Explanation
BACKGROUND:
Columbus has become host city to over fifty race events per year, with both local organizers and national race promoters holding walks, runs, and bicycle races. In order to meet the demands this growing industry has on our local community and ensure that adequate notice is given to residents and businesses that may be affected by a race event, it is necessary to define a race event, differentiate it from a parade, and give the Director of Recreation and Parks the authority to promulgate rules regarding the issuance of race event permits.
This ordinance exempts a race event from the definition of a parade, gives authority to the Department of Recreation and Parks to exempt so permitted race events from community noise provisions, and creates Chapter 924 Race Events. Chapter 924 defines a race event as any organized activity where participants register for a competitive, timed, or fundraising event and which participants follow a predetermined course upon any street, public thoroughfare, and/or shared use path which is approved for use by the City. Race events include any combination of walking, running, skating, cycling, or operation of a non-motorized vehicle.
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FISCAL IMPACT: No funding is required for this legislation.
Title
To amend Chapters 2111, Parades Processions and Other Moving Assemblages and 2329 Health, Safety and Sanitation; Felon Registration of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, and enact a new a Chapter 924 Race Event Permits.
Body
WHEREAS, to address the needs arising from the growing number of race events in the City of Columbus with a goal of being customer friendly to race event coordinators, participants, and the local businesses and citizens impacted by race events; and
WHEREAS, the community impact of race events, as well as the staffing needs to support and process a race event is different than parades, processions, and other moving assemblages; and
WHEREAS, The Department of Recreat...
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