SAXONBURG — At the borough’s council meeting on Tuesday, Saxonburg’s chamber was overflowing with people in opposition to a proposed event ordinance, which a local business owner says would put an end to Sprankle’s Ocktoberfest.
Many Saxonburg residents and business owners spoke out against the proposed legislation, which has not yet been released to the public, to applause from the crowd.
As of Tuesday evening, most of what was shared about the ordinance came from local business owner Doug Sprankle, who alleges that the borough’s secretary told him there will be a 90-day approval process for events included in the ordinance.
Sprankle runs Octoberfest in Saxonburg and says the 90-day approval process essentially will end the event; canceling it this year will cost him approximately $40,000.
“I can’t cancel it,” said Sprankle. “This event is our fifth anniversary. It’s our biggest year yet. We’ve been doing it legally now under two different boroughs and councils with no problems. And now if we had to cancel it, we’d be out substantial money. We’d let down our community.”
If he decided to run the event without the 90-day approval, he says he was told he wouldn’t be allowed to hold the event in subsequent years. During his public comments, Sprankle asked police chief Joe Beachem if his event caused any legal issues. Beachem answered, “No.”
Phil Wayne, president of the Saxonburg Business Association, spoke on behalf of his group.
“We ask the borough council not to consider an ordinance that may make these things (events) more difficult to hold,” he said. “We also feel that the discussions we’ve had with the mayor and borough representatives have ironed out some of the police issues that we’ve discussed before.
“The financial gains of the businesses on Main Street are significant. I hear that at every meeting we go to, and we’re ready for the next event all the time. The exposure for the rest of the businesses in the association is positive also.”
The ordinance, which has not been released to the public, was supposed to be voted on to be approved for advertisement, according to the borough’s agenda. Instead the council changed the agenda to vote on releasing it to the public pending the solicitor’s approval — a key difference legally despite being similar in theory. This is different from advertising the ordinance, as it will not legally count as that step in the matter approval process.
Approving an ordinance for advertisement is one of the final steps before an ordinance becomes law. Following advertisement of an ordinance for one month, a hearing must be held, and then a final vote at a regular council meeting will take place on the ordinance.
Council president Aaron Piper said he feels it will make the event planning process easier and wants it released to the public. Nothing else was released about the proposed ordinance.
Mayor William Gillespie Jr. expressed concerns about releasing the information to the public as the ordinance is still just a draft. Dave Johnston is the only member of council who voted against sending the ordinance to the solicitor.
Piper said at the meeting that there was misinformation being spread about the ordinance. He did not specify what that misinformation was and did not address Sprankle’s claim that the secretary told him about the 90-day approval portion. After the meeting, when approached by a Butler Eagle reporter, Piper declined to comment.
“For those of you that are here for the special events ordinance tonight, welcome,” said Piper to the community at the meeting. “I’m excited for you to soon hear the truth and facts about it, instead of the propaganda and misinformation that brought you all here tonight.
“I’m certain that once you’re able to read the ordinance, you’ll see that it actually helps make it easier to have events in the borough. We love our events. It will help to make sure they are safe and follow all state and local laws and regulations.”
Alcohol in parks ordinance discussed
The meeting also saw the unanimous approval to advertise revisions to Chapter 17 of Ordinance 478 for advertisement. Council revealed that the ordinance will allow for an alcohol permit in Saxonburg’s parks.
Currently, it is illegal to have alcohol in public parks, according to Chapter 17-107 No. 5, which reads, “No person shall bring any alcoholic beverages either for his own use or the use of another person.”
Sprankle alleged that the borough violated this rule last year at the Art Festival, which is held around the same time as Octoberfest. The council didn’t say if the Art Festival violated this rule in regards to their changing it.
Piper did say that he saw no public opposition for it and, after checking with the other council members, decided against holding a hearing for the ordinance. It is not required to have a hearing because it is a health, safety and welfare ordinance. Residents will have a chance to comment on it at the next regular meeting during the public comment portion.
