding debts and to post a bond or pay fines before staging any event. “I hope that you all are gonna make him pay a hefty fine bond before he puts 1 thing on that property,” Fellows said.
Another commenter noted prior meetings at which the Community Redevelopment Agency and staff discussed the matter; the commission did not take action during public comment. City staff later said the city is reviewing business‑tax and permitting obligations; no permits or event approvals were recorded at the Oct. 8 meeting.
The commission did not vote on the carnival or on enforcement measures during the meeting. Residents may follow up with the city clerk or licensing office to confirm the operator’s compliance with local requirements before any event proceeds.