CITY OF SEBASTOPOL
CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Meeting Date:
To:
From:
Subject:
Recommendation:
Funding:
February 15, 2022
Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
Chief of Police Kevin Kilgore
Adoption of Ordinance 1136, An Ordinance of the City of Sebastopol Adding Chapter
10.76 Recreational Vehicle Parking Ordinance and Amending Chapter 10.36 of the Sebastopol Municipal Code.
That the City Council Adopt the Ordinance
Currently Budgeted: _______ Yes ___*X___ No _____ N/A
Account Code/Costs authorized in City Approved Budget (if applicable) _AK____ (verified by Administrative Services Department)
*See fiscal impact section below
INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE:
The item is for Council Adoption of Ordinance 1136, An Ordinance of the City of Sebastopol Adding Chapter 10.76 Recreational Vehicle Parking Ordinance and Amending Chapter 10.36 of the Sebastopol Municipal Code.
BACKGROUND:
On November 30, 2021, the City Council held a Special City Council Meeting to discuss the RV Safe Parking Village proposal. During that meeting, the City Council committed to addressing the parking issues and challenges that have occurred on Morris Street and City Staff was tasked with drafting a parking policy ordinance that addressed recreational vehicle parking in residential, commercial, and industrial zoned areas of the City, along with an option for permitted short-term stay exceptions in residential zoned areas of the City.
On January 18, 2022, the City Council conducted a public hearing and introduced an Ordinance Adding Chapter
10.76 Recreational Vehicle Parking Ordinance and Amending Chapter 10.36 of the Sebastopol Municipal Code.
DISCUSSION:
Tonight’s item is to present to the City Council the final Ordinance which includes the minor edits as approved at the January 18, 2022 City Council Meeting.
City staff will return with a future agenda item to discuss personnel and material costs as discussed at the meeting of January 18th.
GOALS:
This action supports the following City Council Goals and General Plan Actions:
5.1: Expand and Encourage Community Involvement in the Government Process by Increasing the Public’s Understanding of local Government Operations and Increasing Interaction with Elected Officials Agenda Item Number 100
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City Council Meeting Packet of February 15, 2022
5.3.3 Encourage and increase public awareness of City Policies, decisions, programs and all public processes and meetings, by investigating effective methods of communication and obtaining feedback from the community.
Goal CSF 6, Policy CSF 6-1: Continue to maximize public participation in local government actions and maintain excellent levels of City government service.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
As of the writing of this staff report, the City has not received any public comment. However, if staff receives public comment from interested parties following the publication and distribution of this staff report, such comments will be provided to the City Council as supplemental materials before or at the meeting. In addition, public comments may be offered during the public comment portion of the agenda item.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
This item was noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours prior to schedule meeting date.
FISCAL IMPACT:
As discussed at the January 18, 2022 meeting, City Staff will return with a separate agenda item to discuss the proposal that the current 0.75-time employee of the Sebastopol Police Department be converted to full-time employmentstatus, the proposed creation of one new full-time employee position or two new part-time employee positions and a vehicle necessary for the employee(s) to operate, as well as costs for the creation and installation of signage.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the Sebastopol City Council Approve Adoption of Ordinance 1136, An Ordinance of the City of Sebastopol Adding Chapter 10.76 Recreational Vehicle Parking Ordinance and Amending Chapter 10.36 of the Sebastopol Municipal Code.
Attachments:
Recreational Vehicle Parking Ordinance 1136
Agenda Item Number 100
Agenda Item Number 10
City Council Meeting Packet of February 15, 2022
ORDINANCE NUMBER 1136
SECOND READING AND ADOPTION
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SEBASTOPOL ADDING CHAPTER 10.76, and AMENDING CHAPTER 10.36 OF THE SEBASTOPOL MUNICIPAL CODE
WHEREAS, the public interest will best be served by having a clear and concise understanding of Recreational Vehicles (RV) rules and regulations of Sebastopol; and WHEREAS, on November 30, 2021, the City of Sebastopol City Council approved Resolution Number 6386-2021, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Sebastopol Proclaiming the Existence of a Local Homeless Emergency; and
WHEREAS, at the November 30, 2021 meeting, City Council directed staff to Provide Recommendations for Parking Changes on Morris Street, Laguna Park Way, as well as City-Wide parking changes recommendations; and
WHEREAS, conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property has arisen within the City as to homeless in general and particularly as to those who are living in RVs or cars on Morris Street and Laguna Park Way, and that action is needed; and
WHEREAS, the City of Sebastopol Police Department has recommended that there be parking restrictions for oversized and recreational vehicle; and WHEREAS, The City Council has reviewed the Police Department’s recommendations and desires to amend the Sebastopol Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, The City Council finds that the proposed changes are in the best health, safety, and welfare interests of the City.
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEBASTOPOL DOES ORDAIN THE ADDING OF CHAPTER 10.76 AND AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 10.36 AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Recitals. The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by this reference.
SECTION 2. Amending of Chapter 10.36, Stopping, Standing and Parking for Certain Purposes or in Certain Places: Chapter 10.36.010(B), is hereby amended to read as follows:
The provisions of this chapter imposing a time limit on standing or parking shall not relieve any person from the duty to observe other and more restrictive provisions of the Vehicle Code or the ordinances of this City, including the Recreational Vehicle Parking Ordinance contained in Chapter 10.76, prohibiting or limiting the standing or parking of vehicles in specified places or at specified times.
SECTION 3. Adding of Chapter 10.76: Chapter 10.76, Recreational Vehicle Parking, is hereby added to Sebastopol Municipal Code to read as follows:
Agenda Item Number 100
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City Council Meeting Packet of February 15, 2022
Recreational Vehicle Parking Ordinance
Chapter 10.76. – Recreational Vehicle Parking Ordinance Sections:
10.76.010 Title.
10.76.020 Findings and purpose.
10.76.030 Definitions
10.76.040 Parking Prohibited
10.76.050 Exceptions
10.76.060 Notice
10.76.070 Prohibited Activities
10.76.080 Violations
----------------------------------------------------
10.76.010 Title.
This chapter shall be known as the “Recreational Vehicle Parking Ordinance.”
10.76.020 Findings and purpose:
The regulations enacted by this chapter are intended to ensure there is adequate parking for residents of the city and to regulate the parking of vehicles actively used as sleeping accommodations.
10.76.030 Definitions
Unless the contrary is stated or clearly appears from the context, the following definitions will govern the construction of the words and phrases used in this chapter:
“Homeowner” means any person who owns their home.
“Out-of-town visitor” means any natural person who does not reside in the city and who is temporarily visiting a resident of the city.
“Recreational vehicle” or “RV” means a motorhome, travel trailer, truck camper, camping trailer, or other vehicle or trailer, with or without motive power, designed or altered for human habitation for recreational, emergency, or other human occupancy. “Recreational vehicle” specifically includes, but is not limited to: a “recreational vehicle” as defined by California Health and Safety Code Section 18010; a “truck camper” as defined by Health and Safety Code Section 18013.4; a “camp trailer” as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 242; a “camper” as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 243; a “fifth-wheel travel trailer” as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 324; a “house car” as defined by California Vehicle Code Section 362; a “trailer coach” as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 635; a van camper; or a van conversion.
“Tenant” means any person who occupies land or property rented from a landlord.
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10.76.040 Parking Prohibitions
A. It is unlawful for a person to park or leave standing any recreational vehicle on any public street in the city that is zoned residential at any time.
B. It is unlawful for a person to park or leave standing any recreational vehicle on any public street in the city that is zoned commercial, industrial, or community facility at any time between the hours of 7:30am and 10:00pm.
C. It is unlawful for a person to park or leave standing any recreational vehicle on any park, square, or alley at any time.
D. It is unlawful for a person to park or leave standing any recreational vehicle in any city-owned parking lot at any time unless that person is conducting city-related business during business hours at the location for which the parking lot is designated.
E. It is unlawful for a person to park or leave standing any recreational vehicle less than 30 feet from the corner of any street so as not to impede site visibility for other motorists.
10.76.050 Exceptions
The prohibitions of this section do not apply to:
A. Recreational vehicles parked or left standing as a result of a mechanical breakdown so as to allow the performance of emergency repairs on the vehicle for a period not to exceed 48 hours.
B. Recreational vehicles parked or left standing on any public street in the city that is zoned residential so as to allow the use of a homeowner, tenant, or out-of-town visitor to load/unload the vehicle for a period not to exceed 72 hours.
C. Nothing in the ordinance is applicable to commercial vehicles providing services to businesses, such as the delivery or picking up of goods or vehicles otherwise approved by other City of Sebastopol departments through that department’s permitting process (e.g., construction vehicles).
10.76.060 Notice
Signs giving reasonable notice of the prohibitions contained in this chapter will be erected within the city as required by the California Vehicle Code.
10.76.070 Prohibited Activities
No person shall:
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A. Run electrical cords, extension cords, hoses, cables, or other items across, above, or on the parkway or sidewalk from any property to a recreational vehicle parked on a public street at any time;
B. Make a sewer connection with a recreational vehicle or dump wastes from a recreational vehicle onto public or private land other than a designated RV dump. Violation of this subsection is a misdemeanor.
10.76.080 Violations
Unless otherwise specified, all violations of this chapter shall be an infraction and such persons shall be subject to citation, towing or both. Parking citations may be appealed under California Vehicle Code 40215 et seq.
SECTION 4. CEQA. The City Council finds, pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 15378(b)(5), that this ordinance is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in that it is a governmental, organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
SECTION 5. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this Ordinance and each and every section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase not declared invalid or unconstitutional without regard to whether any portion of the ordinance would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 6. Effective Date. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause the same or a summary thereof to be published as required by law. This Ordinance shall take effect and be in full force and effect on March 3, 2022.
APPROVED FOR WAIVING OF FIRST READING AND INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE at the Regular City Council Meeting of January 18, 2022.
APPROVED FOR SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE at a Regular City Council Meeting scheduled for February 15, 2022.
VOTE:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
APPROVED: __________________________________
Mayor Patrick Slayter
ATTEST: ________________________________________________ Mary Gourley, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk, MMC
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ______________________________________ Larry McLaughlin, City Attorney
Agenda Item Number 100
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From: Mary Gourley
To: Una Glass ([email protected]); Sarah Glade Gurney; Neysa Hinton; Diana Rich; Patrick Slayter - City of Sebastopol ([email protected])
Cc: Lawrence McLaughlin; Kevin Kilgore
Subject: FW: Public Comment Support Citywide RV and Car Permit Parking Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2022 8:02:42 AM
Good morning
Please see email below.
Thank you
Please note that email correspondence with the City of Sebastopol, along with any attachments, may be subject to the California Public Records Act, and therefore may be subject to disclosure unless otherwise exempt.
Due to the COVID-19 Shelter in Place Orders by the County of Sonoma and State of California, some City staff continue to work remotely; but all City staff is answering phones and emails and making in person appointments when needed. If you need to speak to the City Hall Offices, please call 707-823-1153 and City staff will answer your call and refer it to appropriate staff. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call.
Mary Gourley
Assistant City Manager/City Clerk
7120 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472
-----Original Message-----
From: Charlette Epifanio
Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2022 6:17 PM
To: Mary Gourley <[email protected]>
Subject: Public Comment Support Citywide RV and Car Permit Parking To Sebastopol City Council
I do not want RV Campers on Streets of Sebastopol. RVs must be removed from Morris, Laguna Parkway and Sunset.
I am in support of Citywide RV and Car Permit Parking. Cars as well as RVs should be permitted. RVs on Morris and adjacent streets all need be removed for public, business and adjacent neighborhood safety.
Sincerely,
Charlette Epifanio
Sebastopol CA 95472
Sent from my iPhone
Agenda Item Number 100
Agenda Item Number 10
City Council Meeting Packet of February 15, 2022
From: City Council
To: Una Glass ([email protected]); Sarah Glade Gurney; Neysa Hinton; Diana Rich; Patrick Slayter - City of Sebastopol ([email protected])
Cc: Lawrence McLaughlin; Kevin Kilgore
Subject: FW: Sebastopol passes ordinance prohibiting Residential Rv street parking Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2022 5:29:43 PM
Good evening
Please see email below.
Thank you
Please note that email correspondence with the City of Sebastopol, along with any attachments, may be subject to the California Public Records Act, and therefore may be subject to disclosure unless otherwise exempt.
Due to the COVID-19 Shelter in Place Orders by the County of Sonoma and State of California, some City staff continue to work remotely; but all City staff is answering phones and emails and making in person appointments when needed. If you need to speak to the City Hall Offices, please call 707-823-1153 and City staff will answer your call and refer it to appropriate staff. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call.
Mary Gourley
Assistant City Manager/City Clerk
7120 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472
-----Original Message-----
From: Lee Mathias
Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2022 11:54 PM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Sebastopol passes ordinance prohibiting Residential Rv street parking You were trying to stop itinerants from setting up camp in front of our homes.
You made it illegal to park a VW
camper used only for personal transportation in front of our home! I don’t think there is a vehicle more like Sebastopol than a classic VW van or camper. They are really cool….but yep…illegal in Sebastopol! The Council just introduced a new prohibition on local Residents parking their personal RV in front of their home for longer than 72 hours. Did you really intend to do this? I’m concerned that many taxpayers are going to be surprised that they have to find a storage lot. Unfortunately the definition used for RV included the venerable VW.
If your plan is to make the residential streets free of the clutter of RVs and to address the constant complaints you receive from residents who don’t like their neighbors RV then fine….it is just that was not the problem you identified for solution….it was late.. maybe you were killing two stones and quietly trying to piss off RV owners in Sebastopol.
I don’t envy your jobs. You get no time to privately brainstorm and think through complex issues. You wait until 11pm to make a motion and tired people don’t always make good decisions. I’m tired maybe I am confused….
I do think if the community actually learns about this it will open a whole new can of worms.
My suggestion stands that RVs on residential streets be allowed only for residents who live on the street. Keep the language about not blocking the street, no wires crossing sidewalks etc. Vehicles must be properly registered to an address on that block. Temporary parking up to 72 hours will be allowed for guests of the residents.
Lee Mathias
Agenda Item Number 100
Agenda Item Number 10
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Sent from my iPad
Agenda Item Number 100
Agenda Item Number 10
City Council Meeting Packet of February 15, 2022
From: City Council
To: Una Glass ([email protected]); Sarah Glade Gurney; Neysa Hinton; Diana Rich; Patrick Slayter - City of Sebastopol ([email protected])
Cc: Lawrence McLaughlin; Kevin Kilgore
Subject: FW: Need to permit RV parking
Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2022 6:11:34 PM
Good evening
Please see email below.
Thank you
Please note that email correspondence with the City of Sebastopol, along with any attachments, may be subject to the California Public Records Act, and therefore may be subject to disclosure unless otherwise exempt.
Due to the COVID-19 Shelter in Place Orders by the County of Sonoma and State of California, some City staff continue to work remotely; but all City staff is answering phones and emails and making in person appointments when needed. If you need to speak to the City Hall Offices, please call 707-823-1153 and City staff will answer your call and refer it to appropriate staff. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call.
Mary Gourley
Assistant City Manager/City Clerk
7120 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472
-----Original Message-----
From: Lee Mathias
Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2022 8:06 PM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Need to permit RV parking
The city is bending over backwards and finding all kinds of money to help non Tax paying unhoused individuals but can’t find money to issue a permit to allow a tax payer to park an RV in Front of their house? Could also write the ordinance such that no non resident rv overnight parking unless you can show you are a residing on the block. Enforcement would be as it is now based on complaints.
Seems like the city manager has a practical low cost solution…pick up a permit…it it is abused work on something more……
Sent from my iPad
Agenda Item Number 100
Agenda Item Number 10
City Council Meeting Packet of February 15, 2022
From: City Council
To: Una Glass ([email protected]); Sarah Glade Gurney; Neysa Hinton; Diana Rich; Patrick Slayter - City of Sebastopol ([email protected])
Cc: Lawrence McLaughlin; Kevin Kilgore
Subject: FW: Rv parking ordinance and wildfires
Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2022 6:13:52 PM
Good evening
Please see email below.
Thank you
Please note that email correspondence with the City of Sebastopol, along with any attachments, may be subject to the California Public Records Act, and therefore may be subject to disclosure unless otherwise exempt.
Due to the COVID-19 Shelter in Place Orders by the County of Sonoma and State of California, some City staff continue to work remotely; but all City staff is answering phones and emails and making in person appointments when needed. If you need to speak to the City Hall Offices, please call 707-823-1153 and City staff will answer your call and refer it to appropriate staff. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call.
Mary Gourley
Assistant City Manager/City Clerk
7120 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472
-----Original Message-----
From: Lee Mathias
Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2022 7:50 PM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Rv parking ordinance and wildfires
The chief made an excellent point about rvs being kept for evacuation. We keep ours in the driveway during fire season. He pointed out that we have only been evacuated one time does not reflect the fact that every year since the tub’s fire we have been on notice to be prepared to evacuate due to fires burning in nearby areas. Where fires might ignite and how quickly they spread seems random so we are all supposed to be prepared.
The issue might be mitigated by a statement that the restrictions would be lifted or not enforced during periods of red flag warnings.
Sent from my iPad
Agenda Item Number 100
Agenda Item Number 10
City Council Meeting Packet of February 15, 2022
From: City Council
To: Una Glass ([email protected]); Sarah Glade Gurney; Neysa Hinton; Diana Rich; Patrick Slayter - City of Sebastopol ([email protected])
Cc: Lawrence McLaughlin; Kevin Kilgore
Subject: FW: Re allowing homeless overnight parking bear RV Village until 7:30 am Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2022 6:24:57 PM
Good evening
Please see email below
Thank you
Please note that email correspondence with the City of Sebastopol, along with any attachments, may be subject to the California Public Records Act, and therefore may be subject to disclosure unless otherwise exempt.
Due to the COVID-19 Shelter in Place Orders by the County of Sonoma and State of California, some City staff continue to work remotely; but all City staff is answering phones and emails and making in person appointments when needed. If you need to speak to the City Hall Offices, please call 707-823-1153 and City staff will answer your call and refer it to appropriate staff. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call.
Mary Gourley
Assistant City Manager/City Clerk
7120 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472
-----Original Message-----
From: Lee Mathias
Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2022 10:29 PM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Re allowing homeless overnight parking bear RV Village until 7:30 am You know there is sensitivity about children walking along there to go to the school. 7:30 am might be prime time for kids going to school. Maybe have to go back to 6am? Sent from my iPad
Agenda Item Number 100
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From: City Council
To: Una Glass ([email protected]); Sarah Glade Gurney; Neysa Hinton; Diana Rich; Patrick Slayter - City of Sebastopol ([email protected])
Cc: Lawrence McLaughlin; Kevin Kilgore
Subject: FW: Street parking/living
Date: Sunday, January 23, 2022 7:39:26 PM
Good evening
Please see email below.
Thank you
Mary Gourley
Assistant City Manager/City Clerk
7120 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472
-----Original Message-----
From: Chelle Cardenas McDonell
Sent: Saturday, January 22, 2022 9:45 AM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Street parking/living
Hello neighbors (because we all are neighbors here).
One of the things I enjoy about living in a smaller town is that my children can move about safely on foot or on their bikes. Until, that is, they couldn’t safely do that anymore. As you know, Morris Street is the route to the community center and the baseball fields. The encampment there has created a hazardous situation for pedestrians and cyclists - vehicles and objects blocking the bike lane and the sidewalk, loose dogs, garbage and hazardous materials. This is not a solution to homelessness.
In conversations with the police department I discovered that everything was moved to the east side of the street with 3 hour parking notices because the businesses on the west side complained. It seems like the Barlow is the impetus behind this latest effort. While I am glad that it may be happening; it is sad to me that all the pedestrians, cyclists and Sebastopol families who use the ball field didn’t get an equal response to their complaints.
My family hopes you will approve the parking regulations! Best regards,
Chelle Cardenas McDonell
Agenda Item Number 100
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From: Mary Gourley
To: Una Glass ([email protected]); Sarah Glade Gurney; Neysa Hinton; Diana Rich; Patrick Slayter - City of Sebastopol ([email protected])
Cc: Lawrence McLaughlin; Kevin Kilgore
Subject: FW: RV village plan, cIty-wide parking ordinance Date: Tuesday, January 25, 2022 9:19:08 PM
Good evening
Please see email below.
Thank you
Mary Gourley
Assistant City Manager/City Clerk
7120 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472
From: Wayne D Madgett
Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2022 9:00 PM
To: Mary Gourley <[email protected]>
Subject: RV village plan, cIty-wide parking ordinance
To Mayor Slayter and Sebastopol City Councilmembers,
I was initially against the RV village plan and wrote Councilmember Rich expressing my concerns back in Dec. Even though I am still a skeptic, I feel a lot better about giving it a go with the addition of a City-wide parking ordinance. I feel that the RV village plan, together with the ordinance, strikes a reasonable balance between the needs of the unhoused and the concerns of our neighborhoods.
Although I'm not as vocal or involved as perhaps I should be, I care deeply about our town and our neighborhoods. Because I'm not an activist, because I don't have the time, inclination, or resources to exert a lot of influence or make a lot of noise, I feel that it may be easy for the Council to take 'run-of-the-mill' citizens like myself for granted from time to time. However, when I heard about this proposed ordinance, I felt that someone actually took the concerns of our neighborhoods into account, applied common sense, and was attempting to balance the needs of all those involved. This helped me to ease my initial stance against the RV village, knowing that there will be a major safeguard in place (assuming the proposal gets the goahead).
It is my utmost hope that the City Council can pass this proposal. Thank you for listening!
Regards,
Wayne Madgett
Agenda Item Number 100
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Agenda Item Number 100
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From: Kate Haug
To: Mary Gourley
Cc: Kevin Kilgore; Dante Del Prete; Lawrence McLaughlin Subject: Where is the Parking Ordinance? - public Comment 2/1/11 Date: Friday, January 28, 2022 9:21:39 AM
Dear Council Members,
At the 1/18/22 Council meeting, there was consensus that the second reading of the parking ordinance, with minor changes, would take place at the 2/1/22 meeting with a target implementation of the ordinance of 3/22.
As City Manager/City Attorney McLaughlin indicated at the 1/18/22 meeting there is no legal reason to prevent the parking ordinance from being implemented with or without any additional Safe Parking in Sebastopol.
In addition, per the Council's own directive (11/30/22 and onward), no RVs can move into the proposed RV Safe Parking until a citywide parking ordinance is in place, which the proposed ordinance provided to Council.
At this point, the parking ordinance can be implemented with or without any additional Safe Parking while Safe Parking cannot be implemented without a parking citywide parking ordinance in place.
There has been overwhelming support from all sectors of the community for the parking ordinances.
There is no reason legal or otherwise for Council not to read and pass the parking ordinance at the 2/1/22 meeting.
Sebastopol currently has more transient accommodations per capita than any other City in Sonoma County. Sebastopol has 45 transient beds at the Sebastopol Inn, 85 people housed at Park Village, 6 Safe Parking Spots at the Community Church. 45+85+6 = 136 transient beds, which equals one transient bed per every 55th resident.
Forestville, home of Supervisor Hopkins - population 3700, would need 67 beds to meet our current ratio. Supervisor Hopkins has no transient beds (and as far as I can tell no transient services) in her hometown. Rohnert Park, population 42,000, would need 893 beds to match our ratio; they currently have zero. Santa Rosa, population 179,700, would need 3823 beds.
County wide they'd need over 9000 beds to match our ratio of one transient bed to every 55th resident.
The Committee on the Unhoused is proposing additional 10 Safe Parking spots at Agenda Item Number 100
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undisclosed churches and other sites within Sebastopol, which would bring our total up even higher.
No community of our size and budget is paying $72,000 per year for a homeless outreach coordinator who works solely on behalf of a limited population of under 100 people. Under direction and decision of the current Council, Sebastopol carries an outsized burden in terms of funding and supporting transients. Other cities and the County need to join our efforts before Sebastopol's residents and small businesses support any more transient resources. Sebastopol has no downtown hotel and we have an extremely high commercial vacancy rate which impacts our City revenue. Until we have enough revenue to fully fund our police, fire, public works departments, city services, road and sidewalk repair, we should not extend any more funding to transient services and accommodations.
I urge Council to use their elected office to carry out the will of their constituents. It is unethical to use elected office as an exercise in personal power or a bully pulpit where personal relationships and agendas take precedence over the health, safety and financial viability of the community at large.
While several Council Members expressed hesitation over the parking restrictions which curb illegal activities such as theft, trespassing, drug dealing, blocking of sidewalks, illegal generator use, toxic septic dumping into the Laguna, harassment of citizens and workers, and the blocking of bike lanes, it is Council's duty to provide a safe environment for citizens, workers and visitors and to enforce basic ADA, environmental, health, and safety laws.
The parking ordinance helps to mitigate these on-going, persistent crimes associated with illegal RV Dwelling by transients.
Despite some Council Member's personal preference for permissiveness toward transients, it is not safe and it is not the expressed will of the community, business owners, parents, school officials and community leaders.
I urge Council to pass the ordinance as written for the 1/18/22 and continue with the timeline that was stated at that meeting.
Best,
Kate Haug
Agenda Item Number 100
Agenda Item Number 10
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From: Mary Gourley
To: "Una Glass"; Sarah Glade Gurney; Neysa Hinton; Diana Rich; "Patrick Slayter" Cc: Lawrence McLaughlin; Kevin Kilgore
Subject: FW: Please approve the parking ordinance this Tuesday 2-1-2022 Date: Friday, January 28, 2022 12:08:02 PM
Good morning
Please see email below.
Thank you
Mary Gourley
Assistant City Manager/City Clerk
7120 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472
From: Tim Dimick
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2022 9:52 AM
To: Mary Gourley <[email protected]>
Subject: Please approve the parking ordinance this Tuesday 2-1-2022 Dear Council Members,
Is there a reason to not adopt the proposed parking ordinance? The daily experience with the expanding camping along Johnson creeping up the high school knoll, the generators polluting all day and night, the threats when passing by and the increased trespassing and vandalism is not a sign of compassion, nor is it in Sebastopol's or West County's interests. At the 1/18/22 Council meeting, there was consensus that the second reading of the parking ordinance, with minor changes, would take place at the 2/1/22 meeting with a target implementation of the ordinance of 3/22. Please take action this Tuesday.
As City Manager/City Attorney McLaughlin indicated at the 1/18/22 meeting there is no legal reason to prevent the parking ordinance from being implemented with or without any additional Safe Parking in Sebastopol. At this point, the parking ordinance can be implemented with or without any additional Safe Parking while Safe Parking cannot be implemented without a parking citywide parking ordinance in place.
There has been overwhelming support from all sectors of the community for the parking ordinances.
I urge the Council to pass the ordinance as written for the 1/18/22 and continue with the timeline that was stated at that meeting.
Thank you,
Timothy
Timothy Dimick
Greenacre Homes and School
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City Council Meeting Packet of February 15, 2022
Agenda Item Number 10
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Agenda Item Number 10
City Council Meeting Packet of February 15, 2022
From: City Council
To: Una Glass ([email protected]); Sarah Glade Gurney; Neysa Hinton; Diana Rich; Patrick Slayter - City of Sebastopol ([email protected])
Cc: Lawrence McLaughlin; Kevin Kilgore
Subject: FW: Overnight Camping in Vehicles
Date: Monday, January 31, 2022 10:21:32 AM
Good morning
Please see email below.
Thank you
Mary Gourley
Assistant City Manager/City Clerk
7120 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472
-----Original Message-----
From: Stephen Lebbert
Sent: Monday, January 31, 2022 8:52 AM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Overnight Camping in Vehicles
I am requesting that the council keep the issue of camping in vehicles overnight within the city limits in sharp focus. Please do not expand this issue to include the parking of recreational vehicles or what has been generalized as “oversized” vehicles on city streets, or establishing a permit system of some sort, or imposing some type of restricted hours of parking for some kinds of registered and licensed vehicles. Please keep the focus on the specific issue at hand: camping overnight in vehicles within the city limits.
As a resident, I appreciate the effort and compassion the council is applying to this complicated situation. I am concerned that our community’s work on this issue will become diluted and tend toward dissension and divisiveness if other associated issues are included out of what may appear as expediency, when in reality other issues related to parking and types of vehicles deserve their own singular focuses.
Sent from my iPad
Agenda Item Number 100
Agenda Item Number 10
City Council Meeting Packet of February 15, 2022
From: Mary Gourley
To: Una Glass ([email protected]); Sarah Glade Gurney; Neysa Hinton; Diana Rich; Patrick Slayter - City of Sebastopol ([email protected])
Cc: Lawrence McLaughlin; Kevin Kilgore
Subject: FW: parking ordinance comment
Date: Monday, January 31, 2022 11:23:32 AM
Good morning
Please see email below.
Thank you
Mary Gourley
Assistant City Manager/City Clerk
7120 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472
From: Emily Beaven
Sent: Monday, January 31, 2022 11:08 AM
To: Mary Gourley <[email protected]>
Subject: parking ordinance comment
Dear Council Members,
At the 1/18/22 Council meeting, there was consensus that the second reading of the parking ordinance, with minor changes, would take place at the 2/1/22 meeting with a target implementation of the ordinance of 3/22.
As City Manager/City Attorney McLaughlin indicated at the 1/18/22 meeting there is no legal reason to prevent the parking ordinance from being implemented with or without any additional Safe Parking in Sebastopol.
In addition, per the Council's own directive (11/30/22 and onward), no RVs can move into the proposed RV Safe Parking until a citywide parking ordinance is in place, which the proposed ordinance provided to Council.
At this point, the parking ordinance can be implemented with or without any additional Safe Parking while Safe Parking cannot be implemented without a parking citywide parking ordinance in place.
There has been overwhelming support from all sectors of the community for the parking ordinances.
Agenda Item Number 100
Agenda Item Number 10
City Council Meeting Packet of February 15, 2022
Thank you,
Emily
Emily Beaven
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Agenda Item Number 10
Agenda Item Number 10
City Council Meeting Packet of February 15, 2022