San Diego

San Diego City Council members on Monday decided against charging fees to groups that sponsor events such as parades, 10K races or bicycle races when it removed that provision from a new ordinance.

The city manager’s office had proposed the fees to help recover the $45,000 a year it costs for the city to supply equipment such as roadblocks and orange traffic cones, and personnel to control traffic, sweep the streets and pick up trash.

A city manager’s report showed that a range of events, such as the Mission Bay Marathon and the San Diego State University homecoming parade, cost the city more than $180,000 in police time alone between July 1, 1985, and June 30, 1987.

But council members decided against imposing the fees and, on a motion by Councilman Ed Struiksma, removed the provision from an ordinance due for consideration Monday. Councilman Mike Gotch argued that the $45,000 recovered from the fees might not even cover what it would cost the city to keep track of the groups and collect the money.

However, the council left in place other sections of the ordinance that require groups to obtain permits from the city for any large event or gathering of 75 people or more.