Richard Sharpe is once again looking to Wellington North council in order to use one of its downtown parking lots as a venue for outdoor events.
And it looks like councillors here are willing to support the idea – to a limited degree.
Sharpe wrote recently asking to use the parking lot to the immediate east side of the Old Roxy Theatre, in Mount Forest.
He asked council for “the exclusive use of the above noted parking lot for the purpose of presenting live productions of a variety nature, in association with the Old Roxy theatre Mount Forest.”
Sharpe added the request is for consent to produce one event this year, “with a further right to produce three events per year for … 2011 and 2012.”
It is understood that any and all costs associated with said events, including site preparation, clean-up, and insurance would be Sharpe’s responsibility. Furthermore, he said it is critical to the success of the events that council grants consent with minimum monitory fees or rent.
Sharpe contended, “It is clear to all, that in the past these events are beneficial to Mount Forest as a whole and in particular to the commercial core of downtown Mount Forest. It is further understood that the live music productions, would be operated with a liquor license and governed under the guidelines of the AGCO [and all municipal by-laws.”
He also requested three to four days “of exclusive use” with a minimum of 30 days written notice prior to an event.
In addition, Sharpe sought to have council endorse his application to apply for a stadium endorsement under the current liquor licence for the events.
Council was only willing to offer support for this year, and leave future approvals up to the next council. Originally, council had deferred discussion of the subject to allow Sharpe time to arrive at council.
Mayor Mike Broomhead said Sharpe hoped to speak to council directly on the matter.
Because the meeting was wrapping up without Sharpe, council dealt with the matter.
One item councillors were uncomfortable with was the term “exclusive use.”
Another proposed change was a reduction of the number of events next year from three to two, Broomhead said.
Any discussions of events in 2012 was off the table.
Broomhead said one of the reasons Sharpe requested exclusive use of the lot was so someone did not park in the area while setup was taking place.
“Exclusive doesn’t need to be in there, because it would be determined by the council of the day,” Broomhead added. “We can’t make any agreements on behalf of the council coming forward, but we can for 2010.”
He said there were no agreements on specific dates.
Councillor Dan Yake also believes the phrase “exclusive” needed to come out. His interpretation of exclusive would mean Sharpe would be the only person able to hold such events there.
Broomhead said Sharpe agreed to remove the word. Yake also had concerns the future.
The motion read by Broomhead was council approve in principle an outdoor event in the parking lot and that Sharpe provide a specific date for the event to be held in 2010.
Further, the proposal is to be forwarded to the building and property committee to determine terms and conditions.
“I think that covers it off,” Broomhead said.
Councillor Ross Chaulk still had concerns with Sharpe meeting those conditions.
“We’ve have trouble every time,” Chaulk said. “It’s always been right up to the deadline. I don’t see anything but trouble.”
Broomhead said if the building and property committee outline the conditions, they have to be adhered to.
“Who is going to enforce it?” Chaulk asked. “Every time we work something out … It’s right down to the deadline for him to comply to the conditions.”
CAO/Clerk Lori Heinbuch said one option council could take is to require the terms and conditions be met within a set time period prior to the event.
“Otherwise the event is not going to happen,” she said. “I can live with that,” Chaulk said.
Although that time was originally proposed as 60 days, council agreed to 14 days.
“Better than the last minute,” Yake said.
Chaulk said he was willing to go with the 14 days, but he wants to ensure the decision still has teeth to it. “It still needs council approval.”
The next request was much quicker for council to support.
The stadium endorsement affected only the liquor licence within the Roxy Theatre itself.
Heinbuch said it would allow refreshments to be served anywhere within the seating area.
