TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Jonathan R. Lewis, ICMA-CM, City Manager
TITLE: Public Forum Policy
Recommended Action
Establish the procedures and determine the conditions for public use of the City's common areas, rental spaces and rights-of-way.
Background Information
The City of North Port offers approximately 13 facilities available for public use. Approximately 23 groups regularly rent or use a city facility. (see attached Regular Renters, Users or Lessees of City Facilities).
There are no written rules, regulations, or policies adopted by the City Commission governing the public's use of City Hall. The green space around City Hall and our facilities available for renting are governed by the City Commission's rate ordinance and City of North Port Rental Agreement.
The First Amendment does not guarantee access to property simply because it is owned or controlled by the government. The government does not have to allow every type of speech. But, any restrictions must not discriminate against speech on the basis of viewpoint. Restrictions must be content neutral.
The City's draft policy borrows from Franklin County, Indiana's policy, and Fairfield County, Virginia's policy. Both policies were selected because they have been tested in court. Both have withstood or resulted from legal challenges.
In sum, the policy sets guidelines for the use of City facilities.
It reserves, City Chambers to the City Commission and to City Boards and Advisory Committees;
City Hall meeting rooms are available to the County, State, or Federal Agencies subject to availability and City Manager approval or community groups for non-commercial purposes;
City Hall grounds (Including the building, grounds and parking areas) to activities sponsored by the City; celebrations, community events; cultural, educational, and historical activities; displays, demonstrations, exhibits, marches, rallies, press c...
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