2003-08 Public ParksRESOLUTION NO. 03 -8
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA TO
ESTABLISH GUIDELINES FOR USE OF PUBLIC PARKS OR OTHER
LANDS OWNED BY THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE FOR CERTAIN
CHARITABLE OR BENEVOLENT ORGANIZATIONS; OR THE GENERAL
PUBLIC; PROVIDING FOR AUTHORITY TO REVIEW SUCH
APPLICATIONS; PROVIDING FOR STANDARDS FOR REVIEW;
PROVIDING FOR GUIDELINES FOR SUCH ORGANIZATIONS TO
FOLLOW; PROVIDING FOR INSURANCE REQUIREMENT; PROVIDING
FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, there are located within the City of Okeechobee certain public parks and other
areas owned by the City of Okeechobee that are intended for, and open for use by,
the general public, with certain restrictions; and
WHEREAS, these functions range from large gatherings which attract many participants,
to very small groups, which may or may not cause traffic control problems, and vary
in intensity; and
WHEREAS, current regulations require the same liability insurance coverage for any such
group authorized to gather in the parks or on city lands, which creates a hardship
on the smaller gatherings;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved and adopted by the City Council for the City of
Okeechobee, Florida the following resolution:
1. THAT permission for charitable or benevolent organizations, or non profit
groups, to engage in certain activities in City parks or on City lands, is
governed by Article IV, Sections 14 -141 to 14 -149 of the City Code of
Ordinances, which regulations and restrictions shall be considered by
General Services whenever an application or request for use of public areas
is made, and followed accordingly.
2. THAT for any permit or permission granted by the Department of General
Services for such activities on public lands, such permit shall be also
executed by the City Administrator, prior to such event taking place.
3. THAT most applicants for use of parks and public lands are charitable or
civic groups, who stage large events and attract many people. However,
smaller groups for prayer meetings; weddings; boy and girl scouting; and
similar type events are also authorized in parks and in public places, but are
also subject to the requirements of Article IV of the City Code.
4. THAT current regulations require the applicant for an event to procure
liability insurance in the sum of 1 million; the cost of which is or may be
prohibitive for smaller and more informal groups.
5. THEREFORE, for any application wherein it appears to the Department of
General Services that the participants thereof may be 100 or fewer persons,
the liability insurance requirement shall be waived. The City reserves the
right to require the participants to execute a hold harmless agreement,
depending upon the nature and impact of the event.
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INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED this 5 th day of August„ 2003.
ATTEST:
Lane Gamiotea, City Clerk
REVIEWED FOR LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
Cook, City Attorney
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James. E. Kirk, Mayor