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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/20/2012 - STAFF REPORTS - 3.A. 4�E Q R`M SA9 iy W V N y i + c41I1:0 % City Council Staff Report DATE: June 20, 2012 LEGISLATIVE SUBJECT: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA AMENDING SECTION 5.48.010 AND ADDING SECTION 5.48.065 TO THE PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE, RELATING TO SOLICITATION WITHIN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager BY: Alberto Frantz, Police Chief SUMMARY The proposed Ordinance adds Section 5.48.065 to the Palm Springs Municipal Code to provide regulations applicable to the solicitation of motorists within the public right-of- way and amends Section 5.48.010 to define "public right-of-way." RECOMMENDATION: 1. Waive reading of the Ordinance text and introduce by title only. 2. INTRODUCE Ordinance No. , "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA AMENDING SECTION 5.48.010 AND ADDING SECTION 5.48.065 TO THE PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE, RELATING TO SOLICITATION WITHIN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY." STAFF ANALYSIS: The City has experienced various negative impacts created by solicitation of occupants of motor vehicles in the public right-of-way where no parking or stopping is allowed and near driveway entrances to commercial shopping centers. This activity creates significant traffic hazards, including but not limited to vehicles unnecessarily stopping in traffic lanes, vehicles forced to make sudden stops, congestion in and around driveway aprons, and the obstruction of drivers' line of sight, views of traffic signs, street-crossing pedestrians, and other vehicles. 861684.1 ITEM NO., P\ _ City Council Staff Report June 20, 2012-- Page 2 Ordinance re Solicitation Within the Public Right-of-Way The Ordinance would prohibit any person from soliciting motorists (1) while standing on any portion of a public sidewalk or driveway that is adjacent to a public roadway with no on-street parking, (2) while standing in any travel lane of a public roadway or on a public median, and (3) within 25 feet of any shopping center driveway. The Ordinance would not relieve any person from the need to obtain a permit for solicitation as provided in Section 5.48.015 of the Municipal Code. The Ordinance makes an exemption for solicitation from private property or an adjacent sidewalk that communicates products or services made available on the private premises. To inform the public of its restrictions on solicitation, and to aide in enforcement, the Ordinance requires the City to posts signs in the public right-of-way. FISCAL IMPACT: Cost associated with the signage along the public right-of-way will be the responsibility of the City of Palm Springs and the initial start-up cost will not exceed $5,000. �..� � _ Alb F , P C i David H. Read anager Dougl s Holland, City Attorney Attachments: Proposed Ordinance 02 861684.1 ORDINANCE NO. _ AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA AMENDING SECTION 5.48.010 AND ADDING SECTION 5.48.065 TO THE PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE, RELATING TO SOLICITATION WITHIN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY. City Attorney Summary This Ordinance adds a provision to the Palm Springs Municipal Code regulating the solicitation of motorists within certain public rights-of-way and adjacent to driveways in the City. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA,ORDAINS: SECTION 1. Section 5.48.010 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code is amended to include the following definition: "Public right-of-way" means land, which by deed, conveyance, agreement, easement, dedication, usage or process of law is reserved for and dedicated to the use of the general public for street or highway purposes, including but not limited to any street, highway, driveway, parkway or sidewalk within the City limits. SECTION 2. Section 5.48.065 is added to the Palm Springs Municipal Code to read: Section 5.48.065 Solicitation Within The Public Right-of-Way A. The purpose of this section is to promote public traffic safety by regulating the solicitation of and by occupants of motor vehicles in the public right-of-way. The City finds and determines as follows: 1. The activity of soliciting employment, business or contributions by or from occupants of motor vehicles along roadways where there is no on-street parking and/or near shopping center driveways distracts motorists and creates significant traffic hazards, including but not limited to vehicles unnecessarily stopping in traffic lanes, vehicles forced to make sudden stops, congestion in and around driveway aprons, and the obstruction of drivers' line of sight, views of traffic signs, street-crossing pedestrians,and other vehicles; 2. Distracted drivers are more prone to have automobile accidents. Such accidents further impede the orderly flow of traffic and pose risks to persons engaged in solicitation as well; and 3. The content-neutral time, place and manner restrictions on solicitation within the public right-of-way in this section are narrowly tailored to serve these significant government interests, leave open ample alternative avenues of communication, and are 8616602 1 03 not intended to diminish the freedom or liberty of speech guaranteed under the United States and California Constitutions. B. It is unlawful for any person, while standing on any portion of a public sidewalk or driveway, to solicit any motorist traveling along any public roadway that is designated as a no parking zone. C. It is unlawful for any person to solicit while standing in any travel lane of a public roadway or on a public median. D. It is unlawful for any person to solicit within twenty-five (25) feet of any shopping center driveway. E. It is unlawful for any occupant of a motor vehicle to engage in solicitation activity with any person in violation of paragraphs B, C, and D of this section. F. The City shall post signs in the public right-of-way to notify the public of the prohibitions contained in paragraphs B, C,D, and E this section. G. This section shall not apply to solicitations from private property or any portion of public sidewalk adjoining the private property communicating the products or services made available on the premises. SECTION 3. The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause the same,or the summary thereof,to be published and posted pursuant to the provisions of law and this Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after passage. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL THIS DAY OF ,2012. STEPHEN P. POUGNET, MAYOR ATTEST: JAMES THOMPSON, CITY CLERK 861660.2 2 04 i CERTIFICATION STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss. CITY OF PALM SPRINGS ) I, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, California, do hereby certify that Ordinance No. _is a full, true, and correct copy, and was introduced at a regular meeting of the Palm Springs City Council on , 2012, and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held on 2012 by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: JAMES THOMPSON,CITY CLERK City of Palm Springs,California 861660.2 3 05