Festival and Event Service Improvements

Festivals and events are a vital part of the economic development and civic pride of any municipality. Sarnia is full of incredibly talented event organizers, service clubs, and organizations who share the common goal of supporting a lively, fun, and healthy community for everyone through the delivery of community festivals and events. These events range from food festivals, vendor shows, and concerts, to fundraising and awareness walks & runs, car shows, and seasonal parades, to name a few. Together, these festivals and events attract thousands of visitors, including attendees, vendors, entertainers, and volunteers every year.

At its meeting held on June 17, 2019, Sarnia City Council approved a series of recommendations to reduce cost and reduce red tape for community festival and event organizers working through the City's event process. Staff were directed to continue to review the City's event policies and procedures and report to Council on any further recommendations to reduce red tape and increase efficiencies. Staff have identified a series of recommendations for consideration to support more efficiencies for event organizers.

To help guide the process, we sought public input on these recommendations through:

• Community Survey
• Stakeholder Input Session (distributed by invitation)
• Written Submissions

Public Notice
Based on the public feedback, notice is being given that Sarnia City Council, at its meeting to be held on February 28, 2022, will give consideration to recommendations, which will be reflected in amendments made to the following by-laws:

• By-Law #144 of 1998, “A By-Law to Control Noise”;
• By-Law #187 of 2019, “A By-Law to Delegate Certain Powers and Duties of Council”; and
• By-Law #206 of 1999, “A By-Law Respecting Public Parks”.

These recommendations and proposed amendments are available to view in the documents section of this page.

The proposed amendments would:

• Clarify the “Activities to Which the By-Law does not Apply” section under Schedule E of the Noise By-Law as it pertains specifically to Festival and Event Applications;
• Delegate authority to the Director of Engineering for the approval of short-term road closures, including festivals and events;
• Delegate authority to the Director of Community Services to designate an event as an event of municipal significance provided that the required event information has been reviewed and approved by the Sarnia Police Services;
• Delegate authority to the Director of Community Services for the approval and amendment of festival and event applications; and
• Simplify the process by which sales can be made in any Public Park.

Written comments regarding the proposed amendments should be submitted to the Community Services Division (Recreation and Leisure Services) by no later than noon on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 by email parksandrecreation@sarnia.ca or by mail 255 Christina St. N. Box 3018 Sarnia, ON N7T 7N2.

*Personal Information Collection Notice - The City of Sarnia collects personal information from the public feedback made to the City of Sarnia and/or its Committees under the legal authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Public feedback to proposals is considered to be public record pursuant to the Act. Please be aware that if you are submitting correspondence to the City of Sarnia relating to a proposal, your name, contact information and communications will become part of the public record that will be available to the general public. Questions about this collection should be addressed to the City Clerk, 2nd floor, City Hall, 255 Christina Street North, Sarnia, ON N7T 7N2. Tel. 519-519-0330. Email: clerks @sarnia.ca