TO: Honorable Mayor and Council
FROM: Dan Keyes, Aquatic/Recreation Manager
SUBJECT:Title
Introduce Ordinance No. 15-1139 Amending Lake Havasu City Code Section 11.06.330 to Clarify No Launching of Motorized Watercraft and to Prohibit Overnight Mooring in City Parks
Body
FUNDING SOURCE:
N/A
PURPOSE:
To introduce an ordinance amending the City Code to clarify no launching of motorized watercraft at or in any park and to prohibit overnight mooring in City parks.
BACKGROUND:
The current Lake Havasu City Code Section 11.06.330, Launching Watercraft Prohibited-Exception, states, “[I]t is unlawful to launch or retrieve any watercraft at or in any park except on designated launching ramps or other facilities provided.”
By definition, standup paddleboards, kayaks and canoes are considered “watercraft.” There is no designated launch ramp at Rotary Park or London Bridge Beach. People will often launch non-motorized watercraft wherever they find beach space, which is acceptable.
The Police Department has not received any formal complaints about non-motorized watercraft activity launching from Rotary Park or London Bridge Beach. A strict interpretation of the current City Code prohibits non-motorized watercraft launching in City parks. If a complaint was received, the Police Department would be obligated to enforce the current City Code.
At a regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on August 25, 2015, launching of watercraft in City Parks was discussed and the Board voted to recommend the proposed amendment to Section 11.06.330.
The proposed prohibition of overnight mooring in City parks is the result of concerns expressed by the Police Department. This provision was not reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board strongly supports the use of non-motorized watercraft and believes an amendment to the City Code will clarify the use of non-motorized watercraft at lake front City parks for the general public and law enforcement.
FISCAL IMPACT:
NA
ATTACHMENTS:
Ordinance No. 15-1139
SUGGESTED MOTION:Recommended Action
I move to introduce Ordinance No. 15-1139 amending Lake Havasu City Code Section 11.06.330 to clarify no launching of motorized watercraft and prohibit overnight mooring in City parks.