REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
DATE: 04/19/2023
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Community Services Department
SUBJECT:
Title
ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 9.22.020 OF THE CORONA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR SALE OR CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ON PUBLIC PROPERTY
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This staff report asks the City Council to revise the Corona Municipal Code Section 9.22.020, to further allow the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages on public property for permitted events and activities.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommended action
That the City Council introduce by title only and waive full reading for consideration of Ordinance No. 3369, first reading of an ordinance amending Corona Municipal Code Section 9.22.020 of the Corona Municipal Corona to clarify provisions relating to the rules and regulations for the sale or consumption of alcohol on public property.
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BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
The purpose of the Corona Municipal Code (CMC) Section 9.22.020 - Sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages on public property is to establish a comprehensive set of rules, regulations, and standards for the use of alcohol in public places. This section was last updated in 2016, with modifications to allow for the use of and possession of alcohol as part of permitted special events. As the City expands both the frequency and size of permitted community events, there is a corresponding need for more and larger spaces. Utilizing the Historic Civic Center lawn would allow the City to provide a wider range of venues for community organizers to plan events where alcohol could be sold and consumed safely as part of the event permit
ANALYSIS:
The City of Corona’s Strategic Plan, Goal 5 - Sense of Place, calls for increasing access to recreational and cultural activities and events. Amending CMC Section 9.22.020 would reflect current request and use trends, and anticipate a growing demand for the use of the Historic Civic Center lawn to accommodate community events and gatherings.
For Fiscal Year 2024, staff are proposing to combine the Summer Concerts Series and Night Market events into a single Summer Street Fair experience utilizing the same event footprint and street closure as the Holiday Lighting Celebration in front of the Historic Civic Center. Traditionally, the City has worked with community organizers to host a beer and wine garden on the lawn between the Historic Civic Center (HCC) and City Hall for the Summer Concerts Series. A change to CMC 9.22.020 would be required to allow the sale and consumption of alcohol if these events are relocated to the front lawn of the HCC. Staff propose extending permitted alcohol use areas to the lawn in front of the HCC up to the sidewalk of Sixth Street in order to maintain this component of the event and accommodate future requests to program this unique event space. Any alcohol use in a public setting will remain at the discretion of the City, permitting processes, and in accordance with any and all state and local laws.
Ordinance No. 3369 (attached) proposes the following amendments to CMC Section 9.22.020 to achieve the above goals:
ü Extend permitted use areas to include the front lawn area of the Historic Civic Center (the lawn area between the Historic Civic Center and the sidewalk adjacent to Sixth Street) at 815 W. Sixth Street.
ü Extend permitted use to include outdoor patio areas of the Senior Center located at 921 S. Belle Ave.
ü Remove indoor areas of the former Police Department building located at 849 W. Sixth Street.
Approval of the proposed amendments to CMC Section 9.22.020 will assist the City with special event planning, ensure safe and productive use of public areas, and promote greater resident access to unique program opportunities.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There are no significant financial impacts anticipated with the revision of CMC Section 9.22.020.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
This action is exempt pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which states that a project is exempt from CEQA if the activity is covered by the commonsense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. This action involves minor revisions to the CMC to enable more effective implementation and enforcement of the City’s rules and regulations for sale or consumption of alcohol in public place and there is no possibility that the adoption of the attached Ordinance will have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, no environmental analysis is required.
PREPARED BY: JASON LASS, RECREATION SERVICES MANAGER
REVIEWED BY: ANNE K. TURNER, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
Attachments:
1. Exhibit 1 - Ordinance No. 3369
2. Exhibit 2 - CMC 9.22.020 Redline Edits