An amplified street performances ordinance and the status of the Bay Theatre were among the issues raised at Mayor Ellery Deaton’s last 2014 informal meeting with her constituents.
Deaton, who represents District One on the City Council, bought coffee for participants in her last meeting at Bogart’s Cafe on Tuesday morning, Dec. 16. City Manager Jill Ingram also attended the meeting.
John Domingue asked for clarification of the city’s ordinance on amplified music. Domingue said he was concerned that some street musicians were playing amplified music, which he believed to be a violation of the city code, and that in turn was driving off street performers who obeyed the city’s rules.
Ingram said you need a permit to amplify a performance.
Deaton said she would call Development Services Director Jim Basham and get the clarification that Domingue requested.
Domingue said that street performers who used amplification would turn the sound down until police officers left or would leave and then come back.
Domingue, who said he has performed without amplification, wanted to see performers who use amplification ticketed.
“I’d like to deal with it before it becomes a problem,” Domingue said.
Michael Verrecchia asked about the status of the Bay Theatre.
Deaton said the city would have to wait and see. All she knew was that the Bay Theatre Foundation had received non-profit status from the IRS.
A hand-lettered sign recently posted on the box office window of the now-closed Main Street movie house said that the Bay Theatre Foundation is not affiliated with the Bay Theatre and is not authorized to raise money for the Bay Theatre.
The foundation is, in fact, raising money with the intention of buying the Bay Theatre.
One constituent wanted to know what the city’s top three “issues” were.
Ingram preferred the term “priorities.”
Deaton said the council would have a goal setting workshop in January. She also said that Parks and Recreation would be busy next year. She said among the projects would be the Seal Beach Tennis Center, Eisenhower Park and a new city swimming pool.
Ingram said the pool study would start shortly after the first of 2015.
Deaton told meeting participants that the city was “in limbo” on the restaurant space at the end of the pier.
The pier sustained damage from strong waves caused by Hurricane Marie in late August.
