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 Outreach director Ed Tibbits had addressed the requests with the
city council at the Tuesday workshop held last week.
The first event would be a 'School's Out Bash,’ to be held on May
25th. Tibbits explained that on that day, local schools would let
out early, so the Outreach wants to hold a celebration for area
children that would begin at 1:30 p.m. Included in the party plan
there would be activities for youngsters until dusk, and dance for
the teenagers lasting until 10 p.m.
Tibbits said the plan was to have a bounce house, dunk tank, face
painting, bead bracelet craft, pie in the face game, a photo booth,
karaoke, and other various yard games and activities.
Food would be served at 4 p.m., and there would be “kid
presentations” at 4 p.m. as well.
At 5 p.m. there would be a special show by the Breakfree BBoys from
Chicago. Tibbits explained that the group was a Gospel Breakdance
group that entertains while sharing their testimony of Christ the
Savior.
 Tibbits said that the event is not going to be widely publicized as
they want to keep the number in attendance at 150 to 200 kids. He
noted that the activities would be adult-led with youth helpers. The
Outreach would maintain a safe environment, and would clean up the
park at the end of the event. He said that the Hope Grows Community
Center would be open and available for restroom needs.
For the older youth, the Outreach intends to have a dance between
the hours of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tibbits said the dance would be in
the pavilion at the park.
Steve Parrott asked about the noise level at the dance, wondering
how the residential neighborhood would react to it. Tibbits said he
didn’t believe it would be that big an issue in the neighborhood. He
noted that the neighbors in the area are subject to noise from the
Lincoln Speedway and that the music at the park would not be as loud
as that.
City Administrator Clay Johnson suggested that Tibbits “knock on
doors” in the community and speak with the neighbors about the
music. Tibbits said he would certainly do that. Michelle Bauer said
that she would also go out and speak with area residents to see if
there were any concerns.
In addition to the May 25th party, Tibbits said that the Outreach,
in an effort to bring more teenagers into their ministry would like
to hold monthly dances at the park. He said the events would be held
on the fourth Thursday of the month in June, July, and August.
The outline for these monthly dances includes a barbecue and karaoke
early in the evening from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and dance starting at
8 p.m. and ending at 10 p.m.
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Tibbits said the Outreach would be responsible for providing trash receptacles
and electricity for the music, and would do all the cleanup of the park after
the party.
He specified that there would be adults on hand, and there would be
self-policing of any misbehaviors. In the documents submitted to the council, it
is clearly stated that there would be security announcements made throughout the
evening. Attendees would be advised, “that if any illegal/unsafe activity,
drug/alcohol use or intoxication is witnessed, the Police would be called.”
On Monday evening when the item came up for voting, Bauer said she had knocked
on several doors in the neighborhood around Ray White Park. While she didn’t get
an answer at all of them, she did talk with five residents close to the park.
She said, in general, the community is very supportive of the events and had no
issues with the music playing until 10 p.m.
Bauer said the only concerns she had heard was a concern for the safety of the
park after dark in regard to visibility for those who were in attendance. She
also heard a concern that the Outreach have enough volunteers to have an adult
presence throughout the park area after dark.
Tibbits responded to the concern saying the Outreach would have good lighting on
party nights, and there would be sufficient adult representation.
Steve Parrott wondered if the 10 p.m. end time for the party was within the park
curfews established by the city. Police Chief Paul Adams looked up the city
ordinance on park closure and reported that the city parks are officially closed
at 10 p.m. so that would be the curfew. Therefore, the request for the
summertime parties was within the city’s established rules.
With no further discussion, the vote was taken and passed with an unanimous vote
of 8-0.
[Nila Smith]
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