HomeMy WebLinkAbout21. 19-87FEBRUARY 12, 2019 19-87 ORDINANCE
FIRST READING
(CARRIED LOST LAID OVER WITHDRAWN )
PURPOSE: APPROVE AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 5, ARTICLE III, SECTION
5-18 SPECIAL EVENTS, MARCHES & PUBLIC ASSEMBLIES
INITIATED BY: CITY ADMINISTRATION
A GENERAL ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OSHKOSH AMENDING CHAPTER 5
ARTICLE III SECTION 5-18 OF THE OSHKOSH MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO
SPECIAL EVENTS, MARCHES & PUBLIC ASSEMBLIES
The Common Council of the City of Oshkosh do ordain as follows:
SECTION 1. That Chapter 5 Article III Section 5-18 of the Oshkosh Municipal Code
pertaining Special Events, Marches & Public Assemblies is hereby amended to read as
shown on the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its
passage, and publication.
SECTION 3. Publication Notice
Please take notice that the City of Oshkosh enacted ordinance #19 -XXX AMEND
AMUSEMENTS ORDINANCE (A GENERAL ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OSHKOSH
AMENDING CHAPTER 5 ARTICLE III SECTION 5-18 OF THE OSHKOSH MUNICIPAL
CODE PERTAINING TO SPECIAL EVENT, MARCHES & PUBLIC ASSEMBLIES) on
February 26, 2019. The ordinance eliminates provisions pertaining to the waiver of fees;
adds a definition for block parties; adds language related to the Special Events Coordinator
position; and clarifies some provisions and corrects minor typographical issues in the
existing ordinance.
The full text of the ordinance may be obtained at the Office of the City Clerk, 215 Church
Avenue and through the City's website at www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us. Clerk's phone:
920/236-5011.
City of Oshkosh
ARTICLE I. PUBLIC DANCES
5-1 RESERVED
5-2 RESERVED
5-3 RESERVED
5-4 RESERVED
5-5 RESERVED
5-6 RESERVED
5-7 RESERVED
5-8 RESERVED
5-9 RESERVED
5-10 RESERVED
5-11 RESERVED
5-12 RESERVED
5-13 RESERVED
CHAPTER 5
AMUSEMENTS
(Formerly Definitions - Repealed 05/07/12)
(Formerly License Required - Repealed 05/07/12)
(Formerly Application and Fee - Repealed 05/07/12)
(Formerly Investigation of Premises - Repealed 05/07/12)
(Formerly Issuance of License - Repealed 05/07/12)
(Formerly Revocation - Repealed 05/07/12)
(Formerly Police Supervision - Repealed 05/07/12)
(Formerly Sanitation and Lighting - Repealed 05/07/12)
(Formerly Authority to Stop Dance - Repealed 05/07/12)
(Formerly Laws to be Obeyed - Repealed 05/07/12)
(Formerly Duties of Floor Manager - Repealed 05/07/12)
(Formerly Advertisements of Dances - Repealed 05/07/12)
(Formerly Closing Hours - Repealed 05/07/12)
ARTICLE II. BILLIARDS, POOL AND BOWLING ALLEYS
5-14
LICENSE REQUIRED
5-15
ISSUANCE OF LICENSE
5-16
LICENSE FEES; TERM
5-17
GAMBLING PROHIBITED
ARTICLE III. AMUSEMENTS
5-18 SPECIAL EVENTS, MARCHES, AND PUBLIC ASSEMBLIES
5-19 RESERVED
5-20 RESERVED
5-21 RESERVED
5-22 RESERVED
5-23 RESERVED
5-24 RESERVED
5-25 RESERVED
5-26 RESERVED
ARTICLE IV. RESERVED
5-27 RESERVED
5-28 RESERVED
5-29 RESERVED
5-30 RESERVED
5-31 RESERVED
5-32 RESERVED
ARTICLE V. MINIATURE GOLF COURSES
5-33 LICENSE REQUIRED
5-34 APPLICATION; FEE; TERM
Municipal Codes
Revised 02/06/2019
City of Oshkosh Chapter 5 — Page 1 Municipal Codes
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council
FROM: Kathryn Snell, Special Events Coordinator
DATE: February 6, 2019
RE: Approve Amendments to Chapter 5, Article III, Section 5-18 Special
Events, Marches, and Public Assemblies of the Municipal Code
BACKGROUND
At the 2019-2020 Common Council and Department Head strategic planning session for
the City of Oshkosh, it was discussed that a review of the Special Events, Marches and
Public Assemblies section of the Municipal Code should be completed. The ordinance
does not set the annual event fee schedule as this is done by resolution annually. The
2019 Charges for Extraordinary Services for Special Events was approved on November
27, 2018.
ANALYSIS
While reviewing the Special Events, Marches, and Public Assemblies section, staff
decided to propose removal of all sections referencing the ability for the Common
Council to waive fees for Special Event applications and extraordinary services fees.
This proposal is based on past practice of the Common Council consistently voting
against a waiver of fees even when criteria has been arguably met. The elimination of
these sections would no longer give event organizers the option to request waivers of
application and extraordinary services fees for Special Events.
Other changes include a definition of Block Parties and additional minor edits (see
attached red -lined version).
City�
Oshkosh
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact associated with this approval.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of the amendments to Chapter 5, Article III, Section 5-18 Special
Events, Marches, and Public Assemblies.
Respectfully Submitted,
'rl
Kathryn S. Snell
City Special Events Coordinator
Approved:
Mark A. Rohloff
City Manager
City of Oshkosh
5-35 CLOSING HOURS
ARTICLE VI. MECHANICAL ENTERTAINMENT DEVICES
5-36 LICENSE REQUIRED
5-37 ISSUANCE OF LICENSE
5-38 HOURS RESTRICTED
ARTICLE VII. PENALTIES
5-39 PENALTIES
Municipal Codes
Revised 02/06/2019
City of Oshkosh Chapter 5 — Page 2 Municipal Codes
City of Oshkosh
ARTICLE I. PUBLIC DANCES
Municipal Codes
Revised 02/06/2019
SECTION 5-1 Reserved.
(Formerly DEFINITIONS - Repealed 05/07/12)
SECTION 5-2 Reserved.
(Formerly LICENSE REQUIRED - Repealed 05/07/12)
SECTION 5-3 Reserved.
(Formerly APPLICATION AND FEE - Repealed 05/07/12)
SECTION 5-4 Reserved.
(Formerly INVESTIGATION OF PREMISES - Repealed 05/07/12)
SECTION 5-5 Reserved.
(Formerly ISSUANCE OF LICENSE - Repealed 05/07/12)
SECTION 5-6 Reserved.
(Formerly REVOCATION - Repealed 05/07/12)
SECTION 5-7 Reserved.
(Formerly POLICE SUPERVISION - Repealed 05/07/12)
SECTION 5-8 Reserved.
(Formerly SANITATION AND LIGHTING - Repealed 05/07/12)
SECTION 5-9 Reserved.
(Formerly AUTHORITY TO STOP DANCE - Repealed 05/07/12)
SECTION 5-10 Reserved.
(Formerly LAWS TO BE OBEYED - Repealed 05/07/12)
SECTION 5-11 Reserved.
(Formerly DUTIES OF THE FLOOR MANAGER - Repealed 05/07/12)
SECTION 5-12 Reserved.
(Formerly ADVERTISEMENTS OF DANCES - Repealed 05/07/12)
SECTION 5-13 Reserved.
(Formerly CLOSING HOURS - Repealed 05/07/12)
ARTICLE II. BILLIARDS, POOL, AND BOWLING ALLEYS
SECTION 5-14 LICENSE REQUIRED
No person, firm or corporation shall erect, maintain or permit to be erected or maintained upon his
premises, for gain, any billiard or pool tables or bowling alley without first having obtained a license
therefor as herein provided.
SECTION 5-15 ISSUANCE OF LICENSE
Each license granted shall be issued by the City Clerk upon payment of the prescribed fee, and signed
by the City Manager and City Clerk and shall be sealed with the corporate seal of the City. No license
issued pursuant hereto shall be assignable.
SECTION 5-16 LICENSE FEES; TERM
The annual license fee shall be $10.00 for each individual bowling alley, or nine or ten pin alley in any
bowling establishment, and $5.00 for each billiard table and pool table. Every license shall expire on the
1st day of June next succeeding the granting thereof. No license issued pursuant hereto shall be
assignable.
City of Oshkosh Chapter 5 — Page 3 Municipal Codes
City of Oshkosh
SECTION 5-17 GAMBLING PROHIBITED
Municipal Codes
Revised 02/06/2019
No person licensed to keep a billiard table, pool table or bowling alley shall allow or permit any kind of
rioting, reveling, drunkenness, lewd or disorderly conduct on the licensed premises, or shall use or permit
the use of such billiard table, pool table or bowling alley so kept by him for the purpose of gambling.
ARTICLE III. AMUSEMENTS
SECTION 5-18 SPECIAL EVENTS, MARCHES, AND PUBLIC ASSEMBLIES
I. PURPOSE:
The City of Oshkosh recognizes that Special Events organized by individuals, private organizations, and
non -profits serve an important role in enhancing the city's quality of life and can provide benefits to the
community as a whole. In an effort to treat all persons and groups uniformly, to facilitate the successful
staging of these special events, and to be mindful of the efficient use of available facilities and resources,
the City will commit staff time and facilities to review applications to hold special events and assist the
organizers as needed to ensure that special events have an overall positive effect upon the community
and its resources.
The City will review Special Event applications for the purpose of assisting the event organizer in
complying with various applicable public safety requirements, as well as be involved during the special
event as needed to protect the safety and welfare of the public, and resources owned by the public.
During the City's review and oversight in this process, the City will address traffic and parking issues,
health and safety issues related to the participants and the public, effects upon neighboring properties,
fire potential, explosions, disorder and other dangers to persons or property, preservation of peace and
order, sanitation, and the overall safeguarding of the public. The City will also consider the potential
diversion of public safety, emergency, and other services from their regular and necessary duties, and
the additional costs of providing public services necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare
associated with special events.
The City also recognizes that Marches and Public Assemblies held for the purpose of conveying
messages protected by the Constitution play an important role in enhancing the public life of citizens as
well as the interrelationship between citizens and their government. To that end, the City will similarly
review requests to hold Marches and Public Assemblies in the context of the safety and welfare of the
community and the availability of resources, but will do so in an expedited and abbreviated manner to
ensure that those wishing to hold and/or participate in such events may do so without unreasonable
delays or restrictions.
II. DEFINITIONS:
A. "Special Event" means a temporary gathering of people on public or private property and involving
at least one of the circumstances listed below. The City Manager, or their designee, shall have
the exclusive authority to determine whether or not an event meets the definition of "Special
Event."
1. Exclusive use of all or part of waterways, or City or County -owned facilities, within the City
boundaries such as buildings, parks, open spaces, streets, parking lots, athletic fields, etc.,
but does not include normal park shelter rentals;
City of Oshkosh Chapter 5 — Page 4 Municipal Codes
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2. Will involve the closing of a public street, alley, or public right of way; including block parties.
3. Over 250 people at any one time attending the event on private property, except those
situations meeting the definition of a "public assembly;"
4. Temporary installation or construction of structures, including but not limited to tents;
5. City ordinances and rules require public safety support by City employees;
6. Will require Extraordinary Services by any City Department;
7. Hours of the event extend beyond those otherwise adopted in City ordinances; or,
8. Alcohol, beverages, food, and/or merchandise will be offered.
Examples of Special Events included but are not limited to activities such as
running/jogging/walking events; boat, bicycle, running or road races and other forms of
competition and athletic events; music, theater, film performances or concerts; water ski
demonstrations, air shows, carnivals, equipment shows, cultural events such as art fairs, antique
shows, religious services, classes, meetings, parties, and other gatherings meeting the above
criteria. A Special Event is not intended to include events such as a family gathering; nonprofit
organization, business, or company picnic; or other similar events unless other criteria listed
above apply.
B. "City property" includes all municipal buildings, parks, beaches, athletic fields and complexes,
streets and other rights of way, parking lots, boating and docking facilities, and any other property
owned, leased or controlled by the City of Oshkosh.
C. "Extraordinary Services" means reasonable and necessary services provided by the City which
specifically result from the Special Event. Extraordinary services result in measurable financial
costs which are above and beyond the normal levels of public health and safety services on a
non-event day. Extraordinary services will normally be those services requiring city employees
to be specifically assigned to tasks in support of the Special Event and/or those services resulting
in overtime pay or similar costs which result from the event. Examples of extraordinary services
may include police protection, traffic control, fire monitoring, dedicated paramedic services, parks
services, and other services necessary to ensure the protection of participants and citizens, the
proper functioning of City services, and the proper administration of this Ordinance and policy.
The City departments will make reasonable efforts to adjust the schedules of employees to
minimize the requirement for overtime pay or other costs for Extraordinary Services where
sufficient advanced notice of the event is provided.
D. "Block Party" means a temporary gathering of residents from one neighborhood, usually under
100 persons, which requires a street closure of three blocks or less, minimally impacting normal
traffic patterns.
E. "March" means a group of persons, of any number, moving from one place to another on a public
way or public place, which requires a street closing or otherwise requires police officers to stop,
reroute or alter the normal flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic because marchers are unlikely to
comply with traffic regulations and controls. A march is for the purpose of conducting activities
which are protected by the Constitution. All circumstances which do not meet the specific
definition of a March will be reviewed as a Special Event.
City of Oshkosh Chapter 5 — Page 5 Municipal Codes
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Revised 02/06/2019
F. "Public Assembly" means an organized public gathering or group of persons, of any number,
which is reasonably anticipated to obstruct the normal flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic upon
a public way or the normal use of a public place because those assembled will not comply with
the traffic regulations or controls, or with other public place use laws or policies, and will be located
in one place, but does not meet the definition of a march. A public assembly is for the purpose of
conducting activities which are protected by the Constitution. All circumstances which do not
meet the specific definition of a Public Assembly will be reviewed as a Special Event.
G. "Organizer" means any person, persons, or entity that arranges, plans, coordinates or takes other
substantive actions to gather persons for a Special Event, March or Public Assembly. The
determination of whether someone is an Organizer shall be based upon common understanding
and definitions of the words "organize", "organizer", "arrange", "plan" and "coordinate" with the
ultimate determination based upon the totality of the circumstances after considering all relevant
factors, including but not limited to, the following:
1. Whether the person, persons or entity establishes or takes substantive actions to establish
the date for such Special Event, March or Public Assembly.
2. Whether the person, persons or entity arranges, plans or coordinates or takes substantive
actions to arrange, plan or coordinate the activities associated with the Special Event,
March or Public Assembly.
3. Whether the person, persons or entity arranges, plans or coordinates or takes substantive
actions to arrange, plan or coordinate the activities of persons to assist with the operation
of the Special Event, March or Public Assembly.
4. Whether the person, persons or entity erects or arranges, plans or coordinates or takes
substantive actions to arrange, plan or coordinate the erection of temporary structures,
placement of barricades or cones, signs, or other structures or objects to facilitate the
Special Event, March or Public Assembly.
5. Whether the person, persons or entity advertises and promotes the Special Event, March
or Public Assembly by means of traditional advertisements, banners, flyers, web -based
promotion, social media or other means.
6. Whether the person, persons or entity creates or causes another to create original content
related to the advertisement or promotion of the Special Event, March or Public Assembly.
7. Whether the person, persons or entity pays any costs or expenses for the purpose of the
Special Event, March or Public Assembly.
8. Whether the person, persons or entity receives revenue from the Special Event, March or
Public Assembly, directly or indirectly, by admissions, concessions, and sales of other
products or services.
Organizer does not include persons or entities which solely advertise or promote a Special Event,
March, or Public Assembly as part of a contract or agreement for advertising services, such as a
newspaper who accepts advertisement for an event, a convention and visitors bureau, tourism
bureau or persons who merely pass along information pertaining to a Special Event, March, or
Public Assembly through word of mouth, social media or otherwise. Organizer does not include
persons or entities that provide sponsorship through the provision of money, goods or services,
whether in exchange for advertising or not, for a Special Event, March or Public Assembly with a
separately identified Organizer.
The City Manager, or their designee, shall have the exclusive authority to determine whether or
not a person, persons or entity meets the definition of an "Organizer" under this ordinance.
III. PERMIT REQUIRED:
City of Oshkosh Chapter 5 — Page 6 Municipal Codes
City of Oshkosh Municipal Codes
Revised 02/06/2019
No person or entity acting as an event organizer shall set up for, hold, or conduct a Special Event, March,
or Public Assembly within the municipal boundaries of the City of Oshkosh without first obtaining a Special
Event, March, or Public Assembly permit. Due to the nature of March and Public Assembly events, their
review process will differ in some ways from Special Events as noted throughout this Ordinance. Any
differences in the requirements that apply to Special Events, or Marches and Assemblies will be as noted
herein.
The City Manager, or their designee, shall have the exclusive authority to determine whether or not a
permit is required for any particular event. The City's review of any permit application and/or its
subsequent issuance of a permit shall not be construed as acceptance by the City or its representatives
of any liability or responsibility for any injury or damage relating to the Special Event, March and Special
Assembly. Special Event, March, and Public Assembly permits are temporary in nature, and do not vest
any permanent rights.
Not all Special Events will require a Special Event permit. If an event meets the definition of "Special
Event," then a Special Event permit is required except for the following situations:
A. Events wholly contained on public or private property:
1. Specifically designed or suited for the Special Event, March, or Public Assembly; and
2. Which has an appropriate physical area for fire protection purposes, as well as appropriate
sanitation facilities and street and/or highway access; and,
3. Which result in no greater use of public facilities and services than on normal, non-event days.
The provision of legal parking spaces is not included in the determination of whether or not an
event is "wholly contained" on public or private property.
B. Funeral processions
C. Events organized solely by the City. In these instances, notices shall be given to all affected
departments so that they may determine their level of sponsorship. Events in which the City
participates as one of the organizers are not exempt from the requirement of obtaining permits.
D. Recurring events which enter into a separate and specific agreement, which is approved by the
Common Council, to hold the event pursuant to the terms of the individual agreement. The
Council is authorized to modify the terms or requirements of this Ordinance within such an
agreement, provided the modifications meet the spirit if not the letter of this Ordinance.
E. Events on property otherwise exempt from City of Oshkosh permitting requirements, such as
events wholly contained on property owned by the State of Wisconsin that do not require
extraordinary services.
IV. PERMIT REQUIREMENTS:
A. Special Events
1. Completed written applications for a Special Event permit along with the application fee shall
be filed with the City Special Events Coordinator. Applications shall be on the form approved
by the City and signed by the person or authorized representative(s) of the entity organizing the
City of Oshkosh Chapter 5 — Page 7 Municipal Codes
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Special Event. The application and application fee may be filed as early as desired by the
applicant, but shall be filed no more than one (1) year before, and no less than 60 days prior to
the event.
2. Special Events must comply with all applicable City ordinances and requirements, including but
not limited to traffic rules, park rules, state health laws, fire codes, building codes, zoning, food
service, merchant, and liquor licensing requirements. Special Event organizers shall use all
reasonable efforts to ensure compliance of participants/ attendees with all applicable City
ordinances, traffic rules, park rules, state health laws, fire codes, and other licensing
requirements, unless otherwise waived herein.
3. The applicant shall identify a designated individual who can be contacted at any time by any
person regarding the event, including City representatives such as the Special Events
Coordinator, Police, Fire, Inspections Services, Parks, Public Works, Transportation, or Legal
departments to provide information or answer questions, or to whom City representatives may
refer questions and comments from the public or others.
4. The following City departments will be provided with copies of the Special Event permit
application for their review and comment: City Manager, Special Events Coordinator, Police,
Fire, Inspection Services, Public Works, Parks, Transportation, and Legal. Additional City
officials may need to review the application as may be warranted by the specific circumstances
of the event. In addition, a copy of the Special Event permit application will be provided to the
Winnebago County Health Department for their review. The Special Events Coordinator and
City departments shall notify the City Manager that they recommend the approval or denial of
the Special Event permit as requested, approval of the permit contingent upon changes or
modifications of the original request, or take no position on the application. At the time each
City department comments upon an application, they shall also provide the City Manager with
their best estimate of the cost of extraordinary services which may be necessary for the event.
5. The approval of any Special Event permit application shall always be conditioned upon the
approval of all other necessary permits, licenses, and inspections by City departments, in
addition to Common Council approval of the Special Event permit.
6. Special Event permits shall not be transferred or assigned without approval of the Common
Council. Special Event permits are automatically revoked at the time of transfer or assignment
without prior approval of the Council.
B. March and Public Assemblv Permits
It shall be the policy of the City of Oshkosh to review permit applications for Marches and Public
Assemblies solely on the basis of their effect on the Health, Safety, and Welfare of the community.
The City does not discriminate against any particular group or type of speech expected to be
present when reviewing and acting upon any March and/or Public Assembly permit application.
1. Completed written applications for any March or Public Assembly permit along with the
application fee, shall be filed with the City Clerk a minimum of five (5) business days prior to
the proposed March or Public Assembly. Applications shall be on the form approved by the
City and signed by the person or authorized representative of the entity organizing the March
or Public Assembly.
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2. The Chief of Police, or designee within the Police Department, shall have the authority to take
all necessary action regarding the March or Public Assembly permit application, including the
approval or denial of the application. Applications shall be reviewed and approved as
submitted, denied as submitted, approved with conditions, or tentatively approved within two
(2) business days after the application is submitted.
3. Tentative City approval may be given within the response period for circumstances which
involve property or right of way controlled by other persons or governmental entities, such as
circumstances involving right of way or property controlled by the State of Wisconsin.
4. During the review of the application, the Chief of Police may consult with all persons
reasonably necessary and available for such consultation, including the event organizers and
all other persons, entities, agencies, and governmental officials deemed necessary by the
Chief in order to make an informed decision regarding the application's effect upon the health,
safety, and welfare of the community.
5. March and Public Assembly permit applications shall be reviewed for their effect upon traffic
control, public safety, as well as other considerations affecting the public health, safety and
welfare including the date, time, location and/or route, police and fire protection necessary,
and sanitation provisions required. The application review will also include analysis of the
organizer's plans to reasonably ensure that participants/attendees will also comply with all
applicable laws.
6. The City's decision related to March and Public Assembly permit applications shall include a
requirement that the application fee be paid by the organizer(s) and a requirement that any
other condition(s) allowed by law and which are necessary to ensure the health, safety, and
welfare of the community shall be incorporated into the terms of any approved permit.
7. In those circumstances in which Extraordinary Services shall be paid by the organizer(s), the
Chief of Police shall have the authority to require that some or all of the estimated costs for
such services be paid to the City in advance or deposited in an approved escrow account for
the purpose of paying for such costs, or to require that another form of security be submitted
by the organizer(s) for the purpose of paying for such costs.
8. Before any March or Public Assembly permit is denied in whole or in part, the Chief of Police
shall make all reasonable efforts to discuss with the applicant the proposed event and its effect
upon the public safety, and shall provide or suggest to the applicant reasonable alternative
dates, times, locations, or other terms, conditions, and parameters of the March or Public
Assembly, to the extent that any such alternatives, terms, or conditions may be reasonably
carried out while protecting the public's health, safety, and welfare.
9. Any applicant seeking to appeal the decision of the Chief of Police shall make such appeal,
in writing, to the City Manager, or designee. The City Manager, or designee, shall meet with
the Chief of Police and the applicant within three (3) business days after receiving an appeal.
Legal counsel and other persons with relevant factual information may participate in this
appeal meeting. The City Manager, or designee, shall provide the parties with an oral decision
at the conclusion of the meeting. A written decision may be requested by either the applicant
or the Chief of Police, and shall be made available by the City Manager as soon as practicable.
10. An applicant may appeal the decision of the City Manager, or designee, to the Common
Council by filing a notice of appeal with the City Clerk. The Clerk shall place this issue on the
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agenda for the next regularly scheduled Council meeting in which legally required notice may
be provided to the public.
11. The Council may affirm, reverse, or modify the determination of the City Manager, or
designee, at the conclusion of the agenda item and after all interested persons have had an
opportunity to be heard at the noticed public meeting.
12. Any applicant aggrieved by the decision of the Common Council may seek such other legal
relief as may be available.
V. REGULATIONS
Special Event permit applications shall address the following issues and attach additional supporting
material if necessary. A summary of required information follows, and more specific requirements can
be obtained from City departments when planning the event and seeking City approval.
A. Duration and hours of Operation: The Special Event application shall specify the specific days
upon which the event shall occur or, in the case of seasonal or recurring events, the days within
the season or period within the calendar year upon which the event will occur. No Special Event
shall be open to the public except between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., unless such
other hours of operation are specifically approved by the Council. The permit application shall
also specify the hours during which pre -event and post -event takedown operations will occur, and
no such pre -event and post -event activities may be conducted other than as specified.
B. Maximum Attendance: A Special Event permit application shall specify the maximum daily peak
number of people reasonably expected to attend.
C. Parking: A Special Event permit application shall include a plan identifying areas that may be
reasonably expected to be utilized by event participants for off-street and on -street parking. The
applicant shall take all reasonable precautions to minimize adverse effects on the neighborhoods
that will be directly affected by parking and traffic related to the event. The police department
shall post temporary parking -related regulations on public streets for the Special Event only if it is
determined to be necessary by the Police Chief for public safety or as may be directed by the
Common Council within a permit approval process.
D. Sanitary facilities and Potable Water: All sanitary facilities and potable water facilities shall be
provided for as required in the applicable codes.
E. Illumination: If the Special Event is to continue during hours of darkness, it shall comply with all
applicable codes related to illumination.
F. Security: The Special Event applicant shall work with the Oshkosh Police Department to ensure
that appropriate security and safety is provided for the event. The Police Department may be
required, at its discretion, to be directly involved in the Special Event, with the costs of any
Extraordinary Services to be borne by the Special Event applicant if required by the Common
Council.
G. Fire Dept. Protection: All fire protection applicable to the Special Event activities on the premises,
shall be provided by the applicant as required by the municipal Fire Prevention Code and the
Wisconsin Administrative Code, including alarms, extinguishing devices, fire lanes, and fire
escapes.
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H. Compliance with other Code Provisions: No Special Event shall be held unless all necessary
municipal permits, licenses, and approvals applicable to the activities to be held during the Special
Event have been issued.
Refuse Removal: The Special Event sponsor shall be responsible for taking all reasonable efforts
to pick up litter and refuse during the event, and for removing all litter and refuse created during
the event within twenty-four (24) hours after the conclusion of the event. The event organizer is
responsible not only for the event grounds, but will also take all reasonable measures for the
removal of litter and refuse attributable to the event from the surrounding neighborhoods and
properties.
Notification: The Special Event organizer may be required by the City to provide reasonable
advance notice to residents and/or businesses, or to neighborhoods if individual notice is
impractical, who may be expected to experience a substantial traffic and/or noise impact from the
event.
K. Barricades: Barricades shall be required for street closures or pursuant to a security plan.
Barricades may be available for rent from the City or from private companies with the costs of any
Extraordinary Services to be borne by the Special Event applicant. All barricades used for the
Special Event shall meet the standards as set forth in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices (MUTCD), unless they are manned barricades.
VI. APPLICATION REVIEW:
A. Applications for Special Event permits shall be processed in the order of their receipt. Persons
or groups holding an approved Special Event may reserve dates for the event to be held the
following year provided they submit to the City Special Events Coordinator notification of their
intent to hold the event, the date(s) on which the event is expected to be held within sixty (60)
days after the end of the Special Event. This notice will reserve the dates identified until the
formal application is submitted, or the notice of intent is withdrawn, and will have priority over any
other applications received. Unless the City receives a notification of intent to hold an event as
described above, the use of City property and allocation of City resources shall be based upon
the applications as they are received without regard to events that may have been held in previous
years. Recurring events with separate agreements approved by the Council will have priority over
the above reservations for the reservation of dates and the allocation of City services.
B. Upon receiving an application for a Special Events permit, the City Manager may schedule a
meeting or meetings involving the applicant, any of the affected City departments, the public,
and/or other interested persons or officials. Meetings will be scheduled at the discretion of the
City Manager based upon the circumstances of the Special Event. The purpose of the meeting
will be to discuss the Special Event and its potential impacts, the City services requested, and the
City services which may be required. Such a meeting will be held as soon as practical after the
application has been submitted.
C. As soon as practical after the Special Event permit application is submitted, the City Manager
shall provide a recommendation to the Common Council regarding the Special Event permit
application. Potential recommendations may include: (1) the permit be issued as requested and
without conditions; (2) the permit be denied; or, (3) the permit be approved subject to certain
conditions deemed reasonable and necessary by the City Manager. The Common Council shall
approve or deny Special Event permit applications, place conditions upon any permit and require
that all of the costs incurred by the City for providing Extraordinary Services be reimbursed.
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D. To the extent permitted by law, the Common Council may deny an application for a permit if the
applicant has on prior occasions made material misrepresentations regarding the nature or scope
of any event or activity previously permitted, has held prior special events without proper
permitting or licensing, or has violated the terms of a prior permit issued to or on behalf of the
applicant. Additionally, a prior experience of the applicant in holding any event, or in holding the
Special Event which is the subject of the application, will be considered and may impact the
issuance of Special Event permits. A permit may be denied, or conditions placed thereon, based
upon considerations of the health, safety, and welfare of the community, and of the anticipated
costs of holding such event. Additionally, the Common Council may base their decision on one or
more of the following grounds:
1. The application is not fully completed and/or fails to include necessary attachments;
2. The applicant has not paid the application fee.
3. The applicant asserts that they cannot or will not pay the cost for Extraordinary Services.
4. The application for permit contains a material falsehood or misrepresentation;
5. The applicant is not legally competent to sign a contract, or to be held responsible for its
actions;
6. The applicant has, on prior occasions, been required to pay for Extraordinary Expenses or
damages to City property and has not paid in full for such expenses or damages;
7. A Special Event permit application for the same time and place, or utilizing extraordinary City
resources, has previously been received, and a permit for such previous application has
been or will be granted which will authorize uses or activities which does not reasonably
permit the multiple occupancy of City facilities or would result in a utilization of City resources
which would adversely affect the health, safety, and welfare of the community;
8. The Special Event use or activities intended by the applicant would conflict with previously
planned events and programs which have been organized by others either through the use
of City facilities or the unavailability of sufficient City resources for the proposed event;
9. The intended Special Event use or activity would present a grave or unreasonable danger to
the health or safety of the persons expected to participate in the event, the neighborhood in
which the event will occur, the community as a whole, or City property and resources
required to be involved with the proposed event;
10. The number of persons expected to participate in the Special Event would result in a
concentration of persons, vehicles, or things which cannot be supported at the requested
time or location due to a lack of sufficient open area, streets, offsite parking, or traffic
controls.
11. Activities reasonably expected to occur at the intended Special Event are prohibited by law.
12. The City's anticipated costs associated with the event including, but not limited to,
extraordinary expenses, exceed the anticipated benefit of the event to the community. Council
may consider all relevant information in making this determination including, but not limited
to, those criteria identified in Sub -section VI. D. of this Section.
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13. It is reasonably anticipated that the Special Event use or activities intended by the applicant
will materially interfere with individuals or the general community's use of public property or
public rights-of-way in such a manner or for a length of time to exceed the anticipated benefit
of the event to the community. Council may consider all relevant information in making this
determination including, but not limited to, those criteria identified in Sub -section VI. D. of this
Section.
E. Amendment or Revisions of Applications. Any amendment or revision of any permit application
shall, for purposes of determining the priority of the application, relate back to the original filing
thereof unless the original filing is unreasonably incomplete or lacking sufficient information to
allow for an adequate review of the proposed event.
F. Mapped Routes and Alterations of Mapped Routes. Routes for Special Events such as parades
must be submitted with the permit application. Proposed Routes may be altered at the discretion
of the City in the interests of the health, safety, and welfare of the community. Any deviation from
the approved route without approval of the City will constitute a violation of the permit conditions
and of these requirements. Additionally, unapproved changes may result in the denial of future
Special Event permit applications.
VII. FEES AND REIMBURSEMENT SCHEDULE
A non-refundable application fee is required for all Special Event, March, and Public Assembly permit
applications. The permit application fees identified herein are separate from other specific fees or
licenses required, and separate from any requirement to reimburse the City for the actual cost of any
Extraordinary Services required for the permitted event, or for damage or destruction resulting from the
event.
A. Permit Fees:
1. Special Event, March, and Public Assembly Permits (non-refundable)
a. Single day event $25.00
b. Multiple day event (consecutive or recurring) $35.00
2. All other required charges and/or fees, including but not limited to facility rental, food and
beverage sale permits, temporary structure fees, and equipment rental fees, etc., must be
paid in addition to the permit application fee.* Submittal of a permit application does not
reserve a park or any other City facility, property, or services necessary for the event.
3. Application fees shall be effective for Special Events, Marches and Public Assemblies occurring
on and after January 1, 2017.
B. Extraordinary Services Charges
The Common Council shall approve by Resolution each year a list of standard fees and charges
which will be used to determine the amount of charges attributed to Extraordinary Services
provided to Special Events by the City. The Resolution may provide for standard hourly charges
or flat fee charges for services provided, and may specify tasks that may or may not be subject
to Extraordinary Service charges.
C. Extraordinary Services Reimbursement:
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1. Special Events
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a. Event organizers shall be liable for and shall pay to the City the actual cost of all
Extraordinary Services provided by the City. If the Special Event has more than one
person or entity organizer, then each of the organizers are liable to the City for the total
amount due, regardless of how the multiple organizers may separately agree to divide
these expenses. If the City is a co-organizer of a Special Event, the cost of the
Extraordinary Services the City is responsible for will be based upon the level of City
involvement, and that amount shall be deducted from the total cost for the Extraordinary
Services provided by the City. The costs for Extraordinary Services charged to event
organizers shall not exceed the actual costs of providing these services. This fee shall be
paid to the City within thirty (30) days of the date an itemized invoice for the same is
prepared and mailed by the City at the conclusion of the Special Event.
b. Prior to any approval of a Special Event permit, the Special Events Coordinator, Police
and Fire Departments, along with all other departments potentially affected by the
proposed Special Event, shall review the application and report to the City Manager their
respective findings as to an estimate of the costs reasonably expected to be incurred by
the City for providing Extraordinary Services at or for the Special Event. The application
shall be required to provide enough detail to allow the City departments and to determine
the level of Extraordinary Services required and their associated costs for the Special
Event. The estimates provided by City departments shall provide enough detail to allow
the event organizer to reasonably understand the Extraordinary Services that are
expected to be necessary.
c. After reviewing the findings of the City departments, the City Manager may recommend to
the Common Council that conditions relating to advance payment or reimbursement of the
costs for Extraordinary Services be placed upon the Special Event permit if approved.
d. The Common Council shall address the issue of Extraordinary Services before or at the
time it takes action on a Special Event permit application. The Council may address the
issue of Extraordinary Services through one or more of the following actions:
The Council may require that event organizers pay all actual costs for Extraordinary
Services provided by the City for the event, with the total costs incurred to be mailed
via invoice to the organizer(s) within thirty (30) days after the conclusion of the event.
The Council may require the event organizer(s) pay less than the actual costs for
Extraordinary Services provided by the City in an amount to be determined by the
Council depending upon the unique circumstances of the event. Any amounts
required to be paid, shall be mailed via invoice to the organizer(s) within thirty (30)
days after the conclusion of the event.
iii. In the event that the Council requires that the event organizer(s) pay some or all of the
costs for Extraordinary Services provided by the City for the event, then the Council
may require that funds be placed in escrow, or other necessary security be provided,
before the permit is issued. The amount of the cash deposit or other security shall be
based upon the cost estimate of the Extraordinary Services which may be incurred.
The Special Events permit shall not be issued until the event organizer(s) have
complied with any requirements for security.
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iv. Security for the estimated costs of Extraordinary Services may be in the form of a cash
deposit in an escrow account, bond, letter of credit, or similar instrument, with the type
and form of the instrument to be at the discretion of the City.
v. If the actual costs for Extraordinary Services exceeds the security provided, then the
difference shall be billed to and paid by the event organizer(s). If the actual costs for
Extraordinary Services provided is less than the amount of funds deposited in advance
of the event, then any unused amounts must be returned to the event organizer(s)
within a reasonable time after the event concludes. Any other security instrument must
be either used or released by the City within a reasonable time after the conclusion of
the event
2. Marches and Public Assemblies
The City, through the Chief of Police, shall address the issue of costs for Extraordinary
Services before or at the time final action is taken on a March and Public Assembly permit
application. Extraordinary Services will generally consist of vehicular and pedestrian traffic
control and of efforts to ensure the safety of persons and property in crowded and/or
potentially volatile situations.
a. The City may require that event organizers pay all costs for Extraordinary Services
provided by the City for the event, with the total costs incurred to be mailed via invoice to
the organizer(s) within thirty (30) days after the conclusion of the event.
b. The City may require the event organizer(s) pay less than the costs for Extraordinary
Services provided by the City in an amount to be determined by the Chief of Police
depending upon the unique circumstances of the event. Any amounts required to be paid
shall be mailed via invoice to the organizer(s) within thirty (30) days after the conclusion
of the event.
c. The City may require that some or all of the costs for Extraordinary Services be placed in
escrow, or other necessary security be provided, before the permit is issued. The amount
of the cash deposit or other security shall be based upon the cost estimate of the
Extraordinary Services which may be incurred. The Special Events permit shall not be
issued until the event organizer(s) have complied with any requirements for security.
d. Security for the estimated costs of Extraordinary Services may be in the form of a cash
deposit in an escrow account, bond, letter of credit, or similar instrument, with the type
and form of the instrument to be at the discretion of the City.
e. If the actual costs for Extraordinary Services provided exceed the security then the
difference shall be billed to and paid by the event organizer(s). If the actual costs for
Extraordinary Services provided is less than the amount of funds deposited in advance of
the event, then any unused amounts must be returned to the event organizer(s) within a
reasonable time after the event concludes. Any other security instrument must be either
used or released by the City within a reasonable time after the conclusion of the event.
VIII. INDEMNIFICATION AND HOLD HARMLESS
Organizers of Special Events, Marches, and Public Assemblies shall be required to sign an agreement
in a form acceptable to the City in which they agree to indemnify the City of Oshkosh, and its departments,
and hold the City and its departments, employees, and agents, harmless from any liability to any person
resulting from any damage or injury to property or any person which occurs in connection with the
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permitted event proximately caused by the any actions or inactions of the event's organizer, their officers,
employees, or agents, or any person under their control insofar as permitted by law.
IX. INSURANCE
All Special Event organizers shall procure at their expense, a policy of insurance subject to the City's
minimum requirements for Special Events.
The insurance required by the City of Oshkosh is primary coverage for incidents which may occur on City
property or to City employees during the event, and any insurance or self insurance maintained by the
City of Oshkosh, its officers, council members, agents, employees or authorized volunteers will not
contribute to a loss. All insurance shall be in full force prior to commencing the event and remain in force
throughout the entire event, including the clean up period after the event.
The certificate of insurance shall be satisfactory proof of insurance of said policies and shall be filed at
the office of the Special Events Coordinator for the City of Oshkosh a minimum of thirty (30) days prior
to the scheduled event.
A copy of the certificate of insurance may be accepted by facsimile transmission or an email attachment
with the original to be received no later than ten (10) days prior to the event. The event shall not be
allowed to proceed without submission of insurance documentation. The City's act of receiving and
retaining proof of insurance information without comment shall not be considered acceptance, waiver, or
modification of any term or requirement herein, or any applicable law.
X. EVENT CANCELLATION
The City Manager in the case of a Special Event, or the Chief of Police in the case of a March or Public
Assembly, may cancel a Special Event, March, or Public Assembly, regardless of whether or not a permit
has been issued, without prior notice for any significant change in conditions which would or may
adversely affecting the public health or safety of the community, or for any condition that would place
facilities, grounds, or other nature resources at risk of damage or destruction if the event were permitted
to take place.
XI. PENALTIES
In addition to other potential fines, penalties, and/or charges as described in the Oshkosh Municipal
Code, the violation of the terms of the Special Event, March, or Public Assembly permit shall be
punishable by forfeiture of not less than $500.00 and not more than $1,000.00. Each day of violation
shall be considered a separate offense. In addition, the City may enforce this section by way of
immediately revoking the permit, seeking injunctive relief, and all other remedies available at law and in
equity.
The penalties set forth herein shall also apply to all persons, organizations, and entities that organize
events which are required to obtain a Special Event permit but fail or refuse to do so. If any person
violates any provision of this Ordinance, the City shall have the authority to institute the appropriate legal
action or proceedings to ensure compliance and to thereby prohibit such person from violating these
conditions.
The failure to obtain a Special Event permit before holding or conducting a Special Event, or the failure
to abide by Special Event, March, or Public Assembly permit requirements, will constitute a violation of
this section and may result in the termination of the event, denial of future permit applications, or issuance
of a City Ordinance citation.
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If any provision of this Ordinance or application thereof to any person or circumstances be held invalid,
the remainder of this Ordinance and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances
shall not be affected. The City of Oshkosh reserves the right to amend or repeal this Ordinance at any
time upon proper notice; and all rights, privileges and immunities conferred by this Ordinance or by acts
done pursuant hereto shall exists subject to such power.
SECTIONS 5-19 TO 5-26 RESERVED
ARTICLE IV. RESERVED
SECTION 5-27
RESERVED
SECTION 5-28
RESERVED
SECTION 5-29
RESERVED
SECTION 5-30
RESERVED
SECTION 5-31
RESERVED
SECTION 5-32
RESERVED
ARTICLE V. MINIATURE GOLF COURSES
SECTION 5-33 LICENSE REQUIRED
No person, firm or corporation shall operate any miniature golf grounds or any other similar place of
amusement within the City without first having obtained a license as hereinafter provided.
SECTION 5-34 APPLICATION; FEE; TERM
Application for such license shall be made to the City Clerk and shall be accompanied by a license fee
of Five Dollars ($5.00). The application shall be thereafter acted upon by the Council who may grant or
refuse such license in their discretion. The term of this license shall be for one (1) year, expiring on
December 31.
SECTION 5-35 CLOSING HOURS
No license shall keep open his place of business between the hours of eleven thirty (11:30) o'clock p.m.
and eight (8:00) o'clock a.m. All licensees shall conduct their places of business in an orderly and quiet
manner. No licensee shall permit his place of business to be illuminated more than thirty (30) minutes
after the closing time herein provided.
ARTICLE VI. MECHANICAL ENTERTAINMENT DEVICES
SECTION 5-36 LICENSE REQUIRED
No person, firm or corporation shall operate any device, machine or contrivance for entertainment which
is operated by the placing of a coin in said instrument or in any mechanism connected thereto, or by in
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any manner paying the owner or operator thereof a fee or charge of any kind, without first obtaining a
license as herein provided.
SECTION 5-37 ISSUANCE OF LICENSE; FEE
The City Clerk shall issue licenses to persons applying therefor for the operation of a mechanical or
electrical entertainment device, or any device or machine mentioned in Section 5-36 above, upon
payment of an annual license fee of Twenty Dollars ($20.00). Said licenses shall be valid for a period of
one (1) year from the 1 st day of July, unless sooner revoked as herein provided. Radio and television
sets placed in hospitals or other charitable institutions are exempt from the license fee provided herein.
SECTION 5-38 HOURS RESTRICTED
No person, firm or corporation shall operate or permit to be operated at any restaurant, soft drink parlor,
ice cream parlor, or other place where merchandise of any kind including liquor or fermented malt
beverage is sold, any electrical, or mechanical contrivance or device capable of emitting sound for
entertainment purposes, except during such hours as said establishment is legally open for business,
providing, however, that any such licensee may lose the privilege of operating between the hours of one
(1:00) o'clock a.m. and eight (8:00) o'clock a.m. or such license, upon the filing of a written complaint with
the City Clerk and after a public hearing thereof before the Common Council and notice of such public
hearing given to the licensee.
ARTICLE VII. PENALTIES
SECTION 5-39 PENALTIES.
Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this Chapter or of any Section thereof, shall upon
conviction thereof, be punished by a forfeiture of not less than $75.00 nor more than $500.00, together
with the costs of prosecution, and in default of payment thereof, by imprisonment in the County Jail for a
period not to exceed sixty (60) days. Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense.
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