Amend Section 11-1-15 (Spitting) of the Goodyear City Code to remove the offense of spitting upon public sidewalks, crosswalks, and any public path, highway, public ground or park or upon the floor or interior of any public building.

 

ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 2024-1623, AMENDING GOODYEAR CITY CODE ARTICLE 11-1 (OFFENSES), TO AMEND SECTION 11-1-15 (SPITTING), PROVIDING FOR CORRECTIONS, SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.  (Darcie McCracken, City Clerk)

There is no fiscal impact for removing this section of the city code.

Council adopted Ordinance 73 on November 26, 1973, which adopted the Town Code.  The Council again adopted the City Code March 27, 1989, with Ordinance 89-277 after the City Charter was adopted and Goodyear moved from being a Town to being a City.  The prohibition on spitting has been part of the Goodyear Code since prior to 1973. 

Council recently requested staff review this section of the City Code.

In the last ten years, the offense for spitting has only been cited twice, in 2015 and again in 2024, and each instance was dismissed by the city prosecutor. The code prohibiting spitting is no longer necessary to preserve the peace, public health and safety of the community.  To align with the city's commitment to continuous improvement and better meet the needs of the community, it is recommended that Section 11-1-15 of the Goodyear City Code be amended to remove the offense of spitting in public places. Ordinance 2024-1623, which reflects this change, is included as Attachment A.