New ordinance awaits public inspection

Published February 27, 2008 10:38 pm - A new ordinance governing city parades, public assemblies and the use of Meadville’s Diamond Park moved two steps closer to becoming reality Wednesday night — and several new guidelines await public inspection.

New ordinance awaits public inspection


By Mary Spicer

02/28/08 —
A new ordinance governing city parades, public assemblies and the use of Meadville’s Diamond Park moved two steps closer to becoming reality Wednesday night — and several new guidelines await public inspection.


After first and second readings during Meadville City Council’s regularly-scheduled monthly meeting, the new ordinance, which officially amends Article 741 of the Meadville Municipal Code, will be available for public examination and comment. Council members are expected to give the ordinance final approval in March.

“Freedom of speech and association are among those precious rights guaranteed and protected by the United States and Pennsylvania Constitutions,” the amendment reads. “The purpose of this ordinance is to set forth the circumstances under which the city will regulate First Amendment activity.”

New restrictions on the use of the Diamond Park Gazebo include:

n No person may use the gazebo to the exclusion of others without first obtaining a permit and paying the required rental fee.

n Only those persons with a valid gazebo permit may use the columns and rails of the gazebo itself to display bunting, signs, symbols, flags or things of that nature.

n The permit holder must remove all such items or pay any costs incurred by the city for removing of any items or repairing any defacement or damage.

n The permit application must include a detailed description of any items intended for display on the gazebo.

n No person shall be granted more than four permits in any 12-month period.

The proposed ordinance defines “Core First Amendment Activity” as including “all expressive associative activity intended to communicate an opinion or to state a grievance” but not including “such activities as pet shows, ethic food festivals, art shows, civic holiday celebrations and similar events.”

New restrictions on all parade, public assembly or Diamond Park Gazebo permits include the requirement that:

n Applicants seeking a permit not involving Core First Amendment activities shall file the proper application forms no less than 15 days and no more than 60 days before the proposed event “absent reasonable exigent circumstances.”

n Applicants seeking a permit that does involve Core First Amendment activities shall submit their application no less than four and no more than 60 days before the proposed event.

With the exception of the uses allowed under a gazebo permit, “no person shall make any use of the Diamond Park grounds or any monument or memorial within Diamond Park for the purpose of supporting or exhibiting any signs, symbols, flags or things of any nature or description whatsoever.” The city, however, can make any use of the park it wants “for public gatherings and observances sponsored and conducted by the city.”

The ordinance also includes a penalty clause calling for a fine of not more than $1,000 for violations. If the penalty is not paid, the violator “shall be imprisoned not more than five days.”