Vendors who rent booths at events the City of Celina produces would be barred from political content of any kind under vendor guidelines the City Council is set to approve Tuesday, Nov. 10.
The provision defines political content broadly: any reference to a preferred candidate, political party, elected or appointed government official, election, referendum, ballot measure, legislation, regulation, directive or judicial outcome.
A staff memo from Joe Monaco, the city's director of marketing and communications, says the rule is meant to keep city events focused on the community and to make sure vendors fit each event's purpose and audience.
The guidelines apply only to events the city itself puts on. The memo does not say whether any complaint or incident prompted the language.
Discussion so far
The council first discussed the guidelines at its Oct. 13 meeting, where one resident spoke about them during open forum, according to minutes included in Tuesday's packet. The minutes do not record what was said. The topic also appears on Tuesday's closed-session list for legal advice from the city attorney, before the open vote.
The rest of the rules
The guidelines were first written by the marketing department in 2022 and are reviewed every year with the fire marshal's office and code staff, according to the staff presentation. Past updates added requirements for fire-resistant tents, at least 25 pounds of weight on each tent leg and new food truck rules after state law changed. Applications now run through the Eventeny platform.
Among the provisions:
- The city picks vendors at its sole discretion, weighing an event's theme and audience, product quality and appearance, past participation and the overall mix. Celina businesses are encouraged to apply, but local status does not guarantee a spot, and the city may limit duplicate products.
- Applicants waive claims against the city over how their application is handled, to the extent Texas law allows.
- Booth fees vary by event, vendor type, booth size and expected crowd. Market vendors keep all of their sales; alcohol vendors keep 85% of gross sales and owe the city 15% within five business days after the event.
- Alcohol vendors are allowed only at select events, may sell beer and wine but not liquor, and need a TABC temporary permit and a city temporary food vendor permit.
- Generators must sit at least 20 feet from tents and 10 feet from permanent structures, and fuel must be stored 50 feet from tents.
- Profanity and inappropriate material are banned, vendors must stay inside their booth space, and the city may cancel a vendor for unprofessional conduct, with fees forfeited.
The council meeting begins at 4:30 p.m. at Council Chambers, 112 N. Colorado St.
Sources
celinatx.api.civicclerk.com
celinatx.api.civicclerk.com