Editor's Note: This ordinance also renumbered former § 212-12, Violations and penalties, as § 212-14 and superseded former § 212-13, Hudson Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, added 3-30-2015 by Ord. No. 2-15.
Purpose. The City of Hudson recognizes that City streets and highways
are primarily for the use of vehicular travel. It further recognizes
a need to use these public streets and highways for processions, parades,
runs, walks, bicycle races, marathons, etc., which do not substantially
interfere with the public's right to travel on such streets and highways.
This article is intended to regulate and control nonvehicular use
of the streets and highways and for protecting the general welfare
and safety of the persons using the streets and highways within the
City. Said authority to regulate is contained in W.S.A. s. 349.185
and related sections.
Have the meaning set forth in W.S.A. s. 340.01, and also
include areas owned by the City of Hudson which are used primarily
for pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
Permit required. No person shall form, direct, lead or participate
in any procession, parade, run, walk, marathon, bicycle race, etc.,
on any street or highway under the jurisdiction of the City unless
a permit has been obtained in advance as provided in this chapter.
Any parade, etc., sponsored by any agency of the federal or state
government, acting in its governmental capacity within the scope of
its authority, shall be required to obtain a permit, but shall be
exempt from the parade, etc., permit fee and insurance requirements
contained herein;
Any parade, run, etc., sponsored by a tax-exempt nonprofit organization
shall be required to obtain a permit and provide insurance as required
herein, but shall be exempt from the permit application fee.
Any parade, run, etc., that is required to apply for a special event permit under Hudson City Code Chapter 150[1] shall not be required to apply for a permit under this
article.
When application must be made. A written application for a permit
for any above-described function on the streets and highways under
the jurisdiction of the City shall be made by one of the organizers
or officers to the City Clerk on a form provided by said Clerk no
less than 30 days prior to the usage.
If the usage is proposed to be conducted for, on behalf of or by
an organization, the name, address and telephone number of the headquarters
of the organization and of the authorized and responsible heads/officers
of such organization.
Procedures. The City Clerk shall submit a copy of the application
to the Chief of Police. Generally the Public Safety Committee shall
consider the application and make a recommendation to the Common Council
regarding the application. The Council shall make the final decision
on the permit application.
If the time, size and nature of the usage would unduly disrupt the
safe and orderly use of any street or public place or material portion
thereof, which is ordinarily subject to congestion or traffic at the
proposed time, or substantially interrupts the safe and orderly movement
of traffic.
If it is for a usage which would involve violation of federal, state
or local laws relating to use of highways or of other applicable regulations
of the City; or
Permit issued unless threat to public safety. The Common Council
shall issue a permit to the applicant subject to the foregoing requirements
of this article, unless the Council finds that:
The policing of the usage will require so large a number of persons
and vehicles, including ambulances, as to prevent adequate service
of the needs of the rest of the municipality; or
The usage will substantially hinder the movement of police and fire
and other emergency vehicles as to create a substantial risk to persons
and property; or
Time when required. The Common Council shall act as promptly as reasonably
possible on all applications for permits. All applications filed not
less than 30 days before the date of the usage stated in the application
shall be acted upon not less than 10 days before the date of the proposed
usage. The City Clerk shall immediately, by the most reasonable means
of communication, notify the applicant of such action and, if the
application is denied, the reasons for denial of the permit.
Modification of requested permit. In lieu of denying a permit, the
Council may authorize the changing of assembly areas or dispersal
areas or the conducting of the usage at a date or time or over a route
different than as applied for in the permit. The applicant or permittee
may accept such modification by immediately notifying the Police Chief
in writing of such acceptance.
Charge for increased costs. If the City determines that the cost
of municipal services incident to the staging of the usage will be
increased because of the usage, the City may require the permittee
to make an additional payment into the general fund of the City in
an amount equal to the increased costs.
Emergency revocation. The Mayor, City Administrator, or Chief of
Police may revoke a permit already issued if the official deems that
such action is justified by an actual or potential emergency due to
weather, fire, riot, other catastrophe or likelihood of a breach of
the peace, or by a major change in the conditions forming the basis
of the standards of issuance. In lieu of revoking a permit, an above-named
official may require the permittee to file evidence of good and sufficient
sureties, insurance in force or other evidence of adequate financial
responsibility, running to the City of Hudson and such third parties
as may be injured or damaged, in an amount depending upon the likelihood
of injury or damage as a direct and proximate result of the holding
of the usage sufficient to indemnify the municipality and such third
parties as may be injured or damaged thereby, caused by the permittee,
its agents or participants.
Permittee. A permittee under this article shall comply with all permit
directions and conditions and with all applicable laws, ordinances
and other regulations of the state and City.
Participants. No person who leads or participates in any usage shall
disobey or encourage others to disobey this section after a law enforcement
officer has directly and presently informed him or her of any of the
provisions of this section or the terms of the applicable usage permit.
Insurance required. Prior to issuance of the permit by the City Clerk,
each permittee shall furnish evidence of a liability insurance policy
in amounts of not less than $100,000 for one person and $500,000 for
any one accident and shall be in force and effect at the time such
usage is to take place. Said evidence of insurance shall include a
certificate of insurance naming the City of Hudson as an additional
insured in connection with said usage on a primary and noncontributory
basis.