City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: SEPTEMBER 12, 2023 FROM: COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WARDS: ALL
DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: CONTINUATION OF PARTICIPATION WITH THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY ABANDONED VEHICLE ABATEMENT SERVICE AUTHORITY AVA PROGRAM ISSUE:
The item for City Council consideration is the approval to extend the City’s participation in the Riverside County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Authority AVA Program through May 2034 and adoption of the resolution required to authorize participation.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Approve the continuation of the City’s participation with the Riverside County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Authority AVA Program; and Adopt the resolution authorizing the continuation of the service fee collected on behalf of the Riverside County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority AVA Program through May 2034.
BACKGROUND:
In 1990, The State enacted legislation allowing for the creation of county-based vehicle service authorities pursuant to the provisions of Section 22710 of the California Vehicle Code.
In July 1993, Resolution 18288 authorized the City’s participation in the Riverside County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority.
In June 1994, the Riverside County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority AVA Program was formed and imposed a one-dollar annual vehicle registration fee on vehicles registered to an owner with an address in the County of Riverside.
On February 5, 2013, Resolution 22495 extended the City’s participation in the program until 2024.
DISCUSSION:
The City’s participation in the program has proven to be a valuable resource for recovering expenses associated with abandoned vehicle concerns within our communities. New statewide legislation allows the local service authorities to extend the program every ten years with the approval of the County, which includes many of the cities comprising much of the population of the incorporated areas. Adoption of the resolution is required to extend participation in this program through May 2034. Jurisdictions wishing to continue participation will be submitting their resolutions to the Service Authority in September 2023. The associated service fee is applied to all vehicle registrations in the County of Riverside whether an individual city participates in the program or not.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item aligns with Strategic Priority 5 – High Performing Government and Goal 5.4 - Achieve and maintain financial health by addressing gaps between revenues and expenditures and aligning resources with strategic priorities to yield the greatest impact.
Community Trust – This item is neutral to this cross-cutting thread.
Equity – Recovery of service fees associated with abandoned vehicle enforcement generates revenue that will go back into the General Fund to provide citywide benefit and offset the costs of vehicle abatement.
Fiscal Responsibility – Participation in the AVA program generates revenue that offsets the cost of administering an abandoned vehicle abatement program. These amounts are related to administrative, as well as actual costs of vehicle removal.
Innovation – This program utilizes partnerships with other governmental entities.
Sustainability & Resiliency – This item is neutral to this cross-cutting thread.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Over the last several years, the City of Riverside has recovered an average of $154,000 per fiscal year for the General Fund, which in turn helps offset the cost of services provided by the Code Enforcement Division.
Prepared by: Jennifer A Lilley, Community & Economic Development Director Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Rafael Guzman, Assistant City Manager Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachment: Resolution
AVA Program - Continued Participation ● Page 2