Stone Mountain City Council Sets Fees on Parade Permits

The approved a resolution to set fees for parade permits at its Tuesday meeting.

Council members said the move is necessary in a stalled economy where the city's revenue is down 35 percent, and is a way to ensure people's safety during the parade as well as clean-up.

"It's going to be fair to everybody," council member Steve Higgins said of the parade fees, which are as follows:

• $50 for a parade confined entirely to public sidewalks are $50 plus any additional fees determine by the city manager, chief of police and director of public works after review of the applicant-submitted information and/or previous parades conducted by the applicant or organization;
• $100 for a parade of 30 minutes in length or less, rolling block parade only.
• $250 minimum for a parade of more than 30 minutes, which includes the use of two police officers for one hour each, 30 minutes of four public works staff members. Additional fees to be determined by the city manager, chief of police and director of public works after review of applicant-submitted information and/or previous parades conducted by the applicant or organization.

The council also approved:

• an agreement between the city and the Federal Property Registration Corp. for the electronic registration of foreclosed properties within the city;
• data and voice cabling provided by Fulton Communications for $11,985.50 for the new municipal building;
• an amendment to the city's agreement with Lord, Aeck & Sargent for an additional study required for the depot renovation, at $4,000. Eighty percent of it is reimburseable.

The council also approved a revised lease agreement between the city and the Downtown Develoment Authority, and two other ordinances regarding parades, demonstrations and picketing, and property maintenance (adding a foreclosure registry).