The North Pole City Council postponed their final vote on an ordinance Monday night that aims to prevent people from accepting money from vehicles on city streets.
The measure, as written, would make it a minor offense for pedestrians to use roadways and sidewalks for soliciting donations or business patronage from vehicle occupants. That would be punishable by a fine of up to $500, if the ordinance passes as is.
Mayor Larry Terch, who sponsored the measure, said the point is simple: safety.
“It’s a real distraction to a lot of drivers and a real concern of mine,” he said. “Personally, I pray every night when we have these events that no one gets hurt.”
The council mostly supported the spirit of the ordinance, but didn’t want to stymie community fundraising for things like afterschool programs.
And they disagreed about how to reflect their intent to continue allowing people to advertise their business or fundraisers from sidewalks, as long as funds are collected away from public traffic infrastructure.
Terch hopes to see that exception implemented through the permitting process for special events, but Councilmember Jeff Jacobson thought the practice could be exempted with fewer hurdles.
“When we tie that to a permit, I get very nervous because we’re now saying that anybody who comes in is going to have to have proof of insurance for advertising for a fundraiser,” he said.
The majority of the council ultimately reasoned that it would be beneficial to give city staff and the council more time to review the ordinance and possible permit language.
Not everyone agreed with putting off the decision, however.
Councilmember Jordan Schuster was a no. He said he sees the rationale behind taking the time to get the language right. But he also thinks the need to improve safety is urgent with the new school year beginning Tuesday.
“I do want to make the right decision, but I just think it was just kind of – we didn’t think about that aspect of school starting and kids will be out there every weekend, collecting money,” he said.
The motion to postpone passed narrowly in a 4-3 vote. The council will take up the ordinance next at a meeting on Sept. 16.