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Council approves special-event application; staff warns raffles for cash are illegal
Summary
Council approved a special-event application and reviewed a new special-event ordinance section that requires applications and insurance; planning staff said raffles that require purchase of tickets for cash prizes are illegal under state/local rules.
The Trenton Town Council approved a special-event application and reviewed a new ordinance section that spells out application requirements, insurance, and fee thresholds for large gatherings.
Planning lead (Unidentified Speaker (S3)) told the council the special-event provisions include an application on the back of the ordinance draft and insurance requirements for higher-attendance events. Council members discussed fees for events of more than 100 attendees and clarified that charging admission in order to sell raffle tickets raises legal concerns.
On the legality of raffles, planning staff said state/local law prohibits raffles tied to a required ticket purchase for a cash or valuable prize in the city’s jurisdiction: 'Any raffle for money ... was illegal,' the planning representative stated. Council members said the new ordinance language will guide how organizers apply for events and what is and is not permitted under state rules.
The council moved and passed the special-event application by voice vote; staff will use the approved application form and the ordinance language to process future event requests.
