DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Janet Martin, Acting Parks and Recreation Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 5
SUBJECT:
Request to remove alcohol exemption at nine Council District 5 parks
SUMMARY:
On May 26, 2015, Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales submitted a City Council Consideration (CCR) memo requesting staff consider the prohibition of alcohol in the following parks: Amistad, Father Albert Benavides, Calderon Boys and Girls Club, Cassiano, Elmendorf Lake, Kelly Area, Morrill, Roosevelt and Juan Vidaurri Parks.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On April 25, 2002, City Council approved Ordinance 95687 (effective June 1, 2002) which established that alcohol is restricted in all City parks, except for those specifically exempted and listed in the ordinance. At that time certain parks which fell into three major categories were identified to be exempt from the restrictions (meaning alcohol is allowed): parks designed or traditionally utilized for large group functions, parks utilized by leases or licenses that allow alcohol to be served, and parks which traditionally serve tourist or convention groups. The adopted list also reflected input from City Council regarding other existing parks that should or should not be exempted from alcohol restriction. Since, that point, all new parks have been automatically restricted from allowing alcohol.
ISSUE:
Attachment 1 shows the current parks that are exempt from alcohol. To date there are 53 exemptions of a total of 244 parks. A park may be added or deleted from the list of exempted parks as necessary through City Council action.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this request.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends forwarding the request to remove the alcohol exemption at nine Council District 5 parks to the Parks and Recreation Board and then to the Neighborhoods and Livability City Council Committee for further di...
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