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Home My WebLink About16 - City Council Support for Opening of Park PlaygroundsQ �EwPpRT o c — '9 TO: FROM: CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Staff Report PREPARED BY: PHONE: TITLE ABSTRACT: October 13, 2020 Agenda Item No. 16 HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL Laura Detweiler, Recreation and Senior Services Director - 949- 644-3151, Idetweiler@newportbeachca.gov Laura Detweiler, Recreation and Senior Services Director 949-644-3151 City Council Support for Opening of Park Playgrounds Playgrounds in Newport Beach and across the state of California have been closed due to the pandemic by order of state and county health officials to slow the spread of COVID- 19. Council Member Muldoon requested staff bring an item forward advocating for their opening. On September 28, 2020 the California Department of Public Health issued safety guidelines for the immediate opening of all playgrounds. In accordance with the safety guidelines, all City park playgrounds are open. RECOMMENDATION: a) Determine this action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15378(b)(5) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, which provides "organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment" are not considered a project under CEQA, and pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3), actions that are not projects are not subject to CEQA; and b) Receive and file. FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: There is no fiscal impact related to this item. DISCUSSION: On March 19, 2020 the State Public Health Officer and Director of the California Department of Public Health issued a stay at home order to minimize the spread of COVID-19. These orders mandated the closure of some park amenities and recreational activities as a preventative measure where social distancing, mixing of cohorts and shared touch points were of concern. Many of these amenities and programs had been given clearance to resume except for playgrounds that remained closed across the state of California. 16-1 City Council Support for Opening of Park Playgrounds October 13, 2020 Page 2 Parks throughout Newport Beach have remained open throughout the pandemic and have provided much needed relief from the stressors and challenges facing our community. The Recreation and Senior Services Department has been successful in providing ongoing recreational programming and park amenities with safety guidelines in place throughout the parks system, which has been well received by the community. Testimony from residents regarding the need for open space and recreational opportunities has been constant along with their strong desire to open our park playgrounds. During the state ordered closure of playgrounds, staff conducted this year's playground refurbishment program and completed three renovations at Mariners, Bob Henry and Newport Shores Parks. These projects are now complete, and the playgrounds are open for use, which has minimized further downtime. Signage has been installed at all Newport Beach playgrounds recommending proper handwashing, social distancing and avoidance of overcrowding to minimize health risks. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: Staff finds this action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Section 15378(b)(5) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, provides "organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment" are not considered a project under CEQA. Pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3), actions that are not projects are not subject to CEQA. The action to receive and file the State's safety guidelines regarding the immediate reopening of parks is an administrative activity and does not commit the City to the adoption of any project, plan, or policy that results in a potential or actual change to the environment, directly or indirectly. NOTICING: The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item). ATTACHMENT: Attachment A — California Department of Public Health Opening of Playgrounds 16-2 9/29/2020 Outdoor Playgrounds and other Outdoor Recreational Facilities ATTACHMENT A Sttf Clifornia—Health and Human 4w,". Services Agency !)COPH California Department of Sandra Shewry Public Health Acting Director September 28, 2020 TO: All Californians SUBJECT: Outdoor Playgrounds and other Outdoor Recreational Facilities Summary GAVIN NEWSOM Governor COVID-19 continues to pose a severe risk to communities and requires all people in California to follow necessary precautions and to adapt the way they live and function in light of this ongoing risk. This guidance provides direction on usage of outdoor playgrounds and outdoor recreational facilities (hereafter facilities), to support a safe environment for children and families. It applies to outdoor playgrounds located in parks, campgrounds, and other publicly accessible locations. This guidance does not apply to indoor playgrounds or family entertainment centers. Outdoor Playground Definition: • Fully outdoors • Publicly accessible • Free to enter and use • Operated by a city, state, county, or federal government • Designed primarily to serve nearby residents within a half a mile • Can provide State -mandated outdoor space for preschools (which could be scheduled in advance to avoid overlapping use) • Typically includes recreational equipment, like play structures, slides, swings, etc. intended to enrich children's physical health and development Visitors to outdoor community playgrounds must comply with the following requirements: 1. Face masks over the mouth and nose are required for everyone 2 years of age or older with caregiver supervision at all times to ensure face mask use 2. Do not use the playground when different households are unable to maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or when the capacity limit of [number of children and number of adults] has been reached 3. Caregivers must monitor to keep adults and children from different households at least 6 feet apart 4. Consider coming on different times or days to avoid wait times and potential crowded times 5. No eating or drinking in playground, to ensure face masks are worn at all times 6. Wash or sanitize hands before and after using the playground. 7. Elderly and persons with underlying medical conditions should avoid playground when others are present https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Outdoor Playgrounds and other Outdoor Recreational Facilities.aspx 1/3 16-3 9/29/2020 Outdoor Playgrounds and other Outdoor Recreational Facilities 8. Limit visit to 30 min per day when others are present Note: Facility operators should download and print this flyer to post at all outdoor playgrounds. All playground facilities operators should review and follow these recommendations: 1. An adult must actively supervise each child at all times to make sure that children two years of age or older keep their face covering over their nose and mouth and stay 6 feet away from adults and children outside their household. a. Children who are supervised by the same adult must stay together in the same play area or play structure at all times, to allow active supervision. b. If an infant or child requires attention (nursing, diapering) that precludes an adult from actively supervising other children using the playground, the adult should ask the other children to leave the play structure/area and stay by the adult's side until needed care is complete. 2. People standing outside the playground, including people waiting to enter the playground, should remain 6 feet away from areas of the playground used by children and adults. 3. Maintain six-foot distancing between children and adults from different households including children using or waiting to use play structures or play areas, and families waiting to enter the playground. 4. Increase cleaning of frequently touched surfaces, daily as practicable. 5. To the extent feasible, provide handwashing stations or sanitizer to facilitate hand hygiene, especially during times of heavy usage. Use a hand sanitizer containing (60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol). Never use hand sanitizers with methanol due to its high toxicity to both children and adults. 6. Post the maximum number of children allowed at the entrance of each playground. a. Determine and post the maximum occupancy of each play structure, (e.g., climbing structures, slides, swings, spinning structures, and sand areas) with 6 foot vertical and horizontal distancing. b. Determine and post the maximum occupancy for supervising adults to ensure that each adult can maintain six feet of distance from other adults and children. c. Provide directions on how to wait in line when maximum playground occupancy has been reached. 7. Mark playgrounds to help children and adults maintain 6 foot distancing. Mark spaces for families to stand while waiting to enter the playground. The spaces should be far enough apart to allow 6 feet of distance between households. b. For play structures or play areas that can hold more than one child while allowing 6 foot distancing: i. Post the maximum number of children allowed on each structure/in each area to allow 6 foot distancing vertically and horizontally. ii. For play structures or areas that can hold more than 1 child, consider marking with tape or other visual indicators to help children assess whether they are 6 feet apart. c. Mark designated spaces 6 feet apart for children to stand while waiting to use a play structure/area. Additional Considerations If there is a pre -scheduled activity that will access the playground, the playground must be closed to the broader public during that time. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Outdoor Playgrounds and other Outdoor Recreational Facilities.aspx 2/3 16-4 9/29/2020 Outdoor Playgrounds and other Outdoor Recreational Facilities Child care programs, schools, out-of-school time programs and other programs for children and youth where children must remain in cohorts may not use playgrounds during times when they are open to the public. However, if the playground operator permits, the childcare, school or other program may reserve a time for the exclusive use of the playground by the program. While on the playground, cohorts should maintain separation and avoid mixing. California Department of Public Health 4�tE�rrr, PO Box, 997377, MS 0500, Sacramento, CA 95899-7377 44wa'`w rpgR3 Department Website (cdph.ca.gov) a Do* Page Last Updated : September 29, 2020 https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Outdoor Playgrounds and other Outdoor Recreational Facilities.aspx 3/3 16-5