[Added 2-6-2018 by Ord.
No. 2018-03]
This article shall be known as the "Outdoor Assembly Ordinance
of the Charter Township of Meridian."
[Code 1974, § 65-2; amended 2-6-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-03]
The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this article
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
A gathering for any theatrical exhibition, public show, display,
entertainment, amusement or other exhibition, including, but not limited
to, festivals, weddings, fairs or similar gatherings.
Any person to whom a license is issued pursuant to this article.
Any event attended by more than 250 persons, any part of
which is held outside, but does not mean:
An event which is conducted or sponsored by a governmental unit
or agency on publicly owned land or property;
An event which is conducted under statutory authority permitting
the state, county, or Township to hold such an event;
An event held entirely within the confines of a permanently
enclosed and covered structure;
An event conducted by a school district of the Township in which
students are participants.
Any natural person, partnership, corporation, association,
organization, or governmental entity.
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Cross reference: Definitions generally, § 1-2.
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[Code 1974, § 65-1; amended 2-6-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-03]
The Township Board finds that the interests of the public health,
safety, and welfare of the citizens of the Township require the regulation,
licensing, and control of assemblages of large numbers of people in
excess of those normally drawing upon the health, sanitation, fire,
police, transportation, utility, and other public services regularly
provided in this Township.
[Code 1974, § 65-10]
The sponsor of the outdoor assembly may petition the Township
Board for a waiver of one or more of the requirements for licensing
under this article. Upon receipt of such petition, if it appears to
the Township Board that one or more requirements of this article creates
an unnecessary hardship, not created by action of the sponsor, or
that a genuine hardship exists because of unusual circumstances with
regard to the particular activity, such requirement or requirements
may be waived. The requirement of a license may not be waived.
[Code 1974, § 65-12; Ord. No. 2003-02, 1-7-2003; amended 2-6-2018 by Ord. No.
2018-03]
It shall be unlawful for a licensee or a licensee's employee
or agent, to knowingly:
(1)
Advertise, promote or sell tickets to, conduct or operate an assembly
without first obtaining a license as herein provided.
(2)
Conduct or operate an assembly in such a manner as to create a public
or private nuisance.
(3)
Permit any person on the premises to cause or create a disturbance
in, around, or near the assembly by obscene or disorderly conduct.
(4)
Permit any person to unlawfully consume, sell, or possess intoxicating
liquor while on the premises.
(5)
Permit any person to unlawfully use, sell or possess any narcotics,
narcotic drugs, drugs or other controlled substances as defined by
state or federal law.
[Added 2-6-2018 by Ord.
No. 2018-03]
Any person or other entity who causes or permits to continue
any assembly as prohibited by this article is responsible for a municipal
civil infraction as defined by Michigan law and is subject to a civil
fine of not more than $500, plus costs, which may include all direct
or indirect expenses which the Township has incurred in connection
with the violation, including attorneys' fees. A violator of this
article shall also be subject to such additional sanctions, remedies,
and judicial orders as are authorized under Michigan law. Each day
a violation of this article continues to exist constitutes a separate
violation. The foregoing civil fines shall not prohibit the Township
from seeking injunctive relief against a violator or such other appropriate
relief as may be provided by law.
