HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 Closure of City Parks in Reponse to COVID-19 PandemicAGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: MARCH 25, 2020
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Agenda Item
Reviewed:
MW
City Manager
Finance Director N/A
FROM: MATTHEW S. WEST, CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT: CLOSURE OF CITY PARKS IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC
SUMMARY:
Significant numbers of individuals continue to congregate and utilize City park facilities
notwithstanding guidance from state and local health officials urging individuals to remain in their
homes and to maintain social distancing protocols in the limited instances where travel outside the
home is warranted. To improve compliance with social distancing directives and to protect the
public health safety and welfare the immediate closure of all City park facilities is recommended.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by minute order, direct the immediate closure of all City park facilities
inclusive of playgrounds, recreational structures, ball fields, courts, exercise equipment, and play
structures; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to reopen one or more parks or portions thereof on a temporary or
permanent basis when warranted in the City Manager's discretion.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
On March 19, 2020, the California State Public Health Officer and Director of the California
Department of Public Health ordered all individuals living in the State of California to stay home or
at their place of residence, except as needed to maintain continuity of operation of the federal
critical infrastructure sectors, critical government services, schools, childcare, and construction,
including housing construction or to obtain necessities such as food, healthcare, and prescriptions
(the "Stay -at -Home Order"). Any person leaving their home or residence was directed by the
Governor to practice social distancing (i.e., maintain physical distance of 6 feet from persons who
are not household members).
As of March 19, 2020 at 5:00 p.m., the date the Governor approved the Stay -at -Home Order, the
Orange County Health Care Agency had reported 53 cases of Coronavirus in the County, including
at least 19 "community acquired" cases. On that date, the County Health Officer concluded that
"There is now epidemiological evidence of community transmission in Orange County, indicating that
COVID-19 is spreading in the community". Just five days later, on March 24, 2020, the total number
of cases of Coronavirus reported by the County has nearly tripled, to 152 cases.
Individuals throughout the state and in Tustin parks have been observed congregating in large and
small groups in public places notwithstanding the Stay -at -Home Order and the documented spread
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CLOSURE OF CITY PARKS IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC
March 25, 2020
Page 2
of COVID-19. To reduce community transmission of COVID-19, public agencies in Southern
California including, but not limited to, the cities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Seal Beach,
Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach, San Jose, San Diego and Anaheim, the County of
Orange, and the State of California have closed recreational facilities, beaches, parks and trails.
City staff and Police Department personnel have observed frequent violations of the social distancing
provisions at City of Tustin park facilities since the Stay -at -Home Order was issued, and have
concluded that the parks invite too may close interactions to safely remain open during the pandemic.
If the City parks are closed by minute order of the City Council as recommended, the City Code
provides that violations can be punishable as a misdemeanor (TCC §§ 7111 and 1121).
1482202.1