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Council considers adopting new special event fees
council preview pic
Special events, like the Turlock Chaplaincy Fun Run, may soon have to fill out a new Special Event Application form and pay fees starting at $100 to hold their event in Turlock. - photo by Journal file photo

Organizations hoping to hold an event on City of Turlock property may soon have to pay a  fee for the first time ever as the Turlock City Council will consider on Tuesday adopting new Special Event Application and Permit Fees.

City staff has been working on drafting a Special Event Application since December, when the City Council decided to change the way events were handled in Turlock. At that time, the Council decided to separate the process event organizers would go through to host an annual event and an on-going event, like a downtown farmers market.

The Special Event Application process applies to one time or annual events only that are presented to a live audience and impacts property owned by the City of Turlock. On-going events will be permitted on a case by case basis and may require a limited service agreement or competitive bid process, according to the City.

The Special Event Application separates permits into three categories — events expected to have fewer than 500 attendees that will be contained at one location, events with more than 500 attendees at one location and moving events such as parades, runs or bike races.

The Special Event Application gives priority to events held by non-profit organizations and events which have a history of five years or more and are in good standing with the City. The proposed non-profit permit fee is $100, with for-profit organizations paying $150. Any event at which alcohol will be served must pay an additional $100 at the time of application.

The City is also proposing a $100 late fee for applications in categories one and two submitted after the 90 calendar days prior to event deadline, and after the 120 calendar days prior deadline for category three events.

The City is also requiring a $250 damage/cleaning deposit to be paid at the time of the application, which would be refunded upon event review and conclusion.

The City Council could adopt the Special Event Application and Permit Fees as proposed or decide to make changes to the process.

On Tuesday, the Council is also expected to:

Hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. to receive an update from the Sports Management Group on the progress of the Sports and Recreation Facilities Prioritization and Feasibility Study;Proclaim May as Older Americans Month and Water Awareness Month;Consider approving a new monument sign project at the Turlock Municipal Airport;Affirm or modify the Community Events and Activities Grants Funding as submitted by the Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission;Consider authorizing the closure of E. Main Street between Center and Thor streets from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. June 30 for a farm to table dinner event hosted by the Turlock Downtown Property Owners' Association and the Kiwanis Club of Turlock;Affirm the City of Turlock applying for financial assistance from the State Water Resources Control Board for the planning, design and construction of the City of Turlock's component of the North Valley Regional Recycled Water Program.

The Turlock City Council will meet at 5 p.m. for a special meeting and then at 6 p.m. for its regular meeting at City Hall, 156 S. Broadway.