CITY OF SEBASTOPOL
CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Meeting Date: April 19, 2022
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Chief of Police Kevin Kilgore
Subject: Update to Resolution 5813 - Resolution of the City Council of the City of Sebastopol To Establish Parking Violation Fines
Recommendation: That the Council Adopt the Updated Resolution Funding: Currently Budgeted: _______ Yes _______ No __X___ N/A Account Code/Costs authorized in City Approved Budget (if applicable) __AK___ (verified by Administrative Services Department)
INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE:
The item is for City Council to rescind Resolution 5813 and approve Resolution XXXX regarding parking fines associated with parking violations within the City of Sebastopol.
Background:
In 1992, the State Legislature decriminalized parking offenses, reclassifying them as civil violations. By law, cities were required to transition their method of processing parking citations prior to January 1, 1994. On June 15, 1993, the Sebastopol City Council passed Resolution 4540 setting forth the method of issuing and processing parking violation notices and setting the fines associated. On August 3, 2010, the Sebastopol City Council passed Resolution 5813, approving an increase to each parking fine by $5.00. This was the first increase in parking fines made by the City of Sebastopol in 17 years.
Since the last increase more than 11.5 years ago, county and processing fees have continued to rise, thus creating a deficit to the City because the county and processing fees are greater than the associated fines. After county and processing fees were deducted, the City was invoiced for those fees and paid $820.42 resulting in a net loss for the City.
Presently, parking violations are classified into five categories:
Category I: Expired Meter ($20.00 fine)
Category II: Timed Parking (1-hour, 2-hour, 3-hour, etc.) ($25.00) Category III: Loading Zone and Reserved Parking ($30.00) Category IV: Red Zone, Double Parking, Parking in Crosswalk ($40.00) Category V: Handicap Parking
City of Sebastopol parking fines are significantly lower compared to other Sonoma County cities (see attached fine schedule comparison).
Discussion:
In order to provide our downtown business district and other areas of the City an ability to welcome many people as guests and patrons, we must mitigate stagnancy created by vehicles parking beyond the allotted times and outside the parameters set by our Sebastopol Municipal Code.
Agenda Item Number 13 Agenda Item Number 13
City Council Meeting Packet of April 19, 2022
Since 2010, when the City of Sebastopol last raised their parking fines, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has risen 23.7%.
Additionally, the county and private service processing fees have increased over the last 11.5+ years as the cost of doing business has risen significantly.
Based on the comparison with other Sonoma County cities, staff recommends the City of Sebastopol’s parking fine structure be modified as follows and authorizes the City Manager to increase the following fines annually in accordance with the CPI and make any annual adjustment to fines, not to exceed a $50.00 difference for each category fine, as necessitated by county and private service processing fee increases:
Category I: Current $20.00 Proposed $40.00
Category II: Current $25.00 Proposed $50.00
Category III: Current $30.00 Proposed $60.00
Category IV: Current $40.00 Proposed $80.00
Category V: Current $275.00 Proposed $425.00
This fine increase would deter illegal parking and mitigate the City from incurring a net loss as a result of paying more for county and processing fees than what is actually being generated from the citations.
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
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, staff anticipates receiving 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:
Thisitem 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:
There is no fiscal impact associated with rescinding Resolution 5813 and adopting Resolution XXXX as presented to the Council tonight.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council rescind Resolution 5813 and adopt Resolution XXXX as written.
Attachments:
Resolution No. XXXX Draft
Resolution No. 4540
Resolution No. 5813
Fine Comparison Sheet
Agenda Item Number 13 Agenda Item Number 13
City Council Meeting Packet of April 19, 2022
RESOLUTION No. XXXX-2022
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEBASTOPOL
TO ESTABLISH PARKING VIOLATION FINES
WHEREAS, the City of Sebastopol last modified parking violation fees in 2010, and WHEREAS, the Consumer Price Index has risen 23.7 percent since 2010, and WHEREAS, the purpose of parking violations fines is to deter illegal parking, and WHEREAS, the City of Sebastopol's parking fines are, with few exceptions, the lowest in Sonoma County.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that he City of Sebastopol City Council approves setting the parking violation fines for parking violations and penalties as listed below:
1. Category I: $50.00
Category II: $55.00
Category III: $60.00
Category IV: $80.00
Category V: $425.00
2. Authorizes the City Manager to increase the above the fines annually in accordance with the Consumer Price Index
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Sebastopol, California, wishes to rescind Resolution Number 5813, setting parking fines and penalties; and
PASSED AND ADOPTED, by the CITY COUNCIL of THE CITY OF SEBASTOPOL, COUNTY OF SONOMA, of STATE OF CALIFORNIA on this 19th day of April, 2022.
I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by City of Sebastopol City Council following a roll call vote:
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
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City Council Meeting Packet of April 19, 2022
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City Council Meeting Packet of April 19, 2022
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City Council Meeting Packet of April 19, 2022
RESOLUTION No. 5813
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COI.]NCIL OF THE CITY OF
SEBASTOPOL TO ESTABLISH PARKING VIOLATION
FINES
WHEREAS, the City of Sebastopol last modified parking violation fees in 1993, and WHEREAS, the Consumer Price Index has risen fiftythree percent since 1993, and WHEREAS, the purpose of parking violations fines is to deter illegal parking, and WHEREAS, the City of Sebastopol's parking fines are, with few exceptions, the lowest in Sonoma County,
THEREFORE be it resolved that parking violation fines for the City of Sebastopol shall be set as follows
Category I: $20.00
Category II: $25.00Category III: $30.00
Category IV: $40.00Category V: As set in the California Vehicle Code.
IN COI-NCIL DULY PASSED THIS 3rdDAY OF August,2010
APPROVED:
MAYO G E
AyES: Councilmembers Robinson, Shaffer, Kelley, Vice Mayor Wilson and NOES: None Mayor Gurney
ABSTAINT NoneABSENTT NoneATTEST
C YGO
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City Council Meeting Packet of April 19, 2022
7 City Of Sebastopol City of Cotati City of Petaluma City of Sonoma City of Healdsburg City of Rohnert Park Sonoma County
(unincorporated)
24-min parking $25.00 $48.00 $40.00
1-hour parking $25.00 $43.00
2-hour parking $25.00 $48.00 $40.00 $43.00
3-hour parking $25.00 $40.00 $40.00 $43.00
Posted no parking $40.00 $48.00 $35.00 $60.00 $45.00 $73.00 Red Zone $40.00 $50.00 $48.00 $60.00 $60.00 $45.00 $73.00 Parked on crosswalk $25.00 $70.00 $48.00 $60.00 $45.00 $73.00 Parked blocking driveway $25.00 $70.00 $48.00 $60.00 $45.00 Parked on sidewalk $40.00 $70.00 $48.00 $60.00 $45.00 $73.00 obstructing traffic $147.00 $48.00 $60.00 $45.00 $73.00 Double parked $40.00 $65.00 $48.00 $60.00 $60.00 $45.00 $73.00 Parking in intersection $147.00 $70.00 $48.00 $60.00 $45.00 $73.00 obstructing bike path $147.00 $100.00 $48.00 $143.00 $45.00 Fire lane $147.00 $65.00 $48.00 $60.00 $60.00 $45.00
Parked parallel on right $25.00 $45.00 $48.00 $60.00 $45.00 $43.00 Parked in roadway $143.00 $35.00
Obstructing intersection $40.00 $48.00 $60.00 $73.00
Dis placard not displayed $275.00 $360.00 $600.00 $350.00 $500.00 $350.00 $353.00 Obstruct blue zone $275.00 $380.00 $600.00 $350.00 $500.00 $350.00 $353.00 Disabled Crosshatch $275.00 $380.00 $600.00 $350.00 $500.00 $350.00 $353.00 Parked over 18 from curb $25.00 $45.00 $40.00 $40.00 $40.00 $46.00 $43.00 15 ft of fire hydrant $40.00 $70.00 $48.00 $60.00 $40.00 $45.00 $73.00 Missing Plate(s) $25.00 $45.00 $48.00 $40.00 $35.00 $43.00 reg tabs miss/exp $25.00 $45.00 $48.00 $40.00 $35.00 $43.00 removal of chalk marks $40.00 $48.00
Pass loading zone $40.00 $48.00 $53.00
yellow loading zone $30.00 $48.00 $40.00 $80.00 $53.00
Parked over 72 hours $40.00 $50.00 $93.00 $143.00 $143.00 $146.00 Reserved/ permit parking $30.00 $48.00 $40.00 $45.00 $53.00 Not parked in space $25.00 $43.00 $48.00 $40.00 $40.00 $43.00 Diagonal parking O.O.S. $25.00 $40.00 $40.00 $45.00
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City Council Meeting Packet of April 19, 2022