The Keizer City Council gave final approval to an ordinance that will regulate the permitting process for parades, special events and street closures for block parties.
The ordinance has been under discussion since June and has had several re-writes to alleviate concerns of some councilors, residents and neighborhood associations.
The special event process is for both short-term and long-term events. Currently, the Miracle of Christmas Lights display in the Gubser neighborhood is the only event that fit the definition of a long-term event.
Issues that were resolved were how many affected households in an area had to be contacted and show support for the event.
The ordinance also calls for any neighborhood or homeowners associations impacted provide a recommendation for the event with a submitted application.
An early sticking point was how and when applicants were to be charged for city staff overtime hours, such as police department personnel.
The ordinance was approved by a 5-1 vote, Councilor Kyle Juran being the dissenter. Councilor Soraida Cross was absent.
In other legislative action the council adopted a resolution to accept $15,000 in Community Prosperity Initiative funds from Marion County. The council will allocate the money to expand electrical capacity further into Keizer Rapids Park to service large scale events such as KeizerFEST. The resolution was unanimously adopted by the councilors in attendance.
The Sept. 18 council meeting started with two proclamations by Mayor Cathy Clark.
The first proclamation declared Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week in Keizer. Ruby Pantalone of the Anna Maria Pittman chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was joined by director Kathy Elgin to accept.
Following was declaring Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Speaking before the council were Carrie Brown and Thais Rodick. Brown spoke about her experience as a Cuban-born Chinese, and how America’s Exclusionary Act in the early 20th century forced many Chinese to relocate to other parts of the western hemisphere.
City Manager Adam Brown reminded the council that Sept. 25 begins Navy Week in the Willamette Valley.
The U.S. Navy is scheduled to bring a variety of assets, equipment and personnel to Keizer.
The next council meeting is Sept. 25.