Title
Discussion: Consideration of establishing an official City-wide date for Halloween trick or treat.
Executive Summary: Traditionally, the City of Hudson has not established an official date for City-wide Halloween Trick or Treating. Last year, when Hurricane Sandy barreled onto the East Coast, Hudson, as well as cities across Northeast Ohio, braced for the storm to hit on Halloween. Due to safety concerns, many cities cancelled their scheduled Trick or Treating, and Hudson residents looked to the City Administration to cancel and reschedule the event as well. Since the City does not establish an official City-wide Trick or Treat date, and neighborhoods and homeowners' associations do not provide us with information about their scheduled dates/times, we could not "cancel or reschedule" an event that was not officially set, causing much confusion among citizens, as well as safety concerns.
Body
Legislative History
None.
Purpose & Explanation
In the past, the date for Trick or Treating in Hudson has been left up to the individual homeowners' associations and neighborhoods. We are one of only a few cities in Northeast Ohio that does not set an official date. Over the past six years we have received an increasing number of phone calls from residents asking why we don't have an official date. Those living in areas without homeowners' associations do not know when to send their kids out or to hand out candy. Until last year, other than complaints, there has never been a problem.
Last year, due to the pending storm, we received hundreds of calls from residents asking if we were canceling Trick or Treating and when it would be rescheduled. While we did send out an emergency alert asking that people stay indoors on Halloween as a safety precaution, we told residents to check with their homeowners' associations for a rescheduled date. Most were very unhappy that we could not officially reschedule the event.
In addition, there was confusion within homeowners' associations. In one area, someone handed out flyers saying the event had been cancelled and rescheduled for the weekend. Others called us and were furious that someone canceled and rescheduled the event when there was a football game. There was confusion within that neighborhood regarding who was in charge of the event and who had the authority to reschedule. They wanted us to set a new date, and we could not.
Timing Considerations
By July 1, 2013, staff would like City Council's decision on whether or not the City will be establishing an official date for Trick or Treating in Hudson.
Fiscal Impact
No budget impact.
Currently Budgeted
Supplemental Appropriation Required
X Appropriation Not Required.
Recommendation
Suggested Action
Staff recommends that City Council consider establishing an official date for Halloween Trick or Treating. For safety reasons, establishing one date would make it easy to provide patrols to help ensure our children's safety and allow us to cancel and move the event during emergency situations.
Submitted by,
Anthony J. Bales, City Manager
Scott N. Schroyer, Asst. City Manager
Jody Roberts, Communications Manager