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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 08/21/2018 - FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 107, 2018, AMENDINGAgenda Item 12 Item # 12 Page 1 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY August 21, 2018 City Council STAFF Mike Calhoon, Parks Supervisor Jody Hurst, Legal SUBJECT First Reading of Ordinance No. 107, 2018, Amending Chapter 23 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins Regarding Model Rocketry. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of this item is to change the City Code to allow model rocketry activities under a permit issued by the Parks Department. Model rocketry is currently allowed by City Code in areas that are signed for the use. There are no areas currently signed for this use. This change would allow for the development of an internal policy for the safe and appropriate use of model rockets in the parks system, and issuance of a permit for that use. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading. BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION Model rocketry is an activity that provides a great learning tool in disguise. This activity combines science and technology along with individual creativity and group co-operation. It appeals to all ages and skill levels including Cub Scout groups, model rocket clubs at universities and members of all ages in groups such as the National Association of Rocketry. Currently, City Code 23-203 - Prohibited acts; permits. Section b.4 states: "Unless a sign has been posted by the Service Unit that the particular recreation area or a portion thereof is open for such use, it shall be unlawful to: Launch a model rocket in, onto or over a recreation area." With the build out of the parks system and the increasing population growth, areas to sign for this activity have become scarce. This request to change the ordinance is so that a permit may be issued for model rocketry in the parks system. This will allow for the completion of an internal policy which has already been reviewed by the City Attorney's Office, Safety Security and Risk Management and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Rocket size limitations, insurance requirements, appropriate locations and safety zone standards have been addressed along with the requirement to adhere to the National Association of Rocketry standards. The permit process will also facilitate communication with the Park Ranger staff to ensure proper compliance with the restrictions proposed in the new policy. CITY FINANCIAL IMPACTS There are no financial impacts from this change. The current permitting system will accommodate this change with no additional resources required. BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Agenda Item 12 Item # 12 Page 2 At its April 25, 2018, regular meeting, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board reviewed and supported this change with a vote of 6:1. PUBLIC OUTREACH Staff has worked with Cub Scout Troop 116 to develop the standards for safe model rocketry in the parks system. ATTACHMENTS 1. Parks and Recreation Board Minutes from April 25, 2018 (PDF) Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – April 25, 2018 Page 2 of 7 Full Minutes AGENDA ITEMS: Model Rocketry Demonstration – Robert Kacsanowski, Cub Scouts Troop 116 • Currently, there is no park in the City of Fort Collins that allows the launching of model rocketry. The local cub scouts would like to demonstrate how safe model rockets are and work with the city to provide a safe, approved space for them. • The US Postal Service has not classified model rocket motors as dangerous. The company that makes model rocket motors is located in Pueblo, Colorado. They have a $10 million insurance policy, and in over 3 million launches there has not been a reported incident. • Two large model rocketry organizations provide safety rules & regulations, the National Association of Rocketry & Tripoli Organization. • Mike has reviewed the recommended rules & regulations with the City Attorney and suggested the addition of an insurance policy which the presenter has acquired. Additionally, the rocket motors should be limited to C’s & D’s. Discussion Board – What is the purpose of teaching this in Boy Scouts? Presenter – This is provided as an elective option for Boy Scouts. Board – Were people launching these in their backyard? Presenter – You can launch on private property, but we don’t have private property that accommodates the space required. Board – Do they fly straight up or in an arc? Presenter – That depends on the wind and launch conditions. There are streamers and parachutes that slow the descent, but they can get stuck in trees, on roofs, etc. We also follow the rules & regulations that limit the materials that can be used to paper, plastic, cardboard, etc. and prevent the launching of hazardous materials. Board – Have you approached the school district? Presenter – That’s the first thing we did. They want to promote STEM and Model Rocketry; however, the Poudre School District follows the policies of the City of Fort Collins so they also won’t allow it. Board – When I was an 8th-grade teacher we would launch them on concrete behind a fence in case they did fall horizontally before launch, which I did see happen at one point. Presenter – There are safety protocols we follow to prevent any issues such as that. Safety is an important issue. We would request a permit for launching rockets. Board – I used to ride my horse by Spring Canyon Park, and a father & son launched a rocket which started my horse and I’ve also seen launches during high fire danger. Presenter – Providing a safe location, permitting process and park signage regarding model rocketry regulations will help to give hobbyists an option. Whereas now, without a safe place or process, there is no legal and regulated option. Board – Does the motor spew flame out the back? It looks similar to a firecracker. Presenter – It does spew a hot gas. We do not launch from a flammable surface. They do come with a metal launch pad. Board – Is there a specific area or space recommended for model rocketry launches? Presenter – It depends on the engine size. For A, you would need a 100x100 space, B would be 200x200, etc. Board – Are you looking for a permit? Presenter – Yes, we’re looking to work with the Parks Department to establish a permitting process. Board – I would recommend, as this moves forward, I would like to keep the Park Rangers involved and find out what they say. Considering that there will be people that will not have permits, insurance, safety protocol, etc. Parks and Recreation Board April 25, 2018 ATTACHMENT 1 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – April 25, 2018 Page 3 of 7 Presenter – Some municipalities that include a QR code on signs to provide more details information to rules, permits, etc so to encourage safe use of model rockets. Board – I think we should be limit model rocket launches to the type of parks in the City, such as not in smaller, neighborhood parks. Perhaps even parks without fewer trees, like Twin Silo Park. Or restrict to just concrete, such as tennis courts. Fossil Creek Park would also have space. Staff – Yes, I believe Mike Calhoon was already recommending Community Parks. Scott Sinn made a motion to support the use of model rocketry based on the Parks Department and City Attorney’s recommendations for safety rules, a permitting process requiring insurance. Seconded by Bruce Henderson – 6:1 Budgeting for Outcomes Update – Ralph, Bob, Kurt • The first round of BFO drafts are due Friday • Parks o On-going positions: ▪ 2 Parks Technicians - One Downtown and a Playground Inspector. o Enhancement positions: ▪ Lead Warehouse Manager. ▪ Forestry Maintenance Worker (lower pay scale than the Forestry Technician.) ▪ Horticulture Crew Chief ▪ A new Park Ranger by 2020 to provide 7-coverage. ▪ Life-cycle Planting Technician, there are a lot of perennials on Mulberry Bridge alone. ▪ Whitewater Park Technician towards 2019 ▪ 2 Park Technicians ▪ Forestry Specialist to handle Emerald Ash Borer logistics, such as tree removal, replacement, contracting, etc. If we make it to 2021 without EAB, we’ll be in a great position. ▪ Lincoln Corridor Maintenance Worker o Life-cycle Projects ▪ Continuing the conversion of the Rolland Moore ballfield lights to LED ▪ Rolland Moore tennis complex upgrade from asphalt to post-tension concrete. Also, upgrade the lighting to LED. The estimated cost is $1,222,000. The post-tension concrete is cheaper than replacing with asphalt. The condition of the current courts has caused us to lose some tournament opportunities. ▪ Streetscape renovations- parkways & median renovations ▪ Encampment Clean-up - $30,000 for Parks. This would be a multi-department project • Recreation o On-going ▪ Ice & Aquatics Facilities, Recreation Activities & Programs, Recreation Administration & Communication o Enhancement ▪ Contribution to the Parks & Recreation Master Plan & Recreational Operational Plan ▪ Recreation Facility Improvements & Equipment Replacement – An example would be the locker rooms in the Senior Center, Men’s at EPIC, electric basketball hoops to make for faster & safer storage. Exercise equipment replacement at Senior Center and Northside, new vans for safety, new storage at EPIC to replace the city sheds, lobby enclosure for the Green Rink at EPIC. We -1- ORDINANCE NO.107, 2018 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS AMENDING CHAPTER 23 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS REGARDING MODEL ROCKETRY WHEREAS, model rocketry is an activity that provides a great learning tool; and WHEREAS, when done properly and safely, model rocketry advances science, technology, creativity, and group cooperation; and WHEREAS, the Code currently prohibits the use of model rockets in recreation areas unless a sign is posted permitting the activity; and WHEREAS, there are no signs posted in any recreation area permitting the activity, effectively banning it from all recreation areas; and WHEREAS, City Staff believes a permit system will allow for the safe and effective use of model rockets in parks, removing the effective ban of the current Code system and placing specific requirements on both the model rocket and the persons using the model rocket; and WHEREAS, a Code amendment is needed to change the current requirement from only using model rockets where signs are posted to only using model rockets when given a permit to do so; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the proposed amendments are in the best interests of the City and are necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of the City’s citizens. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS as follows: Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations and findings contained in the recitals set forth above. Section 2. That Section 23-203 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended as follows: Sec. 23-203 Prohibited acts; permits. . . . (b) Unless a sign has been posted by the Service Unit that the particular recreation area or a portion thereof is open for such use, it shall be unlawful to: . . . -2- (4) Launch a model rocket in, onto or over a recreation area. (54) Ride or have a horse in a recreation area more than ten (10) feet from a designated trail or roadway, or on any irrigated turf grass, except to the extent unavoidable circumstances require that a horse be ridden or taken into such areas briefly to avoid imminent danger to other persons. (65) Skateboard or in-line skate, except on a sidewalk, roadway, parking area or designated trail. . . . (d) Except as authorized by a permit obtained for such use from the Service Unit, it shall be unlawful to: . . . (16) Launch a model rocket in, onto or over a recreation area. . . . Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 21st day of August, A.D. 2018, and to be presented for final passage on the 4th day of September, A.D. 2018. __________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _______________________________ City Clerk Passed and adopted on final reading on the 4th day of September, A.D. 2018. __________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _______________________________ City Clerk