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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 11b - Resolution and Ordinance re Electric Charging Stations Parking EnforcementElectric Charging Stations Parking Enforcement November 5, 2019 Page 1 of 3 DATE: November 5, 2019 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Tom Tait, Public Works Services Director By: Carmen Masud, Senior Management Analyst SUBJECT: RESTRICTING DESIGNATED PARKING STALLS AND SPACES IN OFF- STREET PARKING FACILIITES OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE CITY FOR THE EXCLUSIVE PURPOSE OF CHARGING AND PARKING A VEHICLE THAT IS CONNECTED FOR ELECTRIC CHARGING PURPOSES Ordinance No. 2365 amending the City of Arcadia Uniform Traffic Ordinance to authorize the City to restrict designated parking spaces and stalls in off-street parking facilities owned or operated by the City for the exclusive purpose of charging and parking a vehicle that is connected for electric charging purposes and to cause the removal of vehicles not connected for electric charging purposes Recommendation: Introduce Resolution No. 7277 to designate stalls and spaces in off-street parking facilities owned or operated by the City for the exclusive purpose of charging and parking a vehicle that is connected for electric charging purposes and to ensure the posting of the requisite signage for causing the removal of vehicles not connected for electric charging purposes at such stalls or spaces Recommendation: Adopt SUMMARY In an effort to promote zero emission vehicle usage, the City of Arcadia applied for and received funding from Electrify America to install electric vehicle charging stations at three City facilities. The agreement provided for the funding and installation of electric charging stations at City Hall, the Library, and the Public Works Service Center. The construction of the charging stations was completed in June 2019. A total of four parking spaces have been assigned for charging electric vehicles at each location. Electric Charging Stations Parking Enforcement November 5, 2019 Page 2 of 3 To ensure that these parking spaces are utilized for the exclusive use of charging vehicles, the City is proposing that these spaces be designated specifically for electric charging purposes. Any vehicle parked in a designated electric vehicle charging space, and not connected for charging purposes, should be subject to be towed away. It is recommended that the City Council introduce Ordinance No. 2365 (attached) and adopt Resolution No. 7277 (attached) to designate parking spaces for the exclusive purpose of parking and charging a vehicle and to cause the removal of vehicles not connected for electric charging purposes. BACKGROUND Electrify America is a business organization whose goal is to promote zero emission vehicle adoption by offering a convenient electric charging network by 2027. Electrify America invested $2 billion in zero emission vehicle infrastructure, access, and educational programs throughout the United States and allocated $500 million to support existing electric vehicle owners in California. EV Connect, a leading provider of electric vehicle charging solutions for workplace, fleet, universities, and government facilities, was selected by Electrify America to assist agencies in Los Angeles County. EV Connect worked with the City of Arcadia to submit a proposal to Electrify America for the installation of electric charging stations at no cost to the City. DISCUSSION On November 20, 2018, the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute an Electric Vehicle Charge Station Site Host Agreement with EV Connect for the installation and maintenance of electric vehicle charging stations. In June 2019, the charging units featuring dual charging ports were installed at City Hall, the Library, and the Public Works Service Center. To ensure that these parking spaces are utilized for the exclusive use of charging vehicles, the City would like to amend the Uniform Traffic Ordinance authorizing the City to restrict designated spaces for the exclusive purpose of charging a parked vehicle that is connected for electric charging and to be able to remove vehicles that are not connected for electric charging purposes. While improperly parked vehicles have not been an issue since the charging stations were installed, it is nevertheless a likely eventuality and having clear regulations in place beforehand is advisable. The City of Arcadia currently controls its traffic administration, regulation, and enforcement through the City of Arcadia Uniform Traffic Ordinance. The City of Arcadia is allowed to designate by ordinance and resolution spaces in off-street parking facilities owned and operated by the City for the exclusive purpose of charging and parking a vehicle that is connected for electric charging purposes. Furthermore, the City must indicate through resolution the appropriate posting and signage requirements. A sign not less than 17 by 22 inches in size with lettering not less than one inch in height that clearly states that vehicles not connected for electric charging purposes will be towed Electric Charging Stations Parking Enforcement November 5, 2019 Page 3 of 3 away at owner’s expense must be posted at every off-street parking facility containing any spaces set forth in the resolution or immediately adjacent, to and visible from each space that is designated. The City’s current towing company, Jan’s Towing, would be used for any vehicles that are in violation. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS The proposed parking restrictions do not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), and it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment. Thus, this matter is exempt under CEQA. FISCAL IMPACT The proposed parking restriction signs would be purchased out of the existing Streets Operating Budget and installed by Public Works Services employees during normal operations. No additional allocations are necessary to implement the proposed Ordinance and Resolution. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council determines that this project is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act, and: a. Introduce Ordinance No. 2365 amending the City of Arcadia Uniform Traffic Ordinance to authorize the City to restrict designated parking spaces and stalls in off-street parking facilities owned or operated by the City for the exclusive purpose of charging and parking a vehicle that is connected for electric charging purposes and to cause the removal of vehicles not connected for electric charging purposes; and b. Adopt Resolution No. 7277 to designate stalls and spaces in off-street parking facilities owned or operated by the City for the exclusive purpose of charging and parking a vehicle that is connected for electric charging purposes and to ensure the posting of the requisite signage for causing the removal of vehicles not connected for electric charging purposes at such stalls or spaces Attachment: Ordinance No. 2365 Resolution No. 7277