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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Gio Santana, Parks Superintendent
Deborah Lang, Assistant Corporation Counsel
Alex Voigt, Deputy Chief of Staff
DATE: April 5, 2019
SUBJECT:
An ordinance amending Chapter 30 of the City of Aurora Code of Ordinances entitled "Parks and Recreation".
PURPOSE:
This proposed amendment seeks to update Chapter 30, which oversees Parks and Recreation.
BACKGROUND:
Chapter 30, similar to many other sections of the code is in need of updates. There is outdated language, missing information/language and also sections that are no longer relevant. These proposed changes seek to provide updates that will assist in the management and operations of our city-owned parks.
DISCUSSION:
During the research phase of the Special Events Ordinance, one of the sections reviewed was Chapter 30. It was discovered there is outdated language and missing information in this section that needed to be addressed. The new Parks Superintended, Gio Santana and Jeff Schmidt, who oversees the Phillips Park Golf Course, worked with Deb Lang to provide updates. Their suggestions were combined with other changes to create consistency with other sections of the code, specifically pertaining to enforcement. The changes are summarized below:
New to Chapter 30:
• A process to "name" parks
• Definitions
• Clearer enforcement language/process
• Dog Park language
• Hours of operation/closure notice
• Permissible activities at the park
• Updated special activities and events language
• Updated municipal golf course language
Removed from Chapter 30:
• Vehicles for hire language
• Municipal pool language (Reserved in the event an amendment is needed at some point)
• Language that conflicts with other chapters
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IMPACT STATEMENT:
These proposed changes, if adopted will have a positive impact on the ability of the Parks Department to manage city parks and better serve the needs of the community.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is respectfully requested that these changes be forwarded to the Tuesday, May 7th Committee of the Whole Meeting for full Council discussion.
cc: Special Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
ORDINANCE NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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An Ordinance Amending Chapter 30 of the City of Aurora Code of Ordinances Entitled "Parks and Recreation".
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, in furtherance of revising dated provisions of Chapter 30 and providing tools for the superintendent of the parks and PGA operations golf manager to better operate the Parks Maintenance Department and consistent with the exercise of its home rule powers and any other power or authority conferred by Illinois law, the City Council finds it is necessary and desirable to amend and add various provisions of the City Code.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows:
Section One: That Amendments made in Chapter 30 of the City Code shall be and hereby are amended as set forth in Exhibit A.
Section Two: That this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect, and shall be controlling upon its passage and approval.
Section Three: That all ordinances or part of ordinances thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of any such conflict.
Section Four: That any section or provision of this Ordinance that is construed to be invalid or void shall not affect the remaining sections or provisions which shall remain in full force and effect thereafter
Section Five: That the several employees, and departments designated by Chapter 30 of the Code to perform duties and functions thereunder are fully authorized and empowered to perform such duties and functions.
Section Six: That the City Engineer and the Chief Development Services Officers or any of their respective designees are authorized to take all actions on behalf of the City, including recording plats of subdivision, necessary to consolidate or subdivide any properties used for public parks purposes in compliance with the Plat Act and any applicable ordinance of the county in which the real property sits, notwithstanding the provisions of the Subdivision Control Ordinance, and without further action by the City Council.