Title:
Title
Time Extension of Temporary Street Closures of 64 Alleys/Streets in City Council District 5, Proceeding No. TSC21-0001 (Noticed 03/26/2021) [Continued from 04/06/2021]
End
FileID
File ID: 2021-00284
Location
Location: Various alleys/streets located in District 5
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Recommendation:
Recommendation
Conduct a public hearing and upon conclusion adopt a Resolution authorizing the temporary closure of the subject alleys and streets to through vehicular and pedestrian traffic for an 18-month period.
FileName
Contact: Jennifer Johnson, Supervising Engineer, (916) 808-7754; Nader Kamal, Interim Engineering Services Manager, (916) 808-7035, Department of Public Works.
Body
Presenter: Jennifer Johnson, Supervising Engineer, (916) 808-7754, Department of Public Works
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Police Department Clearance Letter
3-Fire Department Clearance Letter
4-Transportation Division Clearance Letter
5-Resolution
6-Exhibit A-Alley/Street Location List
7-Exhibit B-Alley/Street Location Maps
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: Pursuant to the procedures set forth in Sacramento City Code Chapter 12.16 and authority granted to the City through California Vehicle Code Section 21101.4, the subject alleys/streets were previously temporarily closed to through vehicular and pedestrian traffic due to serious and continual criminal activity. A temporary closure of any street should not exceed eighteen (18) months except when an extension is authorized by City Council action pursuant to the procedures set forth in Sacramento City Code Chapter 12.16. Although the subject alleys/streets remain physically closed to through vehicular and pedestrian traffic, the temporary closures for all the subject alleys/streets have expired. Furthermore, the adjacent property owners overwhelmingly support the temporary closure status of the subject alleys/streets due to the continual criminal activity. The departments of Police, Fire, and Public Works support and recommend the temporary closures of the subject alleys and streets.
Exhibit A to the Resolution, Alley/Street Location List, provides a list of the subject alley/street closures.
Policy Considerations: The procedures under which the closure to vehicular and pedestrian traffic is initiated are set forth in Vehicle Code Section 21101.4 and Sacramento City Code Chapter 12.16. These codes allow the temporary closures of alleys and streets to through vehicular and pedestrian traffic for the protection or preservation of the public peace, safety, health, or welfare.
Economic Impacts: None.
Environmental Considerations:
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): Temporary closures of streets and alleys constitutes a minor alteration of a public facility, with no increase in use and no additional automobile lanes. The action is categorically exempt from CEQA review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15301(c).
Sustainability: Not applicable.
Commission/Committee Action: None.
Rationale for Recommendation: Adoption of the attached Resolution will provide the continued security of the property owners by eliminating the opportunity for individuals to commit illegal acts and illegal dumping within these subject alleys and streets.
Financial Considerations: The estimate cost of the temporary closure of the subject alleys and streets is $8,000 and is included as part of the ongoing program maintenance and inspection. There is sufficient funding in the Alley Abatement Program (T15100900) to support the time extension of the subject street closures.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
Background: The subject alleys/streets are public rights-of-way that were once unrestricted to through vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Unfortunately, these alleys/streets were utilized as conduits for illegal activity such as burglary, vandalism, and illegal dumping. The proposed temporary closures of the 64 subject alleys and streets were previously approved by City Council as temporary closures to through vehicular and pedestrian traffic due to serious and continuing criminal activity. The alley/street locations are included as Attachment 1. The closures were processed pursuant to State Vehicle Code 21101.4 and City Code Section 12.16 and were authorized to be closed to through vehicular and pedestrian traffic for an 18-month period. The closure period has expired for all 64 subject alleys and streets.
Temporary closure of streets requires certain criteria to be met:
1. The proposed temporary street closure would substantially alleviate the serious and continual criminal activity in the area.
2. The proposed closure will not adversely impact fire department operations or safety in the surrounding neighborhoods.
3. The street closure proposed does not include a through highway or an arterial street and that the proposed street closure allows adequate and safe traffic circulation on adjacent streets.
Evidence of meeting these three criteria is provided as Attachments 1, 2, and 3 by the Police Department, Fire Department, and Public Works Department’s Transportation Division, respectively.
Upon the authorization by the City Council for the initial closure of the alley or street, wrought iron gates with locking mechanisms were installed at their entrances with the City being responsible for the maintenance of all the manual gates. For some temporary closures, electric gates were requested in the temporary closure application. Electric gates require additional permits from the City and are maintained by the applicant(s). All electric gates have been properly permitted and meet the criteria for encroachment into the City's right-of-way.
The temporary closures of the subject alleys/streets listed are not to exceed eighteen (18) months unless the closures are extended pursuant to the procedures set forth in Sacramento City Code Chapter 12.16. Pursuant to Sacramento City Code Chapter 12.16, once approved, the closures may be extended for an additional eight (8) consecutive periods of not more than eighteen (18) months each. Noticing to the public regarding the temporary street closures has been completed prior to this City Council meeting in accordance with City Code Section 12.16.22.