HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-10 24-180 Ordinance24-180 06/10/2024
CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Council Meeting Date: June 10, 2024
Item No: 24-180
Responsible Dept: Legal
Action Requested: Ordinance Map/Lot: N/A
Title, Ordinance
Amending Chapter 174, Loitering, Section 174-1, to Prohibit Loitering on Narrow Medians in High -Volume or
High -Speed Traffic Areas
Summary
This Ordinance amendment, if passed, would revise the City's Loitering Ordinance to prohibit loitering on
narrow medians (less than six -feet wide) in high -volume or high-speed traffic areas, to protect both those on
the medians and the drivers and passengers in vehicles passing by.
Under the current ordinance, loitering that impedes public streets or the free and uninterrupted passage of
vehicles is not permitted. Loitering on narrow medians in high -volume or high-speed traffic areas is an
obvious danger to both those on the narrow medians and those in vehicles driving past the medians. City staff
has recommended adding the proposed ordinance due to growing safety concerns.
The scope of the proposed amendment is limited, as it is expected to apply to only a small number of narrow
medians located in high -volume or high-speed traffic areas on city -owned streets. The amendment would not
apply to medians located on privately -owned land, nor to medians located within state and interstate
highways.
It is anticipated that the proposed amendment would be enforced via conversations with citizens directing
them to move from the narrow median to a safer location, and it is not expected that enforcement civil
penalties will be sought.
Committee Action
Committee: Government Operations
Action: Recommended for passage
Staff Comments & Approvals
9,21,
City Manager
Meeting Date: June 3, 2024
For:
City Solicitor
Against:
Finance Director
Introduced for: First Reading and Referral to Government Operations Committee — June 17, 2024
24-180 06/10/2024
CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE
Date: June 10, 2024
Assigned to Councilor: Yacoubagha
ORDINANCE, Amending Chapter 174, Loitering, Section 174-1, to Prohibit Loitering on Narrow Medians in
High -Volume or High -Speed Traffic Areas
WHEREAS, presently, the Loitering Ordinance prohibits loitering that impedes public streets or the free and
uninterrupted passage of vehicles; and
WHEREAS, loitering on narrow medians in high -volume or high-speed traffic areas is an obvious danger to
both to those on the medians and to drivers and passengers in vehicles driving past the medians; and
WHEREAS, the proposed ordinance amendment would protect public safety by prohibiting loitering on
medians less than six -feet -wide in high -volume or high -traffic areas;
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR AS FOLLOWS, THAT
Chapter 174 of the Code of the City of Bangor is amended as follows:
§ 174-1 Prohibited acts.
It shall be unlawful for any person to loiter, loaf, wander, stand or remain idle, either alone or in consort with
others, in a public place in such a manner as to:
A. Obstruct any public street, public highway, public sidewalk or any other public place or building or hinder
or impede the free and uninterrupted passage of vehicles, traffic or pedestrians.
B. Commit, in or upon any public street, public highway, public sidewalk or any other public place or building,
any act or thing which is an obstruction or interference to the free and uninterrupted use of property or to
any business lawfully conducted by anyone in or upon or facing or fronting on any public street, public
sidewalk or any other public place or building, all of which prevents the free and uninterrupted ingress,
egress and regress, thereon and thereto.
It shall also be unlawful for any person to loiter, either alone or with others, on medians less than six feet wide
in hiah-volume or high-speed traffic areas, due to safety concerns.
Additions are underlined, deletions h_,, eugh.
IN CITY COUNCIL
JUNE 10, 2024
COrd 24-180
First Reading sand Referral to Government Operations Committee meeting on June 17, 2024
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CITY CLERK
IN CITY COUNCIL
JUNE 24, 2024
COrd 24-180
Michael Beck felt this was well-intended but wondered what else they had tried. He thought this should be sent back to
committee and that the passage would cost the City a lot in legal fees.
Motion made and seconded for Passage
Vote: 5 - 2
Councilors Voting Yes: Deane, Fish, Fournier, Tremble, Pelletier
Councilors Voting No: Leonard, Yacoubagha
Passed
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CITY CLERK