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Commission refers proposed parks-rule updates, including Battery Park restrictions, back to staff after debate
Summary
After lengthy discussion about adding Battery Park to a 'no-drinking' list, prohibiting open fires and wording around 'loud or boisterous' conduct, the commission voted to refer the parks-rule updates back to staff for more research and clarification.
The Bay City City Commission on Dec. 1 discussed proposed updates to parks rules — including prohibiting open fires, clarifying enforcement language on intoxication and disorderly conduct, and listing Battery Park among parks where drinking would be restricted.
Commissioners raised procedural and equity concerns. Commissioner Tenney said he was “vehemently opposed” to singling out Battery Park and warned that certain language could disproportionately affect people experiencing homelessness. Commissioner Cubitt questioned wording such as “loud or boisterous” and urged use of established disorderly-conduct language to avoid vague enforcement.
Staff and public-safety representatives said the proposed updates respond to repeated complaints, including multiple calls during the summer about fighting and drinking at Battery Park, and that some language was drafted in consultation with the city attorney to increase enforceability.
Following the discussion, Commissioner Coakley moved to refer the parks-rule updates back to staff for additional research — including a requested 6–12 month range of calls-for-service by park — and Commissioner Doyle seconded. The commission carried the referral and sent the item back to staff for revision.
Next steps: staff will collect parks call-for-service data for a specified date range, consult with the city attorney and public safety, and return with revised language.
