Yorba Linda prohibits loitering, skateboarding in Town Center parking structure and other city facilities; city's reserves can help sales tax loss

Concerns about loitering and skateboarding in Yorba Linda's four-story Town Center parking structure identified by Sheriff's Department personnel and city staff members are addressed by a new city ordinance scheduled to take effect April 2.

The new law – adopted on a unanimous City Council vote before coronavirus restrictions were implemented – prohibits loitering and skateboarding in the 446-space structure and at other city-owned facilities, such as City Hall and the Community Center, that are not covered by existing ordinances.

The law restricts persons from congregating and lingering in the parking structure or other city-owned facility or parking lot, “unless undertaking actions consistent with the use of the facility,” according to the ordinance.

The law also restricts persons from congregating and lingering on the premises of a drive-in or take-out restaurant, except when waiting for, receiving or consuming a product sold at the restaurant, with violations considered to be a misdemeanor.

In addition, refusing to leave the premises where food is prepared or served to the public when asked by a manager or employee or remaining in the parking structure or other city facility or parking lot when asked to leave by a city employee or police officer is a violation.

And riding a skateboard, bicycle or similar coaster devise on the parking structure, which opened in late 2018, or any other city-owned facility or parking lot also is a misdemeanor violation under the ordinance.

The prohibition includes “the sidewalks immediately adjacent to the parking structure or city-owned facility, so long as such property is posted so as to give reasonable notice of such prohibition.”

Previously, the council approved adding a sheriff's deputy for a shift covering late afternoon and early evening hours to support existing patrol deputies and to include regular patrols of the Town Center “to maintain a family-focused and safe environment,” among other duties, according to a city budget report.

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Loss of sales tax and other income due to business shutdowns and social distancing related to the coronavirus pandemic will challenge municipal budgets for North Orange County cities.

In Yorba Linda, nearly $7.7 million in sales tax revenue was expected to help fund some $39 million in operating expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, second in the city's revenue stream behind about $20.7 million in property taxes.

Other tax and fee income also will take a hit, including the anticipated $1.9 million from parks and recreation fees included in the current budget.

The city's longtime policy of keeping 50% of a year's general fund expenditures in reserve will help alleviate revenue losses. Operating reserves were estimated at 54% of the fiscal year's general fund expenditures, and total reserves, including those restricted for special purposes, were estimated at 77% of the year's expenses.