COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

DATE:

August 24, 2007

BOARD MEETING DATE:

September 11, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None, but second reading required

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

James C. Porter, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Revisions to Chapter 3.96 (Highway Closures) of Title 3, Public Safety, Morals and Welfare, and Chapter 7.34 (No Parking and Tow Away) of Title 7, Vehicles and Traffic, of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code

Recommendation

1.

Adopt an ordinance repealing Section 3.96.010, deleting Chapter 3.96, and adding Chapter 7.02 and Section 7.02.010 regarding Highway Closures; amending Section 7.34.010, No Parking and Tow Away Zones; and repealing Section 7.34.020 of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code; and

2.

Adopt a resolution redesignating Michael D. Nevin Way as a No Parking and Tow Away Zone.

Vision Alignment

Commitment: Responsive, effective and collaborative government.

Goal 20: Government decisions are based on careful consideration of future impact, rather than temporary relief or gain.

Your Board’s adoption of the proposed ordinances will allow us to organize traffic-related ordinances together under Title 7, Vehicles and Traffic, and to streamline the processes needed to approve No Parking and Tow Away zones.

Background

Previous Board Action

Adopted similar ordinances, which streamlined the Prima Facie Speed Limits; Time Limited Parking; No Parking and No Parking During Specified Hours; and Disabled Parking Zones in the Ordinance Code.

Adopted resolutions authorizing the Sheriff to temporarily close roads and tow unattended vehicles for the North Fair Oaks Community Festival, and closing or restricting the use of various roads for the Mavericks Surfing Competition.

Discussion

Section 22651(m) of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) provides that vehicles may be removed from portions of roadways that have been authorized for a purpose other than the normal flow of traffic, provided that signs giving notice that vehicles may be removed are placed at least 24 hours prior to the removal. We recommend that Section 3.96.010, Highway Closures, be moved to Chapter 7 .02 and be revised to incorporate new language authorizing the removal (towing) of vehicles left parked on closed highways.

Section 22651(n) of the CVC provides that local authorities may, by ordinance or resolution, prohibit parking and authorize removal of vehicles where signs are permanently posted. Mike Nevin Way (formerly “B” Street) in the unincorporated Colma area is currently designated as a No Parking and Tow Away zone in the ordinance code. We are recommending that the streets, portions of streets and County owned property within the unincorporated area where parking is restricted be approved by resolution and no longer be listed in the Ordinance Code. Your Board’s repeal of Ordinance Code Section 7.34.020 and adoption of the proposed amendment to Ordinance Code Section 7.34.010 and Resolution will accomplish this action.

This change will facilitate the process for implementing restricted parking zones and also allow their installation in a more timely manner. Amending the Ordinance Code sections as recommended for street closures will also enable the Director of Public Works to close streets for approved special events without requiring a separate resolution of your Board for each event.

The ordinance and resolution have been approved as to form by County Counsel.

Fiscal Impact

There is no cost to the Road Fund associated with this Ordinance Code revision.

County Counsel compiles and publishes Ordinance Code revisions, and the cost of this work is financed with General Funds. We believe that there will be a minimal savings to the General Fund as updates to the Ordinance Code will no longer have to be published each time a No Parking Tow Away zone is approved or eliminated.