Pasco previews streamlined special-events code, council debates timelines and insurance

Staff presented a draft special-events code intended to simplify permit types, introduce an event risk-scoring matrix for security review, and clarify street-closure thresholds and timelines ahead of a scheduled public hearing.

Miss Matson summarized changes including clearer thresholds for when a special-event permit is required, a risk matrix to guide security and policing resources, and a consolidated master application form to reduce duplicate submissions. Councilmember Peralez urged an expedited lane for lower-impact events such as temporary sidewalk sales; Matson said the code already exempts many events under 100 people and that a recurring-permit option is available for repeat organizers.

Several councilmembers raised the recommended $1 million commercial general-liability minimum (per WCIA, the city’s insurer). Deputy City Manager Sigdell said WCIA advised the city that $1 million is the recommended baseline because “a million dollars does not buy much anymore.” Staff suggested the hearing examiner as an appeals route rather than the council to avoid putting council in the role of deciding operational permit disputes.

Council discussed fees and subsidies for nonprofit or community events; staff noted current permit fees are low (example $50) and asked whether council wanted an across-the-board fee subsidy or a targeted policy. Matson proposed a six- to eight-month check-in to evaluate the ordinance after implementation and promised to return with any needed code changes.

Next steps: the city will hold a public hearing next week on the ordinance; staff will address some objective criteria language for risk factors before the hearing and then check back to council after implementation.