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AGENDA REPORT
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| | | | | | | | DATE:
| March 24, 2020
| TO:
| Mayor and City Council
| FROM:
| Stefan T. Chatwin, City Manager 
| | SUBJECT: | Second Reading, and Adoption of Ordinance of 2020-04 of the City Council of the City of Fairfield Amending Certain Sections of Fairfield City Code, Chapter 12B, Parks and Recreation, to Prohibit Electric Bicycles in Rockville Hills Regional Park |
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| | | | | | | | | RECOMMENDED ACTION | | Provide second reading, and adopt Ordinance 2020-04. |
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| | | | | | | | | STATEMENT OF ISSUE | | Due to the delicate nature of the single-track trail systems in Rockville Hills Regional Park (Rockville Park), staff recommends amending Chapter 12B (Parks and Recreation) of the Fairfield Municipal Code to prohibit the riding or operating of Electric Bicycles (E-Bikes) in Rockville Park. E-Bikes generate greater torque and travel at higher speeds than traditional bicycles, which ruts and damages the trails and creates unsafe conditions for fellow trail users. |
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| | | | | | | | | DISCUSSION | Chapter 12B of the Fairfield Municipal Code does not currently address the use of electric bicycles in City Parks. The proposed ordinance would amend Section 12B.1 to add the term “Electric Bicycle.” As defined in the California Vehicle Code, E-bikes are divided into three distinct classes: a class 1 - E-Bike has a top assisted speed of 20 miles per hour (mph) and must be pedaled to operate; a class 2 - E-Bike has a top assisted speed of 20 mph but can be operated without pedaling; and a class 3 - E-Bike has a top assisted speed of 28 mph and must be pedaled to operate.
Vehicle Code Section 21207.5, which was added via AB 1096 in 2015, prohibits the operation of class 3 E-Bikes on paths, lanes, or trails, unless specifically allowed by local ordinance. The Vehicle Code also authorizes cities to prohibit by ordinance the operation of class 1 or 2 E-Bikes on paths and trails.
Consistent with the grant of authority in Vehicle Code Section 21207.5, the proposed ordinance would add a subsection (h) to Section 12B.4, which addresses traffic and parking regulations in City Parks and Open Spaces. The new subsection (h) would prohibit riding or operating any Electric Bicycles in Rockville Hills Regional Park.
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| | | | | | | | | FINANCIAL IMPACT | | The proposed ordinance has no fiscal impact to the City. Pending Council approval, enforcement at Rockville Park will be handled by existing staff (i.e. Park Ranger) and the cost for additional signage is accounted for in Community Facilities District 2004. |
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| | | | | | | | | CITY COUNCIL WORKPLAN | Community Safety
| Community Infrastructure | Quality of Life | | Financial and Operational Sustainability | Economic Development | Travis Air Force Base |
| City Council Goal this item supports:
Not Applicable |
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| | | | | | | | | Project: | One-time item not recommended for including in the Workplan
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| | | | | | | | | PUBLIC CONTACT/ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION | A summary of the ordinance will be published in the Daily Republic. The summary will also be emailed to the Rockville Hills Regional Park Citizen Advisory Committee. The first reading of this ordinance was approved on March 3, 2020.
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| | | | | | | | | ALTERNATIVE ACTION | | The City Council could choose not to adopt the proposed amendments to the Fairfield City Code. |
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| | | | | | | | | STAFF CONTACT | Caroline Vedder, Associate Civil Engineer
707-428-7484
cvedder@fairfield.ca.gov
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| | | | | | | | | COORDINATED WITH | City Attorney's Office, Finance Department
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| REVIEWERS: | | Reviewer | Action | Date | | Panganiban, Ryan | Approved | 2/28/2020 - 6:16 PM | | Kaushal, Paul | Approved | 2/28/2020 - 6:25 PM | | Alexander, Amber | Approved | 3/3/2020 - 11:17 AM | | Alexander, Amber | Approved | 3/5/2020 - 6:31 PM |
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