Ord 054-2004 7/6/2004ORDINANCE NO. �5� _
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY' COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WICHITA
FALLS, TEXAS, AMENDING CHAPTER 18, ARTICLE II OF THE
WICHITA FALLS CODE OF ORDINANCES, MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
REGULATIONS; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE
PROVIDING FOR EMERGENCY PASSAGE„ FINDING AND
DETERMINING THAT THE MEETING AT WHICH THIS ORDINANCE
WAS PASSED WAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY LAW.
WHEREAS, the safety of airport personnel, passengers and patrons of the
Wichita Falls Municipal Airport is of the utmost concern to the City Council; and
WHEREAS, unattended vehicles and baggage pose a threat to the security of
the airport; and,
WHEREAS, in an effort to combine safety with convenience, the establishment
of a "No Unattended Vehicles" zone will allow for the convenience of loading and
unloading of vehicles at a short distance from the airport terminal, but will prohibit
persons from leaving those vehicles unattended; and
WHEREAS, the prohibition of unattended baggage will provide for accountability
and an added security measure for airport personnel, visitors and passengers.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE: CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, THAT:
SECTION 1. Chapter 18, Article II of the Wichita Falls Code of Ordinances is
hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
"ARTICLE II. MUNICIPAL_ AIRPORT REGULATIONS
Sec.18 -1. Permission Required To Conduct Commercial Activities.
No person shall use the municipal airport for the purpose of carrying on any
commercial activity, other than airport- related activity. The carrying for hire of
passengers, freight, express or mail; the instruction in aviation in any of its branches;
the conduct of any phase of any aviation activity; the sale of fuel or refreshments; or
any other commercial aviation - related purpose, must be by express written permission
from the city council.
Sec. 18 -2. No Unattended Vehicles Zone; Establishment.
(a) The City of Wichita Falls Traffic Engineering Division is authorized to
create a "No Unattended Vehicles" zone for the purpose of prohibiting unattended
vehicles in specific locations where it has been determined such is necessary to
promote a legitimate governmental interest. These zones must be marked with a sign or
signs stating "No Unattended Vehicles." The Traffic Engineering Division shall arrange
for the marking of all such zones.
(b) An unattended vehicle is defined as a motor vehicle that has no human
occupants; and for which there are no persons responsible within ten (10) feet of same.
(c) A person responsible for a motor vehicle commits an offense if he leaves
the motor vehicle unattended in a zone designated by this section. It is a defense to
prosecution that the person is assisting infirm and /or disabled passengers, so long as
the responsible person does not leave the vehicle unattended for more than ten (10)
minutes.
(d) Any violation of this section shall constitute a class C misdemeanor,
punishable by a fine as set out in Section 1 -14 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of
Wichita Falls.
Sec. 18 -3. Unattended baggage, prohibited.
(a) A person commits an offense if he leaves luggage, baggage, suitcase(s),
cases, gear, or other belongings unattended at the Wichita Falls Municipal Airport. An
item shall be deemed unattended if the person responsible for the item is not within ten
(10') feet of the item. On -duty employees of the Municipal Airport or airlines are exempt
from this restriction.
(b) Any violation of this section shall constitute a class C misdemeanor,
punishable by a fine as set out in Section 1 -14 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of
Wichita Falls."
SECTION 2. It is the intention of the City Council of the City of Wichita Falls,
Texas, that the provisions of this ordinance shall become a part of the Code of
Ordinances of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas, and that sections of this ordinance may
be renumbered or relettered to accomplish such intention.
SECTION 3. Due to the fact that the subject matter of this ordinance affects the
public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City of Wichita Falls, this
ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure, and shall become effective
immediately upon its passage.
SECTION 4. It is hereby officially found and determined that the meeting at
which this ordinance was passed was open to the public as required by law.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the 6 th day of July, 2004.
b
MAYOR
q T:
City Clerk