Wallace special events ordinance up for public comment

WALLACE — A new law aimed at special events in Wallace was up for public comment during January's City Council meeting.  

According to Councilor Michele Bisconer, Ordinance 2025-01 — commonly called the Special Events Ordinance — is designed to streamline the application and approval process for events that take place annually in Wallace. 

The proposed ordinance outlines the rules organizers must follow for their events, including the number of restrooms, parking, signage, listing sponsors and volunteers, insurance and penalties.

Currently, all special events in Wallace must be approved by the City Council. Under the proposed ordinance, any festival organizer with a two-year record of successfully running an event with no issues, while making no changes, can apply and be approved by the city clerk if they submit their application, a map showing any street closures and proof of insurance.    

Christine Berry, who organizes Wallace’s Huckleberry Festival, was concerned over some of the requirements, including those concerning street closure signage and tow-away zones.  

The draft language makes it appear as though law enforcement will only enforce the rules if the city is solely sponsoring the event, Berry said.

“If we’re not going to enforce it, I don’t think that it needs to be on there,” Berry said.  

Resident, business owner and event organizer Katie Watterson said a new ordinance isn’t needed.  

“It seems like having a whole additional ordinance is kind of unnecessary,” she said. 

The biggest concern within the proposed law centered around the use of criminal penalties.

According to the document, along with losing the ability to apply for a special event permit, those caught violating the proposed ordinance would be subject to penalties that include a $300 fine for a first-time offense, followed by a maximum penalty of $1,000 in fines and up to six months in county jail.  

Councilors Cindy Lien, Elmer Mattila and Dean Cooper opposed the idea of criminal penalties being attached to the ordinance and said that denying future applications from offenders would be sufficient punishment.  

Ben Allen, city attorney, said certain aspects of the draft ordinance are written in a way that allows the city, law enforcement and emergency services to have some authority when guidelines are not followed. However, he said he would draft the ordinance the way the council directs if it ensures the city isn’t leaving itself open to liabilities.  

The council reviewed the document line by line and gave Allen instructions for the next draft, which will be subject to another public forum.