HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-060 Movie Screening in Fred Moore ParkDate: June 26, 2020 Report No. 2020-060
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Documentary movie screening in Fred Moore Park on Sunday, July 5, 2020.
BACKGROUND:
On June 22, 2020, the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) received an inquiry on the
possibility of getting approval for extended park hours on July 5, 2020 to hold a documentary
screening in Fred Moore Park. The request was originally sent to Council Member Keely Briggs
by Jessica Luther Rummel. The potential issue of noise volume was also raised related to the movie
screening.
While the activity may not fit what is normally thought of as a special event, the use of amplified
sound on a Sunday and the request to go past park hours are two criteria that require it to go through
the process. Staff reviewed the following applicable ordinances:
1. Park hours (22-27) – City parks are closed between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6 a.m.
“except for events approved or scheduled by the parks and recreation department or city
council”. The approval is the special event permit.
2. Noise (17-20) – Amplified sound is prohibited on Sunday. Exceptions require Council
approval. The last meeting before the event is Tuesday, June 30th. Review and approval
places the City outside of the timelines required by the special event process and needed
for thoughtful consideration.
After reviewing the inquiry and ordinances, PARD staff determined the request for an extension
on park hours could be granted administratively if all other activities were within compliance. The
volume of noise for the screening was described as “not too loud” with a goal to “only amplify the
movie for those sitting right there at the bleachers” by Ms. Rummel in her email to Council
Member Briggs. With this information, decibel levels were not a concern, however, the prohibition
of amplified sound on Sunday remained.
Requests and approvals for exceptions to the noise ordinance for events held on city property are
routinely presented to City Council. The upcoming event date and one remaining Council meeting
presented a challenge for the appropriate approvals. In an effort to work with the event, staff’s
approach was to ask the event organizer to consider an alternate day and request the neighborhood
be notified. With that and an administrative approval of the after hours, the event would proceed
without issue.
PARD staff reached out to Ms. Rummel on June 23 to discuss the event. The restriction of
amplified sound on Sunday was shared with her. PARD asked if an alternate date was possible or
if other options could be considered. Ms. Rummel stated she was only asking for permission to be
in the park after hours. Ms. Rummel called her movie screening “an act of civil disobedience” as
the City’s ordinance against amplified sound on Sunday is meant to disenfranchise people and is
Date: June 26, 2020 Report No. 2020-060
not equally enforced. Staff explained PARD would work with her on the hours in the park and
would even assist with the notification of the neighborhood. Ms. Rummel said the event date would
not change and would continue regardless of any requirements.
Understanding that an event will be held at Fred Moore Park on Sunday, July 5 from 8:00 p.m. to
11:00 p.m. that will include amplified sound, staff prepared an ordinance for a noise exception for
City Council’s consideration. Staff reached out again to Ms. Rummel on June 25 to let her know
the exception would be presented to Council next week. Ms. Rummel provided additional
information on the event and explained she is assisting a community group whose goal is to
organize positive protests. A PBS documentary on Civil Rights will be shown and the target
audience is Southeast Denton residents. She confirmed that the volume is expected to be low and
the event would end by 11:00 p.m. The expected attendance is approximately 100-300 people.
Ms. Rummel appreciated the assistance and staff informed her if she had any addition questions
to please reach out to Parks and Recreation during the planning stages.
STAFF CONTACT:
Laura Behrens
Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation
(940)349-7469
Laura.Behrens@cityofdenton.com
REQUESTOR:
Council Member Keely Briggs