5979873 Resolution 21-463, Civic Associations Public Space Permit Fee Waiver Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2016

A RESOLUTION

                                                        

21-463

 

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

 

April 5, 2016        

 

           

To declare the existence of an emergency with respect to the need to amend the Fiscal Year 1997 Budget Support Act of 1996 and section 24-225 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations to include civic associations as an entity for which the Mayor is authorized to waive or reduce public space permit fees, except for application fees.

 

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Civic Associations Public Space Permit Fee Waiver Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2016”.

 

Sec. 2. (a) Section 603a of the Fiscal Year 1997 Budget Support Act of 1996, effective December 2, 2011 (D.C. Law 19-48; D.C. Official Code § 10-1141.03a), authorizes the Mayor to waive or reduce permit fees, except for application fees, for the use of public space, public rights of way, and public structures for projects that:

(1) Are conducted by a Business Improvement District or Community Improvement District;

(2) In the Mayor’s determination, serve a public benefit;

(3) Do not impose costs on the District government; and

(4) Do not involve commercial sponsorship. 

(b) Under current law, public space permit fees are calculated by block face, resulting in substantial permit fees even for modest projects.  While Business Improvement Districts and Community Improvement Districts may seek a waiver of these fees, civic associations are not eligible for a fee waiver despite their similar function. 

(c) This emergency legislation redresses this issue by authorizing the Mayor to waive public space permit fees for civic associations, thereby removing a significant financial barrier to the implementation of projects that provide a public benefit, and encouraging the critical role that civic associations play in enhancing the District’s public space.  Moving this measure on an emergency basis will allow the Executive to consider waiver requests in time for the summer, whereas a permanent version of the bill may not become effective by then, due to congressional review. 

 

 

 

Sec. 3.  The Council of the District of Columbia determines that the circumstances enumerated in section 2 constitute emergency circumstances making it necessary that the Civic Associations Public Space Permit Fee Waiver Emergency Amendment Act of 2016 be adopted after a single reading.

 

Sec. 4.  This resolution shall take effect immediately.