COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

SHERIFF’S OFFICE

DATE:

July 9, 2007

BOARD MEETING DATE:

July 24, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Sheriff Greg Munks

SUBJECT:

Towing of Unattended Vehicles and Closure of Certain Streets from August 18 at 10:00 p.m. through August 19 at 11:59 p.m. for the North Fair Oaks Community Festival.

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution authorizing:

1.

the Sheriff to tow unattended vehicles parked on certain County roadways prior to and during the North Fair Oaks Community Festival, August 18 and 19, 2007; and

2.

the closure of certain County roads at or near Middlefield Road, Redwood City, to all but local traffic for one day during the North Fair Oaks Community Festival.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Responsive, Effective, and Collaborative Government

Goal 4: County and local governments effectively communicate and collaborate in order to develop strategic approaches on issues affecting the entire County.

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

BACKGROUND:

On Sunday, August 19, 2007, 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:

Middlefield Road:

From First Avenue to Fifth Avenue

Second Avenue:

From 373 & 380 Second Avenue, East to Middlefield Road, and from 412 & 415 Second Avenue West to Middlefield Road

Third Avenue:

From William Avenue East to Middlefield Road, and
from 420 & 421 Third Avenue West to Middlefield Road

Fourth Avenue:

From 384 & 389 Fourth Avenue East to Middlefield Road, and from 420 & 421 Fourth Avenue West to Middlefield Road

Fifth Avenue:

From 423 Fifth Avenue to Middlefield Road on the north side of the street

To ensure pedestrian and public safety, no vehicles can be left on the above roadways from August 18, 2007 10:00 p.m. until August 19, 2007 11:59 p.m. Any vehicle found unattended after 10:00 p.m. on August 18^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.

California Streets and Highway Code §942.5 provides that the Board of Supervisors may restrict the use of, or close, any County highway whenever the Board considers such closing or restriction of use necessary for the protection of the public.

These actions are 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.

Furthermore, it is recommended that you authorize the temporary closure of the streets mentioned in this memorandum.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no anticipated fiscal impact.