New Phila considers application for public events

New Phila considers application for public events
Lori Feeney

Rick Arredondo spoke for other downtown business owners at the New Philadelphia Public Works and Economic Development committee meeting Oct. 12.

                        

At a meeting of the New Philadelphia Public Works and Economic Development Committee on Oct. 12, councilman John Zucal asked the city to consider an application and vetting process to be used by organizations wishing to hold events on city property. Zucal made it clear he was not asking for the process to apply to block parties, events on private property, or events such as family reunions at Tuscora Park or parades, as those events already have procedures in place.

When councilwoman Cheryl Ramos asked Zucal what event prompted his coming to the committee with the idea, Zucal said he didn’t want to single out any specific event.

“I’ve seen different events taking place over a period of time on city property,” Zucal replied. “We had an event downtown recently in the middle of a national health crisis which I was very concerned about and where we did not have the appropriate social distancing taking place. The city has sent out recommendations about wearing masks, staying six feet apart if possible and making sure people are sanitizing their hands. We have to make sure events held on city property are held to that standard.”

Zucal said he had researched the city’s codified ordinances and could not find any procedure or application process for events taking place on city property, and many other communities he looked into do have such procedures in place.

He went on to cite the many departments which may be needed to properly manage an event on city property, including the health department, streets department, sanitation and police/security.

“Currently, we have no application process or control mechanism to ensure the safety and wellbeing of citizens during the event,” said Zucal, who also brought up the issue of insurance and liability.

“Right now, we don’t ask for a certificate of insurance,” said Zucal. “If you’re having an events and someone is injured, as it stands, the city could be sued. Very few events held on public property in other municipalities don’t require a certificate of insurance to protect themselves and the citizens attending.”

Council President Don Kemp concurred, saying the city, if sued, could lose the right to have city insurance.

Ramos was concerned such a policy would set up barriers against organizations wanting to hold worthwhile events.

Councilman Kelly Ricklic said the idea Zucal presented is no different than when a school district requires an organization to show proof of insurance before allowing it to hold an event on school property.

“We just need to make sure we are not getting ourselves into a bind by allowing events to be held when the city is not properly prepared for it,” said Ricklic. “It is our responsibility to the residents of the city to be proactive in the matter.”

Zucal said his hope and intent in bringing the matter to committee was to begin a process by which the city can control events taking place on city property and protect its citizens. He asked committee members and the council members present to review policies he shared from the cities of Canton and Dublin, Ohio.

The prompting event?

Later in the evening, during the regular session of city council, several members of the New Philadelphia business community addressed council, believing a music and art event they held Friday, Oct. 9 in the square may have been the impetus behind Zucal’s request for an application and vetting procedure. A call was placed to the city health department following the event inquiring as to whether they had been consulted and the department said they were not notified.

Rick Arrendondo of downtown creative co-op, the Ezekiel Project, said the group recognizes concerns were raised about some of the activities he and other had organized downtown. He wished to apologize to Vicki Ionno and the city health department as well as to council for creating any problems and felt the need to explain how the COVID epidemic has affected the small business community and why the group of downtown businesses banded together to hold events.

“We understand there may have been a better way,” said Arrendondo. “We’re not here to create a problem. We’re trying to solve one because we love this community.,

Arrendondo went on to to describe how the event came to be.

“No one could foresee how long this (the COVID pandemic) would go on,” he said. “We just wanted to generate interest and get people coming downtown again because our businesses are still struggling.”

Arrendondo said in the absence of an active downtown business association or group, a number of small businesses came together to create what they are calling a Small Business Roundtable which will meet monthly to brainstorm ways to bring downtown commerce back to life.

“Four new family-owned businesses have opened downtown, and we felt a responsibility to help support them, particularly during these times,” said Arrendondo. In trying to draw people downtown, he said the group felt a music and art event would be a good idea.

“The reaction we received was amazing,” he said. Arrendondo said there are 12 sponsors funding the music, and no businesses are making money from the event. He also mentioned the mental health services groups, which set up tables at the event to distribute information and offer services to those in need who have suffered greater trouble during the COVID crisis.

“We went to great lengths to make sure we could support the event from a COVID perspective,” said Arrendondo.

Zucal offered to clarify his position, saying he believes support for local business is crucial.

“The legislation I’m proposing would allow you to operate those events in a safe fashion and continue doing the great things you’re doing, knowing you have the full support of the city, city council and city administration and that you will receive our best, most reliable city services,” Zucal said. He applauded the group’s efforts and said he would like to speak with them about developing an application process favorable for organizations wanting to hold events on city property.

Arrendondo said the group simply wants to be involved so council can hear their concerns before the application process is finalized.

Others attending the meeting from the downtown business community included Debbie Knisely, owner of Alley Cats Marketplace, and her husband Jim; George Laurence of Museum Acrylics Company and operations director for Art in the Alley; and Tim Sidel from Around the Corner Framing.


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