CITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORTCITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
Item No. __ Item No. __
Item No. __
Item No. __
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Blue Curb Policy Update
Meeting Date: October 11, 2022
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council will consider adopting a Resolution approving the Blue Curb Policy Update.
BACKGROUND:
The current Blue Curb Parking Policy was approved by the Traffic Commission on January 13, 2021 and approved by City Council on February 2, 2021. The Blue Curb Parking Policy is approximately one (1) year old and was updated in conformance with the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD). The proposed update was presented to the Traffic Commission and approved by unanimous vote on September 14, 2022.
ANALYSIS:
The purpose of the policy and application is to set forth the process and criteria by which the installation of on-street disabled persons parking spaces (blue curb) may be recommended to the Traffic Commission and to identify the conditions in which they may be installed on public streets at the discretion of the Traffic Commission and/or the Director of Public Works.
Staff is requesting that City Council consider updating the current Blue Curb Parking Policy to facilitate the process by which blue curb requests are reviewed and include a transfer process for existing Blue Curbs.
Disabled blue curb parking zones are typically installed in front of residential developments where disabled persons reside, and where no off-street parking spaces will facilitate their needs. A copy of the redline version of the Updated Blue Curb Parking Policy is included as “Attachment 1” of this staff report. This policy describes the policies and procedures related to disabled blue curb parking spaces, as well as the procedures in procuring one.
An updated application process was developed in the Blue Curb Parking Policy approved in 2021 in which applicants are required to fill out and submit the “Screening” form, please refer to “Form 1” in the proposed Blue Curb Parking Policy for the application. This serves as an initial screening tool for applicants based on 9 criteria. If YES is answered to any of the 9 questions listed on the application the request for a blue curb will be denied and not brought before the Traffic Commission, except for Question 9 where it meets the exceptions outlined in the section “Exceptions” of the Policy. Pursuant to the new update, a denial letter and “Request to Appeal to Traffic Commission” form will be mailed out to the applicant. If the applicant provided an email address, it will also be delivered via email. The applicant may appeal the decision by either mailing, emailing, or hand delivering the completed form within fourteen (14) calendar days of the date of the denial letter to the Public Works Department after which staff will evaluate the request and present the item at a future Traffic Commission Meeting. If the Traffic Commission denies the Blue Curb Request, a second denial letter with the “Request to Appeal to the City Council” form will be mailed out to the applicant. If the applicant provided an email address it will also be delivered via email, and the applicant shall submit their request for appeal by submitting the completed form to the Public Works Department by either mailing in, emailing, or hand delivering the form within 14 calendar days from the date of denial. City Council decisions will be considered final and no further appeals will be granted.
The new update also includes a new section which will create a process by which transfer of blue curbs are evaluated. If the on-street Blue Curb is no longer needed by the original applicant, or if the original applicant is deceased, an existing blue curb can be transferred following the submittal of a filled-out completed Blue Curb Request Application, including all applicable City forms per Section A under Screening and Submittal Process of the Policy. If the Public Works Department is contacted about a space that is no longer needed or utilized by the original applicant, it shall follow up by contacting the original requestor (or their family member) as to the need for the parking space. The application submitted for the transfer will then be evaluated according to Section B under Analysis of Application of the Policy. If the applicant meets the criteria set forth by the Policy, then the on-street Blue Curb shall remain.
Staff recommends adoption of the attached Resolution approving the Blue Curb Policy Update ALTERNATIVES:
Approve staff recommendation
Reject staff recommendation
Provide staff with further direction
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact for the update of the Blue Curb Policy.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC GOALS:
This agenda item relates to the 2016 Strategic Plan:
Community Quality of Life
Guiding Principle 4, Support and evaluate community services, programs and events that promote healthy and quality lifestyles for our residents. Enhance public safety and social services through innovative programs that meet the needs of the residential and business communities.
Prepared by: Gina Nila, Acting Director of Public Works Reviewed by: Vilko Domic, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form by: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
Respectfully submitted by: Edgar P. Cisneros, City Manager ATTACHMENT:
Resolution
Redline Version of the Updated Blue Curb Policy
Blue Curb Application Forms
Request to Appeal to Traffic Commission Form
Request to Appeal to City Council Form
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