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Minutes of a Meeting of The North Olmsted Parks and Recreation Commission June 6, 2005 Mr. Miller said that the parade should be held as a non-political, non-commercial function. There were a couple of non-North Olmsted candidates that probably did not understand the flavor of the event. Mr. Limpert said that it seemed to him that there should be a policy developed to explore things such as no throwing of candy such as in the Homecoming Parade (Ms. Jones said that passing out, not throwing candy was allowed). Mr. Limpert wondered if the Recreation Commission should mirror its parade so that the same rules applied so that people don’t have a problem in recognizing uniformity as the status quo. Mr. Barker said that there were certain candidates last year passing out candy from bags. There was no throwing or tossing candy. Question: is the parade put on by the City or by the Rec Department? Community Council puts th on the Homecoming Parade, so its rules could be different from the 4 of July Parade, but there is certainly something to be said for consistency. Mr. Miller was asked not to pass out political notes or pencils at some point. The Mayor said that it’s a public event, and how can this be stopped? Mr. Miller did not know if the Law Department would concur with that opinion, but certainly the Rec Department could set its own rules and say who is allowed in the parade politically. As far as giving out candy, consistency seems to be the answer. This is not council’s decision to be made; it’s an administrative one. If the Commission feels that it does not want any political activity or only wants food handed out by those authorized to do so, it should simply be voted on and the word passed to the Mayor. Let the Mayor and the various city officials deal with it. Mr. Limpert said that there might be potential freedom of speech issues if someone wanted to pass things out at the part. He said that the Commission has the ability to regulate or restrict who would be a member of the parade. He would be inclined to say that there would be no jurisdiction as far as people at a public park passing out pencils, note pads, candy or whatever. Again, he was not sure, but he thought that there would be a small permit fee in the parade prior to who would be in the parade and come up with policies that way. Ms. Jones asked if there were any problems before in the parade. Mr. Miller said it’s because it’s becoming more politically oriented, and it’s been family oriented. The question is: does the Rec want to go with more of a political influence or not. For example, if there is a new Wendy’s store, do we want them in the parade handing out coupons. So that should be preaddressed now because a lot of corporate entities are becoming more aggressive in their distribution as well as political entities. It’s starting to grow. Outside representatives are coming in at the end of the parade with political literature. Mr. Miller asked if there was a consensus among the Commission members to keep the parade family oriented. Ms. Drenski said that there is a list showing that the Rec programs will be represented: the Irish Dancers, the Scouts, etc. Mr. Miller said that those participants in the parade should be authorized by the Rec Department and, secondly, asked that no food be handed out on the parade route unless authorized by the Rec Department or the administration. Ms. Jones asked if they now pass out candy in the parade. Yes, it was replied, candy was passed out in open bags and people reached in. Ms. Jones said that the Rec Department should take control th of the Parade and decide who will be in it. Mr. Baxter said that the Commission wants the July 4 Parade to be a family/recreation oriented parade and let the administration deal with it. Mr. Miller said that if the Law Department or Administration determines that they have to be let in, fine, but the Rec Commission as a group has made a recommendation, and the message is Page 5