HomeMy WebLinkAboutID# 14-572 First Reading & Introduction of Ordinance No. 2015-1337 Amending Section 8.40.040 Chapter 8.40 of LE Minicipal Code Parks & BeachesCITY OF
LAX,E.L LS I I`IOFRE
DREAM FXFREME-
REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Grant Yates, City Manager
DATE: May 12, 2015
SUBJECT: First Reading and Introduction of Ordinance No. 2015- Amending
Section 8.40.040 of Chapter 8.40 of the Lake Elsinore Municipal Code
Reqardinq Parks and Beaches
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council waive further reading and introduce by title only
Ordinance No. 2015 - , AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 8.40.040 OF CHAPTER 8.40 OF
THE LAKE ELSINORE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING PARKS AND BEACHES,
Background
Lake Elsinore is Southern California's largest natural, freshwater lake. With more than
3,000 surface acres and 14 miles of shoreline, Lake Elsinore is a recreational destination
for both residents and visitors hosting numerous water and recreational activities from
wading at public beaches to major high speed boating and Jet Ski race events. While these
activities bring visitors to our City and attract residents to the lake, the City's municipal code
restricts swimming in Lake Elsinore. In particular, it prohibits swimming at City beaches.
Such restrictions may sway potential visitors to Lake Elsinore to choose otherfacilities with
more opportunities for diverse water activities. To this end, staff is recommending that
swimming be allowed in designated areas at City beaches to enhance and increase the
use of the City's most valuable asset.
Discussion
Currently, Chapter 8.40 of the Lake Elsinore Municipal Code, section 8.40.040 Rules and
Regulations is the only ordinance that prohibits swimming. In order to begin allowing
swimming at City beaches, staff proposes taking several steps that will ensure public safety
while also balancing the positive benefits the change can provide the City, residents and
visitors. For example, concessionaires are currently considering the addition of an
inflatable "waterpark" at La Laguna that could enhance the use of the lake and beach area.
Ordinance Regarding Swimming in Designated Areas of the Lake
May 12, 2015
Page 2 of 2
The first step is to amend Section 8.40.040 of the Lake Elsinore Municipal Code
concerning regulation of parks and beaches. The proposed amendments include removing
the word "Swimming" from the prohibition in subpart I and adding an additional subpart K
allowing swimming in designated swimming areas only. See below and attached:
1. StseimmiRgL, bBoat and Jet Ski launching are prohibited from City beaches.
K. Swimming is allowed in designated swimming areas.
If approved by the City Council, staff has set a tentative date of March 14, 2015 to meet
with a representative from Aquatics Safety Research Group to provide recommendations
for the designated areas at each beach within the "no wake" zones, placement of signage,
and other proposed safety measures for the City's consideration. This includes inspecting
these areas for depth, potential underwater hazards, appropriate markings and other
suggested considerations including requiring all swimmers and /or children underthe height
of 48 inches to wear an approved floatation device (life vest) for safety.
These recommendations will be used to supplement a previous comprehensive Safety
Assessment completed by Tom Griffiths of the Aquatics Safety Research Group in 2005. In
addition, the proposed changes and steps under consideration were previously reviewed
and recommended by the Public Safety Advisory Commission in March 2015.
These safety recommendations will be considered and executed in advance of allowing
swimming in designated areas. Staff believes this is a critical step the City can take in its
pursuit of becoming the ultimate lake destination by opening up the opportunities for
additional uses in the future.
Fiscal Impact
At this time, the fiscal impact of this ordinance change is none. However, staff does
anticipate costs of approximately $1,250 for the Safety Assessment and other associated
costs for buoys and signage that would be appropriated from lake fund reserves.
Prepared by: Nicole Dailey
Management Analyst
Approved by: Grant Yates
City Manager
ORDINANCE NO. 2015-
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA,
AMENDING SECTION 8.40.040 OF CHAPTER 8.40 TO THE LAKE
ELSINORE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING PARKS AND BEACHES
WHEREAS, Chapter 8.40 of the Lake Elsinore Municipal Code establishes,
among other things, rules and regulations for public parks and beaches in the City of
Lake Elsinore; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore has determined that it
is in the public interest and welfare to amend Section 8.40.040 of Chapter 8.40 of the
Lake Elsinore Municipal Code to allow swimming from City beaches in designated
areas.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA,
ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: That Section 8.40.040, subpart I of Chapter 8.40 of the Lake
Elsinore Municipal Code is hereby amended as follows:
I. Swimrx ng bBoat and Jet Ski launching are prohibited from City
beaches.
SECTION 2: That Section 8.40.040, subpart K of Chapter 8.40 of the Lake
Elsinore Municipal Code is hereby added as follow:
K. Swimming is allowed in designated swimming areas.
SECTION 3. If any provision, clause, sentence or paragraph of this Ordinance
or the application thereof to any person or circumstance shall be held invalid, such
invalidity shall not affect the other provisions of this Ordinance and are hereby
declared to be severable.
SECTION 4. This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after the date of
its final passage. The City Clerk shall certify as to adoption of this Ordinance and
cause this Ordinance to be published and posted in the manner required by law.
INTRODUCED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Lake
Elsinore, California, on the 12th day of May, 2015, and adopted at a regular meeting of
the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, on the day of
2015.
Mayor Steve Manos
City of Lake Elsinore City Council
Ordinance No. 2015 -
Page 2 of 2
ATTEST:
Virginia J. Bloom, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Barbara Zeid Leibold, City Attorney