City tweaks ordinances

SANDPOINT — A trio of ordinances passed this week by the City Council tweak guidelines for sidewalk demonstrations, open container laws and committee fundraising.

Up first, the council tackled a minor ordinance tweak to city code covering public assembly and parade permits by adding language to prohibit obstruction of the sidewalk. According to City Attorney Scot Campbell, the move is not intended to obstruct anyone’s right to protest or use sidewalk space for assembly — it’s simply to keep the way clear for pedestrians.

“This just requires that groups must always maintain a pathway, because everyone else has a right to be there, too,” Campbell said.

The ordinance alteration attracted one public comment from a resident concerned over its impact to First Amendment rights. However, Campbell insisted that the ordinance tweaks shouldn’t prohibit protesting or any other activity as long as the assembled individuals don’t force pedestrians into the street or onto private property.

“You can hand out leaflets, you can hold signs, you can dance in the sidewalk — you just can’t block it,” he said.

The second ordinance tweak makes slight changes to the local open container laws. Under the new provisions, open containers of alcohol are permitted in the back of limousines and in the residential area of motor homes.  According to Campbell, these changes essentially bring the city up to speed with state code while opening Sandpoint to the potential for a limo rental business. The fundamentals of the law, a misdemeanor offense for any driver with an open container of alcohol in his car, remain intact.

Finally, the Sandpoint Historic Preservation Commission has more options than ever to work toward maintaining local historic character with the new ability to secure private donations. Previously, the only local government subcommittee allowed to actively raise money was the Sandpoint Arts Commission, Campbell said. The approved code alterations allow Historic Preservation commissioners to pursue both grant acquisitions and fundraising initiatives.