Council declines to act after split votes on haunted-house sponsorship and digital-sign policy

The Orange City Council debated a sponsorship request on Sept. 23 from the VIA (Cirrhosis) Club for its annual haunted-house event. The request sought in-kind fee waivers (special-event and sign fees totaling about $125) and advertising assistance including social media, the city newsletter and potential placement on the city's new digital marquee.

Public information officer Maddie McAllister said the request was for in-kind support and clarified that the group was not asking for cash. "The request is for their haunted house... in kind services in the form of fee waivers, totaling about $125," McAllister said. Councilmembers raised questions about sign-permit practice, whether multiple sign locations require multiple fees, and whether the new digital sign should be used for non-city-sponsored events.

Councilmembers were split on whether allowing one non-city sponsored event on the digital sign set a precedent that would require the city to allow all similar requests. Several motions were proposed: one to provide advertising but decline the $125 and exclude the digital sign; another to approve sponsorship but prohibit the digital sign; and other conditional approvals. Roll-call votes on two distinct proposed motions failed and, after additional attempts produced no successful motion, the item expired on the agenda (staff said the item would "die" if no motion carried).

One member of the public, Noreda Williamson, offered to donate the $125. No sponsorship motion ultimately passed; council directed staff to continue developing a digital-sign policy and return with guidance at a later meeting.