Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet of: September 17, 2024
CITY OF SEBASTOPOL CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM REPORT FOR MEETING OF: September 17, 2024
=========================================================================================== To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: James Hickey, Police Captain
Responsible Department: Police
Subject: Request to renew our membership in The Sonoma County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority (SCAVASA).
=========================================================================================== RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council approve a resolution renewing our participation in the Sonoma County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority (SCAVASA).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City of Sebastopol has been an active member of the Sonoma County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority (SCAVASA) since its inception in 1995. The program is required to be renewed every 10 years, and the current program is set to expire in April, 2025. To renew our membership in the program, Permit Sonoma requires a city resolution renewing our participation in the SCAVASA by October 1, 2024. By being a part of this program, the City of Sebastopol has received over $14,000.00 during the past 5 fiscal years.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
The Sonoma County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority (SCAVASA) is a State funded program that is administered and facilitated by the County’s “Permit Sonoma” branch. This program was created in 1995 for the purpose of assisting cities and counties with the financial responsibility of towing abandoned vehicles. The program is run by the county with input from all the participating agencies within the county.
The day-to-day functions are run by Permit Sonoma, however all major decisions are discussed and agreed upon at yearly meetings by the participating agencies. Each agency is responsible for completing quarterly reports that quantify all vehicles that have been towed and or marked for abatement. Based on the quarterly reports, partial re-imbursement is provided to the agency.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Over the past 5 fiscal years, we have received over $14,00.00 in re-imbursement from this program. During those past years there were two years that the Police department did not supply the needed documentation for re-imbursement and we did not receive any compensation. There have been systems put in place to ensure that quarterly reports are completed and submitted for maximum benefit. The average yearly return was $3,300.00 and the only impact is the reporting of work that is already being done by the Police Department. Since the beginning of this fiscal year the City of Sebastopol has received over $10,000.00 in reimbursements due to improvements made in capturing and incorporating our activity data into the quarterly reports. This amount of money should be the new average and is not a one-year event.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
This item has been noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting date.
Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet of: September 17, 2024
FISCAL IMPACT:
By participating in this program, the city has been re-imbursed for vehicle abatements on average of $3,300.00 per year. With adjustments made to the reporting the city recouped approximately $10,000 for fiscal year 2023/2024. Based upon current reporting methods and last year’s data we should consistently recoup over $10,00.00 per year. If the City Council does not wish to continue in this program, we would receive no reimbursement funds in the future.
RE-STATED RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council approve a resolution renewing our participation in the Sonoma County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority (SCAVASA).
OPTION: If the Council chooses not to approve the resolution, the Council has the option to:
1. Not approve the resolution authorizing the extension of our participation in the Sonoma County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority program.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
APPROVALS:
Department Head Approval: RN Approval Date: 09/04/2024
CEQA Determination (Planning): JJ Approval Date: 09/04/2024 The proposed action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Administrative Services (Financial) AK Approval Date: 09/04/2024 Costs authorized in City Approved Budget: ☐ Yes ☐ No N/A Account Code (f applicable) ___________________________ City Attorney Approval: N/A Approval Date: N/A
City Manager Approval: DS Approval Date: 9/04/24
Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet of: September 17, 2024
RESOLUTION NUMBER: XXXX-2024
CITY OF SEBASTOPOL
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEBASTOPOL AUTHORIZING
THE EXTENSION OF THE ABANDONED VEHICLE ABATEMENT PROGRAM UNTIL APRIL 2035
WHEREAS, THE Sonoma County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority was formed in 1995; and
WHEREAS, the Sonoma County Abandoned Vehicle program has contributed approximately $75,000.00 towards providing for the abatement of numerous abandoned vehicles in the City of Sebastopol; and WHEREAS, the Sonoma County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement program is set to expire in April 2025; and
WHEREAS, legislation allows for an extension of the program with the approval of the County and majority of the cities comprising a majority of the population of the incorporated areas; and WHEREAS, it is desirable to the City of Sebastopol to have the program continue.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Sebastopol does hereby approve the extension of the Sonoma County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement program until April 2035.
The above and foregoing Resolution was duly passed, approved, and adopted at a meeting by the City Council on the 17th day of September, 2024, by the following vote:
VOTE:
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
APPROVED: __________________________________________
Mayor Diana Gardner Rich
ATTEST: _______________________________________________________________ Mary Gourley, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk, MMC
APPROVED AS TO FORM: _______________________________________________ Alex Mog, City Attorney