ALLIS-G S F N LLI > LLI à LLI 4à S CITY OF FITZGERALD Special Events Policy and Application M CA I GERALD 1896 Introduction The City of Fitzgerald welcomes and encourages Special Events. Special Events build as sense of community and create an environment that fosters civic pride. A: special eventi is any activity or planned gathering that occurs upon public or private property that affects the ordinary use of parks, public streets, rights-of-way, sidewalks, or impact the delivery ofp public safety services, and/or disrupts thet flow oftraffic on publicstreets and/or sidewalks. Special events may include but are not limited to such activities as arts festivals, fairs, tours, concerts, holiday celebrations, grand opening celebrations, bicycle races, runs, walks, parades, etc. Individuals or groups wishing to hold events on public property, or on private property but with an impact on public property such as roads, within the City limits, including City or Department of Leisure Services Please read through all the information contained herein to ensure you are aware of all City requirements parks, must obtain a Special Event Permit from the City of Fitzgerald. and associated costs. POLICY The Special Event General Application must be completed and submitted atl least fifteen (15) days prior to the event is scheduled to take place; provided, however, no application shall be accepted earlier than 180 Each: applicationf for as special event permit shall be accompanied bya a nonrefundable application feei in: such Allr necessary documentation, such as certificate ofi insurance, must bes submitted as soon as possible but at least fourteen (14) days priort toi thes scheduled date of the Special Event to avoid cancellation oft the event. Itis unlawful for any person, entity, or organization to advertise or start any work on a Special Event, unless Changes and/or modifications to event permits require a new permit to be submitted for review and are Private: social gatherings whichy will make no use of city streets other thani for lawful parking arer noti included. Garage sales, lawn sales, rummage sales, yard sales, or any similar casual sale of tangible personal property are not included in special events but must see the Building Department for appropriate permitting. No block parties or events requiring blocking ofr roadways will be permitted for residential areas. For events over 1,000 people, a deposit may be required and will be determined on a case-by-case basis. days prior to the date oft the special event. amount as may be set from time to time by the City Administrator. aSpecial Event Permit has first been obtained. subject to denial. The City of Fitzgerald reserves the right to cancel any scheduled event. A copy of the City of Fitzgerald Ordinance # 24-1619 is attached which includes all the regulations for a special event. The following key points note important factors. Key Points Application Fee: The application fee must accompany the application when submitted to the City Noise: The sound level of any special event must comply with the city noise, music and any other Crowd/Traffic Control and Security: As an event organizer, you are required to provide a safe and secure environment for your event. This is accomplished through pre-planning by anticipating potential problems and concerns related to the event activities and surrounding environment. The size, time of day, and location of your event, as well as the overall activities, are all areas that need to be analyzed in depth and addressed through your security plan. The special event organizer(s) must provide an adequate plan for crowd and traffic control, as well as licensed security with jurisdictional authority. Off-duty, uniformed Fitzgerald Police Officers may be utilized after they have been verified by the city's chief of police, obtained and paid by the organizer. The Chief of Police will determine, based ont the number of attendees, how many Event Parking: It is important that you plan for the safe arrival and departure of event attendees, participants, and vendors. As an event organizer, you should develop parking and/or shuttle plans that are suitable for your event site and logistics. You must always include accessible parkingand/or access points iny your event plans for attendees, while always leaving accessible parking for surrounding businesses and residents. The City of Fitzgerald may require your event to provide staff on-site or hire an off-duty police Permit Posting: Special Events Permits should be posted at greeting areas or main entrances at events. Event organizer(s) should keepi in mind they may be asked, by City staff, to show proof of permit during the Permit Fee: The permit fee will be determined by evaluation of the special event and the needs of each department. Ani itemized list of the costs will be provided. The total costs oft the Permit Fee is due to the Restrooms: Thes speciale event organizer(s) are responsible for having temporary toilet facilities ifthe location oft the event does not have restrooms. Standard recommendation is one portable toilet per 50 people. The number of expected attendees and length of the event should be considered when planningi for temporary toilet facilities. Please keep in mind that an ADA complaint portable restroom must be available. Trash/Cleanup: Trash must be disposed of in approved containers provided by the City of Fitzgerald. The applicant/organizer must clean the right-of-way or public property of all rubbish and debris, returning itt to its pre-event condition at the conclusion oft the event. If the applicant fails to clean ups suchr refuse, cleanup Administrator. The application feei is $50.00and non-refundable. disturbance ordinances. security or off-duty officers are needed for the event. officer to ensure compliance with the approved parking plan. event. City from the applicant. will be arranged byt the city and the costs charged tot the applicant. Fireworks: Fireworks are not permitted without prior approval from the City of Fitzgerald. Prior to application submission, you must apply for and obtain a permit to conduct public fireworks display. All Insurance: The event organizer is responsible for obtainingand maintaining liabilityi insurancei in accordance with the terms and conditions of the subject permit. Proof of insurance must be provided to the City Administrator no later than fourteen (14) days prior to the scheduled date oft the event. Non-profit Entities: Entities recognized as a! 501(c)3 organization and holding a special event tol benefit the charitable organization are exempt from the City's special event permit fee requirement. However, this does not exempt the nonprofit from any state-required permit fees such as alcohol permits. The nonprofit Food Vendors: Mobile food service establishments (food trucks) must have obtained a permit from the Department of Health or County Board of Health in its county of origin. The City of Fitzgerald will recognize that permit as required by HB 1443. Food vendors must also have al business/0ccupation license from their county of origin or will be required to obtain one with the City of Fitzgerald. To get a license, the food Alcohol: If alcohol is to be served or sold, applicant/organizer must apply for the special event alçohol permit which is a separate application process. This will also require a special event alcohol permit from the Georgia Department of Revenue. Please see the City of Fitzgerald Administrative Office for an Unpermitted Events: The City of Fitzgerald may seek and recover from the organizer/promoter of any unpermitted event, reimbursement of all expenses incurred by the city associated with public safety, including, but not limited to, costs and fees for the provision of traffic control, supplemental law enforcement, fire suppression services, emergency medical technician or paramedic services, and applicable insurance requirements must be met if approved. must follow the City'sspecial event polices. vendor must have a permit from the Department of Health or County Board of Health. application. sanitation services. (S.B. 443) Possible Reasons for Denial of Applications and Permits The City reserves the right to deny a request for Special Event Permit for any reason, including, but not limited to: The application, permits and application fee were not property submitted. The event will disrupt traffic within the city beyond practical solution. The event will unreasonably interfere with access to firefighting equipment and fire hydrants, or The location of the event will cause extreme hardship to adjacent businesses or residents. The event will require the diversion of enough city employees that allowing the event would unreasonably deny service to the remainder of residents. This includes City Holidays. The event will interfere with another event for which permits have been approved and issued. Areoccurring event that did not leave the site clean, pay for City services, notify surrounding businesses, or in any way disregard the application and permits requirements. Failure to comply with any federal, state or local law, ordinance(s) or guideline(s). other first responder needs. Anything the City of Fitzgerald deems unsafe. Failure to submit City of Fitzgerald Special Event Application or Permit requests a minimum of Estimated attendance and event is too large for the requested location or venue. The event may interfere with other City activities or use of the facilities by City residents. fifteen (15) days prior toi the event. Miscellaneous Information Glass containers shall not be allowed at special events. obtaining approval from the City of Fitzgerald. Any tent or membrane. structure having ana area moret than 200 squaret feet and any canopy ine excess of 400 square feet shall not be erected, operated, or maintained for any purpose without first Any City rental facilities or parks being used during the event must be secured separately and payment of rental fees paid in accordance with the appropriate rental applications and guidelines. City and/or County sanctioned events are exempt from the permit fee but must follow the guidelines for events herein and obtain any state required permits. Denial/Appeal Should the event application be denied, a letter from the City Administrator will notify the applicant/organzer by personal delivery or certified mail within seven (7) business days of the denial. A Any denied applicant has the right to appeal against the denial ofa a permit to the Mayor and Council of the City of Fitzgerald. The appeal should be submitted by the applicant within five (5) business days after the receipt of the notice of denial by filing a written notice of appeal with the City Administrator. The appeal copy oft this notification will include the reasons for the denial of the permit. will bel heard at the next scheduled city council meeting. Submitting Your Special Event Permit Application Complete the application and return to the City Administrator via in person or mail with your application fee at: City of Fitzgerald ATTN: Special Event Permit Request 302 East Central Avenue Fitzgerald, Ga 31750 Fax: 229-426-5066 Email: youngehitgeratgaog FTVZGERALD 1896 Special Event General Application Note: There may be separate fees for the use of City parks or facilities. Name of Event: Desired Date(s) and Time(s) of Event: Estimated number of attendees: Has this event been held before? Estimated number of event workers: Start Time: End Time: Ifso, where and when? Name of Individual or Organization Sponsoring Event: Address: Contact person authorized to act on behalf of the Organization: Contact person phone: Contact person Email address: (cell) (other) Please, provide a copy of valid driver's license. Location- check all that apply: DE Blue and Gray Park Grand Plaza Park I Paulk Park OL Legion Park Grand Conference Center G Grand Theatre Paulk Park Depot Other (Please Specify) - Downtown Main & Pine St. Tourism Depot Monitor Auditorium Type of event- check all that apply: ORecreation/Sport DRevival OGrand Opening/Business OParade OHoliday Celebration Camival/Circus/ar Concer/Perormance DRaly/Assemby/Marcen DFarmer/Outdoor Market DRun/Walk/Bike OCar Wash OWedding OFestival DAntique Car Show DOther (Please Specify) Purpose of Event- check all that apply: Charity OFundraiser DEducation DOther (Please Explain). DEntertainment OCity/County Event Fizgeraldga.org Phone: 229-426-5060 I Fax: 229-426-5066 I 302 East Central Avenue Fitzgerald, Ga FTZGERALD 1896 Will fees be charged for: Admission? Vendors? Other? (Please Specify) Amount: Amount: Amount: Do you have any need for any cones, barricades, etc. from the City?, Will sound amplification be used? If yes, please explain: If this is a parade, road race, prayer walk, or cycling event, please describe the route below: (attach a map with the route) Liability Insurer (Please attach copy of policy) Policy Number Liability Limits Waiver and Release: I/We agree to hold harmless and defend the City of Fitzgerald against any claim for damages, compensation or otherwise on the part of any participant or any other party, growing out of or resulting from injury which might occur as a result of activity at the facilities of the City of Fitzgerald, and to reimburse or make good any loss, damage or costs that the City of Fitzgerald may have to pay if litigation arises from injury to any participant or other party, under the laws of this or any other state as against such claims for reimbursement or indemnity by the I/We also agree to reimburse the City for the cost of any clean up or any damage or repair that is left of the event. The undersigned does affirm that the information given is true to the best of his/her belief and City of Fitzgerald. knowledge. Signature Date Please return completed application and fee to Kathy A. Young, City Administrator: City of Fitzgerald * 302 East Central Avenue . Fitzgerald, Ga 31750 OFFICE USE ONLY: DAPPROVED 0D DENIED REASON: itzgeraldga.org Phone: 229-426-5060 Fax: 229-426-5066 302 East Central Avenue Fitzgerald, Ga FTZGERALD 1896 Downtown Main Street and Pine Street Event Please describe the portion of the Downtown Area you would like to use. Any area used for your event must be approved by the City and listed below. ONLY AREAS APPROVED ON THIS APPLICATION MAY. BE USED. Please furnish a timeline for your event: Set-up Start time: Event Start time: Event Finish: Clean up Finish: Please list the area in which you would like to suggest street closures: The event organizer must provide written notice to EVERY resident and business along streets that will be closed at least a week before the event. The notice must provide the date(s) and times that the street is expected to be closed. A copy of the notice must be provided to the City Administrator. OFFICE USE ONLY: DA APPROVED OD DENIED REASON: fitzgerdidga.org Phone: 229-426-5060 Fax: 229-426-5066 302 East Central Avenue Fitzgerald, Ga FIVZGERAUD 1896 Parade Event The City has determined a number of pre-approved routes for parades that work best for the City and events. Please submit your route map and details. Please include a start and finish point, first aid stations, portable toilets, etc. Any route must be approved by the City. For questions regarding parade routes, please contact Chief of Police at 229-426-5000 Please furnish a timeline for your event: Set-up Start time: Assembly of entrants: Parade Start: Parade Finish: Awards/Prizes: Clean up Finish: Please list the types and number of units that will be included in your parade: Motorized Floats: Vehicles: Animals: Towed Floats: Walkers: Golf Carts: Side by Sides (ATV): OFFICE USE ONLY: DAPPROVED 0E DENIED REASON: FITZGERALD 1896 RUN/WALK/BIKE EVENT The City has determined a number of pre-approved routes for runs, walks or biking that work best for the City and events. Please submit your route map and details. Please include a start and finish point, first aid stations, portable toilets, etc. Any route must be approved by the City. For questions regarding routes, please contact Chief of Police at 229-426-5000 Please furnish a timeline for your event: Set-up Start time: Assembly of entrants: Start: Finish: Awards/Prizes: Clean up Finish: OFFICE USE ONLY: DAPPROVED DENIED REASON: ORDINANCE NO. 24-1619 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 18, PROVISIONS" OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF FITZGERALD, GEORGIA, MISCELLANEOUS THEREOF TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGULATION OF SPECIAL EVENTS; TO PROVIDE FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE; TO PROVIDE FOR SEVERABILITY; TO REPEAL INCONSISTENT ORDINANCES AND PARTS OF ORDINANCES; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. "OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS SPECIFICALLY ARTICLE II. WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of the City of Fitzgerald, Georgia, find it necessary and proper to regulate special events organized and held within the City of Fitzgerald, Georgia in order to provide for public safety and welfare of the citizens oft the City of Fitzgerald; NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby ordained by Mayor and Council oft the City of SECTION1: That Article III, "Miscellaneous", of Chapter 18, "Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions", of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Fitzgerald, Georgia, is hereby amended by the addition of a new section Sec. 18-94. Special Events' which shall read as Fitzgerald, Georgia, as follows: follows: Sec. 18-94. Special Events. (a) Definitions: The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this Section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this Section, except where the (1) Special Event shall be defined as any activity which occurs upon private or public context clearly indicates a different meaning: property: (A) That will affect the ordinary use of parks, public streets, rights-of-way, sidewalks, or otherwise impact the delivery of public safety services; and/or (B) That disrupts the flow oftraffic on public streets and/or sidewalks. (b) Permit Required: (I)Its shall be unlawful for any person, entity, or organization to advertise, engage in, participate in, aid, form or start any Special Event, unless a Special Event Permit shall first have been obtained from the City Administrator or designee thereof. (2) The following activities are exempted from the Special Event Permit requirement set forth hereinbefore, to wit: (A) Funeral Processions; (B) Activities conducted by the government of the City ofF Fitzgerald or that of (C) Activities involving a demonstration, march, assembly, or other exercise of rights guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution ("free speech event") unless the activity will affect the ordinary use of parks, public streets, rights-of-way, sidewalks, or if the activity will disrupt the flow oft traffic on public streets or sidewalks (such activities shall be subject to all those provisions found elsewhere in this (D) Private social gatherings located wholly upon private property which will make no use of city streets (other than for lawful parking); or (E) Garage Sales, Yard Sales, Estate Sales, Rummage Sales, or similar sale of tangible personal property (such activities shall be subject to any other permitting requirements set forth in the Code of Ordinances of the City of Ben Hill County, Georgia; Chapter); Fitzgerald). (c) Application: (1) The City Administrator shall promulgate an application and make the same available to all individuals, entities, and/or organizations that seek a permit for a (2) Any individual, entity or organization that seeks to obtain a Special Event Permit must fully complete and submit the Special Event application designated hereinbefore in accordance with the terms and conditions as follows: (A)All applications must be fully completed and delivered to the City Administrator or designee of the same no later than fifteen (15) days in advance of the date of the proposed Special Event but not more than one- Special Event. hundred eighty (180) days before the same. (B)A non-refundable application fee shall be submitted contemporancously with the filing of all applications. Such application fee shall be set by, adjusted from time to time, and published by the City Administrator. (C)Any material modification to the information submitted in any such application, including, by not limited to, changes in the size, extent, composition, or general makeup of the proposed event shall require a new (D)The applicant and any other person, organization, or entity on whose behalf the application is made by filing a permit application shall represent, stipulate, contract, and agree that they. jointly and severally indemnify and hold the city harmless against liability. This includes court costs and attorney's fees, including appeal, or any and all claims for damage to property or injury to or death of persons arising out of or resulting from issuance of the permit or the conduct of the event or any ofi its participants or the revocation of the permit (E) The applicant is required toj provide a save/hold harmless agreement in which the applicant agrees to defend, pay, hold, and save harmless the City, its officers and employees, from any and all claims or lawsuits for personal injury or property damage arising from or in any way connected to the Special Event; excepting any claims arising solely out oft the negligent acts ofthe city, application and fee. fori reasons herein stated. its officers and employees. (d) Permit Issuance and Fee: (1) Upon receipt of a fully completed application and required fee pursuant to subsection (c) hereinbefore, the City Administrator shall, within five (5) business days from receipt thereof, either deny such application or issue the requested (2) During the aforementioned evaluation period, the City Administrator shall review the application with all Departments of the City of Fitzgerald (i.e. Police, Fire, Public Works, etc....) at which time each Department shall evaluate and provide an itemization of the costs to each such Department with regard to the subject Special Event. The total of all such costs shall be equal to the Permit Fee due to (3) The aforementioned "Permit Fee' shall be paid in full prior to the issuance of the (4) In the event that the Special Event is canceled by the Permitee, the Permit Fee shall be refunded to the Permitee, provided that written notice of such cancelation shall be received by the City Administrator no later than fourteen (14) days prior permit, subject to the further requirements set forth hereinafter. the City from Applicant. Special Event Permit. to the scheduled date ofs such Special Event. (5) Entities recognized as receiving 501(c)(3) status by the United States Internal Revenue Service shall be exempt from the Permit Fee contemplated herein upon provision of adequate proof of such status to the City Administrator at the time of application. Nothing herein shall exempt such entity from other fees required by (6) In the event that any application for such Special Event Permit is denied, notice of such denial shall be communicated to Applicant within seven (7) business days of such denial by personal delivery, certified mail, or overnight mail by common courier (i.e. UPS, FedEx) to the address supplied by such applicant on the subject application. Such notice shall include the ground(s) for such denial and advise as (7) Any applicant denied issuance of such a permit shall have the right to appeal the denial of the issuance of the same or revocation of an issued permit to the city council. The appeal shall be submitted by the applicant within five (5) business days after receipt of the notice of denial or the date of revocation of an issued permit, by filing a written notice of appeal with the City Administrator. The city council shall hear the appeal at the next scheduled city council meeting. the State of Georgia or the City of] Fitzgerald. to the right of appeal as set forth hereinafter. (e) Obligations of Permit Holder: (I)A permittee hereunder shall comply with all permit directions, terms, and conditions and with all applicable laws and ordinances. The responsible individual shall maintain custody oft the permit and, upon demand, shall produce it to the city authorities. Under no circumstances may aj permit be transferred from (2) All Permit Holders shall be required to keep and maintain liability insurance in accordance with the terms and conditions of the subject permit. Proof of such insurance must be provided to the City Administrator no later than fourteen (14) (3) The Special Events Permit, or a copy of the same, shall be posted at all entrances (4) The Permit Holder shall comply with all conditions of the Permit as provided to the Permit Holder at the time of issuance. All such terms and conditions shall be (5) Permit Holder must provide an adequate crowd control, traffic control, and security plan for approval by the Chiefof Police oft the City of] Fitzgerald not later than fourteen (14) days prior to the scheduled date of such Special Event. Permit Holder must comply with such plan at Permit Holder's sole expense. the Permit Holder to any other person, organization or entity. days prior to the scheduled date ofthe Special Event. tot the event location. promulgated and provided by the City Administrator. f) Revocation of Permit/Cancelation of Special Event: (1) The City Administrator or the designated representative of the same, shall have the authority to revoke aj permit issued hereunder instantly upon violation of any provision oft the Code of Ordinances or ermsconditon-sandards of thej permit as (2) The City Administrator shall be fully authorized to revoke any permit and cancel any Special Event at any time should the Special Event be deemed a public safety risk or operate in a fashion other than permitted. Such discretion shall be solely contemplated hereinbefore. vested ini the City Administrator. (g) Penalty: (1) The punishment imposed for any violation oft this Code Section, upon conviction, shall be punishable as a misdemeanor and be subject to a fine up to $1,000.00 and up to thirty (30) days in jail. Each day any such violation is committed shall constitute a separate offense. The Municipal Court of the City of Fitzgerald shall have concurrent jurisdiction over all such violations oft this Section. (2) Nothing herein shall limit or restrict the City of Fitzgerald from pursuing other remedies as provided by law for violation oft this code section or other provisions of the laws of the State of Georgia, specifically including remedies provided in Chapter 2 ofTitle 41 ofthe Official Code of Georgia Annotated. SECTION 2: This Ordinance shall become effective as of] July 1,2 2024. SECTION3: In the event that any provision or portion of this ordinance shall be deemed unconstitutional ori invalid, the remaining portion shall remain in full force and effect. SECTION 4. Any portion of any ordinance in conflict with this ordinance is hereby repealed. DATE OF FIRST READING: DATE OF SECOND READING: may13,aD24 June10,2084 PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: "YES" "NO" ABSTAIN" 7 0 0 APPROVED: ATTEST: MAYOR gRlot SEAL 1896 Tntna hnm CITY CLERK