HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-08-24 - AGENDA REPORTS - ADOPT ORD PARET UNIT (2)Agenda Item: — /3_
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by: Andrew Yi
DATE: August 24, 2004
SUBJECT: SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE TO
AMEND SECTION 12.64. 100 OF THE SANTA CLARITA
MUNICIPAL CODE - PARET UNIT
DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Engineering Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council conduct second reading and adopt an ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING
SECTION 12.64. 100 OF THE SANTA CLARITA MUNICIPAL CODE CONCERNING
TRAILERS OR SEMI -TRAILERS' PARKING REQUIREMENTS."
BACKGROUND
Speeding on the City's residential roadways is one of the leading traffic -related concerns among
the community. In order to address this concern, the Sheriff's Department provides selective
speed enforcement throughout the City. Limited resources, however, prevent them from
targeting all areas at all times.
To address speeding concerns, staff utilizes a speed display trailer called the PARET (Public
Awareness Radar Education Trailer) unit, which displays the speed of vehicles as they pass by. It
is an educational tool that helps motorists realize how fast they are driving, and has proven
effective in reducing vehicular speeds in residential areas. The PARET unit does not issue
citations or record/identify specific vehicles.
The City currently has only one PARET unit. Due to its high demand, there is typically a two to
four week wait between a citizen request and its placement on the requested street. In addition,
due to this backlog, it is generally City policy to place the PARET unit on a particular street for
only two days before moving it to the next street on the waiting list.
Adopted:
A company has proposed to provide PARET units for lease or rent by private citizens; however,
the Santa Clarita Municipal Code currently allows only the City of Santa Clarita or the
Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department to place PARET units on public roadways. This
proposed amendment would revise the City's Municipal Code to allow private vendors to place
PARET units on public roadways, but only when authorized to do so by City staff.
The City would closely regulate the placement of PARET units by private vendors through
appropriate guidelines and a permit process that would include applicable safety standards. In
addition, the guidelines would be designed to prevent overuse, which could reduce effectiveness.
Another matter that should be considered is the issue of equal protection. Although neighborhood
residents would pay for the leasing or rental of PARET units provided by private vendors,
permitting by the City may appear to benefit only those who have the means to pay for the units.
Those who could not afford such units may claim they have a fundamental right to "safety," and
request that the City provide a system in which every neighborhood has the opportunity to be
provided with third -party PARET units. Staff does not perceive this matter to be a problem,
since the City's PARET unit would still be available for placement on residential streets that
choose not to take advantage of third -party units. In addition, the City's capacity would simply
be to issue encroachment permits and inspect that the units were installed according to City
guidelines. As long as the City is involved in only a permitting capacity, it does not seem likely
that a challenge based on the equal protection issue would be upheld. Staff anticipates the fee for
the encroachment permit would be based upon cost recovery and is already covered in the City's
fee schedule.
This proposed amendment to the Municipal Code has been discussed with the Los Angeles
County Sheriffs Department, and they are in agreement with City staff.
ALTERNATNE ACTIONS
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
No direct fiscal impact is expected as a result of this action.
ATTACHMENTS
Ordinance