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Related to Agenda Item 12. Proposed Revisions to Ordinances No. 2 and No. 3. October 17, 2013. Current Ordinances and Policies. Current Ordinances No. 2 and No. 3 Allow open bottles of a lcoholic beverages and consumption of alcoholic beverages on COASTER trains until 9 p.m.
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Related to Agenda Item 12 Proposed Revisions to Ordinances No. 2 and No. 3 October 17, 2013
Current Ordinances and Policies • Current Ordinances No. 2 and No. 3 • Allow open bottles of alcoholic beverages and consumption of alcoholic beverages on COASTER trains until 9 p.m. • Open bottles of alcoholic beverages and consumption of alcoholic beverages are prohibited on BREEZE, LIFT and SPRINTER at all times.
Proposed Changes • The proposed changes to Ordinance Nos. 2 and 3 would prohibit the possession of open containers and the consumption of alcohol on the COASTER at all times, making the policy with respect to COASTER consistent with BREEZE, LIFT and SPRINTER. • Changes would be consistent with METROLINK and MTSpolicies. • The proposed changes to Ordinance 2 would allow Executive Director to make exceptions for special events.
Recent Events • Excessive consumption of alcohol by COASTER passengers has led to safety concerns. • Sheriff’s Deputies, Code Enforcement Officers and COASTER Conductors have detailed the following problems: • Safety issues due to train crowding and intoxicated or violent behavior, presence of homeless, and debris from empty alcohol containers left in train cars • Safety issues due to high noise levels that preclude conductors from hearing engineer call signals • Suspected underage drinking • Safety of passengers and vehicle operators is NCTD’s primary concern.
NCTD’s Response • Measures to mitigate safety concerns: • Assigning up to 10 additional personnel for special event trains • Hiring extra cleaning contractors • Screening intoxicated passengers • Citations cannot be processed fast enough to be effective with these crowds. • Changing policy (through Ordinance Nos. 2 and 3) would increase safety of COASTER passengers and Conductors.
Committee Reviews and Feedback • June 11, 2013: Staff sought input from Marketing, Service Planning and Business Development Committee (MSPBD)and provided summary of current alcohol policy and recent concerns with alcohol usage on COASTER. • MSPBD Committee supported review and encouraged staff to consider proposed revisions and return to the Board. • October 3, 2013: Staff presented proposed changes to the Executive Committee and now bring the proposed changes to the full Board for consideration.
Staff Recommendation • Receive revisions to Ordinance Nos. 2 and 3 to prohibit open containers and consumption of alcoholic beverages on COASTER trains at all times. • Schedule a public hearing for November 21, 2013, to consider adoption of revised Ordinances No. 2 and No. 3.
Next Steps • Following public hearing, request Board approval of revised Ordinances on November 21, 2013.