Jennifer Perry Middleton/Jefferson Jimplecute
In a called town hall meeting Tuesday, the Jefferson City Council gave an opportunity for public input on their lengthy special event application, something Mayor Rob Baker said hadn’t been revised in a number of years.
“I think we can do better,” he said. “We can get it cleaned up a bit, more buttoned up.”
Several improvement suggestions were made, including requiring a map for street closures to be included with the application. Hugh Lewis, co-owner of the Marion County Herald and Jefferson Jimplecute, said it would help if a standard map was used for the application, and that those along the route be notified, 30, and seven days prior to the event taking place.
“In doing this, it not only helps those businesses and residents along the parade route to plan ahead, it also helps him effectively communicate the event details to the public,” he said.
Mary Spearman, who is planning the January 17 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. parade and banquet for the Marion County Diversified Civic and Social Concerns Organization, told the council that the form was definitely too long.
Others also addressed the council, stating that cars need to be off the street due to safety concerns, trash needs to be swept up after the parades, and barricades need to be removed from the streets immediately after the event.
Hollis Shadden told the council that people want to do what’s right to have the events flow seamlessly, but they may just need some guidance in the form of a list on the application so they know exactly what is expected of them.
“Everybody wants to be on the same page just let us know what that page is,” he said.
Councilman Richard Turner spoke on behalf of the city’s Krewe of Hebe, which puts on the annual Mardi Gras events. He said that it would be helpful if the form was available online so it could easily be shared with various members of the Krewe for review.
Police Chief Florentino Perez added that there is a spot on the form to request additional security, but that many people just assume that security will be assigned without checking the box. He added that letting the public know that the streets need to be clear will help them with the towing situation.
Mayor Baker said they would take the suggestions under advisement.