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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-09-10 - AGENDA REPORTS - INTERFERENCE SPECIAL EVENTS (2)City Mana Item to be John Danielson UNFINISHED BUSINESS DATE: September 10, 1996 SUBJECT: INTERFERENCE WITH SPECIAL EVENTS ORDINANCE NO. 96-27 DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Following this year's Fourth of July Parade, the largest parade since the bicentennial celebration of 1976, numerous complaints were received regarding the inappropriate use of high powered water pistols and a material commonly referred to as "silly string." These materials were sprayed at parade participants creating a safety hazard,as well as impeding the parade's progress. Extensive damage to the painted surfaces of automobiles in the parade was also reported. In response to these complaints, staff reported to Council on August 27, 1996, with the first reading of Ordinance No. 96-27. In preparing this ordinance, staff researched other cities which had experienced similar problems. This research revealed that there were many other materials and devices which, when used inappropriately, can create a significant safety hazard or impede the progress of a special event. The conclusion, therefore, was not to pursue the banning of specific substances which may be legally purchased, but rather to give law enforcement the specific authority to cite individuals who are disrupting or interfering with a special event regardless of the type of substance or the manner in which it is delivered. Staff further researched the possibility of using the authority of the business license or peddler's permit process to help ban the sale of the offending items at the special event. Our findings concluded that although it may be possible in theory to ban the sale of certain items, an efficient monitoring and enforcement program would likely be very difficult to implement. The problems with enforcement may include: Sheriffs deputies would spend more time monitoring peddlers and less time with crowd control and parade observation; the materials to disrupt the parade would likely change from year to year thus naming a specific material to be banned difficult; and, lastly stores along the parade route may carry the same brand of materials which the peddlers were not allowed to sell. Should Council eventually adopt this ordinance, it would be an important component of its success to prepare an extensive awareness and education program outlining the dangers and punitive consequences of inappropriate behavior at special events. This program would also include working closely with special event organizers to help in the educational process, as well as with the street vendors in showing restraint with the type of materials they are selling. Adopied:b - -- 6 Agenda Item: 4 ORDINANCE NO. 96-27 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AMENDING CHAPTER 11 OF THE SANTA CLARITA MUNICIPAL CODE TO PROHIBIT INTERFERENCE WITH SPECIAL EVENTS WHEREAS, the City Council finds that there is a need to prevent the disruption of special events which take place within the City, as well as to protect the welfare of those participating or viewing said events, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Chapter 11.57.010 is hereby added to Title 11 of the Santa Clarita Municipal Code to read as follows: "11.57.010 Definitions. A. "Special Event" shall mean any event, exposition, fair, parade or procession which City services are required because of interference with normal vehicular or pedestrian traffic or will generate an extraordinary need for sanitation or other City services. B. "Litter" shall mean any solid, liquid or semi-solid substance or matter which is deposited, discarded, launched, propelled, released, or tossed at any animal, individual, vehicle or public place." SECTION 2. Chapter 11.57.020 is hereby added to Title 11 of the Santa Clarita Municipal Code to read as follows: "11.57.020 Interference With A Special Event Is Prohibited "It shall be unlawful for any person to disrupt, impede or interfere with a permitted special event as specified herein. The following acts are prohibited by this section when the effect thereof defaces, disrupts or interferes with the ability of the permittee to carry on the special event: A. To block, obstruct or impede the passage of participants, vehicles or animals in the special event along the special event route; B. To discard, launch, propel, release, squirt or throw any gaseous, liquid, semi-solid substance or object toward or among the participants, vehicles or animals in the special event; or C. To litter upon any public place or sidewalk by discarding, launching, propelling, releasing, squirting or throwing any gaseous, liquid, semi-solid substance or object." LAX2:161969.1 SECTION 3. Chapter 11.57.030 is hereby added to Title 11 of the Santa Clarita Municipal Code to read as follows: "11.57.030 Penalty Each violation of Section 11.57.010 shall constitute a separate offense and shall be a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in an amount not exceeding $1000.00 or imprisoned in the county jail for a period not to exceed six (6) months, or both. Minors may be cited and released." SECTION 4. Severability of Provisions. If any severable provision of this ordinance or any application thereof is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the ordinance which can be given effect notwithstanding such invalidity. SECTION 5. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this ordinance and shall cause the same to be published as required by law. SECTION 6. This ordinance shall take effect upon the expiration of thirty (30) days from its publication. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this day of ,19—. MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK L 2e161969.1 —2— STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )ss CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ) I. George A. Caravalho, City Manager/City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance No. 96-27 was regularly introduced and placed upon its first reading at a regular meeting of the City Council on the 27th day of August 1996. That thereafter, said Ordinance was duly adopted and passed at a regular meeting of the City Council on the day of 1996 by the following vote to wit: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: CITY CLERK That the City Council waive further reading and adopt Ordinance Number 96-27 (Interference With Special Events). Interference with Special Events Ordinance Number 96-27. CD:klm council /speuor91.096