The City entered into a contract with Villegas Public Affairs to develop a business outreach and marketing plan for Fillmore. (Above) Ernie Villegas.

Tuesday's Council meeting was short (one hour) and productive.

April was proclaimed Fair Housing Month. Three persons spoke concerning the challenges facing the production of fair housing and the unlawful schemes which inflict fraud and various scams in the system. A short video sponsored by the Ventura County District Attorney's office was shown about these issues. A number of fraudulent housing attempts were explained. When those seeking to purchase a home are unfamiliar with terms and conditions involved in such purchases and related loans they are strongly advised to seek the assistance of an attorney.

****

The Council adopted Ordinance No. 17-876 to update the Fillmore Municipal Code Section 1.08.040, to include the unpermitted use of alcohol within a city facility as a misdemeanor.

****

PARKING ISSUE:
In many areas of the city, street parking is at a premium, especially in residential neighborhoods at night and on weekends. Vehicles often park in front of private driveways, and while the vast majority of such vehicles are parked in front of driveways with the residents’ permission, doing so at this time is a violation of California Vehicle Code Section (CVC) 22500(e). Pursuant to CVC 22507.2, however, local authorities can authorize vehicles to park in front of private driveways as follows:

Notwithstanding subdivision (e) of Section 22500, a local authority may, by ordinance, authorize the owner or lessee of property to park a vehicle in front of the owner's or lessee's private driveway when the vehicle displays a permit issued pursuant to the ordinance authorizing such parking.

The local authority may charge a nonrefundable fee to defray the costs of issuing and administering the permits.
A local ordinance adopted pursuant to this section may not authorize parking on a sidewalk in violation of subdivision (f) of Section 22500.

If the City Council were to adopt an ordinance authorizing permit parking across the driveways of single-family residences, the Police Department believes the City would alleviate some of the parking congestion on neighborhood streets. If the City Council directs staff to prepare such an ordinance, staff will also return with a resolution to add the cost of these permits to the City’s Schedule of Fees and Charges for City Services. Permits will be available for purchase at City Hall, where a database will be maintained to record each permit purchased. To avoid fraud, proof of residency and occupancy of the home for which the permit is issued will be required (e.g., California driver license or identification card, utility bill, etc.).

The permit will show the street address, specific to the resident; the calendar year the permit is valid; a permit number; and be hung from the rearview mirror or otherwise be clearly visible through the front windshield. The permit may be moved from car to car, and a resident may buy ultiple permits for his or her address, as the permits are address-specific, not vehicle-specific.

Anyone misusing or failing to properly display a permit will be subject to issuance of a parking citation for CVC 22500(e). An appeal by the vehicle’s owner or operator on the grounds that she or he was in possession of, but failed to display, a permit at the time of violation will not be reason for dismissal of the citation.

Upon Council’s approval, a new city ordinance will be drafted.

FISCAL IMPACT
Neutral Staff anticipates that the permit fee to be recommended to the City Council will cover the City’s costs to purchase, print, and process the permit requests. Staff will also recommend a fixed annual fee; whether the permit is purchased on on January 1st or on any other date of the year, the fee will not be prorated.

CITY COUNCIL GOAL
This proposal is consistent with the Council’s Citywide Priority D, maintaining existing public safety service levels, by easing residential parking congestion.

A request to enter a contract with Villegas Public Affairs to develop a downtown strategic plan, conduct a business outreach and marketing plan was unanimously approved by the Council. Details of this contract will follow.

****

An announcement from the floor, not on the Council agenda, alleged that Ventura County is studying the issue of permitting commercial marijuana in unincorporated areas of the County. No further details were available.