COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office

DATE:

August 31, 2006

BOARD MEETING DATE:

September 12, 2006

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING;

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Sheriff Don Horsley

SUBJECT:

Towing of Unattended Vehicles During the North Fair Oaks Community Festival - September 16^th 10:00 p.m. through September 17^th, 10:00 p.m.

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution authorizing the Sheriff to remove vehicles that are left unattended on certain public roadways prior to, and during, the North Fair Oaks Community Festival.

Background

On Sunday, September 17, 2006, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting a community festival in the North Fair Oaks area, unincorporated San Mateo County. The festival will include a parade, live entertainment, vendor booths and is expected to draw approximately 30,000 people. To accommodate all the activities planned, the Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol will need to close Middlefield Road from First Avenue to Fifth Avenue. In addition, several subsidiary roadways will also need to be closed for logistical and public safety reasons as follows;

Second Avenue: From 380 & 373 Second Avenue East to Middlefield Road

From 422 & 445 Second Avenue West to Middlefield Road

Third Avenue: From 380 & 393 Third Avenue East to Middlefield Road

From 427 & 428 Third Avenue West to Middlefield Road

Fourth Avenue: From 348 & 349 Fourth Avenue East to Middlefield Road

From 421 & 428 Fourth Avenue West to Middlefield Road

To ensure pedestrian and public safety, no vehicles can be left on the above roadways from September 16, 2006 10:00 p.m. until September 17, 2006 10:00 p.m. Any vehicle found unattended after 10:00 p.m. on September 16^th, will be towed pursuant to this resolution. The Sheriff’s Office plans to post and notify the business/residential community at least a week in advance so persons can make alternate arrangements for their vehicles.

Discussion

Vehicle Code §22651 provides that any peace officer who is enforcing parking laws may remove a vehicle when it is parked or left where local authorities, by resolution or ordinance, have prohibited parking and have authorized the removal of vehicles. The statute provides that no vehicle may be removed unless signs are posted giving notice of the removal. The Sheriff has already posted the necessary signs so that drivers have plenty of advance notice of the County’s intention to tow.

This action is proposed by resolution rather than ordinance as it involves an immediate and temporary situation.

It is recommended that you authorize the Sheriff or his designee to remove or to have removed any and all vehicles that are unlawfully parked in the areas mentioned in this memorandum. A map showing the areas from which towing is authorized is attached to the resolution.

Vision Alignment

The proposed action keeps the commitment of responsive, effective and collaborative government and goal No. 22, communication, collaborating and developing strategic approaches to government.

Fiscal Impact

There is no anticipated fiscal impact.