SPECIAL EVENTS TASK FORCE FEBRUARY 16, 2022 – 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER – ROOM 1401 6310 E WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Special Events Task Force may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation. To register, please contact Brydan Summers at 512-974-4854 or Brydan.summers@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Members: James Russell (Co-Chair), Jeff Smith (Co-Chair), Bobby Garza, Cindy Lo, Laurel White, Shelley Phillips, Heath Riddles, Mandi Thomas, Dan Carroll, Ingrid Weigand , Frances Thompson Ex Officio Members (City Staff): Brydan Summers, SETF Staff Liaison; Sara Henry, Austin Center for Events Communications; Bill Manno, Special Events Program Manager; Brian Block, DSD Program Manager, Music Office; Mike Jones, Police Sergeant; Robert Alvarado, Code Division Manager; Frances Hargrove, ATD Special Events Manager; Tony Hernandez, DSD Program Manager; Jason Maurer, PARD Sales and Events Manager; Kevin Parker, EMS Commander; Quentin Prior, Fire Battalion Chief; Iby Setzer, ARR Planner Senior; Bryan Walker, DSD Planner II AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2. OLD BUSINESS i. Possible Action on Safety Topics a. Discussion on Public Safety Sections of the Special Events Ordinance b. Update from Organizers Currently Planning Events c. Review of Administrative Rules in Conflict with the SEO 3. NEW BUSINESS a. Subcommittee Report on Post Event Evaluations b. Review Permit Denial, Appeals Process, and Revocation Process Font Size: 12; Font: Times New Roman; Font Style: Regular c. Review Enforcement FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please at Brydan.summers@austintexas.gov or 512-974-4854, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Special Events Task Force, please contact Brydan Summers at Brydan.summers@austintexas.gov or 512-974-4854. the Development Services Department, call Brydan Summers at Font Size: 12; Font: Times New Roman; Font Style: Regular
Standard Operating Procedure – Special Event Permit Denial Appeals Process Effective Date: 12/28/2021 Purpose The Special Events Ordinance lays out a requirement for a special event application denial appeal process in section 4-20-35. This standard operating procedure further details how that process will be administered and the roles of those involved. Special Events Ordinance Language § 4-20-35 Appeal of Special Event Application Denial (A) If ACE denies a special event application, the event organizer may appeal the denial to the appeal team. (B) The event organizer must deliver an appeal to ACE no later than 10 business days after the event organizer is notified that the application was denied. (C) The appeal team must act on the appeal within 10 business days and may uphold or reverse the denial. (D) In considering the appeal, the appeal team shall apply the same criteria as ACE under Section 4-20-34 (Approval or Denial of Special Event Application). Roles and Responsibilities Austin Center for Events Staff Any City staff member with the Austin Center for Events or partner departments that is made aware of a request for an appeal shall provide the applicant with instructions to appeal, or notify other ACE staff members to follow up with the applicant. ACE staff that were involved with the intial review and denial of the special event application will recuse themselves from the appeals process. An ACE or Development Services Department staff member will serve as the Appeals Coordinator. This assignment will be back-filled if the current appeals coordinator can no longer perform the duties and a notification will be sent to ACE staff and the Appeals Team members alerting them to who is now responsible. Appeals Coordinator The Appeals Coordinator will maintain the roster of the Appeals Team members and ensure replacements are installed as vacancies open. If the coordinator was involved in the initial review they will delegate another ACE or DSD staff member to be the Appeals Coordinator. The Appeals Coordinator is responsible for contacting the Appeals Team Members, scheduling the appeal meeting, ensuring timelines are met, and following up with the applicant. Appeals Team Members Appeals Team members will make themselves available within the 10-business day window of when the request for an appeal has been received to meet and render a decision. If the Team Member is unable to fulfill their duties, they will select a replacement within their department that outranks …
Special Events Task Force February 2022 Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 16, 2022 Permitting and Development Center – First Floor, Room 1401 2: 00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Taskforce Members in Attendance: James Russell, Jeff Smith, Cindy Lo, Mandi Thomas, Laurel White Staff in Attendance: Sara Henry, Mike Jones (APD), Quentin Prior (AFD), Bill Manno (ACE), Brydan Summers (ACE) Task Force Members Joining Virtually: Bobby Garza, Heath Riddles-Sanchez, Frances Thompson Staff Joining Virtually: Iby Setzer (ARR), Kevin Parker (ATCEMS), Jason Maurer (PARD). Frances Hargrove (ATD) Guests: CALL TO ORDER: Co-Chair Russell called the task force to order at 2:07 p.m. 1. APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER MINUTES: The task force unanimously approved the meeting minutes for November 2021. 2. OLD BUSINESS Austin Police Department (APD) A. Discussion on Public Safety Sections of the Special Events Ordinance APD Special Event Sergeant Mike Jones briefed the Task Force on an item on the February 17, 2022 council agenda that would allow APD to contract with Code4, a third party vendor, to hire other public safety agencies to help staff city and city-sponsored special events. Following several questions from Chair Russell on the matter, Sergeant Jones clarified that these agencies will follow their respective policies and protocols, but APD would ultimately retain overall authority as the lead agency and would coordinate with the supervisors from other agencies. He added that private events can currently contract with Code4. Austin Fire Department (AFD) Chair Russell inquired whether a third-party agreement might be feasible for AFD. Chief Prior responded that the current AFD staffing level does not require supplementation because they have significantly fewer individuals on site at special events compared to APD, but did raise the issue of needing additional special event review personnel in the future. Austin-Travis County EMS (ATCEMS) Chair Russel asked whether staffing is a concern for ATCEMS. Commander Parker explained that ATCEMS has a history of partnering with outside healthcare providers. He acknowledged that the organization is mindful of current staffing shortages and the agency has recently made some salary adjustments that they hope will act as an incentive. Chair Russell asked all three public safety agencies whether there are elements of the Special Event Ordinance (SEO) That are onerous to them? Chief Prior suggested that the ordinance could be revised to allow AFD to enter into third-party agreements. The Task Force asked Mr. Summers to record two recommendations for future consideration. 1) Council …
SPECIAL EVENTS TASK FORCE APRIL 20, 2022 – 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER – ROOM 1401 6310 E WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Special Events Task Force may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation. To register, please contact Brydan Summers at 512-974-4854 or Brydan.summers@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Members: James Russell (Co-Chair), Jeff Smith (Co-Chair), Bobby Garza, Cindy Lo, Laurel White, Shelley Phillips, Heath Riddles, Mandi Thomas, Dan Carroll, Ingrid Weigand , Frances Thompson Ex Officio Members (City Staff): Brydan Summers, SETF Staff Liaison; Sara Henry, Austin Center for Events Communications; Bill Manno, Special Events Program Manager; Brian Block, DSD Program Manager, Music Office; Mike Jones, Police Sergeant; Robert Alvarado, Code Division Manager; Frances Hargrove, ATD Special Events Manager; Tony Hernandez, DSD Program Manager; Jason Maurer, PARD Sales and Events Manager; Kevin Parker, EMS Commander; Quentin Prior, Fire Battalion Chief; Iby Setzer, ARR Planner Senior; Bryan Walker, DSD Planner II REVISED AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2. OLD BUSINESS i. Possible Action on Safety Topics a. Discussion on Public Safety Sections of the Special Events Ordinance b. Update from Organizers Currently Planning Events c. Review of Administrative Rules in Conflict with the SEO 3. NEW BUSINESS a. Subcommittee Report on Post Event Evaluations b. Review Permit Denial, Appeals Process, and Revocation Process Font Size: 12; Font: Times New Roman; Font Style: Regular c. Review Enforcement FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please at Brydan.summers@austintexas.gov or 512-974-4854, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Special Events Task Force, please contact Brydan Summers at Brydan.summers@austintexas.gov or 512-974-4854. the Development Services Department, call Brydan Summers at Font Size: 12; Font: Times New Roman; Font Style: Regular
Special Events Task Force APRIL 2022 Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 20, 2022 Permitting and Development Center – First Floor, Room 1401 2: 00 p.m. ‐ 4:00 p.m. Taskforce Members in Attendance: James Russell, Jeff Smith, Mandi Thomas, Laurel White, Ingrid Weigand, Shelley Phillips, Frances Thompson, Dan Carroll Staff in Attendance: Sara Henry (ACE), Mike Jones (APD), Quentin Prior (AFD), Bill Manno (ACE), Brydan Summers (ACE), Brian Block (DSD), Frances Hargrove (ATD), Jason Maurer (PARD), Kevin Parker (EMS), Quentin Prior (AFD), Iby Setzer (ARR), Tara Long (DSD), Robert Alvarado (Code) Task Force Members Joining Virtually: Heath Riddles‐Sanchez CALL TO ORDER: Co‐Chair Russell called the task force to order at 2:03 p.m. 1. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: No public communication 2. APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER MINUTES: The task force unanimously approved the meeting minutes for February 2022. 3. STAFF PRESENTATIONS A. ACE Reporting Capabilities Brydan Summers gave a presentation on ACE’s current reporting capabilities and limitations, as well as what information is available from Austin 311 for special event complaints. Member Weigand emphasized the usefulness of getting event set up and take down times and attendance numbers after events to better understand the impact multiple events can have. The Task Force decided they would craft a recommendation that staff provide reporting on the items identified in the subcommittee report for Tiers 3 and 4. An item will be placed on the May agenda to review this proposal and vote. Staff confirmed they review the consolidated list of 311 complaints for events and use that information to request modifications in plans for subsequent years. B. The Denial and Appeals Process Brydan Summers gave a presentation on how the denial and appeals process is administrated. Member White asked if an application is submitted on the deadline date would the appeal be taking place close to the actual event date? The answer is yes, and it’s incumbent on the applicant to submit before, or at least by, the application deadline. Staff reported that there have been denials over the past few years but no requests for appeals, staff typically work with organizers to address concerns to either give approval or be clear about why an event can not be approved. The Task Force discussed the concept of an expedited review process, where applicants could pay an additional fee for faster reviews. Mr. Summers explained that it would require staff from each partner department to be available for each …
