Counties and CitiesParks
Section § 5150
This law allows a county or city in California to help the State acquire land for recreational use, such as parks, playgrounds, or beaches.
Section § 5151
This law allows counties and cities in California to give or transfer land they own, or will obtain, to the state for use as parks, playgrounds, recreational centers, or beaches. They can also use money they have, including funds from donations or bequests, to help the state acquire such recreational properties. These properties will be managed according to agreements approved by existing laws.
Section § 5152
This law allows county or city governments to hand over control of roads, highways, trails, or rights of way within a State park to the park's managing authority. Once the park authority accepts, it gains jurisdiction over these areas.
Section § 5153
This law explains how a road, highway, trail, or right of way can be officially given to the park authority. The transfer must be approved through a formal resolution by the board or governing body that currently oversees it. This decision should be documented in the meeting minutes following a public notice and hearing.
Once the park authority agrees, this resolution can be recorded with the county recorder's office and a copy must be filed with the park authority.
Section § 5155
This law allows a county's board of supervisors, if they all agree, to use money from certain funds to pay off or buy back the county's bonds. This includes making payments on bonds for areas where special taxes are or will be applied for projects like land acquisition or park maintenance within the county.
Section § 5156
This law states that spending for certain activities described in another section can come from either the county's general fund or from money received from a county bond. These funds are intended for buying land or improving and maintaining public parks in the county.
Section § 5157
This law allows any county in California to acquire land through purchase, lease, or gift for use as public parks, beaches, recreation areas, or boulevards, even if the land is in another county. However, if the land is outside the acquiring county, the county where the land is located must first agree by passing a resolution. Once acquired, the land follows the rules and regulations of the county that purchased it.
Section § 5157.5
This law allows county boards of supervisors in California to build projects to prevent or fix beach erosion. They can do this work anywhere along the oceanfront, regardless of who owns the nearby land. However, if they want to work in an incorporated area (which usually refers to areas within a city or town), they must first get permission from that area's governing body.
Section § 5158
This law allows park commissioners in the state to accept donations, gifts, and money from people and companies, including inheritances. The funds they receive become part of the public funds for the park commissioners to use. These funds are specifically for preserving and enhancing the parks they manage.
Section § 5159
This law allows park commissioners to invest surplus funds from park operations in interest-bearing bonds issued by either the United States government or the State of California. The income from these bonds can be used for park-related expenses. Additionally, if necessary, the commissioners have the authority to sell these bonds.
Section § 5160
This law allows the board of supervisors in a county to use or dedicate parts of a county public park for highway purposes. For this action to happen, it requires a four-fifths majority vote by the board members. This can be done if the park was bought with county funds or through district assessments where public money was used.
Section § 5161
This law allows counties, cities, or the state to sell or exchange land they own within a state historical monument area. This transaction can happen with any public, private, or former landowners within that area, but it requires the approval of the department. The key condition is that the sale or exchange must help in developing the historical monument.
Section § 5162
This law states that any beach or seashore recreation area owned or managed by a city or county must be open to everyone, not just local residents. Everyone must be treated the same, with the same rules, fees, and conditions applying to all.
Section § 5163
This law makes sure that anyone hired to work at parks, playgrounds, recreational centers, or beaches where they will be in contact with children, as well as food concessionaires in those areas, must show a certificate proving they've been checked and do not have communicable tuberculosis. This check must have happened within the last two years. Once hired, employees who test negative for tuberculosis must continue to be tested every four years as long as they stay negative. However, if an employee tests positive and gets an X-ray, regular tests aren't needed anymore, but they'll be referred to a local health officer for any necessary care.
Section § 5163.1
This law section mandates that a tuberculosis test should be done using an approved intradermal method. If the test result is positive, it must be followed by a lung X-ray. However, cities or counties can choose to implement more thorough or frequent testing based on recommendations from their local health officer.
Section § 5163.2
An X-ray film can be taken by a skilled X-ray technician, but it must be reviewed and interpreted by a licensed doctor.
Section § 5163.3
The city or county is required to keep a current certificate on file for every individual specified in Section 5163.
Section § 5163.4
This law states that cities or counties have the authority to require more thorough or more frequent examinations than what is outlined in Sections 5163 to 5163.3. It gives local governments flexibility to impose stricter standards if they choose.
Section § 5164
This law prevents cities, counties, or special districts from hiring someone for jobs or volunteer roles at places like parks or beaches where they'd supervise minors if that person has a criminal conviction for certain serious offenses. Specifically, it covers crimes such as those related to sexual offenses or incidents involving the use of a deadly weapon, among others listed.
Before hiring, the agency must ask applicants about past convictions and check their criminal background. If they're considering a volunteer, they can request records from the Department of Justice without charge, provided they include fingerprints. Agencies can charge potential hires for costs incurred from these checks.