STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Public Safety
AGENDA DATE: June 22, 2022
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Department of Convention and Event Services
EXECUTIVE: Majed Al-Ghafry
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SUBJECT
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An ordinance amending the Dallas City Code by adding a new Chapter 38A, “Commercial Promoter Program” by (1) providing a commercial promoter registration program, registration fee, and safety plan requirements for commercial promoters; (2) amending Chapter 27, “Minimum Property Standards,” of the Dallas City Code by amending Section 27-46 to include violations of Chapter 38A in the definition of code violations in the habitual nuisance properties program; (3) providing a penalty not to exceed $2,000.00 for a violation of this chapter governing fire safety, zoning, or public health and sanitation, and $500.00 for all other violations; (4) providing a saving clause; (5) providing a severability clause; and (6) providing an effective date - Estimated Revenue: Convention and Event Services Fund $26,250.00 annually (see Fiscal Information)
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BACKGROUND
The Public Safety Committee and City leadership have developed an ordinance that addresses some gaps in the promoter/producer/planner/venue operator space. The ordinance, for which the Dallas Police Department and Convention and Event Services will hold responsibility for implementing, is designed to ensure that responsible commercial promoters and venue operators plan events with risk management at the forefront and prepare materials identifying reasonably foreseeable hazards and responses. Additionally, the ordinance addresses compliance of all commercial promoters with safety plans that address crowd management, crowd control, and security.
The impetus for the drafting of the ordinance relates to the increasing number of events that are occurring without safety plans in place to ensure adequate crowd management, crowd control, security, and general regard for public safety. Those events functioning without adequate safety plans are creating a dangerous environment that produces violent crime and harm to persons and property, while unreasonably exhausting public safety resources.
The Public Safety Committee was briefed by the Dallas Police Department, Convention and Event Services, and the City Attorney’s Office at a special called meeting on May 17, 2022. The Committee received input and approval to move forward with additional stakeholder and industry input to ensure that impacted industry representatives had an opportunity to address concerns regarding the ordinance.
Following the May 17, 2022 briefing, staff hosted 10 public input meetings with internal and external stakeholders. On June 13, 2022, the Public Safety Committee was briefed about proposed updates and revisions that addressed the public and stakeholder input including clarification for (1) definitions for ordinance terminology such as promoter/producer/planner and promoted event, and (2) safety plan ownership, and tightening the 501(c)3 non-profit exemption to prevent loopholes.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
The Public Safety Committee was briefed on recent public safety concerns related to promoted events on April 11, 2022.
The Public Safety Committee was briefed regarding the initial draft of the proposed Commercial Promoters Ordinance on May 9, 2022.
The Public Safety Committee held a special called meeting for public input regarding the initial draft of the proposed Commercial Promoters Ordinance on May 17, 2022.
The Public Safety Committee was briefed regarding the updated proposed ordinance with changes and clarifications based on public input on June 13, 2022.
FISCAL INFORMATION
Estimated Revenue: Convention and Event Services Fund $26,250.00 annually beginning FY 2022-23. FY 2021-22 partial year revenue estimated to be $8,750.00.
This ordinance will have a registration fee for applicants who wish to register to do business in the City of Dallas as commercial promoters. Applicants will be charged a flat fee, and their registration will be valid for two years.
Convention and Event Services will add three additional staff persons to ensure no delays in the implementation of the program at a total cost of $244,596.00 for FY 2022-23 and $326,125.00 for FY 2023-24. These costs will be absorbed in the Convention and Event Services Fund.