Title
Consider repealing and replacing Monterey County Code Chapter 14.12 (County Parks and Open Space).
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Parks Commission recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve repealing and replacing Monterey County Code Chapter 14.12 (Attachment A).
SUMMARY:
Monterey County Code Chapter 14.12 establishes regulations for County Parks. Resource Management Agency (RMA) has prepared a revision of the entire Chapter 14.12 reorganizing and clarifying the Chapter's authority and scope. The revisions specifically reflect organizational changes placing Parks into the RMA, incorporate new smoking regulations, and address fees/waivers. Included with this report is the latest draft Chapter 14.12 ordinance and a list of the proposed changes (Attachment A).
DISCUSSION:
Monterey County Code Chapter 14.12 (County Parks) was originally codified in 1970, and many sections have not been updated since 2008. Changes in the law and the need for an update reflecting current RMA Parks policies and practices necessitated this revision.
Resource Management Agency (RMA) has presented suggested changes over the past few months, including options for smoking regulations in County Parks. On November 2, 2017, staff provided a workshop for the Parks Commission to allow input and direction on Chapter 14.12 amendments. Comments provided to staff included:
- Reorganize the Chapter structure in a style similar to San Luis Obispo County, which is easier to read and understand;
- Ensure that fees are controlled by the Board or other approval mechanism, rather than leaving it up to RMA-Parks staff to decide; and
- Follow up with future review of a draft Chapter 14.12 for additional comment.
Subsequent discussions at the Parks Commission focused on smoking in parks with only minor changes to the rest of the Chapter. On August 28, 2018, the Board of Supervisors directed staff to draft an ordinance prohibiting smoking in County parks and bring it ...
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