The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Officials look at special events
Schreiber: Moratorium is a negative thing
By Dan DuChene, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: May 3, 2007
After making an exception for the Triumph Car Show, Ypsilanti City Council now plans to evaluate the moratorium it had placed on special events.
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The moratorium, passed by City Council in March of last year, prohibits any new festivals from taking place on city property. Festivals already established in the city were considered grandfathered in and were allowed to continue.
The decision stemmed from a reduction in the number of city staff due to the cuts necessary to maintain a balanced budget. Considered temporary, the resolution singled out any new alcohol-related festivals as prohibitive.
That door was cracked, however, on April 3 when Council voted to allow the Triumph Car Show to use Riverside Park next summer. The resolution hinged on approval from Ypsilanti Police Chief Matt Harshberger. It took several weeks of discussion to finally nail down the event's approval.
Though Harshberger said he was reluctant to lift the moratorium the last time Council discussed the issue, on April 17, he said because the city had already agreed to host it, the promise should be maintained.
"First and foremost, I think I should say I understand the need and the benefit to hosting events in the city," Harshberger said when he addressed council last month. "I'm somewhat apprehensive about allowing the door to be swung open."
After some discussion Harshberger said he could approve the deal because the event was a one-time exception, there was no alcohol and the group already had been told that they were given permission.
"If the city in any way, shape or form gave permission...I think we have a responsibility to keep our word," he said. "All I'm asking for in return is that we're going to stay with the moratorium."
At the same meeting city staff members were asked to prepare to bring the moratorium before council to consider other options.
One aspect of special events that has changed since last year is money. Last year the city was still paying half of the costs to police and maintain parks for events. This year, the city's solvency plan calls for all of those costs to be paid in full by the organizations putting on the festivals.
To illustrate, Harshberger said the Ypsilanti Central Business Community paid $351 to run the trick-or-treating downtown. This year that cost will rise to $702. Heritage Festival totaled $8,274 last year, which will double this summer. Similarly, the $2,781 Elvis Festival and the $1,285 Brewer's Festival also will double.
He said car shows, like the Camaro Superfest and the Triumph Car Show, pay for the Volunteer Service Corps to police their event. Though the corps' rates will double this year, the cost is still minimal.
Debbie Locke-Daniel, executive director of the Ypsilanti Convention and Visitors Bureau helped to attract the Triumph Car Show and supports lifting the moratorium.
"These types of events, to me, just don't cause problems," Locke-Daniel said of car shows. "They're just the kind of people you want around for economic impact, supporting and contributing to local businesses."
Harshberger said he understands smaller, non-alcoholic events have a minimum impact on city services and help the local economy. However, he still has reservations about lifting the moratorium.
"I still believe the moratorium is in place for a reason," he said. "I'm simply trying to look at it from the aspect of my staff."
Police staffing, which use to be at levels more than 50, are now lower than 40. He said large, or many events could cause his officers to grow tired and burn out.
"Cost is not a factor to consider any longer," Harshberger said. "Impact on burnout is."
Charles Boulard, the acting city manager, was directed to present information to the council at a later meeting. He said he is working with city staff to that end.
"Staff are looking at council requests," Boulard said.
"I don't know what the outcome of that will be," he said. "The issue from the staffing point is we don't have the people."
Ypsilanti Mayor Paul Schreiber said he would consider lifting the ban.
"The moratorium, I think, is a negative thing," Schreiber said. "My leaning is to lift the moratorium."
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