ORDINANCE No. 2861

AN ORDINANCE DECLARING AN EMERGENCY NECESSITATING AN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 24 OF THE GRAND JUNCTION CODE OF ORDINANCES

BY ADDING SECTION 24-20 PROHIBITING THE USE OF SKATE DEVICES, INCLUDING SKATE BOARDS, IN-LINE SKATES, CONVENTIONAL ROLLER SKATES OR OTHER WHEELED DEVICES IN CERTAIN LOCATIONS AND OTHERWISE REGULATING THE USE THEREOF.

RECITALS.

Due to recent and consistent use and misuse of public and private facilities by persons riding skateboards and other wheeled devices and due to the fact that the use of such devices has proliferated to the point of endangering the health safety, comfort and repose of the citizens of the City as evidenced by complaints of damage to property, intimidation or persons using the streets and the occurrence of collisions, excessive speed and out-of control operation of such devices, and given the fact that the Police Department has determined that the use of wheeled devices results in imminent pedestrian, vehicular and other safety issues when such devices are used inappropriately on the sidewalks, paths, trails and streets of the City of Grand Junction;

The City Council hereby finds and determines that the passage of Section 24-20 is necessary, proper and that the adoption of such is done in the interest of preserving the public peace, health and safety.

The City Council further finds and determines that the Ordinance is necessary in order to promote the safe and conscientious use of skates and wheeled devices and that this regulation is in the interest of the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of the City of Grand Junction; and

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Grand Junction that Section 24-20 is hereby enacted in response to special emergency circumstances and conditions with the proposed ordinance reading as follows:

 A.  No person shall operate a skate device in any place where there are one or more signs posted prohibiting such activity. No person shall operate a skate device in any place in a manner which causes injury to any person or damage to public or private property.

 B.  A person using a skate device upon any sidewalk, public path, trail or right-of-way within the City shall use the same in a careful and prudent manner and at a rate of speed no greater than is reasonable and proper under the conditions existing at the point of operation, taking into account the amount and character of pedestrian traffic, grade and width of sidewalk, path, trail or right-of-way and condition of the surface thereof, and shall obey all traffic control devices. Every person using a skate device upon a sidewalk, public path, trail or other right-of-way shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian thereon.

 C. Skate device(s) shall include and mean any skateboard(s),    conventional or in-line roller skates or other similar device or apparatus all which may be collectively referred to as skate device or skate devices.

Introduced this 16th day of August, 1995.

Passed and adopted this 16th day of August, 1995, by a vote of 7 to 0.

             /s/ Ron Maupin

             President of the Council

ATTEST:

/s/ Stephanie Nye

City Clerk