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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1998 0916 CC REG ITEM 10GAgenda Report City of Moorpark TO: The Honorable City Council FROM: Kirk J. Evans, Sr. Management Analyst J DATE: September 1, 1998 (Council Meeting 9/1/6/98) SSa. 3(a) ITEM 10 • (r• Ci i Y OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA. City Council Meeting ACTION: APf� o V e d 5 T r¢G0Mmend,t-f1Qn adder* SUBJECT: Permits for Overnight Parking at the Moorpark Metrolink Commuter Rail South Parking Lot EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This presents for consideration approval of a resolution creating a parking permit program for the Metrolink commuter rail south parking lot, to provide for the issuance of permits for overnight parking. DISCUSSION A. Background Overnight parking has been prohibited at the Metrolink station since its inception as a Park n' Ride lot. Since that time, the incidence of overnight parking has increased as people respond to improvements in Metrolink and Amtrak connections to destinations or transportation centers - such as regional airports. Moorpark Police issue citations to vehicles which are left parked overnight in violation of those posted restrictions. These citations are regularly dismissed upon completion of an appeal process. On January 27, 1998, staff presented the concept of designating a specific area at the station for overnight parking. Council rejected this approach. It is staff s understanding that part of the reason this concept was not approved was a reluctance to create an area where vandals or car thieves would know the vehicle owner likely would not return that night. B. Parking Citations Individuals who use Metrolink or Amtrak to travel to Los Angeles and points further on must leave their cars overnight in the Metrolink parking lots if they find themselves in a situation where they must stay at their destination overnight. This causes the Police Department to issue citations for violation of the overnight parking restriction. City staff, in turn, continues to dismiss all appeals connected with overnight parking for individuals who can demonstrate use of overnight rail. To citizens appealing citations this creates the appearance of a perfect make -work program for public employees. 00oZ53 I Overnight Parking Permits at Metrolink Commuter Rail Parking Lot Page 2 C. Issuance of Permits for Overnight Parking at the Moorpark Metrolink Commuter Rail South Parkin Lot City staff believe it is important to reduce congestion on Ventura and Los Angeles County freeways and encourage use of Metrolink and Amtrak whenever possible. The more the people of our county use rail transit, the less congestion for drivers still using the freeways. Air quality improves for all citizens. Facilitating overnight parking at our station reduces cars on the freeways. It also adds to the image of the station being a commuter - friendly environment. It is recommended, therefore, that the City establish a permit process for overnight rail commuters. Such a program would present several benefits: • No change in current signage would be required at the lots. • Vandals or car thieves would not see any special area of the lots designated for overnight parking. The only way they would know a vehicle intended to remain parked overnight would be through observation of the permit in the vehicle and understanding its meaning. • Campers, transients, and people generally not using rail transit wanting to park their vehicles overnight for any reason would be deterred by existing signage and threat of citations. • Fewer commuter rail passengers would receive citations while parked overnight. Amtrak passengers who generally do not constitute commuter traffic would probably receive more citations than Metrolink passengers. The permit "marketing program" would not have the same opportunity to inform Amtrak passengers of the availability of permits. • A learning curve would take place, as current and new users of rail transit become familiar with the permit program through the appeals process. With the passage of time fewer citations would need to be issued. D. Permit Procedures The recommended permit program would be relatively simple to administer. Overnight parking permits would be issued by the Public Works Department in accordance with procedures set forth in Exhibit `A' attached to the resolution presented in this report. A summary of these procedures is as follows: ■ procedures are designed to restrict permits to rail commuters only; ■ permits are to be issued to individuals, not vehicles — this allows an individual to use a permit when driving different family vehicles, Iti Overnight Parking Permits at Metrolink Commuter Rail Parking Lot Page 3 ■ permits would only be valid in the south parking lot; ■ applicant must sign hold harmless agreement; ■ a fee of twelve ($12.00) is to be paid per permit; and, ■ permits are to be renewed annually. E. Committee Consideration On August 24, 1998, the Transportation and Streets Committee [Teasley and Evans] met to consider this issue. The committee recommended that the City Council approve this program. F. South Lot It is the recommendation of staff that this permit program be restricted to the south parking lot. This will prevent conflicts between vehicles parked overnight in the north parking lot and any special events that may be held in this lot that require its closure. When this parking permit program was presented to the Transportation and Streets Committee, the concept of confining use of permits to only the south parking lot was not discussed. RECOMMENDATION The Transportation and Streets Committee and Staff recommend that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 98 - amending Resolution No. 92 -888 by adding provisions for the issuance of overnight parking permits at the Metrolink commuter rail south lot. 00025'x' Exhibit 1 Page 1 of 2 RESOLUTION NO. 98 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING RESOLUTION 92- 888 BY ADDING PROVISIONS FOR THE ISSUANCE OF OVERNIGHT PARKING PERMITS AT THE METROLINK COMMUTER RAIL PARKING LOT WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 21113 and 22519 of the California Vehicle Code, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 92 -888 prohibiting overnight parking between the hours of 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. at the Park and Ride Metrolink Commuter Rail Parking Lot as described in the map attached as Exhibit `A' attached hereto and made a part hereof; and, WHEREAS, Section 22519 of the California Vehicle Code provides for the regulation of parking in any publicly -owned off street parking facility; and, WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that, in order to better provide for the public health and safety, it is necessary and appropriate that parking permits, making certain vehicles exempt from said parking restrictions, should be made available to and, upon request, issued to Amtrak and rail transit commuters wishing to park their vehicles overnight. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. That Section 4 of Resolution No. 92 -888 is hereby added to read as follows: "Section 4. A. The parking restrictions set forth in Section 2 [NO PARKING 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.] shall not apply to any vehicle which displays a Parking Permit issued by the City. B. That such Parking Permits may only be issued in accordance with procedures set forth in Exhibit `B', attached hereto and made a part hereof. C. The City Manager or his designee is hereby directed to issue such Parking Permits as deemed necessary. D. Parking Permits shall be issued for a fee of twelve dollars ($12.00) each." 00W58 Resolution No. Page 2 PASSED AND ADOPTED this 16th day of September, 1998. Patrick Hunter, Mayor ATTESTED: City of Moorpark, California Debbie Traffenstedt, City Clerk Exhibit 1 Page 2 of 2 OOO ?%E-7y 3 (�h CD SCH06L. V !"h Exhibit "B" Procedures for Issuance of Parking Permits for Overnight Rail Customers AUTHORITY On September 16, 1998 the City Council adopted Resolution No. 98 - amending Resolution No. 92 -988 to provide for the issuance of permits to allow for overnight parking at the Metrolink Commuter Rail Parking Lot to accommodate certain specified needs as set forth herein. PURPOSE From time to time a member of the public may encounter circumstances which make it necessary to park their vehicle overnight at the Metrolink Commuter Rail Parking Lot. Parking is restricted in this area between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Individuals requiring to park overnight may apply for and be issued a Parking Permit for Overnight Rail Customers which exempts their vehicle from said parking restrictions, as prescribed herein. PROCEDURES 1. A permit may be issued to a commuter rail passenger (hereinafter "PERMITTEE ") when PERMITTEE requests said permit to allow for the parking of PERMITTEE's vehicle overnight at the Moorpark Metrolink Commuter Rail Parking Lot (South Parking Lot ONLY). 2. Permits shall be rear -view mirror "hang tag" style. Permits can be used at the discretion of PERMITTEE in different vehicles owned by the PERMITTEE. 3. A permit issued to a vehicle shall exempt said vehicle from the "NO PARKING 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m." parking restriction. Said permit shall not exempt the vehicle, the PERMITTEE, or the registered owner of the vehicle from any other parking restrictions. 4. At time of application, the applicant must provide some evidence indicating the PERMITTEE is an overnight rail transit user. 5. A fee of twelve dollars ($12.00) payable to the City of Moorpark shall be paid for each permit issued. 6. PERMITTEE must sign a waiver of liability that holds the City harmless for any damages to PERMITTEE's vehicle, or theft of parts or contents, while parked in the Metrolink parking lot. 7. In order to be valid, a permit must be affixed to the rear view mirror of the PERMITTEE's vehicle. Permits shall be issued for a period not to exceed one (1) calendar year. If a PERMHTEE loses their permit, they may obtain no more than three (3) replacement permits during any one (1) year period. 9. Permits shall be non - transferable. 000261.