Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 2463 ORDINANCE NUMBER 2463 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS TO BE KNOWN AS THE NORTH RICHLAND HILLS MASS GATHERINGS ORDINANCE; ESTABLISHING REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH MASS GATHERINGS ARE CONDUCTED; ESTABLISHING REGULATIONS TO PROTECT THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF THE PUBLIC DURING MASS GATHERINGS; ESTABLISHING A PERMIT APPLICATION AND APPEAL PROCEDURE; REPEALING PREVIOUS MASS GATHERINGS ORDINANCES; PROVIDING A PENALTY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SAVING CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS: SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS 1.01. "Mass Gathering" means any meeting or gathering held within the City limits or within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas, wherein anyone in attendance at the meeting or gathering is not or is not expected to be within a permanent structure and which attracts or can be expected to attract more than one thousand (1000) persons who will remain at the location of the gathering for a period of more than two (2) continuous hours. "Mass Gathering" shall not mean any worship service of any church, nor shall it mean a gathering sponsored by a school or school district, a college or a college district, nor a public agency of Tarrant County, this City, nor the State of Texas. 1.02. "Permanent" as used in "permanent structure" means any man-made structure for which the City has issued a building permit, a plumbing permit, and an electrical permit; and which has existing and currently operating plumbing and electrical services which comply with all ordinances of the City; and which has an existing and currently operating supply of water provided only by the City, and which has existing and currently operating sanitary sewer service provided only by the City. 1.03. "Promoter" means any person, group of persons, entity, firm, corporation, partnership, or association that organizes, promotes, or solicits funds for the organization or promotion of a mass gathering. 1.04. "Performer" means any person or group of persons who contract with the Promoter to provide a service, product, or exhibition, with or without remuneration, which constitutes in whole or in part, the attraction to the public for the event. 1.05 "Issuing Officer" means the City Secretary of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas, or the City Secretary's designated representative. SECTION 2. PROHIBITION 2.01. No person may act as a promoter of a mass gathering unless he obtains a permit from the issuing officer under the provisions of this ordinance. If the owner of the property on which the mass gathering is to be held is not the promoter as defined in Section 1.03, the owner of the property shall not be required to obtain a permit under the provisions of this ordinance. 2.02. No person may direct, control, or participate in the production of a mass gathering unless a valid permit for the event has been issued as provided in this ordinance. 2.03. No person may direct, control, or participate in the production of a mass gathering in violation of the terms and conditions of a permit issued in accordance with this ordinance. SECTION 3. APPLICATION FOR PERMIT 3.01. Not less than sixty (60) days before a mass gathering is to be held, the promoter of the mass gathering shall file an application for a permit with the issuing officer. 3.02. The permit application shall include: a. The name and address of the promoter, his/her partners and co-producers assisting in the promotion of the mass gathering or event; b. A financial statement of the promoter, his/her partners and co-producers, and a statement specifying from whom capital for the mass gathering or event is being supplied and in what amounts; c. A description of the place where the mass gathering or event is to be held, indicating the size and location of any and all performance stages, booths, tents, and other temporary structures or shelters; d. The name and address of the owner of the place where the mass gathering or event is to be held, and a statement describing the terms and conditions of the agreement whereby the promoter is authorized to use the land; e. The date and time that the mass gathering or event is to be held; f. The maximum number of persons that the promoter will allow to attend the mass gathering or event and a statement showing how the promoter plans to control the number of persons in attendance at the mass gathering or event; g. A detailed description of the promoter's agreements with any and all performers who are scheduled to appear at the mass gathering or event and the legal names and addresses of the performers who have agreed to appear and their agents; h. A full and complete statement describing the promoter's preparations for the mass gathering or event to comply with the minimum standards of sanitation and health as prescribed for mass gatherings by the Texas Board of Health pursuant to Section 751.010 of the Texas Health and Safety Code; i. A description of all preparations being made to provide traffic control and to assure that the mass gathering will be conducted in an orderly fashion and that the physical safety of all persons in attendance will be protected; 2 j. A description of the preparations made to provide adequate medical and nursing care; k. A description of the preparations made to supervise juveniles and other minor persons who may attend the mass gathering or event; I. The application for the permit must be certified by the promoter and be based on his best information and belief; m. A filing fee of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) must be submitted with the application for a permit. SECTION 4. INVESTIGATION 4.01. After an application for permit is filed, the City Secretary shall send copies to the North Richland Hills Environmental Services Director and the North Richland Hills Chief of Police. 4.02. The Environmental Services Director of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas, or the Director's designated representative shall inquire into preparations for the mass gathering or outdoor festival and no later than thirty (30) days prior to the scheduled date of the mass gathering shall submit a report to the City Secretary of the City of North Richland Hills stating whether or not he/she believes that the minimum standards of health and sanitation provided by State and local laws, rules, regulations, and orders will be maintained. 4.03. The Chief of Police of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas, or the Chief's designated representative, shall investigate preparations for the mass gathering and no later than thirty (30) days prior to the scheduled date of the mass gathering, shall submit a report to the City Secretary of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas, stating whether or not he/she believes that the promoter is in compliance with all State and local laws, rules, regulations, and orders, and whether or not adequate provisions have been made by the promoter to ensure that public safety and order will be maintained. 4.04. The issuing officer may conduct any additional investigation, which he/she considers necessary. 4.05. The issuing officer may impose reasonable conditions or restrictions on the granting of a permit, including but not limited to any of the following: a. Restrictions on fires, fireworks, amplified sound, use of alcoholic beverages, dancing, sports, use of animals, equipment, or vehicles, the number of persons to be present, the location of any bandstand or stage, or any other use which appears likely to create an unreasonable risk of harm to the public; b. A requirement that the applicant pay a reasonable deposit of security based on size of gathering and projected impact on municipal services such as security, and for the repair of any damage to city property, or the cost of cleanup, or both; 3 c. A requirement that the applicant pay a reasonable fee to defray the cost of furnishing adequate Police personnel for security and traffic control, and Fire Department personnel for fire-watch assignments at the proposed activity; d. A requirement that the applicant furnish additional sanitary and refuse facilities that might reasonably be necessary based on the use or activity for which the permit is being sought. 4.06. The issuing officer shall enter the findings on record and shall grant or deny the permit no later than 15 days prior to the scheduled date of the mass gathering. SECTION 5. REVOCATION OF PERMIT 5.01. After a permit is issued, if the issuing officer finds that preparations for the event will not be completed by the time the mass gathering is to begin or that the permit has been obtained by fraud or misrepresentation, he/she may revoke the permit. 5.02. The issuing officer must give notice to the promoter forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the revocation, and arrange a hearing on the revocation if requested to do so by the promoter. SECTION 6. APPEAL! HEARING 6.01. Any promoter or person affected by the action of the issuing officer in granting, denying or revoking a permit under this ordinance may appeal to the City Manager, who shall hold a hearing at such person's request. 6.02. Such person requesting a hearing shall submit to the City Manager a written request for a hearing to show cause as to why the permit should be granted or should not be revoked. Such request shall not stay the denial or revocation. A hearing shall be scheduled within five (5) working days of such request. 6.03. Notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be given to the promoter and to any other persons who have expressed an interest in the granting or denial of the permit. 6.04. The Environmental Services Director and the Chief of Police or their designees, and the City Secretary shall be available to give testimony relating to their reports at the hearing. 6.05. At the hearing, any person may appear and testify for or against the granting of the permit. 6.06. After the hearing, the City Manager of the City of North Richland Hills shall have the authority to affirm or overrule the action of the issuing officer and shall grant or deny the permit. SECTION 7. DENIAL OF PERMIT 7.01. The issuing officer or the City Manager may deny the permit if it is found that anyone or more of the following apply: a. The application contains false or misleading information or required information is omitted; 4 b. The financial backing or stability of the promoter is insufficient to assure that the mass gathering or event will be conducted in the manner stated in the application; c. The location selected for the mass gathering or event is inadequate for the purpose for which it is to be used; d. The promoter has not made adequate preparations to limit the number of persons attending the mass gathering or event, or to provide adequate supervision for juveniles and other minor persons attending the mass gathering or event; e. The promoter does not have adequate contractual agreements with performers, or does not have, or loses assurance that performers who are scheduled to appear will in fact appear; f. The preparations for the mass gathering or event do not assure; i. That minimum standards of sanitation, health, and fire safety will be maintained; ii. That the event will be conducted in an orderly fashion; iii. That the physical safety of all persons in attendance will be protected; iv. That adequate supervision of juveniles and other minor persons attending the event will be provided; v. Adequate arrangements for traffic control will be provided; vi. Adequate medical and nursing care will be available; g. The time and place for the mass gathering or event creates a substantial danger of congestion and disruption of other lawful activities in the immediate vicinity of the mass gathering or event; 7.02. Every denial or revocation of a permit under this ordinance shall be in writing, dated, and shall state the reason for such action. Said notice shall immediately be sent to the applicanUpermittee by certified mail, or shall be personally delivered to such person by courier. 7.03. If the City Manager denies the permit, the City shall notify the promoter in writing: a. The reasons for denial; b. The promoter may file an action in the District Court of Tarrant County, Texas, for review of the evidence presented to the issuing officer at the hearing, the findings of the issuing officer, and his decision. Said judicial review shall be perfected by the filing of a petition with the court within ten (10) days of the decision. 5 SECTION 8. PERMIT 8.01. A permit, if issued, shall authorize the promoter to hold a mass gathering event at a specified place at a specified time. Additional or subsequent events by the applicant will require additional permits. 8.02. Permits required by this ordinance shall be publicly posted in the area where the activity is conducted or produced and shall be exhibited upon demand to any law enforcement officer or city ordinance enforcement official. The posted permit shall have emergency contact information listed including name and telephone number, including area code. SECTION 9. CASH DEPOSIT 9.01. As a condition to the issuance of a permit hereunder, the City may require the promoter to make a deposit based on size of gathering and projected impact on municipal services such as security, and for the repair of any damage to city property, or the cost of cleanup, or both. This deposit shall be collected to provide an adequate fund for the compensation of such security personnel as may be required to insure the physical safety of persons and property of persons in attendance, as well as the persons and property of the community directly affected by the mass gathering or event. SECTION 1 O. PENALTIES 10.01 Any person, firm, or corporation who violates any provision of this ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not in excess of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per violation. In the event that any person, firm or corporation sponsors or holds a gathering or event where less than one thousand (1,000) persons are anticipated to attend, then it shall be a violation of this ordinance to allow more than one thousand (1,000) persons to attend such event if no permit has been issued. The terms of this ordinance may also be enforced by civil action brought in a District Court of Tarrant County, Texas. SECTION 11. SAVING CLAUSE 11.01. If any section, paragraph, subdivision, clause, phrase or provision of this ordinance shall be adjudged invalid or held unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of this ordinance as a whole or any part or provision thereof, other than the part so decided to be invalid or unconstitutional. The City Council of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas, in the passage of this ordinance, finds that the above and foregoing provisions are necessary and proper and in the interest of the health, safety, and the general welfare of the community of North Richland Hills, Texas. This ordinance shall take effect and be in full force and effect from and after one publication of a descriptive caption hereof in the official newspaper of the City, and the City Secretary is hereby directed to so publish the same. 6 \R>; SECTION 12. ADDITIONAL PERMITS 12.01 This Mass Gatherings Ordinance does not alleviate the responsibility of anyone associated with the mass gathering from having to seek other permits as required by State law or City Ordinance. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to assure that all additional permits, if required, are obtained prior to any mass gathering event. SECTION 13. PRIOR ORDINANCES REPEALED 13.01 Ordinance number 922 is expressly superceded by the terms of this Ordinance. Upon the adoption of this Ordinance, any section of an Ordinance in conflict with this Ordinance is hereby repealed. PASSED and APPROVED this 27th day of March, 2000. APPROVED: \\\\\\!ilfI11fJ \\\~\ . "II, ,\\ I//. ",~~ ......... ~.I'.z " .- -. "'- ~'" ..' '" 0'., i ..... n ... -\.. ~ I¿. ! (TIE '¡.2.t ~ -0· ~- - . . - ::::y~ ".:~, \~}.... (~~.:' t;:z' ~ 'l'l///// ····..;¡:satrlçfâ'~ Hutson - City Secretary (111'"" IIII \1\\\\\\ ()Lt ~~ Charles Scoma --'-Mayor APPROVED AS TO CONTENT Aøf. Thomas R. Shockley - Chie 7 Star-Telegram 400 W. 7th Street FORT WORTH, TX 76102 (817) 390-7761 Federal Tax ID 22-3148254 /' /'. . ./" INVOICE Customer ID: Invoice Number: Invoice Date: Terms: Due Date: PO Number: Order Number: 16996540 Sales Rep: 073 Description: ORDINANCE NO.2 Publication Dates: 4/5/00 - 4/6/00 CIT 13 169965401 4/6/00 Net due in 21 days 4/30/00 Bill To: CITY OF NO RICHLAND HILLS/SECRE PO BOX 820609 NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX 76182- Attn: ORDINANCE NO. 2463 An Ordinanc ~~~. IfWU:1 NO. ..j..... ..... , - of ftIe Qtty Sales Disc( r ~. HIllS. "'.. ~ pr èIefIm:- A":J ")aSS II erlng without a City, pe(mjt; P,roviding for appllçat'qn, ,nvestigatlon perm,t Issuance proce- dures; providing for ap- peal on the event a per- mit is denied or revoked' requiring a cash deposi! for ,cl~an-up and repair' prov,dons for a finè no! ~. ~ $~.OOO:~ nan. pe; prèWllnø for a ~sc"Q1IIe end ,. Dr. Or~ance, No. Pessed and _.~oved by tI1e CItY COIIhCII· of· the Cit\! of Norttt ~ ~$'2~.' on March . Approved: I /s/Charle. s Scoma, Mayor I Attest: is/Patricia Hutson City Secretary I APpr. Ol(e. d as. t.o. Fo.rm. and Le~allty: ' THE Sl/c"/RexMcEntire, ,tYo Attorn,!\! County ot (arrant- - --- - - 1358 $5.79 $428.46 37 37 LINE ($401.82) Net Amount: $26.64 Before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, this day personally appeared TAMMIE BRYANT, Bid and Legal Coordinator, for the Star- Telegram, published by the Star-Telegram, Inc. at Fort Worth, in Tarrant County, Texas; and who, afte§ng duly S.worn, did depose and say that the attached clipping of an advertisement was published in the above named paper oR~listed dates: _ ~~"-'r--C-l~,",~ SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO BEFORE ME, THIS Thursday, April ?1~.1 000. ~ Notary Public ¡;c _ n ~ ~T)lI/ /1- !~~~ - - -~~.- -,' - "'r' --, DAWN M. KUYKENDALL ~ COMMISSION EXPIRES J.., ,~ SEPTEMBER 13, 2003 .~ .......- .... .... . -..,... - - - - - - ~- Thank You For Your Payment -------------------------------------------~-