AgdaPkt 2009-10-12 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

7C Page 1 REPCJRT To the Honorabie N�ayor and Cifiy Council From the Ci Mana er October 12, 2009 SUBJECT Status of Courthouse Square Chapter 33 Article Ilf 4rdinance RECOMMENDATIONS Information only - no action is required at this time. Receive update on the proposed Chapter 33, Article Ill Courthouse Square Ordinance BACKGROUND For the past three years, a Courthouse Square team, led by Redevelopment and including staff from Police, Parks and Recreation, Planning, Engineering and Construction, Finance, Attorney, and Fire has been developing an ordinance specifically for Courthouse Square pertaining to activity management and prohibited conduct because the City's existing municipal codes do not address the needs of Courthouse Square. For example, Chapter 33A Uses of Rights-of-Way, adopted in 1977, pertains to oniy temporary street closures for streets, sidewalks, and driveways (Article I) and sidewalk cafes (Article II). Chapter 25 Parks and Recreation Areas was evaluated as a potential means to manage Courthouse Square but given the uniqueness o# Courthouse Square as a public plaza defined in the Coope�ative Agreement between the County of San Mateo and the City of Redwood City, and the mu[ti-million dollar investment by the Redevelopment Agency of Redwood City for the reconstruction of the Courthouse fa�ade and the construction of Courthouse Square, it is appropriate to govern Courthouse Square separately, within Chapter 33A Uses of Rights-of-Way. Special events have been allowed since the comp[etion of Courthouse Square as part of the learning process for staff to determine the optimal policies, procedures, and fees appropriate for the Square. The proposed ordinance will have three components: 1. Chapter 33 Article III will allow the City to prohibit specific activities such as smoking and skateboarding, and will provide necessary enforcement tools to address unacceptable and/ar inappropriate behaviors. The ordinance will also establish permit requirements for certain activities on Courthouse Square that will p�otec#the public's health, safety, and welfare; 2. Administrative Guidelines wifl describe the policies and procedures for permitted events at Courthouse Square including the application process, financiaf and legal responsibilities and police and fire requirements; and 3. Schedule of Fees to allow the City to provide event support services and fufly recover the costs of providing these services.