City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SANKOFA
SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY OF GRACE BAPTIST
CHURCH TO HOST A RESOURCE FAIR IN
COMMEMORATION OF JUNETEENTH AND FOR
THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO CLOSE
THE BLOCK BETWEEN WEST 2ND AND WEST 1ST
STREETS OF SOUTH 6TH AVENUE AND THE ENTRANCE/
EXIT TO THE SOUTH 6TH AVENUE MUNICIPAL LOT
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon supports community events that foster unity and engagement among residents; and
Whereas, the SANKOFA SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY OF GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH requests the Department of Public Safety to close the block between West 2nd and West 1st Streets of South 6th Avenue (where Grace Baptist Church is located at 52 South 6th Avenue) with barricades at the intersection of South 6th Avenue and West 2nd Street and barricades at the entrance/exit of Municipal Parking Lot #1, located on South 6th Avenue. We also request that Auxiliary Officers be utilized to provide traffic control at the events, and (iii) DPW will post signs to reflect No Parking from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on both sides of the street on South 6th Avenue between West 1st Street and West 2nd Street at least seventy (72) hours before the event.
Whereas, the Resource Fair will provide a venue for community members to connect with various non-profit organizations offering healthcare services, childcare, education, and resources for social and economic growth; and
Whereas, local vendors, including Cupcake Cuties Boutique at 8th South 6th Avenue, will be a vendor again this year, and they will participate in selling their wares and food, contributing to the festive atmosphere; and
Whereas, the event aims to enhance community knowledge and connectivity to available resources, thereby improving the quality of life for participants; and
Whereas, the Sankofa Social Justice Ministry of Grace Baptist Church has requested the closure of the block between West 2nd and West 1st Streets on South 6th Avenue, the closure of the South 5th Avenue Exit/Entrance to the municipal parking lot, and the provision of barriers, police units, and plain-clothes community affair officers for the event; and
Whereas, the purpose of the event is to provide a fun and festive venue where members of the community can come and connect with a host of non-profit organizations that offer a wide variety of resources in healthcare (including free screenings, testing, and vaccinations), childcare, education, and social and economic growth. In addition, there will also be a host of local vendors selling their wares, including food. The main goal is to ensure the community is knowledgeable and connected to the wide range of resources available to bolster participants' quality of life in one festive location. We have invited Cupcake Cuties Boutique, which is located down the street from the church at 8th South 6th Avenue, to be a vendor again this year; Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved That
The City of Mount Vernon, in City Council convened, does hereby ordain, and enact:
Section 1. Permission is hereby granted to Sankofa Social Justice Ministry of Grace Baptist Church to host a Resource Fair in commemoration of Juneteenth June 15, 2024, with a rain date of June 22, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., in commemoration of Juneteenth - (set up time will be from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and cleanup will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.).
Section 2. The Department of Public Safety is hereby authorized and directed to close the block between West 2nd and West 1st Streets of South 6th Avenue, where Grace Baptist Church is located (52 South 6th Avenue), and the closure of the South 5th Avenue Exit/Entrance to the municipal parking lot, with the necessary barriers and police units for the purpose of the aforesaid event on June 15, 2024, with a rain date of June 22, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., in commemoration of Juneteenth.
Section 3. The use of the aforesaid streets shall be supervised by the Department of Public Works. During the use of said street, it shall be maintained, cleaned, and kept in good condition by GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH at its own expense. The permission hereby granted is further always conditioned upon maintaining access to such streets for emergency services in the event of necessity. Failure to comply with the cleanup agreement is subject to forfeiture of the security deposit.
Section 4. The Auxiliary Police are requested to patrol the event as needed to ensure the safety and security of all attendees.
Section 5. In the application, the applicant specified that food will be served. Therefore, an inspection and permit are necessary for any open flames or warming units before the event. In the case of gasoline, kerosene, or diesel generator(s), an inspection and permit are necessary before the event.
Section 6. The foregoing permission is granted upon the express condition that said GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH shall assume all liability for and will indemnify and hold the City of Mount Vernon harmless of and from any and all damages that occur to persons or property because of the holding of said block party and that said GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH before acting upon this ordinance, shall file with the City Clerk and to be approved by the Corporation Counsel, a public liability insurance policy covering the City of Mount Vernon as an additional insured with policy limits of at least $1,000,000.00 per occurrence.
Section 7. This ordinance shall take effect only upon filing the above-described documents in the office of the City Clerk of Mount Vernon.