Report Prepared by: Joseph Chavez, Director of Parks and Community Services
Title
SUBJECT: Second Reading and Final Adoption of Ordinance to Revise Park Hours and Amending Section 14.04.070 - Hours - Permits to Reflect Approved New Park Hours
REPORT IN BRIEF
Second reading and final adoption of an Ordinance revising park hours and updating Code of Ordinances Title 14, Chapter 14.04, Amending Section 14.04.070 - Hours - Permits.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion adopting Ordinance 2505, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, amending Section 14.04.070, "Hours - Permit," of the Merced Municipal Code regarding City parks.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Adopt Ordinance; or,
2. Deny; or,
4. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
AUTHORITY
This request revises the park hours listed in Merced Municipal Code (MMC) Title 14, Chapter 14.04, Section 14.74.070.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2019-20 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
In response to public comments at the June 3, 2019, City Council requested that staff evaluate various options to address illegal activity in and around the City of Merced's extensive park network. Staff meet with interested Council members to identify a strategy, which included amending park hours to mirror a "dusk to dawn" approach. In addition to this change, staff are also working to install additional security cameras and enhancing Police patrol efforts in all parks to address safety concern in public spaces ensuring parks area available for all residents to enjoy.
Staff presented a revision of park hours to the Recreation and Parks Commission during the meeting on September 23, 2019. The Commission denied the approval of the new park hours, because they wanted more information on the reasons for changing the hours. Currently, the public may not be in any city park between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. The proposed amendment would chan...
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