Footloose in Ephrata

City council repeals impractical 1963 ordinance SplashZone fees increase

EPHRATA — Tavern owners do not need a license to officially allow dancing, following action by the Ephrata City Council to repeal a 1963 ordinance.

According to City Administrator Wes Crago, the city deregulated dancing for two reasons. First, the ordinance was unenforceable. Second, the ordinance made no sense, requiring establishments to have a license before patrons may dance on the premises.

City revenues will not drop as a result of free dancing, because records showed taverns never paid the $60 annual license fee since the ordinance was adopted. Likewise, city expenditures will not decrease, because there is no record of money being spent on enforcement action.

Crago's historical research did not answer why the city's municipal code first required taverns to have the dancing license. He reviewed meeting minutes from 1963, but records failed to reveal the council's motivation.

In other business, the council voted to increase admission fees at SplashZone Community Pool. Council member Tom Middleton and Mayor Pro-Tem Bruce Reim voted against the increase.

After increasing general admissions across the board by $1 on Wednesday, adults now pay $5, while youths and seniors pay $4. Children 4 years old and under are admitted free.

Admissions revenue dropped from $41,094 in 2004 to $38,120 last summer, while expenses decreased over that time by 10 percent to $172,869 in 2005. Attendance crept up by 1,758 swimmers from 2004 to 2005, according to a staff report.

Wednesday's increase provides a 10 percent pre-season discount on summer passes if purchased before the last Friday in April.

The city intends to increase summer pass sales and encourage more use of the facility, said Ray Towry, parks and recreation director.

"We want to get as many people in that facility as possible," said Towry.

Reim favored keeping prices as low as possible.

"My concern is for the kids who can't afford it," Reim said. "You don't know who you're going to eliminate when you raise prices."

Middleton echoed Reim's concerns and suggested the dollar raise would not generate much additional revenue for the city.

"We're not adding much with a dollar raise," said Middleton.

He favored increasing attendance by focusing on summer pass sales, and leaving admissions prices at their 2005 rates.