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Mountain View County's public events bylaw update includes refusal provisions

Council directed administration to come back with information on dog control at events and whether it should be added to the updated bylaw
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MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - Mountain View County's council has given first reading to proposed updates to the municipality’s Public Events Bylaw No. 13/25, which includes additions to the section regarding refusal of permit applications.

The move came by way of motions at the Aug. 13 regularly scheduled council meeting, held in person and online.

Administration recently completed a review of the bylaw, including applications forms, to ensure consistency and clarity of information requested for event applications, chief administrative officer Jeff Holmes said in a briefing note to council. 

“Administration is recommending amendments to the bylaw to provide clarification and clear interpretation for applicants wanting to apply for a public event within the county.”

The updated permit requirement section outlines reasons for the approving authority to refuse a permit application, including the following:

• The applicant furnishes false information or misrepresentation of any fact or circumstance for the public event.

• In the opinion of the approving authority, due to the remoteness of the property or other considerations, the public event cannot be conducted in a safe manner that ensures appropriate and timely medical and law enforcement emergency response, security and/or access and egress for vehicle traffic.

• In the opinion of the approving authority, previous history of the applicant or of the public event, or the current application, do not instill confidence in the ability of the public event to be held successfully in accordance with the requirements of the bylaw, permit or approval.”

The updated section also requires the applicant to submit a site plan that “shows the location of, and labels for, all structures on the property, existing and proposed, and their setback distances from the nearest property lines, including temporary tents, washroom facilities, roadways, ingress and egress, and parking.”

As well, when considering a public event permit application, the approving authority may require the submission of supporting documentation and plans, including, but not limited to, a medical plan, safety/security plan, attendee welfare plan, and noise control plan.

The attendee welfare plan must outline “attendee welfare strategies related to harm reduction, safer spaces - attendee conduct and education and information related to sexual assault and harassment - and public event health - attendee well-being, ear protection, post-event transportation strategy.”

Council carried an amendment to the proposed bylaw that, “Council request administration to amend Bylaw 13/25 to add provisions for cancelling event permit into Section 6 (called Enforcement/Offences).”

Section 4 of the bylaw allows exemptions for some events with under 150 people in attendance, including 4-H Club events, community association events such as picnics and Christmas concerts, and school or school board events.

Council directed administration to come back with information on dog control at events and whether it should be added to the updated bylaw.

As part of its review of the bylaw, administration looked at public events bylaws in Red Deer, Clearwater and Wheatland counties.

Second reading of the proposed updated bylaw will come before council at an upcoming council meeting, when additional chances could be made.

The complete proposed updated bylaw is available for viewing on the county’s website.

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