City staff presented a code amendment to chapter 13 intended to modernize parade procedures, move administration of parade permits to the police department, and codify a consistent downtown route centered on Main Street with staging on Commercial.

Chief Lyons described the proposed route and staffing needs and estimated city costs of $1,100–$1,600 depending on the number of officers and barricades required. He told council the fee proposal would reflect the cost of personnel: “It would be the cost of the personnel that’s at the parade… we would actually charge the overtime rate for the individuals to sign up for that.”

Council members raised three main concerns: (1) whether the proposal would ban parades on city holidays (staff clarified parade events would be discouraged on the holiday itself but could be held the prior weekend), (2) whether charging full personnel costs would stifle longstanding community parades that rely on volunteers, and (3) whether the city could offer grandfathering for existing events or transition to a city‑sponsored model.

Multiple council members cited St. Patrick’s Day and the downtown Christmas parade as examples of well‑attended, volunteer‑oriented events that could be harmed by a per‑vehicle or full‑cost model. One council member suggested sponsorship or entry fees as ways to offset costs, while staff said volunteers would need specific training and that untrained volunteers could create public‑safety risks.

Staff emphasized that the pending code amendment deals with process and permitting, not the final fee structure or MOUs: the code change will come to council at the next meeting and staff will return with permit details and potential exceptions.

Next steps: the formal code amendment will be presented at the next council meeting; council asked staff to explore options to avoid unintentionally suppressing existing community parades while ensuring public safety.