Commission recommends block-party pilot to council with $45 permit and neighbor sign-off

Marcela Darya presented the block party ad hoc committee’s proposal and the commission voted to forward the item to council as a pilot program with a modification to include park-based options. The program would offer two delivery options: (A) city-delivered bins (dropped Friday, picked up Monday) or (B) resident pickup/return. Key financial and operating terms discussed included a $45 permit fee (the first reservation fee waived), a $100 refundable deposit, required special-event insurance, and an estimated city cost for equipment and staff time.

Commissioners pressed on traffic safety, neighbor buy-in and exceptions for streets that are through-streets, and whether a park option could be provided for neighborhoods where blocking the street would not work. Staff said the authorization form requires signatures from affected surrounding residents and that public works would deny permit requests for through-streets in most cases. The motion to recommend the pilot (options A and/or B) to council passed unanimously, 7–0.