Committee instructs city attorney to draft ordinance updating event and business permit processes

The Public Safety Committee on May 7 voted to ask the City Attorney, with assistance from the Police Commission and relevant departments, to draft an ordinance updating city permit procedures for certain businesses and short‑term events, including the so‑called “One Night Public Dance” permit and towing/parking operator oversight.

The committee adopted the instruction after a Police Commission presentation that described multiple decades‑old, overlapping permit requirements and recommended a modernization to improve public safety review, interdepartmental coordination and transparency.

Scott Muffel of the Police Commission described the commission’s review, noting the regulatory code governing some permits has not materially changed in decades and that redundancies slow review. Muffel outlined four pillars for reform: planning and intake; accountability and transparency about community benefits; redeployment and consolidation of administrative resources; and updated infrastructure provisions. He said some permits are requested too late for adequate review and urged clearer timelines and a more unified application pathway to avoid last‑minute cancellations or unsafe events.

Muffel and Commissioners cited the “One Night Public Dance” permit — a historic permit dating to the 1960s that requires permits for gatherings whose primary purpose is dancing — as an example of outdated language and implementation challenges. The commission recommended a standard review period and a simple, one‑page security plan (described in the report as a “plan estrella”) that would identify an event’s responsible person, safety map and contracts for private security and other required services.

Councilmembers raised repeated concerns about interdepartmental coordination. Commissioners and staff said the current process sends a single application through multiple departments (fire, public works, transportation, police) but lacks a standardized unified review and that smaller community organizations are disproportionately affected by complexity and costs. Police Commission staff said they aim to standardize requirements such as background checks for security vendors, proof of insurance and stage/building safety reviews and to seek a default 30‑day review window for higher‑risk events.

Councilmember Hugo Martínez (requesting the instruction) asked the City Attorney to draft an ordinance that would incorporate the commission’s recommended changes, produce a plan for towing and parking operator oversight, and return with budget implications and proposed code amendments. The committee voted to send the City Attorney a draft ordinance and accompanying instructions. Roll call showed five affirmative votes (Concejal Lee: yes; Concejal Price: yes; Concejal Mac Oscar/Macosker: yes; Concejal Soto Martínez: yes; Concejal Park: yes). The motion passed.

The committee requested that the draft ordinance include proposed budget adjustments, a multi‑disciplinary coordination approach, and a clear path for implementation so event organizers and small non‑profits can plan well in advance. Committee members asked staff to expand community outreach beyond social media and to provide translated materials and in‑person survey or outreach options for residents less likely to be reached online.

Next steps: the City Attorney’s office will prepare a draft ordinance and the Police Commission will assist with technical details and recommended code language; staff will return to the committee with the draft ordinance and a report on outreach and budget implications.