title
PRCSC - Discussion of (1) Suggested Revisions to Certain Sections of Culver City Municipal Code Chapter 9.10: Parks, Public Buildings and Property; and (2) the Use of Field Space for Adult Sports.
body
Meeting Date: October 6, 2020
Contact Person/Dept: Armando Abrego/PRCS Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-6724
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: (Email) Meetings and Agendas - Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission (10/02/2020); (Email) Parks, Recreation & Community Service Department Updates (10/02/2020)
Department Approval: Armando Abrego, Interim PRCS Director (10/02/2020)
____________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Commission discuss (1) suggested revisions to certain sections of Culver City Municipal Code Chapter 9.10: Parks, Public Buildings and Property (Attachment 1); and (2) the use of field space for adult sports.
BACKGROUND
The use of field space for adult sports in Culver City Parks, park prohibitions and the related signage have been PRCS Commission meeting topics in recent years. On August 7, 2018, Assistant City Attorney Heather Baker attended the PRCS Commission meeting and responded to questions and concerns expressed during the discussion on the use of field space for adult sports. Topics that were covered included a general discussion of the current park prohibitions, the Culver City Municipal Code as it relates to the prohibition of adult soccer and other activities and the possibility of updating the signage in the parks.
DISCUSSION
As part of a separate discussion on August 7, 2018, the Parks and Facilities Sections of the Culver City Municipal Code Review (CCMC Review) Ad Hoc Subcommittee was formed to review and provide potential recommended updates to the Culver City Municipal Code related to parks and facilities under the purview of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department. The members of the CCMC Review Ad Hoc Subcommittee, Chair Mohammed and Commissioner Rickards provided some recommendations to staff over the following months and met with former PRCS Director Corey Lakin in late February and mid-March 2020 to review all the research and recommendations. In preparation for that meeting staff compiled park prohibition information from the municipal codes of 10 Southern California cities for the Ad Hoc Subcommittee’s review. The cities reviewed included Anaheim, Beverly Hills, Cerritos, El Segundo, Huntington Beach, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Newport Beach, Santa Monica and Torrance. In addition to the Prohibitions section of CCMC Section 9.10.055, the Ad Hoc Subcommittee made recommendations regarding some of the other sections of Culver City Municipal Code Chapter 9.10: Parks, Public Buildings and Property.
Based on the CCMC Review Ad Hoc Subcommittee’s recommendations, staff began preparing a draft document for the City Attorney’s Office to review. Unfortunately, the process was delayed due to the prioritizing of operational and legal matters related to the coronavirus pandemic and other City Council priorities. The suggested revisions to some of the provisions of CCMC Chapter 9.10: Parks, Public Buildings and Property for discussion at this meeting are provided as Attachment 1. The purpose of this item is for the Commission to discuss the policy issues involved with the update of Chapter 9.10. Additional review and refinement of the language will occur after receiving Commission input and prior to an Ordinance being prepared for consideration by the City Council.
At the recommendation of the City Attorney’s Office, the discussion of certain Sections of Chapter 9.10 is being deferred at this time. Staff will return with the next phase of the review process when those Sections are complete. Assistant City Attorney Heather Baker will be available at the Commission meeting to address questions in this regard.
PRCS Commission Discussion on the Use of Field Space for Adult Sports
It should be noted that the phasing of the review process for Chapter 9.10 revisions should in no way delay or impede the Commission’s ability to engage in timely policy discussions regarding the use of field space for adult sports in Culver City parks. Currently, Section 9.10.055 PROHIBITIONS states (in part) that “Within the limits of any public park it shall be unlawful for any person:
M. To take part in or abet the playing of any games involving thrown or otherwise propelled objects such as balls, stones, arrows, javelins, or model airplanes, except in areas set apart for such forms of recreation. The playing of rough or comparatively dangerous games such as football, baseball and quoits is prohibited except on the fields and courts or areas provided therefor. Rollerskating shall be confined to those areas specifically designated for such pastime.” (Emphasis added)
If the Commission determines that a policy recommendation should be made based on this section of the Municipal Code as it currently stands (as above), that recommendation will then be presented to City Council for consideration.
FISCAL ANALYSIS - There is no fiscal impact associated with this discussion.
ATTACHMENT - 2020-10-06 - ATT 1 Park Regulations Update
MOTION - None required for a discussion item.