TO: RULES AND OPEN FROM: Councilmember Cohen
GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
SUBJECT: Actions Related to RVs DATE: September 28, 2022 in the City of San José
Approved Date 09/27/2022
RECOMMENDATION
1. Accept the recommendations from the memorandum from Vice Mayor Jones and Councilmembers Foley, Jimenez and Mahan with the following additions:
a. Direct the City Manager to explore ordinance options that standardize acceptable parking rules to ensure safety where RVs remain parked on city streets. b. Direct the City Manager to explore RV program options such as a vehicle repair and/or buyout program for non-operational vehicles including recommendations for staffing and budget necessary to assist vehicle owners make the small repairs that are impeding them from being able to participate in a safe RV parking program.
BACKGROUND
I want to thank my council colleagues for their thoughtful work in bringing this item forward for consideration. In District 4 we have learned lessons from the temporary RV parking site at Vista Montana that was established to support the abatement at the Apple property last year.
Additionally, as we have a very large industrial area in District 4, we have businesses and residents experiencing significant public safety issues due to large RV encampments.
Accelerating the siting of additional properties to operate safe parking for RVs is a strategy that will bring much needed relief to the businesses and residents of District 4. Our experience has taught us that very often small repairs to vehicles are needed to get them operational so that they can enroll in a safe parking program. Without this support, a $15 part can impede an RV dweller from improving their stability in a safe parking program. Therefore, it is pragmatic for the City to be prepared to offer this kind of assistance.
Without a formal study of an RV count in District 4, my office has already identified over 60 RVs just in North San Jose and Alviso that could benefit from a Safe RV program. It is conceivable that there will not be enough capacity for all RVs at a Safe RV site leaving RVs remaining on city streets. Currently, large RV encampments are causing safety concerns as they limit visibility for people entering or exiting the streets where they are encamped. The RVs are RULES COMMITTEE: 9/28/22
ITEM: C.1
RULES AND OPEN GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
September 28, 2022
Subject: Actions Related to RVs in the City of San José
also causing environmental concerns with leakage of oil and grey and black water from the vehicle. Therefore, beginning the work of exploring potential parking ordinances for RVs that remain on city streets is a practical and necessary step to take now so that we continue to improve the conditions in these areas of the city.