SR 01-10-2017 7B
Ci ty Council
Report
City Council Meeting : January 10, 2017
Agenda Item: 7.B
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Karen Ginsberg, Director , Community & Cultural Services
Subject: Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Santa Monica
Municipal Code Sections 4.04.162 Prohibition of Certain Animals on Public
Property; 4.5 5.010 Parks and Beach - Purpose and Findings; 4.55.020 Park
and Beach - Definitions; and 4.55.400 Authority of Department of Community
and Cultural Services to Regulate Parks, Beaches, Park Facilities, and Beach
Facilities
Recommended Action
Staff recomm ends that the City Council introduce for first reading an ordinance
(Attachment pending) which would amend Santa Monica Municipal Code (SMMC)
Sections 4.04.162, 4.55.010, 4.55.020 and 4.55.400 related to the use of City parks,
park facilities, th e Beach, a nd beach facilities.
Executive Summary
Staff is proposing amendments to the Santa Monica Municipal Code (SMMC) Sections
4.04.162, 4.55.010, 4.55.020 and 4.55.400 , including:
1. Expanding the list of exotic and wild animal species prohibited from the
Beach, O cean Front Walk, the Pier and Pier ramp, the Third Street
Promenade, the Downtown Transit Mall, and all City parks and adjacent
sidewalks in SMMC 4.04.162 to include arachnids (e.g. spiders and
scorpions), rodentia (rodents), lagomorpha (rabbits, hares, an d pikas);
2. Adding the City’s newest park, Ishihara Park, and five parcels of existing open
space on Ocean Park Boulevard (Ocean Park Green Space) to SMMC
4.55.020;
3 . Changing the name of Stewart Street Park to Gandara Park in SMMC
4.55.020;
4 . Expanding the authority of the Director of Community and Cultural Services in
SMMC 4.55.400 to promulgat e rules and regulations for the Santa Monica
Swim Center and the Interim Open Space at the Santa Monica Airport for a
portion of the Airport Park Expansion projec t site .
Discussion
Exotic and Wild Animal Species Prohibited from Various City Locations
On February 24, 2015, Council adopted an ordinance adding SMMC Section 4.04.162
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to prohibit persons from having all species of snakes, reptiles, birds, and non -human
primates at the Beach, Ocean Front Walk, the Pier and Pier ramp, the Third Street
Promenade, the Downtown Transit Mall, and all City parks and adjacent sidewalks
(Attachment A).
Due to ongoing issues related to animal performers that could potentially po se a threat
to public safety and to the animals’ welfare, staff recommends expanding the list of wild
and exotic animals banned from all City parks including adjacent sidewalks, the Beach,
Ocean Front Walk, the Pier and Pier ramp, the Third Street Promenad e, and the Transit
Mall be expanded to include arachnids (e.g. spiders and scorpions), rodentia (rodents),
and lagomorpha (rabbits, hares, pikas). Interactions with animals naturally inhabiting
these public areas would continue to be exempt from the ordina nce and prohibited
animals could be present on public property in accordance with the terms and
conditions of a community events permit or film permit issued by the City.
Ishihara Park, Gandara Park, and Ocean Park Green Space
Staff is proposing changes t o the City’s park system to add Ishihara Park, a new 2.35 -
acre park currently under construction on Exposition Boulevard between Stewart Street
and Dorchester Avenue, to change the name of Stewart Street Park to Gandara Park,
and to add five small parcels on Ocean Park Boulevard, known as Ocean Park Green
Space. These changes would be codified in SMMC 4.55.020.
On April 26, 2016, after extensive public outreach regarding the naming of Ishihara
Park, Council approved a motion to officially name Santa Moni ca’s newest park
“Ishihara Park” and to rename Stewart Street Park “Gandara Park” (Attachments B and
C). The parks are in close proximity to each other and, per Council’s direction, staff is in
the process of planning a community event in early 2017 to cel ebrate both the grand
opening of Ishihara Park and the naming ceremony of Gandara Park.
In addition to Ishihara Park, staff recommends officially incorporating five small City -
owned parcels of open space located on the south side of Ocean Park Boulevard
between Second Street and Highland Avenue into the City’s park system. These
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parcels are currently maintained to park standards by the Public Landscape Division.
On May 19, 2016, an Information Item was submitted to Council related to a request by
the Rec reation and Parks Commission to incorporate these parcels into the City’s park
system (Attachment D). At that time, staff indicated that a formal recommendation to
Council for official incorporation of these parcels into the park system would be
forthcomin g and would coincide with the addition of the Ishihara Park and the renaming
of Stewart Street Park to Gandara Park.
The addition of both Ishihara Park (2.35 acres) and the Ocean Park Green Space (.43
acres) will increase park acreage in the City by a tot al of 2.78 acres.
Rules and Regulations for the Santa Monica Swim Center
On April 24, 2012, Council adopted an ordinance granting the Director of Community
and Cultural Services (CCS) the authority to develop and implement rules and
regulations for park s, beaches, park facilities, and beach facilities under SMMC
4.55.400 (Attachment E). This code section currently does not include the Santa Monica
Swim Center, a highly utilized City -owned facility that offers a full range of community
programs, including swim lessons, fitness classes, lifeguard training, and special events
throughout the year. Due to the omission of the Swim Center from SMMC 4.55.400,
currently all modifications to the facility’s operating rules and regulations require Council
approval. S taff recommends that Council delegate authority to the Director of CCS to
promulgate rules and regulations for the Swim Center as needed to ensure public safety
and continued enjoyment of the facility.
Interim Airport Open Space
Per Council’s direction t o staff on March 24, 2015 (Attachments F and G), schematic
design is currently underway to expand Airport Park on two six -acre parcels of non -
aviation land at Santa Monica Airport. On September 27, 2016, Council reviewed and
adopted a motion to approve the conceptual direction for this project (Attachment H). At
that time, staff indicated they would return to Council with proposed guidelines and
regulations to facilitate temporary recreational use of a portion of the Airport Park
Expansion site (the vacant 6 -acre eastern parcel ) until construction of the permanent
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park commences.
Staff has included a draft of the proposed rules and regulations for Council’s review
(Attachment I) and recommends that Council add promulgating rules and regulations for
the Int erim Airport Open Space to the Director of CCS’s authority under SMMC
4.55.400.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the
recommended action.
Prepared By: Olga Ruano, Senior Administrative Analyst
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. February 24, 2015 Staff Report
B. April 26, 2016 Staff Report
C. April 26, 2016 Meeting Minutes
D. May 19, 2016 Information Item
E. April 24, 2012 Staff Report
F. March 24, 2015 Staff Report
G. March 24, 2015 Meeting Minutes
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H. September 27, 2016 Staff Report
I. Airport Interim Open Space Rules and Regulations
J. Open Space Ordinance
K. Written Comments
Airport Interim Open Space
Rules and Regulations
Hours of operation: Open daily , sunrise to sunset
Drones, kites, and model airplanes are not permitted.
Dogs must be restrained by a leash six feet or less in fixed length .
No motorized vehicles are permitted , with the exception of City vehicles and vehicles authorized
by the City.
Vending is prohibited except as authorized by the City for special events and City -sponsored
activities.
No person shall place or use umbrellas, canopies or pop -up tents with op en sides, if over 400
square feet in area.
Activity deemed to be a fire hazard is prohibited.
No person shall place or use generators, unless authorized by the Fire Marshall.
No person shall post signs or handbills unless authorized by the City.
No person shall store athletic, sports or other equipment unless lawfully authorized to do so.
1
Vernice Hankins
From:ZinaJosephs@aol.com
Sent:Tuesday, January 10, 2017 11:00 AM
To:Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Kevin McKe own Fwd; Tony Vazquez; Gleam Davis;
Sue Himmelrich; Pam OConnor; Terr y O’Day; Ted Winterer; Rick Cole
Cc:zinajosephs@aol.com
Subject:FOSP: City Council -- 1/20/17 item 7-B -- Support
January 10, 2017
To: City Council
From: Board of Directors, Friends of Sunset Park
RE: 1/10/17 agenda item 7-B -- Interim Airport Open Space (Airport Park Expansion)
A majority of the Board of Directors of Friends of Sunset Park supports the st aff recommendations regarding
proposed guidelines and regulations to facilitate temporary recreational use of a portion of the Airport Park
Expansion site (the vacant 6-acre eastern parcel) until construction of the permanent park commences.
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Background:
Cit y Council agenda – 1/10/17 -- Interim Airport Open Space
Agenda: http://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com/C itizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=1085
Agenda item 7-B --
Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Sant a Monica Municipal Code Sections 4.04.162 Prohibition
of Certain Animals on Public Property; 4.55.010 Parks and B each - Purpose and Findings; 4.55.020 Park and Beach -
Definitions; and 4.55.400 Authority of Department of Community and Cultural Services to Regulate Parks, Beaches,
Park Facilities, and Beach Facilities
Agenda item 7-B: Interim Airport Open Space
Per Council’s direction to staff on March 24, 2015 (Attachments F and G), schematic design is currently underway to
expand Airport Park on two six-acre parcels of non-aviati on land at Santa Monica Airport. On September 27, 2016,
Council reviewed and adopted a motion to approve the conceptual direction for this project (Attachment H). At that time,
staff indicated they would return to Co uncil with proposed guidelin es and regulations to fac ilitate temporary recreational
use of a portion of the Airport Park Expansion site (the vac ant 6-acre eastern parcel) until construction of the permanent
park commences.
Staff has included a draft of the proposed rules and regulations for Council’s review (Attachment I) and recommends that
Council add promulgating rules and regulations for the Inte rim Airport Open Space to the Director of CCS’s authority
under SMMC 4.55.400.
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Item 7-B
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Airport Interim Open Space (draft)
Rules and Regulations
Hours of operation: Open daily, sunrise to sunset
Drones, kites, and model airplanes are not permitted.
Dogs must be restrained by a leash six feet or less in fixed length.
No motorized vehicles are permitted, with the exception of City vehicles and vehicles authorized
by the City.
Vending is prohibited except as authorized by the City for sp ecial events and City-sponsored
activities.
No person shall place or use umbrellas, canopies or pop-up tents with open sides, if over 400
square feet in area.
Activity deemed to be a fire hazard is prohibited.
No person shall place or use generators, unless authorized by the Fire Marshall.
No person shall post signs or handbills unless authorized by the City.
No person shall store athletic, sports or other equipment unless lawfully authorized to do so.
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