HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-07-13 - AGENDA REPORTS - AMEND MUNICODE PARET UNIT (2)CONSENT CALENDAR
DATE:
SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT:
Agenda Item: — 14
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by:
July 13, 2004
Andrew Yi
PARET UNIT - AMENDMENT TO SECTION 12.64. 100 OF THE
SANTA CLARTTA MUNICIPAL CODE
Transportation and Engineering Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council introduce and pass to second reading 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.
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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. The
amendment proposed in this item 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 had 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. City 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 City's Municipal Code has been discussed with the Los Angeles
County Sheriffs Department, and they are in agreement with City staff.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
No direct fiscal impact is expected as a result of this action.
ATTACFIMENTS
Ordinance