City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE
ISSUANCE OF A SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT
TO GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH FOR ITS ANNUAL
5K RUN/WALK FOR EDUCATION TO BE HELD
ON JULY 18, 2026, AND AUTHORIZING
ASSOCIATED PUBLIC SAFETY, TRAFFIC
CONTROL, AND MUNICIPAL SUPPORT SERVICES
Whereas, Grace Baptist Church has requested a Special Event Permit to conduct its Annual 5K Run/Walk for Education on July 18, 2026; and
Whereas, the purpose of the event is to promote health, wellness, and physical fitness among congregants, residents of the City of Mount Vernon, and participants from neighboring communities; and
Whereas, the event also serves as a fundraising initiative for the Grace Baptist Church MOCCA Scholarship Fund, which, for more than thirty (30) years, has provided financial assistance to college students pursuing higher education and has supported hundreds of students throughout their collegiate studies; and
Whereas, the proposed route begins and ends at Grace Baptist Church and proceeds along designated public streets within the City of Mount Vernon, as more particularly described in the event application; and
Whereas, the Department of Public Safety has reviewed the proposed event and recommends that all participants utilize sidewalks at all times and that front and rear police escorts, together with an auxiliary officer, be provided during the anticipated event period between 7:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.; and
Whereas, the Mount Vernon Fire Department has reviewed the proposed event and has expressed no objection thereto; and
Whereas, the Office of Emergency Management has reviewed the proposed event and has expressed no objection thereto, provided that all public safety protocols, permits, operational guidelines, City ordinances, and applicable New York State laws and regulations are fully complied with; and
Whereas, the Department of Public Works has indicated its willingness to provide traffic control support, including the placement of barricades and temporary no-parking signage along affected portions of the route; and
Whereas, the City Council finds that authorizing the event will serve a valid public purpose by promoting community engagement, educational advancement, physical fitness, and charitable fundraising within the City of Mount Vernon.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Authorization of Special Event Permit. The City Council hereby authorizes the issuance of a Special Event Permit to Grace Baptist Church for the Annual 5K Run/Walk for Education to be conducted on July 18, 2026, subject to all applicable City regulations, permit requirements, and conditions set forth herein.
Section 2. Approved Event Route. The approved route for the event shall be substantially as follows:
1. Begin at Grace Baptist Church located at the intersection of South 6th Avenue and West 2nd Street;
2. Proceed toward Roosevelt Square North;
3. Turn right onto Roosevelt Square North;
4. Continue to the intersection of Gramatan Avenue and Prospect Avenue and proceed onto Gramatan Avenue;
5. Continue along Gramatan Avenue to Centre Street in Fleetwood, which shall serve as the designated turnaround point;
6. Return along Gramatan Avenue toward Grace Baptist Church;
7. Continue along South 4th Avenue;
8. Turn onto West 2nd Street and proceed toward South 6th Avenue;
9. Return to and conclude the event at Grace Baptist Church.
Minor route modifications deemed necessary by public safety officials for traffic or safety purposes may be authorized by the Department of Public Safety.
Section 3. Public Safety Requirements.
A. Participants shall utilize sidewalks whenever practicable and shall comply with all instructions issued by law enforcement personnel and event officials.
B. The Department of Public Safety is authorized to provide front and rear escorts for the event procession and may assign auxiliary personnel as deemed necessary.
C. Grace Baptist Church shall comply with all directives issued by the Department of Public Safety, the Mount Vernon Fire Department, and the Office of Emergency Management.
Section 4. Traffic Control and Street Operations. The Department of Public Works is authorized to implement temporary traffic control measures necessary for the safe conduct of the event, including but not limited to:
A. Placement of barricades and traffic control devices;
B. Installation of temporary no-parking signage along affected portions of the route;
C. Temporary lane restrictions, closures, or detours as directed by public safety officials.
Section 5. Compliance with Laws and Regulations. Grace Baptist Church shall obtain and maintain all permits, approvals, insurance coverage, and authorizations required by federal, state, county, and local law. The event shall remain in full compliance with all applicable City ordinances, public safety requirements, and New York State laws and regulations.
Section 6. Indemnification. As a condition of the permit, Grace Baptist Church shall indemnify and hold harmless the City of Mount Vernon, its officers, employees, and agents from any claims, liabilities, damages, or expenses arising from the conduct of the event to the extent permitted by law.
Section 7. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or provision of this Ordinance is held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such determination shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance.
Section 8. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect upon approval by the City Council and filing of the above-described documents in the office of the City Clerk of Mount Vernon.