Wallace passes "Special Events" ordinance

WALLACE – A recently adopted ordinance has Wallace residents questioning their future involvement in the city’s many events. 

Last week, the Wallace City Council adopted Ordinance 2025-01, commonly referred to as the “Special Events Ordinance,” outlines the rules and regulations for the many events that take place throughout the city. The legislation passed with a 4-1 vote after Councilwoman Cindy Lien refused to vote in favor of the ordinance due to the inclusion of civil penalties that she felt could hinder future organization or participation in the city’s many events and festivals.  

According to the ordinance, along with a suspension of application privileges, anyone found in violation of the ordinance, could face a maximum fine of $300 for any first violation, and up to $1,000 in fines, and up to six months in county jail for any additional violations.  

Lien wasn’t alone in her feelings; Several people spoke during a public hearing for the ordinance during the most recent council meeting, including local business owner Jocelyn Bachman, who secured 130 signatures on a petition to remove the civil penalties language from the ordinance. Of those 130 signatures, 75 of them were from Wallace residents while many of the 55 came from people who regularly volunteer in Wallace events. 

“Securing the volunteers needed for successful events is challenging enough,” Bachman said. “Telling them that volunteering for an event could result in criminal charges could make recruiting volunteers even more difficult.”  

Many people opposing the language of the ordinance feel that suspending a person’s ability to apply for a special events permit is more than enough punishment if a violation is committed. 

Wallace Gyro President Hunter Gust and Wallace Chamber President KimBerly Keyton also requested that the council remove the language from the ordinance.  

They cited concerns that included potential deterrence from holding events in Wallace, or the potential for the ordinance to be weaponized in personal or political disputes. 

Keyton explained to the council that tourism concerns tied to national politics, specifically, folks who come to Wallace from Canada, are already prevalent throughout the community. Keyton also owns and operates the Stardust Motel and has had Canadian tourists cancel their bookings. She believes that by adding potential penalties to any special event organizer or volunteer, tourism impacts could be compounded.  

Despite the concerns, Mayor Lynn Mogensen was adamant that the ordinance was not designed to attack or discriminate against anyone.  

“This ordinance, and any ordinance the city does, from my perspective, we’re not targeting businesses or certain people, or anything,” Mogensen said. “That’s ridiculous if you think we’re out to put people out of business.”  

Councilwoman Michele Bisconer, who has been a proponent of the legislation, explained that the council’s intent with the ordinance was to help the city, not alienate the people within it.  

“The intent of the ordinance was to put in writing all the rules that our current event/festival organizers and their volunteers already follow,” Bisconer said.  

She also explained that the ordinance adds a layer of streamlining to the application process and makes it easier to get events approved. But she also affirmed that having rules in place gives the city something to enforce if needed.  

“We can’t be completely lawless,” she said.  

Lien begged the council to reconsider, asking for the ordinance to be amended to make any first violation punishable with a warning, and then have the listed penalties reserved for second and third violations.  

Following the council’s vote, several people took to the Wallace, Idaho – Info Group Facebook page to voice their frustrations.  

“No organizer in the last 50 years has done anything to necessitate this ordinance,” Jeremy Watterson wrote.  

Many others declared their withdrawal from any future volunteering in Wallace. 

Councilman Elmer Mattila, who voted in favor of the ordinance, reaffirmed that the city isn’t trying to hinder people from getting involved.  

“The last thing we would want to do in the city of Wallace would be to run off a volunteer,” he said. “Our town operates on volunteers, that’s not what this is about.”