TITLE
Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by amending Section 10.54.040, relating to skateboarding, read and adopted as read. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Long Beach Municipal Code, Chapter 10.54, relates to excluding skateboarding from various park locations. The Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) and the Police Department are requesting a revision to Section 10.54.040 to exclude skateboarding from the following additional sites:
§ The band shells and stages located at Bixby Park, El Dorado Park West, El Dorado East Regional Park, and Recreation Park;
§ La Bella Fontana Di Napoli;
§ Rose Park Gazebo;
§ Los Cerritos Park;
§ Rosie the Riveter Park;
§ Victory Park;
§ Santa Cruz Park;
§ Queensway Bay, which includes the following areas: Long Beach Shoreline Marina, Marina Green, Shoreline Village, Rainbow Harbor, Aquarium of the Pacific, the Esplanade, Shoreline Park, Catalina Landing, Golden Shore Marine Biological Reserve, Rainbow Lagoon;
§ The walkways, sidewalks, stairways, parking lots, and entrances leading to or surrounding community centers, recreation facilities, senior centers, teen centers, pools, and administration offices;
§ Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier and Pine Avenue Pier;
§ Rancho Los Alamitos and Rancho Los Cerritos.
Skateboarders create a safety hazard for these high pedestrian areas, as well as cause damage to City property. The intent of this amendment is to lessen the damage caused by skateboarding and provide a safer environment in these high pedestrian areas. The Parks and Recreation Commission heard and approved this item on August 18, 2011, and recommended City Council approval.
PRM continues to encourage the use of the City’s skate parks located at Houghton, El Dorado Park West, Silverado, Bixby, Drake, and 14th Street Parks. In addition, PRM continues to look to build additional permanent and portable skate parks throughout the city as resources permit.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson on September 23, 2011, and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on September 7, 2011.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
Timing on this matter is not critical, but City Council action is requested on November 1, 2011, in order to allow time to implement the Ordinance.
FISCAL IMPACT
Adoption of the Ordinance will result in minimal costs associated with updating the existing signage at each location to reflect the applicable municipal code, which allows for the writing of citations by safety personnel. Sufficient funding is available in the General Fund (GP 105) and Tidelands Funds (TF 401, TF 403, and TF 411) in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH AMENDING THE LONG BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE BY AMENDING SECTION 10.54.040, RELATING TO SKATEBOARDING
Respectfully Submitted,
GEORGE CHAPJIAN
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
JIM McDONNELL
CHIEF OF POLICE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER