From: cypoten
To: City Council
Subject: Proposed new Parking Ordinance
Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022 3:10:59 PM
I'm writing to request a delay in enacting the ordinance that proposes to ban all RVs on residential streets, and prohibit RV parking on all streets during the day until 10 pm. I'm concerned about the impact of this ordinance on 1) people living in RVs and 2) unincorporated areas of the County and state highways. The ban essentially shuttles the problem to County and State officials, raising these questions. Will encampments trigger ongoing sweeps, leaving people with no place to go? If encampments are allowed instead of swept, will the County provide sanitary facilities and water? The need for a coordinated municipal/county/state plan to address the ongoing surge in homelessness is clear. In the meantime, municipalities continue to struggle with how to handle the problem of residential vehicles parked in their streets.
I commend the Council's handling of the Sebastopol's homeless residents to date. You are a model for other municipalities. I believe it will serve the greater good of the community to delay this ordinance with the specific intent of working with County officials to develop a plan that will resolve the city's immediate encampment issues by locating and establishing an appropriate County site.
I've heard that a civil rights lawsuit alleging the ban is discriminatory has been discussed. After all the Council has done to assist Sebastopol's homeless community, efforts that have included legal expenses, I sincerely hope that route is not taken.
Cynthia Poten