Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Events Licensing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves festival licenses after heated debate over payment and policing procedures
Summary
Council approved two festival (bazaar) licenses but spent substantial time debating event licensing procedures, certified checks, and who determines required police presence; administration described a one-stop licensing table (police, fire, DPW, events) and said certified payments are required before final permits are issued.
The council voted in the special meeting to approve festival/bazaar licenses for two organizations but only after an extended workshop debate about whether certified checks and final payments for police, fire and DPW services must be filed before council approval.
Council Vice President Marissa Dava and others sought to confirm that licensing had followed the city’s one-stop process, which places police, fire, DPW and the events director at the same review meeting. Councilman Mendes and others asked for proof that prior year's bills were paid in full before approving the new license; he repeatedly requested written confirmation from finance that outstanding balances (if any) were cleared. “Why don’t we have copies of the certified checks?” Mendes asked. Licensing staff and the events director, Dela McCall, said the application had been vetted and that certified checks and final payments are required before permits are issued or before the event begins.
Policing and scope: Multiple council members emphasized that the number of officers assigned to an event is determined by the police department; the council does not set officer counts. Council members said they wanted transparency about who pays for services and when. The CFO/BA and licensing staff said the city now uses a consolidated application process and that the council’s role is to approve the license; operational permits and final payments follow licensing and finance review.
Action: Two festival licenses were approved in the special meeting by roll call; the clerk recorded the roll calls and noted absent members as appropriate. Council asked finance to transmit confirmations that last year’s obligations (if any) were satisfied and asked licensing to provide copies of final payment documentation in advance of the Tuesday vote session when applicable.
What to watch: Council members asked the administration to circulate proof of payment, a listing of event security plans and the police-determined staffing numbers so councilors can verify equitable and consistent treatment across event applicants.
