City of Gonzales
PUBLIC WORKS / CITY ENGINEER DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: October 7, 2024
FROM: Patrick Dobbins, Public Works Director/City Engineer THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Updated Parking Regulations
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council review the updated list of Parking Regulations and provide feedback and direction to staff.
BACKGROUND
The City Council is authorized by the State of California through the Vehicle Code to adopt local parking regulations that are in addition to State mandated parking regulations (ie, no parking with 15 feet of a fire hydrant).
The City Municipal Code allows the City Council to establish parking regulations such as “No Parking”, 20-minute Parking spaces, and other parking restrictions (i.e., loading zones) by resolution. Current City parking regulations were established by Resolution No. 2018-03.
REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
Staff periodically reviews the approved parking regulations and proposed updates of Parking Regulations include:
1. Establish five 20-minute parking spaces on Belden Street and five 20-minute parking spaces on Fourth Street by the Post Office
2. No Parking at the new and expanded bus stops for the Monterey Salinas Transit Circulator Project currently under construction.
AGENDA
ITEM
15 3. No Parking within the first 20-feet on the vehicle approach side at an intersection with a marked or unmarked crosswalk per Assembly Bill 413, which went into effect January 1, 2024 with enforcement beginning January 1, 2025.
Regarding #3, Assembly Bill 413 was signed by Governor Newsom in October 2023, and prohibits vehicle parking within 20 feet of the vehicle approach side of any “marked or unmarked” crosswalk. The bill is intended to provide improved sight distance for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers at intersections.
Vehicles parked close to intersections can block the field of vision for drivers, obscuring the corners where pedestrians are attempting to cross the street. and making it difficult to pass through the intersection.
AB 413 is codified in California Vehicle Code Section 22500(n), and prohibits vehicles from parking within 20 feet on the approach side of any unmarked or marked crosswalk, or within 15 feet of any crosswalk with a curb extension. This will affect most intersections throughout the City.
Section 22500(n) includes options for implementation and compliance of the law including the City may establish a different distance if both of the following requirements are met:
• The City establishes the different distance by ordinance that includes a finding that the different distance is justified by established traffic safety standards; and • The City has marked the different distance at the intersections using paint or signs.
Additional options include the City could permit commercial vehicle loading or unloading within 20 feet of the vehicle approach side of any marked or unmarked crosswalk, or within 15 feet of any crosswalk where a curb extension is present if both of the following requirements are met:
• The City authorizes the commercial loading and unloading by ordinance and identifies the crosswalk or crosswalks in the ordinance; and
• A local authority has marked the commercial loading and unloading areas with paint or signage.
The attached regulations address parking enforcement within the public right-of-way (i.e., City streets) in Gonzales. Concerns regarding parked vehicles in front yards is a separate effort.
Staff will incorporate Council’s feedback and direction on the proposed Parking Regulations and present a resolution at an upcoming Council meeting.
Explain Recommendation and How it Supports the Vision
Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small town charm.
Explain: Appropriate parking regulations support the City’s Vision by maintaining public safety in Gonzales while maintaining the regulations needed to preserve Gonzales’ small-town charm.
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Mission The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment, and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community.
Explain: Enforcement of parking regulations promotes the safety and well-being of residents and businesses.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful, and friendly manner to insure the safety and well-being of the residents and the promotion of business, recreational, housing and employment opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Explain: Enforcement of parking regulations promotes the safety and well-being of residents and businesses.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety X Yes No N/A
• Housing Yes No X N/A
• Recreation Yes No X N/A
• Environment Yes No X N/A
• Education Yes No X N/A
Explain: The additional markings are within the approved fiscal year budget.
ALTERNATIVES
The City Council could modify the Parking Regulations as allowed under the California Vehicle Code.
BUDGET IMPACT
There will be moderate costs related to staff time and materials by adopting the proposed Parking Regulations due to the new curb markings required by Assembly Bill 413.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council review the updated list of Parking Regulations and provide feedback and direction to staff.
Attachments:
1. Updated Parking Regulations