Council adopts temporary‑memorial ordinance establishing 45‑day time limit and storage rules
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Summary
Council introduced and waived first reading for an ordinance creating Chapter 3.56 (temporary memorials) that sets a 45‑day display period, bans glass and open flames, requires five‑day posted notice before removal and provides a 30‑day reclamation period for nonperishable items.
The Tracy City Council introduced an ordinance to add Chapter 3.56 (temporary memorials) to Title 3 (Public Safety) and waived first reading on Dec. 2.
Lieutenant Dan Garcia described the ordinance as an attempt to balance residents’ need to mourn with public‑safety, accessibility and maintenance concerns. Key elements: a 45‑day permitted display period for temporary memorials on public property near a site of a tragic event; prohibitions on glass, open flames, perishable food, alcohol and obscene content; restrictions on placement that could obstruct pedestrians, motorists or maintenance activity; a requirement that the city post a 5‑day notice before removing items left beyond the allowed period; nonperishable items will be stored for 30 days for family reclamation and unclaimed items disposed of thereafter.
A member of the public asked what would happen if people re‑installed memorials after removal; staff said removals would be handled case by case and follow posted procedures. The council voted to introduce the ordinance by title and staff said enforcement and storage would be handled within existing budgets.