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Deputy clerk launches 'Samantha activities' project and proposes repealing archaic Sunday-activity clause
Summary
Deputy Clerk Samantha Costello launched a recurring initiative to identify outdated charter provisions for repeal and presented RL26‑149 to repeal Chapter 363 (Sunday activities), which bans certain motion-picture exhibitions and restrictions on baseball on Sundays after 2 p.m.; councilmembers responded positively and encouraged citizen input as part of the review.
Deputy Clerk Samantha Costello announced a recurring initiative—"Samantha activities"—to review and repeal outdated provisions of the city charter. Her first target was Chapter 363, a Sunday‑activities chapter that prohibits exhibition of motion pictures after 2 p.m. on Sundays in some venues and contains archaic restrictions dating to Blue Book-era Sabbath observance.
Costello said the provision likely has little contemporary resonance and that general code staff will be comparing municipal language to state and federal law to identify contradictions. "There are so many pieces of our charter that are archaic and no longer hold relevance to the way that we conduct activities," she said. Council members welcomed the effort and asked that general code and corporation counsel advise on enforceability and any direct conflicts with state law.
The deputy clerk invited council recommendations for other obsolete chapters and said she will continue bringing items to council for consideration on a recurring basis.
