Capital region against "Entertainment Permits"

WE THE UNDERSIGNED hereby oppose the passage of:

Albany Common Council Ordinance Number 70.111.08 calling for
"AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 375 (ZONING) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ALBANY TO AUTHORIZE AUDIO ENTERTAINMENT WITHIN TAVERNS AND RESTAURANTS AND AMENDING CHAPTER 111 (AMUSEMENTS) BY ADDING A NEW PART 3 TO BE ENTITLED "ENTERTAINMENT PERMITS" and any other such acts or ordinances within the Albany or greater Capital Region.

This proposal would cause great harm to the thriving Capital Region music and arts scene and would essentially make putting on a concert or performance within Albany a nightmare of "red tape" and fees for venues and promoters with stipulation such as:

TEXT FROM THE ACTAUL ORDINANCE
A. the City Clerk, with the advice and consent of the Chief of Police or his designee and the Director of the Division of
Buildings and Code, or his designee, may issue a permit to an establishment upon the proper submission of a permit application.
B. The application for said permit shall be for a single event, occurring on one day only.
C. The clerk must receive the application at least ten (10) days prior to the event.
D. The application must include:
1. The name of the person submitting the application
2. The name of the business
3. The address of the business
4. The principal offices of the business if different from the business location
5. The location where the event shall take place
6. The owner of the building where said entertainment shall take place
7. The date of the event
8. The length of time the event shall take place
9. The person/group/organization/or business hired to perform at said event
10. A copy of the contract or agreement between the establishment and the
Performer/person/agency/business providing the entertainment
11. If an establishment licensed to serve alcohol, a copy of the liquor license
12. A copy of the Certificate of Occupancy
13. The expected number of guests or persons expected to be in attendance
14. The name, telephone number and address of the manager or person in control of the
Establishment at the time of the event
111-66. Fee.
The application must be accompanied with a processing fee of fifty dollars ($50.00)
111-67. Penalties.
Any individual or business that uses or authorizes a disc jockey (DJ), karaoke machine or live music without securing the permit
established by this Article shall be subject to a fine of not less than $300 and not more than $1,000.

The passage of this bill would make it much more difficult for area artists to be able to share their craft. It would also take great steps to crush the spirit and act of D.I.Y. or, "Do It Yourself" promotion which is sometimes the best way for young acts and promoters to get into the scene.
By signing this petition you are showing your support for the opposition of this ordinance as well as support for local musicians and promoters who do their best to make Albany a great place to perform.
Often promoters and venues host performances with money from their own pockets and often at a fiscal loss personally or to the establishment. The addition of a 50$ fee, per event, per day and the threat of "a fine of not less than $300 and not more than $1,000" would be disastrous to the local arts scene.
Passage of this ordinance is simply a bad idea and seems conspicuously like a way to raise city revenue on the part of the Common Council and moreover an act to once again squash the arts in general.
Please do not support this ordinance or any member of civic authority that does as this is a bad idea that not only sets a bad precedent but also could lead to much more stringent restrictions on area arts.