HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-05-03 City Council (9)City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: POLICE
DATE:
SUBJECT:
MAY 3, 1999 CMR:219:99
ANNUAL STATUS REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF SIT/LIE
ORDINANCE
This is an informational report and no Council action is required.
BACKGROUND
In 1996, three ordinances were adopted as part of the Council’s Downtown Health and Safety
Plan. Council amended Palo Alto Municipal Code (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 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. Although
officers have continued to educate the public regarding the ordinance, there have been no
citations or written warnings issued during the past year since staff last reported on
downtown health and safety efforts in April 1998 (CMR: 201:98).
The problems these ordinances address appear to have largely abated. The deterrent effect
of the ordinance appears to be successful, as 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.
CMR:219:99 ~Page 1 of 2
RESOURCE IMPACT
None.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
None.
PREPARED BY: Agent Patty Lum, Staff Assistant
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
PATRICK DWYER,~fPolice
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
EMILY I~RRISON, Assistant Clty Manager
CMR:219:99 Page 2 of 2