The purpose of this chapter is to protect the integrity of City
bridges and the safety of those who use those bridges, and more particularly
to ensure that no one interferes with the efficacy of the safety mesh
under City bridges, to minimize expense in maintaining bridges and
the safety mesh under the bridges, to prevent injury to people on,
under or nearby bridges, prevent objects from being thrown and dropped
from bridges, and to preserve and protect bridge structures.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
BRIDGE
Any structure that spans any physical obstacle for the purpose
of providing passage over the obstacle.
BRIDGE STRUCTURE
Any part of a bridge, including the bridge deck, supporting
structure, railings, fencing, guardrails, safety mesh, and any part
attached thereto or intended to monitor or maintain a bridge, including
video surveillance equipment.
CITY BRIDGE
Any bridge structure, including any bridge structure not
owned by the City of Ithaca, within the boundaries of the City of
Ithaca that is open to the public, including bridge structures intended
for automobiles, rail traffic, pedestrians and bicycle traffic.
RESTITUTION
The cost to restore any damaged City bridge to its condition
prior to damage. Restitution shall include the costs to repair damages
caused by prohibited acts contained in this chapter, including but
not limited to costs to retrieve objects, costs to repair safety mesh,
costs to remove graffiti, costs of rescue, and administrative costs
associated with any of the foregoing.
SAFETY MESH
Any material placed on, near, or under a City bridge that
is intended to prevent injury from falling from a bridge or to protect
from being hit by objects falling or thrown from a bridge.
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter is guilty
of an offense punishable by no less than a fine of $100 or 25 hours
of community service nor more than $1,000 and 15 days in jail. Any
penalty imposed may also include restitution as defined in this chapter.