HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 25-4942 Amendment Prohibited Conduct on Public Buses - PUBLISH 1-16-25 ORDINANCE NO. 25-4942 Ordinance amending Title 6, entitled “Public Health and Safety,” Chapter 8, entitled “Prohibited Conduct on Public Buses,” Section 1, entitled “Definitions,” to remove “for a fare” language; and
Section 2, entitled “Prohibited Acts,” to update language and add additional prohibited acts.
Whereas, the Iowa City Code section 6-8-1 provides that public transportation service is for a fare, however, the
City’s public transportation services is now fare free; and
Whereas, the current Iowa City Code section 6-8-2 outlines acts that are prohibited on any bus and said provision
should be amended to update language and add additional prohibited acts to continue to insure all passengers and
operators have a safe and clean vehicle to travel and operate in; and
Whereas, it is in the best interest of the City to adopt this ordinance.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Iowa City, Iowa: Section I. Amendment. 1. Title 6, entitled “Public Health and Safety,” Chapter 8, entitled “Prohibited Conduct on Public Buses,” Section 1, entitled “Definitions,” is amended by deleting the strike-through text as follows:
For purposes of this chapter, a motor vehicle operated by the city of Iowa City to provide public transportation service within the city, for a fare, shall be a “bus”. 2. Title 6, entitled “Public Health and Safety,” Chapter 8, entitled “Prohibited Conduct on Public Buses,” Section 2, entitled “Prohibited Acts,” is amended by adding the underlined text and deleting the strike-through text as follows: No passenger on any bus shall do any of the following acts:
A. Smoke or possess any lighted or smoldering pipe, cigar or cigarette, or use smokeless tobacco, an electronic
cigarette or vape device. “Smokeless tobacco” is defined as any product that contains cut, ground, powdered,
or leaf tobacco and is intended to be placed in the oral or nasal cavity, including, but not limited to, snuff,
chewing tobacco, dipping tobacco, dissolvable tobacco products and snus. “Electronic cigarette” means vapor
product as defined in section 453A.1 of the code of Iowa.
B. Possess open containers of alcoholic beverage or consume alcoholic beverage. C. Destroy, deface, soil or remove any part of any bus. D. Spit, urinate, or defecate in or upon or from any part of any bus. E. Throw, deposit or place any paper, bottles, cans or any other solid waste in or upon any bus except in a designated trash receptacle. F. Throw any object of any kind within any bus. G. Throw any object of any kind out any door, window or opening of any bus.
H. Play or operate any radio, television, tape player, record player or similar electronic sound amplification device,
including but not limited to a mobile phone, unless the sound therefrom can only be heard through an earphone
or is totally inaudible to all passengers.
I. Bring any pet or animal onto a bus. Service animals Animals trained to assist persons with disabilities are
exempted from this subsection. J. Stand or remain in front of any white demarcation line marked on the forward end of the floor of any bus while the same is in motion or after being asked to step back behind the white line by the driver. K. Interfere with the driver's operation of a bus. L. Engage in harassment, bullying, fighting or violent behavior, make loud and raucous noise which causes unreasonable distress to an occupant or operator of the bus, or direct abusive epithets or make any threatening gesture which the person knows or reasonably should know is likely to provoke a violent reaction by another. M. Fail to comply with administrative rules established by the transportation director. The transportation director is authorized to establish administrative rules not inconsistent with any ordinance or policy adopted by the city council. A copy of the rules shall be on file with the city clerk and available on the city website.
Section II. Repealer. All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with the provision of this Ordinance are
hereby repealed.
Section III. Severability. If any section, provision or part of the Ordinance shall be adjudged to be invalid or
unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the Ordinance as a whole or any section, provision or part
thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.
Section IV. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be in effect after its final passage, approval and publication, as
provided by law.
Passed and approved this 7th day of January, 2025.
s\Mazahir Salih, Mayor Pro Tem
Attest:s\Kellie K. Grace, City Clerk
Submitted to publish on 01/16/2025