Agenda Item Wording:
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Special Events Ordinance - Second reading and adoption of Ordinance 2023-12 amending Visalia Municipal Code Section 12.48 Special Events.
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Deadline for Action: 12/18/2023
Submitting Department: Community Development
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Tracy Robertshaw, Neighborhood Preservation Manager (59)713-4187, tracy.robertshaw@visalia.city <mailto:tracy.robertshaw@visalia.city>
Paul Bernal, Community Development Director, (559)713-4025, paul.bernal@visalia.city <mailto:paul.bernal@visalia.city>
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council conduct the second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2023-12 amending Visalia Municipal Code Section 12.48 Special Events per the attached Ordinance No. 2023-12.
Summary:
On December 45, 2023, the City Council held a public hearing to introduce Ordinance No. 2023-12, a request to amend Visalia Municipal Code Section 12.48 Special Events. During the public hearing, the City Council received a staff report, staff presentation on changes made to the Special Events ordinance based on direction and public comment. After the item was presented and public comments received, the City Council voted 4-0, Councilmember Soto absent, to introduce and adopted Ordinance No. 2023-12.
Background Discussion:
During the August 21, 2023, City Council meeting, staff presented a work session item to City Council to review current processes and ordinance requirements related to Special Events (Chapter 12.48 of the Municipal Code).
As a result of the work session, staff addressed several areas of the Special Events ordinance that were identified as requiring revisions to address current procedural requirements to align with how the application were being processed by City staff. In addition to clarifying some of the language in the ordinance, a Downtown Annual Community Events Section was added establishing and defining long-standing downtown events enabling applicants to utilize a streamline Good Neighbor Policy. The revisions to Section 12.48 were presented and the City Council voted (4-0 with Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto absent) to introduce the first reading of Ordinance 2023-12, amending Visalia Municipal Code Section 12.48 as provided in the attached ordinance.
The second reading of the Ordinance is the final action the City Council takes in order for amendment of Visalia Municipal Code Section 12.48 to take effect. Following the second reading and Council adoption, the ordinance will go into effect 30 days following adoption of the second reading.
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
Prior Council Action:
• On December 4, 2023, Council introduced Ordinance 2023-12.
• On August 21, 2023, the City Council directed staff to move forward with revising Visalia Municipal Code 12.48 Special Events, subject to conducting outreach and scheduling a meeting with stakeholders.
Other:
On September 19, 2023, City staff held a meeting with stakeholders to allow them the opportunity to have input on proposed changes as well as weigh in on the possibility of limiting the number of allowed ongoing events.
Alternatives: N/A
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to approve the second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2023-12, amending Visalia Municipal Code.
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Environmental Assessment Status:
The requested action is considered exempt under Section 15061(b)(3) of the State Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A Notice of Exemption has been prepared for the project because Section 15061(b)(3) which states that the project is exempted from CEQA if the activity is covered by the commonsense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
CEQA Review:
The requested action is considered exempt under Section 15061(b)(3) of the State Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A Notice of Exemption (NOE No. 2023-34) has been prepared for the project.
Attachments:
1. Ordinance No. 2023-12 Amending Section 12.48 Special Event
2. City County Introduction and First Reading Staff Report dated December 4, 2023