HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 3.G 9/8/2014NCell
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Agenda Item #3.G
September 8, 2014
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council through City Manager
Patrick Williams, Chief of Police /-IlA/
SUBJECT: Resolution Authorizing the Extension of the Abandoned Vehicle Abatement
Program until April 30, 2025
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Extension of the
Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Program until April 30. 2025.
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In 1990, the California State Legislature enacted legislation allowing for the creation of county -
based vehicle service authorities, pursuant to provisions of Section 22710 of the California
Vehicle Code. In 1995, the Sonoma County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority
was formed, and imposed a one dollar annual vehicle registration fee on vehicles registered to an
owner with an address in the County of Sonoma.
Vehicle registration fees are collected by the Department of Motor Vehicles and allocated to the
Sonoma County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority by the State Controller
pursuant to section 9250.7 CVC. Fees are then allocated to ten participating entities on the basis
of percentage of population and percentage of vehicles abated in relation to the total vehicles
abated by the Sonoma County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority as a whole.
Current Sonoma County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority entities are the
County of Sonoma, and cities of Cloverdale, Cotati, Healdsburg, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa
Rosa, Sebastopol, Sonoma and the Town of Windsor. Since the inception of the program, the
City of Petaluma has received annual disbursements that have enabled the Police Department to
fund equipment and personnel necessary to address abandoned vehicles in Petaluma. This
funding provided the financial ability to fund a full-time Petaluma Police Department
Abandoned Vehicle Abatement (AVA) Officer position in March 2014 (Resolution 2014-043).
Legislation allows the local service authorities to extend the program every ten years with the
approval of the county and a majority of the cities comprising a majority of the population of the
incorporated areas. The City of Petaluma passed a resolution on December 6, 2004 (Resolution
Agenda Review:
City Attornev Finance Director City Manager-
2004-223) and it is now necessary to pass a new resolution to ensure the Abandoned Vehicle
Abatement Service Program support continues.
DISCUSSION
Residential, industrial and commercial areas are common dumping grounds for automobiles,
vessels, trailers, auto parts and hazardous materials associated with vehicles. Abandoned
vehicles pose health and safety concerns and represent a very common residential complaint by
citizens who reach out to law enforcement in an effort to keep their neighborhoods safe and
clean.
In 2013, the Petaluma Police Department received over 1300 complaints related to abandoned
vehicles. In the past, most of these calls for service were handled by on -duty patrol personnel
and one Community Service Officer until May of 2013 when the City of Petaluma hired a part-
time AVA officer. In 2013, the part-time AVA officer handled 884 calls for service pertaining to
abandoned vehicles and issued 214 parking citations. In March, 2014 the City of Petaluma
approved changing the part-time AVA position to a full-time AVA position. The AVA officer
monitors and responds to incoming tips and complaints, and actively patrols Petaluma
neighborhoods. The AVA officer's patrol duties consist of looking for vehicles which have been
abandoned, are unregistered, illegally parked in neighborhoods, block residential roadways, or
are stolen.
The adoption of this resolution is necessary for the City of Petaluma to continue to participate in
Sonoma County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority.
FINANCIAL, IMPACTS
The City of Petaluma has relied on Sonoma County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service
Authority funds to offset the financial burden associated with the management of abandoned
vehicles for the past 19 years. In 2013, the City of Petaluma approved the hire of a full-time
AVA officer to further enhance our ability to manage abandoned vehicles. In FY 13/14 the
Sonoma County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service contributed $69,272 and supported the
successful abatement of over 989 automobiles.
ATTACHMENT
Resolution
Resolution No. N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE ABANDONED VEHICLE ABATEMENT
PROGRAM UNTIL APRIL 30, 2025
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma Police Department has been a member of the Sonoma
County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority since 1995; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma's participation in the Sonoma County Abandoned
Vehicle Abatement Service Program has resulted in essential annual funding enabling the
Petaluma Police Department to adequately manage the ongoing and significant problems
associated with abandoned vehicles within the City of Petaluma; and
WHEREAS, the Sonoma County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Program
contributed $69,272 during FY 13/14 and allowed for the abatement of 989 vehicles during the
same period of time; and
WHEREAS, the Sonoma County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Program is set
to expire in 2015; and
WHEREAS, legislation allows for an extension of the program with the approval of the
County and a majority of the cities comprising a majority of the population of the incorporated
areas; and
WHEREAS, it is desirable to the City of Petaluma to have the program continue.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Petaluma supports the
extension of the program until April 30, 2025.
Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City.
REFERENCE: I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the Approved as to
Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on, 2014, form:
by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ATTEST:
City Clerk Mayor
Resolution No. NCS
City Attorney
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