That the City Council:
A. Conduct a Public Hearing; and,

B.  CONSIDER, APPROVE, AND ADOPT THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. ____ ENTITLED:  AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 12.29 SKATE PARKS OF TITLE 12 STREETS, SIDEWALKS, AND PUBLIC PLACES OF THE LA HABRA MUNICIPAL CODE, REVISING PROVISIONS RELATING TO SKATE PARK DEFINITIONS, PERMISSIONS, AND REGULATIONS.

At its Regular Meeting of June 17, 2024, City Council considered a staff report on the current La Habra Skate Park regulations and authorized staff to bring forward an amendment to the La Habra Municipal Code (LHMC) regulating City-owned Skate Parks to address three staff recommendations, that included:
 

1. Adding “scooters” to the list of apparatus allowed in City-operated Skate Parks;
2. Allowing the Director of Community Services or his/her designee to set and modify Skate Park hours of operations, as needed; and,
3. Removing the prohibition of food or beverages in the Skate Park.

As discussed in the June 17, 2024, City Council Agenda Report, the City's municipal code currently allows skateboards, roller skates, and roller blades at the Skate Park, however, unpowered push scooters are not allowed, despite being very popular with many skating enthusiasts. In addition, the LHMC currently prohibits food or beverages from being brought inside the Skate Park at all times. While the rule regarding food was intended to help keep the Skate Park clean, many of the park's patrons (and occasionally parents) continue to bring drinks and snacks with them, making this rule challenging to enforce. Lastly, the LHMC requires that the operational hours of the Park be set by City Council resolution, which does not allow for staff to easily modify hours of operation on a seasonal basis, or when circumstances dictate that the hours should be changed due to an increase in graffiti, fighting, or other illegal activity.

Staff recommended consideration of amending the LHMC to address these concerns and the City Council authorized staff to bring the recommended changes back to the City Council for initiation of an amendment to the LHMC. The attached ordinance amending the LHMC was published in the Orange County Register, as required, giving notice to the public of the proposed changes. If the proposed ordinance is approved by City Council, there will need to be a second reading of the ordinance at the Regular City Council Meeting of August 5, 2024, and if approved again by City Council, the amendments will take effect 30 days following that final approval. If these changes are approved, staff will ensure that all changes to Skate Park rules and regulations are included on new signage that will be created and installed at the Skate Park.

There will be a nominal General Fund expense to create and install new signage at the Skate Park.