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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-08-01 City Council (6)TO: City of Palo Alt0 City Manager’s Report HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: POLICE AGENDA DATE: SUBJECT:ENFORCEMENT OF CURBS August 1, 1996 POLICY RE PARKING CMR:357:96 ON ROLLED REQUEST The Police Department has received an increase in requests to enforce the prohibition of vehicles parked on sidewalks that have rolled curbs. This report provides information concerning past and current practices regarding enforcement of these types of violations. No Council action is requested. RECOMMENDATIONS This is an informational report only. POLICY IMPLICATIONS No Council action is required. Only internal Police Department policy enforcement will be changed to reflect officer- initiated versus complaint basis. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Over the last several months, the Police Department has received numerous requests to cite individuals who obstruct pedestrian traffic by parking on rolled curb sidewalks in residential neighborhoods. About a year ago, the Police Department implemented a policy which addressed parking on streets with .rolled curbs and required a minimum of 36" sidewalk clearance for pedestrians and wheelchairs. This policy was adopted in an effort to reduce frustration levels felt by residents who believed they were parking correctly, yet received parking citations. At that time, the Department’s policy was to enforce associated violations on a complaint basis only. CMR:357:96 Page 1 of 3 When the Police Department received a complaint concerning a vehicle parked on the sidewalk, the owner of the vehicle was contacted and asked to move their vehicle. A citation was issued only if the owner had a prior warning or if the owner could not be located. Police Department staff have attempted to educate residents about this problem. In August 1995, the Police Department included a flyer (attached) with the City’s utility bill, explaining the appropriate and legal way to park along a rolled curb. The flyer also warned that police would be taking a more aggressive stance on enforcing these types of violations. > The primary reasons for the enforcement of this parking violation include: Access for the disabled. A clearance of 36" will ensure that people with wheelchairs, walkers and other walking aids have sufficient space to travel on sidewalks. Access for pedestrians and bicyclists. A clearance of 36" will ensure that pedestrians and bicyclists can use the sidewalks without having to go around vehicles and travel in the roadway. When vehicles park properly on a street with rolled curbs, the roadway width is reduced and in some cases may cause a "calming effect" on through traffic. Sidewalks will need less repair if vehicles do not routinely park on the sidewalks. This is especially true for vehicles that park completely over a sidewalk and are therefore more likely to leak motor vehicle fluids. Due to other more pressing priorities, staff has not yet begun the aggressive enforcement. The prior warning policy did not appear to eliminate or even decrease the parking violations. The Police Department will continue to actively respond to residents’ concerns and complaints regarding vehicles blocking sidewalks and driveways, and will also begin enforcing these violations on an officer-initiated basis. Officers will no longer warn residents about these types of violations, but will issue citations whenever they observe a violation. CMR:357:96 Page 2 of 3 The Police Department will notify the public of the change in policy prior to implementation. Implementation should begin within a week of the press release; which is expected to be issued the end of August. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with this program. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT This is not a project as defined by the Califomia Environmental Quality Act and is not subject to CEQA requirements. ATTACHMENTS Copy of 1995 utility bill flyer on rolled curbs. PREPARED BY: DON HARTNETT, DEPARTMENT HEAD REVIEW: C4NRIS DURKIN, POLICE CHIEF CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: FLEMING,MANAGER CMR:357:96 Page 3 of 3 LAWS ABOUT PARKING AND YOUR VEHICLE LEAVING TOWN FOR MORE THAN THREE DAYS? The City of Palo Alto, like most other cities, has a parking ordinance, M.C. 10.36. 030(a), that prohibits parking on a public street or alley for more than 72 consecutive hours. This means that if you go away on vacation or leave the area for any reason, you must not leave your vehicle parked on a city street or alley. If you must leave your vehicle in one of these places, please make arrangements with either a family member or friend to move your vehicle at least .2 mile (approximately 1,000 feeO every 72 hours. This will prevent you from receiving a $50 parking violation attd prevent your vehicle from being towed. Questions: Call 329-2687. PARK IT RIGHT The California Vehicle Code prohibits vehicles from parking in any of the following ways: on a sidewalk, on the wrong side of the street, or to the tight of the scored line of a sidewalk. The right-hand ~’bheels must be parked within 18" of the right hand curb. Increased enforcement efforts will begin soon. Help make Palo Alto neighborhoods more pedestrian friendly! If you have questions, please call the 329-2687 or 329-2142. DON’T LOSE YOUR CAR FOR 30 DAYS!! Since Febt~tary 1, 1995, law enforcement agencies have been enforcing section 14602.6 of the California Vehicle Code which allows them to tow and store for 30 days vehicles operated by drivers who never had a driver’s license or who are driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license. It is very important that for monetary, liability, and insurance purposes that you do not allow anyone without a valid driver’s license to drive your vehicle. The registered owner is responsible for towing,, storage, lien, and vehicle release charges which can total almost $1,000.