HomeMy WebLinkAbout101-Staff Report.pdfPage 1 of 2
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL
MEETING DATE: September 7, 2011 AGENDA ITEM:
DEPARTMENT: City Manager’s Office CITY MANAGER: Dave Anderson
PREPARED BY: Crystal Morrow DIRECTOR: Dave Anderson
Administrative Analyst II
SUBJECT: Resolution Renewing the Santa Clara County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service
Authority
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the City of Saratoga to continue its participation in the
Santa Clara County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority (AVASA) Program.
BACKGROUND:
Calls regarding abandoned vehicles are one of the most common non-emergency calls for service
that the Sheriff’s Office receives in the City of Saratoga. Residents contact the Sheriff’s
Department to request the removal of wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles that have
been abandoned on both public and private property. Unless removed, these vehicles pose a
health and safety hazard and are a public nuisance.
Sections 9250.7 and 22710 of the California Vehicle Code provide for the establishment of a
service authority and a one dollar vehicle registration fee to fund abandoned vehicle abatement
efforts, if a county and a majority of the cities within that county adopt resolutions supporting
such action. The one dollar registration fee is annually imposed on each vehicle registered within
the participating county. The fees collected by the State are used to reimburse participating
agencies in the county for their expenses related to the abatement of abandoned vehicles. State
law allows for the continuation of the Service Authority in 10-year increments.
For the past 19 years, the City of Saratoga has participated in the Santa Clara County AVASA
Program. In the last 10 years alone, the City in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Office has abated
690 vehicles and collected $147,659.92 from the AVASA Program. Additionally, all cities
within Santa Clara County are active participants in the AVASA Program. Countywide there
have been 206,674 vehicles abated and $14.2 million dollars received.
The current Service Authority will expire in March 2012. Approval of the attached resolution
will extend Saratoga’s participation in the AVASA Program and imposition of a one dollar
vehicle registration fee until March 31, 2022. The AVASA Board of Directors has requested that
Page 2 of 2
a certified copy of the resolution be sent to the California Highway Patrol no later than
November 1, 2011.
Along with the City of Saratoga’s resolution, a majority of cities representing the majority of the
population and the County Board of Supervisors must also pass similar resolutions to continue
the AVASA Program. All of the cities in the County have indicated that they plan to seek
approval of resolutions continuing the program and the one dollar registration fee from their
respective City Councils. The County Board of Supervisors and the City of Gilroy have already
passed such a resolution.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
There is no net cost to the City as a result of approving the attached resolution. Through
participation in the AVASA Program, the State will reimburse, up to 100%, the City and all other
participating incorporated cities within the County for the expenses related to removal of
abandoned vehicles from public and private property. The City, in conjunction with the Sheriff’s
Office, has abated 690 vehicles and collected $147,659.92 from the AVASA Program in the last
10 years.
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
If Council decides not to approve the attached resolution, the City’s participation in the AVASA
Program and ability to collect reimbursements from the State for abatement of abandoned
vehicles will end March 31, 2012.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
N/A
FOLLOW UP ACTION(S):
Implement Council direction.
ADVERTISING, NOTICING AND PUBLIC CONTACT:
Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2, this item was properly posted as a City Council agenda
item and was included in the packet made available on the City’s web site in advance of the
meeting. A copy of the agenda packet is also made available at the Saratoga Branch Library each
Monday in advance of the Council meeting.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A:
Resolution Renewing the Santa Clara County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement
Service Authority