HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-04-27 City Council (23)TO:
City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEP.~RTMENT: POLICE
AGENDA DATE: April 27, 1998 CMR:201:98
SUBJECT:ANNUAL UPDATE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF SIT/LIE
ORDINANCE, PARKING LOT EMPLOYMENT SOLICITATION,
AND ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONSUMPTION IN
COMMERCIAL PARKING LOTS
RECOMMENDATIONS
This is an informational report and no Council action is required.
BACKGROUND
Three ordinances were adopted as part of the Council’s Downtown Health" and Safety plan.
Section 9.04.030 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) became effective on August 22,
1996, allowing officers to cite individuals who leave any retail business after purchasing and
consuming an alcoholic beverage in the parking lot or adjacent sidewalks of the business.
Effective the same date was an amendment to Section 9.44 of the PAMC permitting officers to
cite those persons who solicit for employment, business or contributions in public parking lots.
This amendment was prompted by complaints from the business community and the public
about individuals demanding payment for windshield washing in City parking lots.
Effective April 24, 1997, Council amended PAMC Chapter 9.48 relating to the obstruction of
streets and sidewalks. The amendment was made in response to police concerns about hazards
associated with people sitting and/or lying on sidewalks, especially at certain locations along
University Avenue between High Street and.Cowper Street. Of special concern were the
hazards posted to the elderly and the disabled who had to maneuver around people and obstacles
on the sidewalks.
DISCUSSION
Considerable publicity attended enactment and enforcement of the ordinances. Since last,
reporting on downtown health and safety efforts in October 1977 (CMR:411:97), it has been
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unnecessary to make any actua! arrests for violation of these ordinances. With respect to the
sit!lie ordinance, nine warnings have been given along University Avenue. Two were given to
people panhandling for money near Walgreen’s. The remainder were issued at the front of a
variety of commercial establishments, primarily to people waiting outside. Officers indicated
that these people were unaware of the ordinance.
The problems these ordinances address appear to have largely abated. The Police Department
is not receiving complaints about these issues as it did prior to their enactment. Nonetheless,
the department will continue to monitor the downtown area for sidewalk blockage, drinking
violations and employment solicitation in parking lots.
RESOURCE IMPACT
None.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
None.
PREPARED BY:TOM MERSON
Police Captain
DEPARTMENT HEAD REVIEW: @~~A ~
LYNNE JOHNSON
Assistant Police Chief
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
HARRISON
Assistant City Manager
CMR:201 Page 2 of 2