Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Play Streets Block Parties topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Staff proposes waiver and check‑out equipment for block parties; council members raise hours and construction proximity limits
Summary
Staff presented an ordinance to instruct administration to create an administrative policy waiving block‑party fees for free residential events and to explore making barricades/diverters check‑out items at libraries. Councillors questioned the 9 a.m.–9 p.m. hour cap and a rule barring events within 500 feet of active street construction.
City staff introduced an ordinance to instruct the administration to prepare an administrative policy for Play Street and Neighborhood Block Party permits, including fee waivers for free residential block parties and the potential to purchase diverters and signs that could be checked out at select libraries.
The presenter described current practice — residents pay an application fee and often have ad‑hoc methods such as folding chairs and hand‑made signs to block streets — and said the proposed policy would waive fees for free block parties on residential streets and explore making diverters and signage available through library checkout.
Council members raised operational questions including the policy’s 9 a.m.–9 p.m. time cap, the proposed 500‑foot restriction near active street construction, and whether alternative low‑cost barricade methods would be allowed when city equipment is unavailable. One councilmember suggested bringing the draft back to PIES and flagged the need for neighborhood outreach once policy details change.
Staff said the draft remains under development and that purchase of diverters and any library checkout program would likely require a future budget request for equipment. No formal action was taken: staff asked for feedback and said they will continue to refine the administrative policy.
