[Ord. of 3-2-2009]
This chapter shall be known as the "Community Events Ordinance."
[Ord. No. O-09-04]
The Common Council finds and determines that community events
held throughout the year and at various locations within the City
of Poughkeepsie enrich the quality of life and enhance the recognition
and celebration of our diverse cultural, historic, spiritual and artistic
heritage. The City Council further finds that providing public spaces
as an appropriate forum for the exercise of free expression is an
affirmative obligation under the First Amendment of the United States
Constitution and the Constitution of the State of New York. The Common
Council further finds and determines that a system of organization
and review is a necessary and appropriate method of preserving and
protecting public health and safety, protecting property and facilities,
coordinating emergency services and response, ensuring the flow of
communications and transportation, maintaining compliance with applicable
regulations and codes, and preserving public order while affording
an opportunity and access to public facilities in the best interest
of the City of Poughkeepsie and its citizens. The Common Council further
finds that there must be accountability to the taxpayers for the expenditure
of public funds to hold community events, including the cost of overtime
labor of City of Poughkeepsie employees. To accomplish these ends,
this chapter has as its purpose the lawful, necessary and appropriate
regulation of the time, place, manner and fee structure of community
events.
