Supervisors discuss events ordinance

The Marshall County Board of Supervisors is drafting an events ordinance following up from an event in April that created a huge traffic jam at an event at Wall Hill.

The ordinance and regulations will cover outdoor event permits because of problems with roads being blocked creating a danger to citizens.

Board attorney Amanda Whaley Smith cited exceptions as weddings, funerals, church events, school events, existing event venues, and events that draw 100 participants.

A lengthy discussion preceded the final motion.

District 4 supervisor George Zinn III said events of 250 would be the reasonable size to cover in the ordinance.

District 5 supervisor Ronnie O'Neil Bennett said he is concerned about the safety and well being of citizens.

“I just want people to be safe,” he said. “No parking on county roads or state highway property. So when they sign (a permit) they agree to this ordinance.”

“It can be wheels off the asphalt ,” said District 1 supervisor Charles Terry.

“I'd say off the right-of-way (road right of way),” said District 3 supervisor Terry Rodgers.

Terry mentioned parking on roadside at the Marshall Steakhouse. That would come under state jurisdiction (Highway 178) and the Mississippi Department of Transportation, he said.

“If we didn't have it in the minutes, they should be able to park on the road (roadside),” said District 2 supervisor Johnny Walker.

“Absolutely no vehicle,” said Zinn. “The property owner should be liable, not the sponsor of the event.” “The ordinance should state the property owner and event sponsor must sign the application for a permit,” said zoning administrator David Johnson. “If the sheriff department is called out a fee should be attached for their service, too.” “The applicant provides a plan for on-site parking,” Smith said, reading from the proposed ordinance.

It would cover events of 150 or more people when live music and alcohol is present, she said.

Johnson said the security company should be named on the permit for private security.

And a solid waste plan should be included to collect waste after the event.

Water trucks may be required under dusty road conditions, Johnson said.

“How much should the permit cost?” Walker asked.

“Not less than $500,” Smith said.

“At least that much,” Rodgers said. “People putting on the events are making the money.” Walker recommended the permit fee be set at $1,000.

Terry said the fee should be based on attendance.

Johnson said law enforcement should shut the door if event operators do not abide by the conditions set in their permit.

“You got to shut the gate, no more entrance,” Bennett said.

Johnson said a fine should be included in the ordinance for any violation of a permitted event.

“I'd rather stiffen the fine for the violation,” Zinn said. “We don't need to punish people with a small crowd by charging $1,000 for a permit. I would say between $400 to $500 but the fine at a limit at $500.”

Smith said the fine should be limited to no more than $1,000, the fine cap for a misdemeanor.

“If the sheriff department is called in for safety violation,” Zinn said.

“Base it on illegal parking instead of how many people are there,” Terry said.

“Y'all gonna create a whole lot of work,” Smith said.

“I think the permit should be $1,000,” Bennett said.

“What is the county gonna make off this?” Walker asked.

“$2,000 for the permit,” said Walker. “A 200 people event,” said Smith. Terry asked if a group just wants to have a family reunion, would a permit be required. Would a permit be required for a family reunion of over 250 people.

“We're talking about something we need to put some serious thought in,” Terry said.

“It's really about safety,” Zinn said. “Urgency is causing us to think through it too fast.” The urgency is that quite a few outdoor events are set for the summer already.

Terry said the ordinance needs to be advertised.

“Let's agree on the fine, first,” Zinn said. “$1,000?”

“I'd go $750 for the permit,” Bennett said.

Rodgers wanted the permit fee to be set at $1,000.

“The ones putting it on are not people from this county, to start with,” he said.

“Family reunions can get pretty large,” Zinn said.

“I make a motion for $1,000 for the permit fee,” Rodgers said.

Walker seconded the motion and it failed to get enough votes to pass.

“I'd say $750,” Bennett said.

“I think $1,000 regardless of the size,” Terry said.

A roll call vote on Terry's motion for $1,000 failed.

Zinn made a motion for $500 and it failed for lack of a second.

“I make a motion for $750,” Bennett said, and it failed with Walker, Rodgers and Terry voting nay.

Finally, Terry tried to strike a happy medium with a motion to set a permit fee of $650.

The motion passed by a vote of 4-0 with Walker abstaining.

“The county makes nothing off this, not a single dime,” Walker said. “So. We are going to charge $650 and have a fiasco.”

Smith reviewed the proposed ordinance.

The number in attendance would be set based on population, the solid waste requirement and the requirement to contain dust would be taken out, private security will be required, the permit fee will be $650, and the fine for a disturbance is set at $1,000.

Bennett made a motion to adopt an ordinance and give Johnson and Smith authority to move forward with the legal language and requirements for publication.

In other business, the board of supervisors:

• approved travel for three sheriff's deputies to attend a SWAT course.

• approved claims of $684,003.

• authorized pay of Elliott and Britt Engineering for $101,484 for engineering work on the wastewater treatment expansion in Chickasaw Trail and to accept $71,039 from the Appalachian Regional Commission as matching funds from the Mississippi Development Authority for site development.

• approved travel for Adam Stone to attend Emergency Management training.

• approved a letter of support for a Wastewater Treatment grant for Byhalia to include in a proposal to the Delta Regional Authority grant for $8.5 million.

• renewed proclamation of an emergency for the tornado in Slayden. “We're still in the game,” Powell said.

• authorized payment of $26,375 to Elliott and Britt Engineers for work on the Hyline Drive sewer project and $15,125 for work on the substation in Chickasaw Trail.

• approved a motion to submit a pay request of $90,307 to the state of Mississippi for engineering for Project Poppy water wells.