Carefree Truth
Issue #494, June 27, 2016
Gary Neiss explained that in the past, young people had used features around the town center and in the Desert Gardens as obstacle courses for their skateboards. Due to the damage this was causing, an Ordinance was put in place prohibiting skateboards in these areas. Now, rather than skateboards, the young people are riding BMX bikes in these areas. This was the first reading of an amendment expanding the Ordinance that would "exclude the riding of bicycles and vehicles propelled by human power on the walls, seats, furniture, amphitheater area and sidewalks within town center and the Desert Gardens". A clause is also included that allows the Town to notify the offenders' parents. The second reading will take place at the July Council meeting.
Councilman Glenn Miller asked if the signs would be changed to reflect the addition of bikes. Mr. Neiss said they would. Mr. Miller also suggested placing additional signs. Councilman Bob Gearhart asked if bikes could be ridden on the streets, for instance, in front of Venues. Mr. Neiss confirmed that was legal. Mr. Gearhart asked who would enforce the ordinance and was told Kevin Stuckey, the Town Code Enforcement Officer, would provide enforcement.
Jim Van Allen stated that he looked at the 2007 Ordinance on the Town website. He asked who would enforce it because hadn't seen that in the Ordinance. Mr. Neiss repeated that Mr. Stuckey enforces the Town Codes, or it could be enforced by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO). Mr. Van Allen's second concern was that he didn't see any consequences listed for violations, and he felt strongly that they should be added before the second reading in July. Mr. Neiss told him that penalties for Code violations are listed in Section 7-5 of the Town Code. Vice Mayor John Crane added that there is a fine of up to $750 for that violation.
Mr. Van Allen relayed that in 2008, he was on patrol with the MCSO Posse when he saw 2 boys with skateboards running around the Gardens. He wagged his finger at them and told them, "Don't do that!" He saw the same boys again a couple days later, confiscated their skateboards, and told them their Daddies could pick up the skateboards at the MCSO station. When he turned in the skateboards, the Captain didn't want to get involved with skateboards in Carefree.
https://vimeo.com/170322945
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list. Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.
Issue #494, June 27, 2016
Gary Neiss explained that in the past, young people had used features around the town center and in the Desert Gardens as obstacle courses for their skateboards. Due to the damage this was causing, an Ordinance was put in place prohibiting skateboards in these areas. Now, rather than skateboards, the young people are riding BMX bikes in these areas. This was the first reading of an amendment expanding the Ordinance that would "exclude the riding of bicycles and vehicles propelled by human power on the walls, seats, furniture, amphitheater area and sidewalks within town center and the Desert Gardens". A clause is also included that allows the Town to notify the offenders' parents. The second reading will take place at the July Council meeting.
Councilman Glenn Miller asked if the signs would be changed to reflect the addition of bikes. Mr. Neiss said they would. Mr. Miller also suggested placing additional signs. Councilman Bob Gearhart asked if bikes could be ridden on the streets, for instance, in front of Venues. Mr. Neiss confirmed that was legal. Mr. Gearhart asked who would enforce the ordinance and was told Kevin Stuckey, the Town Code Enforcement Officer, would provide enforcement.
Jim Van Allen stated that he looked at the 2007 Ordinance on the Town website. He asked who would enforce it because hadn't seen that in the Ordinance. Mr. Neiss repeated that Mr. Stuckey enforces the Town Codes, or it could be enforced by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO). Mr. Van Allen's second concern was that he didn't see any consequences listed for violations, and he felt strongly that they should be added before the second reading in July. Mr. Neiss told him that penalties for Code violations are listed in Section 7-5 of the Town Code. Vice Mayor John Crane added that there is a fine of up to $750 for that violation.
Mr. Van Allen relayed that in 2008, he was on patrol with the MCSO Posse when he saw 2 boys with skateboards running around the Gardens. He wagged his finger at them and told them, "Don't do that!" He saw the same boys again a couple days later, confiscated their skateboards, and told them their Daddies could pick up the skateboards at the MCSO station. When he turned in the skateboards, the Captain didn't want to get involved with skateboards in Carefree.
https://vimeo.com/170322945
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list. Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.