GRVNC OFW Committee March 2006 Report

Ocean Front Walk Committee Report
3.21.06
submitted by Linda Lucks, Chair

I. Meeting on 3/17/06 to Discuss Pending OFW Ordinance

The new sections of LAMC Section 42.15 will take effect on Saturday 3/25. LAPD will be enforcing the new ordinance beginning on that date.

Copies of the revised ordinance are available at the Department of Recreation and Parks, Venice Beach Office on Ocean Front Walk. The ordinance is also posted on the LA City website (www.lacity.org) and on the GRVNC website: (www.grvnc.org). LAMC 42.15 regulates time, space and manner of expression. The vending of items with more than nominal use will be prohibited. The new rules are based on a recent Supreme Court decision that defines only items of pure expression of free speech with no other utilitarian use to be legal in free speech zones.

LA City representatives (LAPD, City Attorney, Recreation and Parks) explained the new changes to the ordinance, the existing lottery program and how the ordinance will be enforced on the West and East sides of the boardwalk. A flyer is being circulated to stakeholders in advance so people are made aware of the changes before they are enforced. A three member appeals board consisting of one member each of the Park Advisory Board, GRVNC and Recreation and Parks Department will hear appeals of people cited three times. If appeals denied, permits will be revoked.

Members of the community asked questions and relayed concerns with parts of the new ordinance: prohibition of jewelry, hair braiding, sound limit at 50' instead of 25,' and encroachment on east and west sides. Objections were voiced about a Working Group formed to deal with day to day issues. Stakeholders are asked to attend monthly Ocean Front Walk Committee meetings to report on problems and successes with the ordinance as they arise.

Concerns were expressed about the proliferation of billboards on the side walls of businesses. The City Attorney will check laws, but thinks that the billboards are legal.

II. ACTION ITEM: Stephen Fiske asked that the GRVNC write a letter to Councilman Rosendahl in support of his efforts to fund the Peace Keepers, a voluntary organization in formation to maintain order among free expressionists and performers.

III. Next meeting date: April 7, 8-9:30 a.m., Oakwood Recreation Center. For the next few months, the OFW committee will meet on the first Friday of each month. Check the GRVNC website for updates.