HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-08-24 - AGENDA REPORTS - SC TRANSIT ROAD TICKET AUTHOR (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
DATE: August 24, 1999
City Manager Approval:
Item to presented by:
SUBJECT: SANTA CLARITA TRANSIT ROAD SUPERVISORS TICKETING
AUTHORITY
DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Engineering Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council approve authorization for Santa Clarita Transit road supervisors to cite vehicles parked
in bus loading zones that have been designated by signs or curb markings as no parking or no
stopping zones.
BACKGROUND
Vehicles parked in bus loading zones disrupt bus service in the community and can cause
considerable safety risks to passengers and drivers. When vehicles are parked in bus loading zones,
buses must either pass the scheduled stop or stop in a through -traffic lane to board or alight
passengers. Stopping in through -lanes blocks the vehicle traffic and creates a hazard for passengers
who must board or alight the bus in the street. This occurs most often in high pedestrian traffic areas
such as schools, commercial areas, and unpaved pull -ins in several residential areas. The most
chronic problem areas include several stops along Magic Mountain Parkway, San Fernando Road,
Newhall Avenue, Dalbey Drive (along Newhall Park and Placerita Junior High School), Lyons
Avenue at Orchard Village Park, and Seco Canyon Road at Santa Clarita Park.
Municipal Code 12.64.110 concerning bus loading zones is applicable in these areas. Granting
ticketing authority to Santa Clarita Transit road supervisors will rectify the situation in a timely
manner and allow Santa Clarita Transit to continue to provide safe, convenient service to our
passengers.
This issue was presented to the City Council on May 25, 1999. The Council directed staff to contact
the Sheriff's Department requesting that they issue citations to vehicles parked in bus zones. The
Sheriffs Department has responded with an action plan. However, the Department also supports
providing authority to road supervisors to cite vehicles in addition to actions taken by uniformed
officers. This will ensure that problem vehicles are cited when observed.
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SANTA CLARITA TRANSIT ROAD SUPERVISORS
TICKETING AUTHORITY
August 24, 1999 — Page 2
The use of citizens to enforce parking regulations has become standard throughout California. In
Santa Clarita, City Code Enforcement Officers routinely issue parking citations. In addition, the
Sheriff's Department currently uses 12 citizen volunteers to enforce parking regulations, primarily
parking in disabled zones. According to the Sheriffs Department, the use of civilians to issue
citations has been very effective and has not resulted in altercations between alleged violators and
citizens issuing citations.
To qualify for this authority, each road supervisor will be required to participate in a 40 -hour training
course. This course, PC -832 Powers of Arrest, is offered through Rio Hondo College in
Whittier, California. Similar practices utilized by other transit agencies, such as Santa Monica, have
been deemed beneficial.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
Fiscal impact is unknown. However, citations issued for this violation amount to $255 per ticket.
The City of Santa Clarita would generate revenue from these citations after a $5 required payment
to Newhall Municipal Court. In addition, miscellaneous processing fees range from approximately
$5 to $50. These fees would be determined based on the circumstance and whether the violator
appeals the citation. The number of citations issued and the revenue generated are undeterminable
at this time.
ATTACHMENT
Action Plan submitted by the Sheriff's Department
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. f CEIVED
JUL 13 1999
eorge Caravalk
CIT ANTA CLARITY
SHE IFF'S DEPARTME
OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE
FROM: d0nXAe*6UEZ, CAPTAIN TO
SANTA CLARITA VALLEY STATION
SUBJECT: ENFORCEMENT IN BUS LOADING ZONES
16ATE:1 July 7,1999
Ken Pulskomp, asst City
M
City Monopar's OM,.gr
GEORGE CARAVALHO
CITY MANAGER
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
In response to your request for enforcement of bus loading zone parking restrictions,
I have directed our traffic supervisor, Sergeant Steve Mulcahy, to look into this
matter.
Sergeant Mulcahy discussed the ongoing concerns with the City's transportation
manager, Ron Kilcoyne. Mr. Kilcoyne emphasized the safety concerns regarding these
violations, as well as the inconvenience to passengers and drivers.
Our plan of action at this time is to more aggressively enforce bus loading zone
violations. Sergeant Mulcahy also contacted the operation manager, Sheri Camuso,
and obtained a list of the "problem" bus stops. This list was given to our traffic units
with the advisement to enforce, through citations, all bus loading zone violations.
Due to the requirement for proper signs and curb painting, Mr. Kilcoyne said all of the
bus loading zones would be checked for proper markings.
Mr. Kilcoyne and Sergeant Mulcahy also discussed the option of allowing Transit road
supervisors to issue citations for bus loading zone violations. I would support Mr.
Kilcoyne's request, with council approval, to allow Transit road supervisors to
enforce this specific parking violation. Sergeant Mulcahy has assured me that training
could be easily provided for those supervisors empowered to issue parking citations.
The Sheriff's Department will continue to monitor this problem and take appropriate
action.
DAR:SLM:cm RECEIVED
JUL 2 1 1999
Transportation & Engineering Services
City of Santa Clarita