Agenda Item Wording:
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Reconsideration of the Special Event Ordinance - Direction from City Council on whether the Council wants to further reconsider the Special Event Ordinance per the vote on November 18, 2024.
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Prepared by: Leslie B. Caviglia, City Manager, Leslie.Caviglia@visalia.gov 559-713-4332
Department Recommendation: It is recommended that the Visalia City Council receive this staff report and provide staff with direction on how the City Council may want to further reconsider potential updates to the Special Event Ordinance with regards to the Downtown Farmer’s Market, and any other potential updates based on input received during the discussion of this item.
Summary: On November 18,2024, the City Council voted to adopt changes to the Special Event Ordinance, and to bring the item back to the Council on February 18, 2025. Specifically, the motion made by Councilmember Steve Nelsen said “...put on the calendar to come back in February 18th’s meeting for further discussion on a viable option for the Farmer’s Market.”
As the February meeting approached, no option(s) on what staff was to consider had been provide and/or proposed to staff for the Farmer’s Market, and the City Manager did not schedule the item for further discussion.
Last week, the City Manager met with representatives from the Downtown Farmers Market and discussed their interest in changes they would like to see made to the Special Event Ordinance (Chapter 12.48), which was updated to define the definition of “Street Frontage” at the November 4, 2024 meeting, while the entire Special Events ordinance was revised and adopted in December 2023. The representatives then followed up with an email to the City Council requesting that an agenda item be scheduled for this matter. However, it was brought to the City Manager’s attention that the actual motion from the November 18th meeting stated that the item was to be placed on the February 18th meeting calendar for further discussion on a viable option for the Farmer’s Market. Based on the adopted motion by Council, this item should have been agendaized for discussion, even without an option being presented by the interested parties.
Based this information, the City Manager has placed this item on the agenda for the City Council’s consideration to provide direction on this matter. Options that the City Council may consider include:
1. Direct staff to develop options based on the information provided by the Downtown Farmer’s Market representatives and bring it back to a future meeting.
2. Leave the ordinance as adopted on November 18, 2024.
Fiscal Impact: N/A
Prior Council Action: Council voted to approve the changes to the Special Event Ordinance at their November 4, 2024 meeting and directed staff to bring the item back for further discussion to their February 18th meeting to consider other options.
Other:
Link to minutes of the November 18, 2024 meeting. Discussion on the Special Events begins at approximately 21:05 minutes into the meeting. Visalia City Council on 2024-11-18 7:00 PM <https://visalia.granicus.com/player/clip/655?view_id=1&redirect=true>
• On November 4, 2024, the City Council held a Public Hearing and First Reading of Ordinance No. 2024-11, a request by the City of Visalia to amend Visalia Municipal Code Section 12.48 “Special Events” by adding a definition for Street Frontage.
• On December 4, 2023, the City Council held a Public Hearing and First Reading of Ordinance No. 2023-12, a request by the City of Visalia to amend Visalia Municipal Code Section 12.48 “Special Events”.
Alternatives: N/A
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to:
1. Direct staff to develop options based on the information provided by the Downtown Farmer’s Market representatives and bring it back to a future meeting; or
2. Leave the ordinance as adopted on Nov. 18, 2024.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: N/A
Attachments: 11/04/2024 City Council Staff Report, 11/18/2024 City Council Minutes