HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/3/2010 - STAFF REPORTS March 3, 2010
Item 3A on the Palm Springs City Council Agenda
Regarding an Ordinance to Amend the Municipal Code governing Solicitors and
Solicitations
I would appreciate clarification by counsel or staff with respect to the following
questions.
1. Assume that we are talking about a private commercial property that has NO
major communal area. Further assume that the property is posted with "No
Solicitation" signage as provided by ordinance. Would signature gathering
for political purposes, such as nominating petitions or ballot proposition
submissions be prohibited on this property?
2. Would the owner of this property be able to allow specific political activities
of their choosing without opening the property to all such activity?
3. Would these prohibitions apply specifically to Voter Registration activities?
4. Using the same assumptions as above, could a property owner invite a
specific group, e.g. the Girl Scouts, onto the property for charitable
solicitation purposes without opening the property to all charitable solicitors?
5. Section 5.48.010 defines "Solicitor" solely with regard to goods, wares and
merchandise. However, Section 5.50.020 defines "Solicitation" and "Solicit"
to include requests for funds or contributions. Does this mean that those
persons soliciting charitable contributions are required to obtain licenses as
required in Section 5.48.020(c)?
6. Section 5.48.030 requires a Doctor's Statement that the applicant is free of
contagious, infectious or communicable diseases. Does this mean that
someone who is HIV positive would be denied a Solicitor's License? If so, we
would find ourselves in the awkward position of preventing the clients of the
Desert AIDS Project from soliciting funds for the very organization that is
helping them. Should this be the case, this clause needs to be modified.
Respectfully submitted,
steue
Steve Rosenberg
470 N. Villa Court
Unit 104
Palm Springs, CA 92262
Email: SteveRosenberg@aol.com =y %