City of Sacramento
City Council - 2PM Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
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File ID: 2024-00580 4/9/2024 Consent Item 3.
(City Council) Rescind Restriction of Traffic Through Kayak Alley in Council District 4, Proceeding No. RT24-0001
File ID: 2024-00580
Location: Kayak Alley located in District 4, Represented by Councilmember Valenzuela Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution rescinding the restriction of vehicular and pedestrian traffic through the alley bounded by K Street, L Street, 7th Street and 8th Street “Kayak Alley,” previously authorized by Council Resolution 1998-068, finding that the restriction is no longer necessary for the protection or preservation of the public peace, safety, health or welfare.
Contact: Thomas Adams, Project Manager, (916) 808-7929, [email protected]; Jennifer Johnson, Supervising Engineer, (916) 808-7754, [email protected]; Ofelia Avalos, Engineering Manager, (916) 808-7035, [email protected], Department of Public Works
Presenter: None.
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Resolution
3-Police Department Clearance Letter
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: Pursuant to the procedures set forth in Sacramento City Code Chapter 12.40 and authority granted to the City by California Vehicle Code Section 21102.1 the listed alley is currently restricted to traffic by the following adopted Resolution:
R1999-068: Kayak Alley Bounded by 7th Street/8th Street/K Street and L Street This restriction required the placement of a metal gate within Kayak Alley. Through field verification, City staff has determined the gate has been absent for at least eight years. The physical removal of the gate was part of the commercial development adjacent to Kayak Alley in 2015. As the Department of Public Works (Public Works) staff has not received any complaints or requests
File ID: 2024-00580 4/9/2024 Consent Item 3.
concerning the reinstallation of the gate since that period, City staff views this as a consideration to remove the access restriction for the protection or preservation of the public peace, safety, health or welfare.
Policy Considerations: The authority to rescind the restriction of through traffic by the City is set forth in Vehicle Code Section 21102.1 and Sacramento City Code Chapter 12.40. The City Council may determine that the traffic restriction is no longer necessary for the protection or preservation of the public peace, safety, health or welfare.
Economic Impacts: None.
Environmental Considerations:
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): The proposed action regarding alleys is categorically exempt from CEQA review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15301. The activity consists of the operation, repair, permitting, or minor alteration of existing public facilities involving negligible or no expansion of use.
Sustainability: Not applicable.
Commission/Committee Action: None.
Rationale for Recommendation: As Public Works staff has not received any complaints concerning the reinstallation of the gate within the alley during the time period the gate has been vacant, City staff considers this as evidence the alley restriction is no longer needed. Further, adoption of the attached Resolution will help provide an accurate account of the restricted alleys listed as part of the Alley Abatement Program. Finally, accurate information regarding the City’s alley restrictions will make the City’s records more accurate for the benefit of the general public and City departments.
Financial Considerations: The estimated cost for processing this request is approximately $2,000.
Typically, these costs would be covered through the Alley Abatement Program (T15100900); however, ongoing expenses to maintain existing assets have exceeded available program funding.
These costs will be absorbed by the Fiscal Year 2023/24 Department of Public Works, Engineering Services operating budget.
Due to the forecasted structural budget gap, the City Manager has directed City departments to minimize costs and for all new General Fund expenses to receive an additional level of scrutiny to ensure they are necessary for the operation of the City. This expense has been reviewed and approved by the City Manager’s Office to advance to City Council for approval. Funding for the proposed expense beyond FY2023/24 is subject to City Council approval.
File ID: 2024-00580 4/9/2024 Consent Item 3.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
Background Through City Council Resolution 1999-068, the City Council restricted vehicular and pedestrian traffic through the alley identified in this report for the protection or preservation of public peace, safety, health or welfare. Pursuant to authorization in the resolution, the City caused the alley gate to be constructed within the alley to restrict vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The gate that once existed in the alley has been removed. The gate was removed in approximately 2015 when construction commenced at the adjacent parcel. The absence of this gate has exceeded more than eight years. After reviewing calls for service for this alley, the Police Department supports removal of this alley restriction and not re-installing the gate as a matter of public safety as indicated in Attachment 2. Within the past eight years, the Department of Public Works has not received any requests to re-install the gate or to maintain the alley restriction. As previously stated, there is no current gate within the alley listed in the attached proposed resolution. To maintain proper records, the Department of Public Works seeks to remove this restriction as noted in City Council Resolution 1999-068.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-XXXX
Adopted by the Sacramento City Council
April 9, 2024
Rescind the Restriction of Traffic Through Kayak Alley in Council Districts 4, Proceeding No. RT24-0001
BACKGROUND
A. The City Council previously approved the Restriction of Traffic through Kayak Alley in Council District 4 pursuant to Council Resolution 1999-068.
B. The alley restriction is no longer necessary for the protection or preservation of the public peace, safety, health, or welfare.
C. Pursuant to Section 21102.1 of the California Vehicle Code and Sacramento City Code Chapter 12.40 the City Council can rescind the restriction traffic through alleys if the City Council finds the restriction is no longer necessary for the protection or preservation of the public peace, safety, health, or welfare.
BASED ON THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE RECITALS, THE CITY COUNCIL RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1.
Based upon substantial evidence present in the record of the proceedings regarding this matter, the City Council hereby makes the following findings:
A. The restriction of vehicular and pedestrian traffic through the alley identified in City Council Resolution 1999-068 (Kayak Alley Bounded by 7th Street/8th Street/K Street and L Street) is no longer necessary for the protection or preservation of the public peace, safety, health or welfare and the restriction is rescinded, including removal of any restrictive devices that were placed in the alley pursuant to City Council Resolution 1999-068.