Takin' it to the streets -- with a permit, of course
The City of Portland has a "special events program" whereby it issues permits for events that take place on streets and sidewalks -- runs, walks, marches, parades, bicycle races, that sort of thing. According to this report, the fees for the permits start at $70 and top off at $2,300 -- with the possibility of some extra charges -- depending on what's happening.
Now the city says it's going to shake that regime up a bit. Folks who bought a permit in the last year got this e-mail message the other day from a person in the city's revenue bureau:
Since June 2008, Revenue Bureau’s Special Events Program has been undergoing an extensive review based on feedback from event organizers, as well as feedback from community members and city stakeholders. Surveys, event and cost analyzes, and research of other municipalities have also augmented this program review.
The goal of the program review is to strike a balance between cost recovery and city service subsidies for moving events on city streets and sidewalks.
In February, the City Council granted the Revenue Bureau approval to proceed with four program recommendations:
1. Separate "free speech" permit
2. Provisions for "events within an event"
3. Routing recommendations
4. Development of an a la carte menu of city services and costs
For the past several months, the Revenue Bureau has been actively developing criteria to flesh out each of these program areas. Additionally, the Revenue Bureau has made several proposed program updates to respond to the feedback program stakeholders provided.
The Revenue Bureau is now prepared to present the proposed changes to internal and external stakeholders.
They're planning a three-hour meeting on Monday afternoon to discuss the latest developments:
The purpose of this meeting is to provide a Special Events Program policy update, including: project goals, stakeholder-identified concerns, and how the proposed program addresses stakeholder concerns. The meeting also aims to begin reviewing the proposed program changes.
Here's an attachment from that e-mail. There's a fair amount of detail included, along with the usual mind-numbing bureaucratese. The "a la carte" menu includes $63.59 an hour for a police officer -- $77.40 if he or she is on a motorcycle. We understand they are going to charge for pepper spray by the quart.
The concept of a "free speech permit" sounds mildly comical. Should make for an interesting discussion.
Comments (10)
Free speech permits are essential in any multi-modal mecca
We understand they are going to charge for pepper spray by the quart.
The PPB doesn't usually need a lot of pepper spray for the 'protestors' that buy free-speech/parade permits from the city. The spray is usually reserved for folks who don't believe free speech involves parading behind a police car.
Charamba, Douro 2008
Horse Heaven Hills, Cabernet 2010
Lorelle, Horse Heaven Hills Pinot Grigio 2011
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Atalaya do Mar, Godello 2010
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Chateau Ste. Michelle, Cabernet, Indian Wells 2009
Espiral, Vinho Rose
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14 Hands, Hot to Trot Red 2009
Rodney Strong, Cabernet, Sonoma 2009
Abacela, Vintner's Blend #11
Portuga, White 2010
La Bourgeoisie, Red 2009
Januik, Red 2009
Three Rivers, River's Red 2008
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Muga, Rioja Rose 2010
Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2009
Mauro Molino, Barbera d'Alba 2009
Garda Chiaretto Rose
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Kirkland, Pinot Grigio 2010
Trader Joe's Coastal Syrah 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Merlot 2008
Trader Joe's Coastal Chardonnay 2009
Vieux Papes Red
Domaine de l'Aujardiere, Chardonnay 2009
Santa Rita, Cabernet, Medalla Real 2007
Penfold's, Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2008
Guild, Red, Lot #02 2008
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Laforet, Burgogne Chardonnay 2009
Columbia Winery, Merlot 2007
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Maquis Lien 2006
Scott Paul, Pinot Noir, Le Paulee 2007
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Hope Larson - A Wrinkle in Time, the Graphic Novel
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Neil Young - Waging Heavy Peace
Mark Bego - Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul (2012 ed.)
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Charles Dickens - A Christmas Carol
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Jack London - The House of Pride, and Other Tales of Hawaii
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Colum McCann - Let the Great World Spin
Niccolò Machiavelli - The Prince
Harper Lee - To Kill a Mockingbird
Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus - The Nanny Diaries
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Sharon Creech - Walk Two Moons
Keith Richards - Life
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Justin Halpern - S#*t My Dad Says
Mark Herrmann - The Curmudgeon's Guide to Practicing Law
Barry Glassner - The Gospel of Food
Phil Stanford - The Peyton-Allan Files
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Evelyn Waugh - Brideshead Revisited
J.K. Rowling - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
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Donald Miller - A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
Mitch Albom - Have a Little Faith
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William Shakespeare - A Midsummer Night's Dream
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Penda Diakité - I Lost My Tooth in Africa
Grace Lin - The Year of the Rat
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Steven Hart - The Last Three Miles
David Sedaris - Me Talk Pretty One Day
Karen Armstrong - The Spiral Staircase
Charles Larson - The Portland Murders
Adrian Wojnarowski - The Miracle of St. Anthony
William H. Colby - Long Goodbye
Steven D. Stark - Meet the Beatles
Phil Stanford - Portland Confidential
Rick Moody - Garden State
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David Sedaris - Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Anthony Holden - Big Deal
Robert J. Spitzer - The Spirit of Leadership
James McManus - Positively Fifth Street
Jeff Noon - Vurt
Road Work
Miles run year to date: 29
At this date last year: 66
Total run in 2012: 129
In 2011: 113
In 2010: 125
In 2009: 67
In 2008: 28
In 2007: 113
In 2006: 100
In 2005: 149
In 2004: 204
In 2003: 269
Comments (10)
Free speech permits are essential in any multi-modal mecca
Posted by Anthony | October 8, 2009 2:53 PM
Cha-ching!!!
Posted by Steve | October 8, 2009 2:54 PM
Gosh, I always thought that America was a free speech zone . . . silly me.
I love the t-shirt offered for sale in Funny Times: Has a reprint of the Bill of Rights with an asterisk that says "Void where prohibited by law."
Posted by George Anonymuncule Seldes | October 8, 2009 3:06 PM
We understand they are going to charge for pepper spray by the quart.
The PPB doesn't usually need a lot of pepper spray for the 'protestors' that buy free-speech/parade permits from the city. The spray is usually reserved for folks who don't believe free speech involves parading behind a police car.
Posted by none | October 8, 2009 3:21 PM
" ...the Revenue Bureau has been actively developing criteria to flesh out each of these program areas."
Translation: They want more of our revenue or they'll take more of our flesh.
Posted by Bill McDonald | October 8, 2009 3:30 PM
Anything that makes it harder to shut down Alberta Street 12 times per year is fine with me.
Posted by Snards | October 8, 2009 3:52 PM
FREE SPEECH PERMIT!???
Aw, Jebus... This will be another money-loser after all the legal costs come in and they lose.
Punt to the ACLU.
Get a clue folks.
Posted by godfry | October 8, 2009 6:10 PM
Free speech will cost you dearly. Especially when a fleet of motorcyle cops show up to protect that right.
Posted by genop | October 8, 2009 9:57 PM
Please see the report...page 6...number 3..regarding free speech events.
Information before judgement please.
Posted by justme | October 9, 2009 9:54 AM
"free speech permit"
[facepalm]
Posted by Alan DeWitt | October 9, 2009 7:07 PM