Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: James C. Porter, Director of Public Works
Subject: Adoption of Parking Regulations at County Facilities
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing:
A) The adoption of a County Facilities Parking Policy; and
B) The Director of Public Works, or his designee, to issue administrative penalties and/ or citations for violations of the County’s Facilities Parking Policy; and
C) The Director of Public Works to make administrative and non-substantive changes to the County Facilities Parking Policy or updates for compliance with local, State, and Federal regulations.
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BACKGROUND:
The County owns and operates certain parking lots and parking structures at various County Facilities.
State law and local ordinances, including Sections 21113 et.al. and 22651.3 of the California Vehicle Code, and Chapters 7.28, 7.32 and 1.08 of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code, provide that local authorities may, by resolution or ordinance, prohibit or restrict the stopping, parking, or standing of vehicles in parking facilities controlled by the County and cite vehicles that are in violation of the County’s parking restrictions.
At present, the County lacks tools to address impacts on parking at various County parking lots and structures. A parking policy will ensure that limited parking does not result in a lack of access for the general public seeking services at County facilities.
Parking at County Center and other County operated parking lots is currently limited. The monitoring, tagging, and towing of vehicles is coordinated between the County’s Public Works and the Sheriff’s Department staff. Current parking regulatory procedures are resource and time-intensive, inefficient, and are not responsive to the daily demand for parking by the public and employees and the changing needs of the community.
It is important that parking be managed at County facilities in a manner that is fair to all users, does not unjustly discriminate against any specific user or class of users, and considers the public interest and safety. The County has an interest in making sure that no one user or type of user abuses the rights to limited parking areas in a manner that would prejudice other users or that would interfere with reasonable access to County facilities. Since there are a wide range of users at County parking facilities and their needs for parking vary, the Department is recommending that a policy be adopted which is fair, transparent, and reasonable. Public and employee parking is day-use only and permits for parking will be assigned to employees and individual users as needed to ensure that limited parking is accessible to the public.
DISCUSSION:
Department staff recommends adoption of a resolution establishing a County Facilities Parking Policy which includes; “No Parking Hours” for all County operated and managed parking lots, parking areas, and parking structures during certain times (proposed County Facilities Parking Policy attached). The County Facilities Parking Policy would establish parking guidelines, no parking hours, and a parking permit system based on the type of need. Designating areas for day-use parking is common practice at many facilities, is easily recognizable by the public, and provides efficiencies in administration and enforcement.
Following adoption by your Board, the Director of Public Works shall cause to be placed signs and/or markings to indicate parking zone restrictions. Facilities staff will continue to work on outreach and implementation.
Staff has received requests from the community for use of the County’s parking facilities for non-vehicle use, such as special events. Staff will research and provide a recommendation to your Board on appropriate use of County parking facilities for non-parking purposes.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
Approval of this resolution contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Collaborative Community by allowing employees, residents, business owners, and County customers to help shape policy that provides equal and fair access to public parking at County Facilities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost of installing signs, painting parking zones, and the striping of parking lots is included in the FY 2017-18 Department of Public Works Adopted Budget. There is no impact to the General Fund.
Attachment A: County Facilities Parking Policy