TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Mark Danaj, City Manager
SUBJECT:Title
Ordinance Amending the City's Fishing and Pier Regulations (City Manager Danaj).
ADOPT URGENCY ORDINANCE NO. ORD U 14-0013 AND INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. ORD 14-0014
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council: a) receive public input; b) discuss and provide direction; c) adopt Urgency Ordinance No. ORD U 14-0013; d) introduce Ordinance No. ORD 14-0014; and e) allocate an amount not to exceed $10,000 from the City Council Contingency account for participation in Heal the Bay's Pier Angler Ambassador pilot program.
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FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
As a result of the proposed changes, the City will incur minimal to moderate costs associated with public outreach, education, and signage. Additionally, staff recommends that City Council engage Heal the Bay for an initial 3 month educational pilot program as discussed in their Proposal (Attachment 6) at a cost of $5,000 to $10,000. To that end, staff recommends that City Council allocate an amount not to exceed $10,000 from the City Council Contingency account.
BACKGROUND:
On July 5, 2014, a swimmer was bitten by a shark that had been caught by an individual fishing from the pier. Over the past several months, there have been reports of a number of sightings of great white and other juvenile sharks in the 7 to 10 foot range near the pier. These sightings have caused concern in the community. According to media reports, some pier fishers are using bait and equipment that may serve to attract and catch sharks. Through the years, the City has received complaints about surfers and swimmers being injured by fishing lines and hooks from fishers on the pier, thereby adversely affecting the ability of swimmers and surfers to access and enjoy the ocean.
On July 15, 2014, the City Council declared an emergency and nuis...
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