Special Event Code

Tampa, FL May 30, 2006 - The City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department is holding a public meeting for proposed Special Event Code for the City of Tampa at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 at the Ragan Community Center, located at 1200 E. Lake Avenue.Anyone interested in this topic is urged to attend the meeting and provide input, share information and ask questions.In accordance with the American Disabilities Act and Section 286.26 Florida Statutes, persons with disabilities needing special accommodations to participate in the meeting should contact the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department, 813-274-8615, at least five (5) days prior to the date of the meeting. For more information, contact the Office of Special Events at 813-274-8248.

I was sent the draft document but can't upload it to my blog

6/7/08 Addendum: this comment is important so I an putting upfront:

From Randy Baron:
This ordinance can have a HUGE impact on the ability of neighborhood associations to have events on city parks. For events under 200 people there are some basic fees (not yet set in stone but potentially over $100) and permitting time requirements at a minimum of 30 days. However, if the event can potentially exceed 200 people, there are insurance requirements, sanitation requirements, EMT requirements, security requirements, longer permitting time periods of a minimum of 90 days, etc. These costs in terms of dollars (insurance premiums, port-o-let rentals, rent-a-cops, rent-a-emt's) and manpower (coordinating all the logistics of the requirements) effectively removes the parks as an option as a venue for neighborhood association events. For instance, the OSHNA Home Tour, which is based at the city-owned Garden Center, would require 2 $1,000,000 liability policies (one for the park, one for the trolleys), 7-10 security personnel along with a supervisor, 3-5 emergency service personnel, and 7 restroom units along with a traffic impact plan. Cha-ching, cha-ching. SESH's home tour could potentially be subject to the same requirements, as would Dog Day in the Park, the SSH concerts in Rivercrest Park and OSHNA's Summer Picnic in Epps Park. I have been lobbying the city to exempt registered neighborhood associations from these requirements, which are really designed to regulate large events such as conventions, parades, festivals and such. Any show of support for such an exemption (or, at least a reduction in the requirements), either at tonight's meeting or in communications with the Parks Department (karen.palus@tampagov.net), City Council or the Mayor would be helpful. "