City of Gainesville - File #: 080220.

• File #: 080220.
• Version: 2
• Name: Security Services at Special Events (B)
• Type: Staff Recommendation
• Status: Held In Commission
• File created: 9/18/2008
• In control: Public Safety Committee
• Final action: 9/18/2008
• Title: Security Services at Special Events (B)

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
9/18/2008	2	City Commission	Approved as Recommended	Pass
8/25/2008	1	Public Safety Committee
7/17/2008	0	City Commission	Referred	Pass

Title
Security Services at Special Events (B)

Explanation
This item was referred to the Public Safety Committee during the budget discussion on July 17, 2008 by Commissioner Mastrodicasa. At that meeting, Commissioner Mastrodicasa stated that with reduced funding for some special events, she expects more requests for contingency funds to cover security at these events. She requested the Public Safety Committee hear a report from GPD staff regarding the process and requirements for security at special events.

At the August 25, 2008 Public Safety Committee Meeting, GPD staff explained the special events application process. GPD provides estimates for security for those events that warrant security with arrest powers and recommends the security needs based on one officer per 200 participants, depending on the type of event. When GPD signs off on an application, they are stating security is adequate. GPD's fees for security are market average, set by the City at $49 per hour for an officer. Many event sponsors use their own security.

The Committee recommended that GPD staff incorporate the standard of one officer per 200 participants into the written guidelines and add the security matrix to information provided up front to applicants to help them understand what they are paying for.

Cultural Affairs Manager Coni Gesualdi said that outside agencies, such as festivals not sponsored by the City, have grants available to them. The budget for those grants is $80,000. The grants are based on a percentage of the event budget, not the total costs and would help defray the costs of security.

Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) include the issue of security funding in the referral regarding contingency funds distribution assigned to the Audit and Finance Committee and 2) instruct the Audit and Finance Committee to examine the issue of support of these events in the current budget and whether to stop providing contingency funds, and instead d...