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Home My WebLink AboutORD 2025-31 - Amending Code Section 12.20 related to Park Hours and AmenitiesORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, AMENDING SECTIONS 12.20.30 AND 12.20.050 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATED TO PARK HOURS AND PARK AMENITY USAGE; PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 1.08.010; REPEALING CONFLICTING ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS; INCLUDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City Charter grants the City Council the authority to review and update certain chapters in the Code of Ordinances; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to establish an amendment to Section 12.20.030 of the Code of Ordinances to remove the necessity to request someone to leave the park after park hours have closed and an amendment to Section 12.20.050 of the Code of Ordinances to prohibit individuals from occupying benches, picnic tables, and pavilions within any park for longer than 2 hours in any 24-hour period; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the City has a strong and longstanding commitment to ensuring the public has equal and safe access to a robust and vibrant park system; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that without regulation, individuals may occupy park amenities for long periods of time and therefore limit everyone's access to equal opportunity and time to enjoy shared amenities such as park benches, picnic tables, and pavilions; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the existing language of the ordinance has language unnecessarily requires a City representative to request an individual leave a park before an individual may be cited for being in a park outside of a park's open hours; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds it to be in the best interest of the public to establish the amendments, as set out herein. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, THAT: Section 1. The meeting at which this ordinance was approved was conducted in compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 551. Ordinance Number: ZOZ�5 — Page 1 of 2 Subject: Amending Sections 12.20% and 12.20.050 of the Code of Ordinances Date Approved: Su�zR � UZS Section 2. The facts and recitations contained in the preamble of this ordinance are hereby found and declared to be true and correct and are incorporated by reference herein and expressly made a part hereof, as if copied verbatim. Section 3. Section 12.20.030 of the Code of Ordinances is hereby amended as shown in Exhibit A. Section 4. Section 12.20.050 of the Code of Ordinances is hereby amened as shown in Exhibit B. Section 5. All ordinances or resolutions that conflict with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed, and all other ordinances or resolutions of the City not in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance shall remain in full force and effect. Section 6. If any provision of this ordinance, or application thereof, to any person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions, or application thereof, of this ordinance, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared to be severable. Section 7. The Mayor is hereby authorized to sign this ordinance and the City Secretary to attest. This Ordinance shall become effective and be in full force and effect ten (10) days after publication in accordance with the provisions of the City Charter of the City of Georgetown. PASSED AND APPROVED on First Reading on the of . MU 2025. PASSED AND APPROVED on Second Reading on ATTEST: R6�" VLA� - byn Derkino—lec'lly Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM: " t�--k Skye M sson, tty Attorney CITY ! C kof �d—, 2025. ETOWN, TEXAS: h Schroeder, Mayor Ordinance Number: Z005 Page 2 of 2 Subject: Amending Sections 1220.30 and 12.20.050 of the Code of Ordinances Date Approved: EXHIBIT A Sec. 12.20.030. - Park hours —Generally. A. City parks shall be open to members of the public between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. unless other public use or hours have been posted for such City park or facility, a lease or rental agreement exists allowing after hours use, or a permit has been issued by the Director authorizing after hours use pursuant to rules and regulations established in accordance with Section 12.20.020 of this Chapter. B. It shall be unlawful for any person to remain within any City park or facility outside of the hours designated or permitted for its use. Ordinance Number: Subject: Amending Sections 12.20.30 and 12.20.050 of the Code of Ordinances, Exhibit A Date Approved: EXHIBIT B Sec. 12.20.050. - Prohibited practices. A. Golf Driving Range. It shall be unlawful to drive, pitch, hit or strike a golf ball in a City park. B. Hunting, Bow Fishing. It shall be unlawful to hunt, or bow fish within City park boundaries. C. Glass Bottles. No person shall use or possess any glass beverage bottle in City parks. This shall not apply to Garey House or wine and liquor bottles used in the Community Center. D. Cliff Jumping, or Diving. It shall be unlawful for any person to dive or jump from any cliff or rock face in a City park. It shall be unlawful to knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence, cause any person to dive, jump or fall from any cliff or rock face in a City park. E. Commercial Business Activities. It shall be unlawful to conduct any commercial or business activities of any kind for which any participation or admission fee is charged or any revenue is otherwise derived in a City park unless otherwise authorized by agreement with the City or by permit. F. Animals. Except in the off -leash areas designated pursuant to Section 12.20.070, it shall be unlawful to permit any dog to be in any City park, unless such dog is on a leash no longer than six feet. Other than dogs, animals are not allowed at any time within City Parks except in authorized areas or as allowed by a permit issued by the Director. Except as provided above, it shall be unlawful for any person to bring, harbor, or release any other animal in City parks. G. Reserved Facilities. It shall be unlawful for any unauthorized person to enter a reserved facility or are during the period of time the facility is reserved or to remain or return to a reserved facility after being given notice to leave. H. Motor Vehicles. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate, drive, or ride any motor vehicles within a City park on a surface other than a road, street or parking lot. This provision is not applicable to City motor vehicles, emergency vehicles, or motor vehicles that have received a permit authorizing its operation. I. Parking. It shall be unlawful for a person to park a motor vehicle, other than a City - owned vehicle, within a City park at any place not designated as a parking area or otherwise authorized by permit. Ordinance Number: Subject: Amending Sections 12.20.30 and 12.20.050 of the Code of Ordinances, Exhibit B Date Approved: J. Disruption of Authorized Activity. It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly disrupt an authorized activity conducted in a City park and it shall be unlawful for any person to remain in an area of a City park if the person's behavior is disruptive and the person is instructed to leave the property by a representative of Parks and Recreation. K. Alcoholic Beverages. It shall be unlawful for any person to publicly consume or display alcoholic beverages within the Blue Hole Park. L. Benches, Picnic Tables, Pavilions. It shall be unlawful for any person to occupy any bench, picnic table, or pavilion outside of a reservation within any park for longer than 2 hours in any 24-hour period. Ordinance Number: Subject: Amending Sections 12.20.30 and 12.20.050 of the Code of Ordinances, Exhibit B Date Approved: