Skateboard prohibited OrdinanceMEMORANDUM
April 9, 2002
TO:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Revision to the Dubuque Code of Ordinances
We are seeing a number of areas in our parks having an increase in activity from
skateboards, roller blades, scooters, etc. This activity often interferes with other park
usages and causes safety concerns for both the skater and the park users. Nowhere in
the code is this type of activity prohibited, so enforcement is not possible.
By amending this section of the Traffic Code, rather than the Park Section, enforcement
is much easier. Having this in the Traffic Code allows our park rangers and police
officers to issue traffic summons and, if the offender is a juvenile, release them. If it is
not in the Traffic Code and the offender is a juvenile, they must be transported to the
law center, charged and an affidavit issued, the parents contacted, and someone must
stay with the juvenile until the parents arrive.
The revision does not prohibit skateboards from being used in our parks. It only
prohibits their use in areas designated by the Park and Recreation Advisory
Commission.
Leisure Services Manager Gil Spence is recommending revision to Traffic Code section
32-251(a) to add a prohibition on the use of skateboards and other non-motorized
conveyances.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/'jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Gil D. Spence, Leisure Services Manager
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Gil D. Spence, Leisure Services Manager.~
April 4, 2002
SUBJECT: Revision to the Dubuque Code of Ordinances
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to request City Council approval of amending section
32-251(a) of the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances prohibiting the use of bicycles,
motorcycles, et cetera in parks, by adding thereto a prohibition to the use of skateboards
and other non-motorized conveyances.
DISCUSSION
We are seeing a number of areas in our parks having an increase in activity from
skateboards, roller blades, scooters, et cetera. This activity often interferes with other park
usages and causes safety concerns for both the skater and the park users. Nowhere in
the code is this type of activity prohibited, so enforcement is not possible.
By amending this section of the Traffic Code, rather than the Park Section, enforcement is
much easier. Having this in the Traffic Code allows our park rangers and police officers to
issue traffic summons and, if the offender is a juvenile, release them. If it is not in the
Traffic Code and the offender is a juvenile, they must be transported to the law center,
charged and an affidavit issued, the parents contacted, and someone must stay with the
juvenile until the parents arrive. The Traffic Code makes the process much easier for our
staff and the offender.
The revision does not prohibit skateboards from being used in our parks. It only prohibits
their use in areas designated by the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission.
ACTION STEP
The action requested is that the City Council approve the attached revision to the Traffic
Code by adding to section 32-251(a), a prohibition on the use of skateboards and other
non-motorized conveyances.
GDS:et
attachment
Preparer: Gil Spence Address: 2200 Bunker Hill Road
Dubuque~ Iowa 52001-3010 Telephone: (563) 589-4263
ORDINANCE NO. 35-02-
AMENDING SECTION 32-251(a) OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF
ORDINANCES PROHIBITING THE USE OF BICYCLES, MOTORCYCLES, ETC. IN
PARKS BY ADDING THERETO A PROHIBITION ON THE USE OF SKATEBOARDS
AND OTHER NON-MOTORIZED CONVEYANCES.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances Section 32-251(a) is hereby
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 32-251. Use Of Bicycles, Motorcycles, Etc. In Parks:
(a)
The use of bicycles, skateboards, and other non-motorized
conveyances, and motorcycles, motor scooters, go-carts, cars,
trucks and other motor-driven vehicles other than those vehicles
engaged in authorized park maintenance and security in any park,
recreation facility, or trail may be prohibited by the Park and
Recreation Advisory Commission.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect upon publication.
Attest:
/s/ Jeanne F. Schneider, CMC City Clerk
Passed, approved and adopted this 15th day of Apri 1
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
-/
,2002.
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