TITLE:
title
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA, ratifying REGULATION NO. 7 REGARDING TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN PARKING RESTRICTIONS IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS
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DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC SERVICES/TRANSPORTATION SERVICES DIVISION
PRESENTED BY: RAJA SETHURAMAN, PUBLIC SERVICES DIRECTOR
CONTACT INFORMATION: JENNIFER ROSALES, TRANSPORTATION SERVICES MANAGER (714) 754-5343
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2021-xx (Attachment 1), ratifying Regulation No. 7 (Attachment 2) issued by the City Manager as Director of Emergency Services revising Regulation No. 5 regarding temporary suspension of enforcement of certain parking restrictions in residential neighborhoods to allow enforcement of the parking prohibitions related to street sweeping Citywide when the street sweeper is present.
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BACKGROUND:
On January 31, 2020, the Federal Health and Human Services Secretary declared the COVID-19 global outbreak a public health emergency for the United States. The County of Orange declared a local emergency and a local health emergency on February 26, 2020. The State of California proclaimed a State of Emergency on March 4, 2020. On March 12, 2020, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-25-20, declaring that state and local public health officials may, as they deem necessary in the interest of public health, issue guidance limiting or recommending limitations upon attendance at public assemblies, conferences, or other mass events, which could cause the cancellation of such gatherings through no fault or responsibility of the parties involved, thereby constituting a force majeure. On March 12, 2020, the City Manager, as the City’s Director of Emergency Services, issued Proclamation No. 2020-01, declaring a local emergency to protect public health and slow transmission of COVID-19. By Resolution 2020-09, the City Council ratified the Proclamation on March 13, 2020, which remains in effect.
On March 13, 2020, the President of the United States of America declared a national emergency. Subsequent to the declaration of public health emergencies at every level of government, and the related stay-at-home orders, the City’s enforcement of certain parking regulations were suspended on a temporary basis.
This was done to accommodate the many residents that were required to work from home and the residents isolating at home as per doctor’s orders due to underlying medical conditions.
Due to the threat to the health, safety and welfare of residents of Costa Mesa and Orange
County from COVID-19, and the impacts of the Local and Regional Stay at Home Orders, on December 23, 2020, the City Manager issued Regulation No. 5, temporarily suspending the enforcement of certain residential parking restrictions, specifically for street sweeping and residential parking permit requirements. This Regulation was ratified by the City Council by Resolution No. 2021-01 on January 19, 2021.
ANALYSIS:
While the enforcement of parking regulations related to street sweeping were temporarily suspended by Regulation No. 5, street sweeping services have continued to be provided Citywide throughout the pandemic. However, with the lack of enforcement, vehicles parked at prohibited locations resulted in some impacts to street sweeping operations. Several streets had buildup of trash and in some instances, special clearing operations were used to address trash issues.
In addition, City staff received several resident complaints regarding street sweepers not being able to efficiently clean city streets due to obstructions from parked vehicles and the moratorium for street sweeping enforcement. Residents have expressed concern about trash and debris getting into storm drains as a result of ineffective street sweeping operations and expressed the need for improved cleanliness along residential streets.
With more employers conducting business in person and schools now reopened, many residents have begun to resume pre-pandemic travel patterns and traffic volumes are near pre-pandemic levels. However, the suspension of parking citations is resulting in vehicles continuing to violate the posted “No Parking” signs intended only for the duration of street sweeping operations.
Prior to the pandemic, the City heard from community members expressing equity concerns from residents with respect to street sweeping parking enforcement. In order to address these equity concerns, staff recommends that a longer-term solution be discussed in the context of the upcoming Study Session in October 2021 regarding the Citywide parking study.
In the short term, in order to address the immediate health and safety concerns related to trash buildup, staff is recommending that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2021-xx, ratifying Regulation No. 7 issued by the City Manager revising Regulation No. 5 to allow enforcement for street sweeping when the street sweeper is present. This enforcement will only be limited to streets that are currently posted with “No Parking” signs, with day of the week and hours posted to allow for effective street sweeping.
As drafted, Regulation No. 7 will go into effect on September 14, 2021. The City will issue notices via social media and other methods to help ensure the community is aware of this change.
ALTERNATIVES:
One alternative would be to not approve the resolution. The impacts of not enforcing street sweeping include the inability of street sweepers to efficiently clean city streets due to obstructions by parking vehicles resulting in trash collecting in the storm drains, resident complaints, and accumulation of debris and garbage.
The City Council could direct staff to study Citywide posting of “No Parking” signs. This is a major undertaking for staff resources and involves a Citywide outreach program to ensure community support. If given direction by the City Council, staff will initiate this study and provide periodic updates to City Council as to the progress. This can be further discussed at the upcoming October 2021 Study Session.
FISCAL REVIEW:
This action should be cost neutral as enforcement costs will be offset by fines.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed this agenda report and the proposed resolution, and approves them both as to form.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES:
In 2021, the City Council adopted a list of goals and priorities. This item works toward achieving the following City Council goals:
• Strengthen public safety and keep the community safe.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2021-xx (Attachment 1), ratifying Regulation No. 7 issued by the Director of Emergency Services revising Regulation No. 5 to allow enforcement of street sweeping when the street sweeper is present.