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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 07 - Chapter 16 Parks and RecreationMEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERSOFTHE CITY COUNCIL r FROM: ROGER NELSON, CITY MANAGER MEETING DATE: AUGUST 20, 2002 SUBJECT: AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 16 PARKS & RECREATION RECOMMENDATION: The Parks & Recreation Advisory Board and staff recommend the City Council approve an ordinance amending Chapter 16 Parks and Recreation, Article I, by the addition of Section 16-16 relating to the closure of athletic fields. This section prohibits the use of athletic fields that have been posted closed due to maintenance/field conditions. BACKGROUND: There are times when athletic fields are not useable due to maintenance that is required for the field to remain in good condition or when adverse weather conditions cause the fields to be dangerous for play. In the past when these conditions were present, maintenance staff has posted signage at the fields indicating that the fields are closed due to those conditions. In addition, when fields are closed, staff contacts the local youth athletic associations to inform them of the situation. The youth associations comply with the signage. However, adult groups have ignored the signage. The Police Department has been called out to the fields on numerous occasions to assist in removing the players from the fields. The Police Department has indicated that to enforce the trespassing on the fields that an ordinance is needed. The Parks & Recreation Advisory Board approved the ordinance at the August 15th meeting. Staff recommends approval. DE August 14, 2002 (8:32AM) ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 16 PARKS AND RECREATION, ARTICLE I, BY THE ADDITION OF SECTION 16-16 RELATING TO ATHLETIC FIELD CLOSURE; PROVIDING FOR THE PLACEMENT OF SIGNS; PROVIDING A PENALTY OF FINE NOT TO EXCEED FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500.00) AND A SEPARATE OFFENSE SHALL BE DEEMED COMMITTED UPON EACH DAY DURING OR ON WHICH A VIOLATION OCCURS; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS: Section 1. That the Grapevine Code of Ordinances, Chapter 16 Parks and Recreation, Article I, be amended by the addition of a new Section 16-16 entitled "Athletic Field Closure" to read as follows: "Section 16-16 Athletic Field Closure (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to trespass onto any athletic field that has been posted "Closed due to Maintenance/Field Conditions". (b) The City Manager or his designated representative is directed to post signs giving notice that such action is prohibited in designated areas of public parks." # Section 2. Any person violating any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in an sum not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for each offense and a separate offense shall be deemed committed each day during or on which an offense occurs or continues. Section 3. If any section, article, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase or word in this ordinance, or application thereto any person or circumstances is held invalid or unconstitutional by a Court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance; and the City Council hereby declares it would have passed such remaining portions of the ordinance despite such invalidity, which remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect. Section 4. The fact that the present ordinances and regulations of the City of Grapevine, Texas are inadequate to properly safeguard the health, safety, morals, peace and general welfare of the inhabitants of the City of Grapevine, Texas, creates an emergency for the immediate preservation of the public business, property, health, safety and general welfare of the public which requires that this ordinance shall become effective from and after the date of its passage, and it is accordingly so ordained. PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS on this the 20th day of August, 2002. ATTEST: ORD. NO. 2