Title
Ordinance Amending Chapter 26 of the Greensboro Code of Ordinances with Respect to Streets and Sidewalks - Section 26-22 Public Speech
Body
Department: Executive
Council District: All
Public Hearing: No
Advertising Date/By: N/A
Contact 1 and Phone: Tom Carruthers, City Attorney, 373-2320
Contact 2 and Phone: Terri Jones, Assistant City Attorney, 373-2320
PURPOSE:
To amend Section 26-22, Permits for conducting public meetings, to eliminate the permit requirement.
BACKGROUND:
Currently, Section 26-22, of the City Code of Ordinances makes it unlawful to conduct a public meeting or to deliver an address on any sidewalk or street in the City without first obtaining a permit from the City Manager. Applicants must submit a copy of their driver’s license to the City Clerk and submit to a criminal background check conducted by the Greensboro Police Department. The permit requirement may constitute an unconstitutional prior restraint of a person’s First Amendment free speech rights. Eliminating the permit requirement will conserve the resources of the City Clerk and Greensboro Police Department in processing and issuing of permits. The permissible time, place, and manner restrictions to ensure public health, safety, and welfare will remain in the amended Section 26-22.
BUDGET IMPACT:
N/A
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
It is recommended that City Council consider adoption of the proposed ordinance amendment.