REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Eric G. Parra, Interim City Manager
VIA: Eric Parra, Chief of Police
PREPARED BY: Lt. Brian Smith and Ingrid Ono, Executive Assistant
Subject:
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Approve for introduction Ordinance No. 4319 amending Huntington Beach Municipal Code (HBMC) Chapter 13.08 related to activities on Huntington City Beach and in the Beach Activity Zone, and making a finding of exemption under CEQA
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Statement of Issue:
Staff recommends amending Municipal Code Section 13.08 (Beach Regulations) to: establish Emergency Services Access Zones on the beach to allow for unhindered access by public safety personnel in the performance of their duties; and clarify a standard of disruptive noise, prohibited uses of public restrooms, the injuring of public property, and allowable tents and canopies at the beach.
Financial Impact:
There is no financial impact.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Approve for introduction Ordinance No. 4319 “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Amending the Huntington Beach Municipal Code by Amending Chapter 13.08 Beach Regulations.”
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve, and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
HBMC 13.08 (Beach Regulations) does not give public safety the authority to establish Emergency Access Zones within the City Beach for unhindered access by public safety personnel in the performance of their duties, which is crucial, especially during large events. Proposed Ordinance No. 4319 establishes the definition of an Emergency Services Access Zone and prohibits leaving objects within or obstructing or blocking an Emergency Services Access Zone. The ordinance also permits the removal of items left in these zones.
In addition, this Ordinance would change the current Beach noise ordinance from a standard that requires disturbing one’s peace or comfort to a defined distance-based audible level consistent with other amplified noise related regulations.
Moreover, this ordinance would prohibit using public restrooms for other purposes than they are designed and prohibit obstructing their use. It also updates language regarding the type and size of tents and canopies on the beach. Lastly, it clarifies the list of property that is considered public property and prohibits individuals from “injuring” public property on beaches.
Overall, proposed Ordinance 4319 adds clarity to existing HBMC 13.08 and adds Emergency Access Zones to facilitate public safety activities when needed.
Environmental Status:
This action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Goal 8 - Public Safety, Strategy A - Community-wide comprehensive risk reduction program to optimize public safety's emergency response and reduce the number of calls.
Attachment(s):
1. Ordinance No. 4319
2. PowerPoint Presentation