Groups of 25 people or more wishing to use or reserve park facilities, or any group wishing to conduct a special event in any public park or recreation area within the city, must obtain a group permit from the city in accordance with the following procedures:
(1) Application.
A person seeking a group permit shall pay all applicable reservation fees as listed in the city’s fee schedule in appendix
A of this code and file an application with the city administrator’s office including the following information:
(A) The name and address of the applicant;
(B) The name and address of the person, persons, corporation, or association sponsoring the activity, if any;
(C) The day and hours for which the permit is desired;
(D) The park or portion thereof for which the permit is desired;
(E) Any other information the city deems necessary; and
(F) Requested variances from park rules and regulations.
(2) Considerations.
The city administrator or designee shall take the following findings into consideration when making a decision to grant or deny a group permit application:
(A) That the proposed activity or use will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the general public’s enjoyment of the park or recreation area;
(B) That the proposed activity and use will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the promotion of public health, welfare, safety and recreation;
(C) That the proposed activity or uses that are reasonably anticipated will not include violence, crime, or disorderly conduct;
(D) That the proposed activity will not entail extraordinary or burdensome expense or personnel needs of the city; and
(E) That the facilities desired have not been reserved for other use on the date and hour requested in the application.
(3) Personal property.
Any equipment, rides or other features brought into the parks must be approved prior to the group permit being granted. All groups that bring in any personal property must bear responsibility and provide liability insurance to cover any incidents and hold harmless the parks and recreation department and the city, and any of its officers or employees.
(4) Granting or denial; appeals.
After the city administrator or designee receives a properly completed group permit application and makes a decision to grant or deny the permit, he or she shall notify the applicant in writing of the decision. If the city administrator or designee denies the application, the notice shall give the reason(s) for the denial. Any person whose application is denied, or not granted in full, may appeal the city administrator’s or designee’s decision to the city council by paying the city a nonrefundable appeal fee and giving the city secretary written notice of appeal within ten (10) days of receipt of the city’s adverse decision. The city council shall then hold a hearing to consider whether to uphold the city administrator’s decision. The city council’s decision shall be final.
(5) Fees.
An applicant must pay the city all applicable fees before the group permit is effective. The city administrator, at his discretion, may waive reservation or special event fees.
(6) Compliance with regulations.
A permittee shall comply with all park rules and regulations and all applicable ordinances.
(7) Insurance.
The city may require an applicant for a permit to submit evidence of liability insurance covering injuries to members of the general public arising out of the permitted activities in an amount the city deems sufficient.
(8) Revocation.
The city administrator shall have the authority to revoke a permit upon a finding of violation of any rule or ordinance or upon good cause shown.
(Ordinance 2013-O-451, sec. 3, adopted 8/8/13)