By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
After an extensive review process, a new Whitewater ordinance is on the city’s books. It is aimed at striking a balance between equitably funding municipal operations and accommodating festivals and similar gatherings.
The so-called special events permit ordinance has been under the microscope the past three months. After passing through several committees and a vetting from City Attorney Wally McDonell, the Common Council approved the document Oct. 4.
The approved ordinance has been significantly tweaked since the initial draft landed on council members’ desks in July. Several provisions have been erased after concerns were raised of potentially prohibitive fees against community organizers.
Assistant City Manager Chris McDonell, who has been overseeing the policy review, discussed what is and is not going into the policy.
One item that drew vocal concern — a flat $25 administrative application fee — has been removed. A provision that organizers of small gatherings take out a $1 million insurance policy also has been removed.
Another notable change involves a would-be $800 fee that would have been tacked onto events at Cravath Park. The fee was designed to cover the cost of temporary fencing that would have been installed along the park’s perimeter to ensure safety from the nearby railroad tracks.
As Chris McDonell noted, that fee is no longer needed “since the council approved a contract to have a permanent fence installed” in the park.
The six-page document does contain a number of requirements. Among them: a permit still has to be taken out, and it must be submitted to city staffers no later than 45 days before the event.
Additionally, organizers could be required to fund law enforcement services if such manpower is needed. Applicants also are required to perform all clean-up activities the same day of the event.
