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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/07/2008, C3 - RESPONSE TO GRAND JURY REPORT ON THE CITY RESTRICTING MOTORCYCLE PARKING IN CITY PARKING STRUCTURES council M.&QDW 10/07/08 j ac En ba REpoRt a CITY OF SAN LU IS O B I S P O ll FROM: Jay D. Walter, Director of Public Work2au Prepared By: Robert Horch, Parking Services Manager SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO GRAND JURY REPORT ON THE CITY RESTRICTING MOTORCYCLE PARKING IN CITY PARKING STRUCTURES CAO RECOMMENDATION Review and approve the City's response to the Grand Jury's report, "ere Can I Park My Motorcycle?, and authorize the Mayor to sign the response letter to the Grand Jury. DISCUSSION Earlier this year, the San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury issued a report entitled "Where Can I Park My Motorcycle?" (see Attachment 1). The report questioned why the City of San Luis Obispo restricts motorcycles from parking in the three city-owned parking structures. The City's Parking Manager and Deputy Director of Public Works were interviewed by the Grand Jury during their investigation and responded to all questions regarding the issue. The report was released in July 2008 and requires responses from the City on findings and recommendations in the report by October 28, 2008. Staff has evaluated the Grand Jury report and submits the following responses for Council consideration. The report is attached for Council consideration. Grand Jury Finding 1: The City does not allow motorcycles to park in city public parking structures. The City does not dispute this finding because it is correct. The City's policy of restricting motorcycles in the parking structures has been in place for a very long time. The restriction was placed because of potential safety issues stemming from the inability of the parking structure's gate arm detection systems to efficiently identify a motorcycle as they enter and exit the structures. Grand Jury Finding 2: The City has stated there are technical concerns in allowing motorcycle access into the parking structures. The City disagrees with this finding. It is more than a technical concern; it is a concern for the safety of motorcyclists and their passengers due to mechanical inabilities of the gate arm system to assure safe passage through the gates. In the pavement ahead of each gate arm, there are inductive loops that detect cars and trucks and command the gate arm to safely come up and go back down. This detection equipment has significant limitations in accurately executing the up and down commands when motorcycles pass over the loops. It is further complicated due to the C3 - 1 Grand Jury Response on Motorcycle Parking in Structures Page 2 varied use of aluminum and other metallic parts used in motorcycles that increase the difficulty of the loops to detect them. This loss or lessened "detection" is very significant because the gate arm can come down prematurely and strike the operator (or passenger) of the motorcycle causing injury or loss of control. While the detection equipment can determine that a motorcycle is present it cannot adequately detect when the motorcycle leaves the loop location — causing the gate arm to come down prematurely. The detection equipment can be adequately adjusted for most cars and trucks, but it cannot be adjusted well enough to ensure the safety of motorcyclists, or for staff to relax the restriction on motorcycle parking in the structures. Grand Jury Recommendation 1: The City should review its procedure to accommodate safe and equal access for motorcycles in City parking structures. Staff routinely reviews its parking structure practices and policies based on regular feedback. The structure access controls (or gate arm systems) are manufactured by Federal APD Inc. who was contacted during and after the Grand Jury investigation. Unfortunately, they cannot guarantee that the detection systems in use can adequately pick up motorcycles such that we would consider revising our current policy. Staff checked again with Federal APD as part of preparation for this report to find out if there have been recent changes that would allow motorcycles in our structures. They responded with the following: "Federal APD requires that no motorcycles, bicycles or pedestrians traverse a traffic lane in which a barrier gate is controlling ingress or egress. This warning is clearly indicated on the warning labels placed both on the gate cabinet and gate arm. The lane's operation is controlled by a series of inputs from vehicle loop detectors that are essentially ferrous metal detectors. They detect a metal surface area passing through the electromagnetic field of the loop detector. If the metal surface area is irregular (like a motorcycle) or basically non-existent (as with a pedestrian or bicycle), the loop detector may not detect the object at all, or, detect but prematurely lose the detection of the object's presence. Based upon where this occurs within the current lane workflow, the result could vary from nothing happening to the gate arm prematurely lowering." Federal APD Inc. also provided us further documentation available on their website as a "Safety Notice" (see Attachment 2). Without the assurance that the system can adequately address motorcycle safety concerns, allowing access could lead to injuries and possible city liability. In addition to this primary concern, the ramp gradients, raised ceramic markers used for channelization, and the slow operating speeds during peak egress periods could also be problematic for motorcycle users of our parking structures. For these reasons, staff continues to recommend the City maintain its policy of no access in the parking structures for motorcycles. Current Motorcycle Parking Benefits The City does attempt to mitigate this restriction by providing alternative parking locations spread throughout the downtown area with special parking rates for motorcycles. In addition, motorcycle parking meters have been installed near the entrances to our Palm I and Marsh Street parking structures. �3 -a Grand Jury Response on Motorcycle Parking in Structures Page 3 Motorcyclists push a button to obtain their 15` 60 minutes free (as other vehicles do in the structures) and then pay for any additional time above the fust 60 minutes. However, there is one significant difference in the rate; they pay a lower rate of$0.30 an hour as opposed to the $0.75 an hour for structure users. The primary difference between a structure user and a motorcyclist is that they have to pay at the beginning of their stay rather than paying at the end. While some may comment that this amounts to unequal treatment, staff believes that the lower hourly rate along with the other benefits listed below adequately compensate motorcyclists for their prepayment requirement. Currently the City provides 31 motorcycle spaces in the Downtown in relation to 2,742 total parking spaces. These spaces are spread around the downtown to accommodate motorcycle parking. (see Attachment 3) Staff continues to monitor all motorcycle parking in the downtown and adds spaces as they are needed. While motorcycle parking is restricted in our parking structures due to safety concerns, there are many other benefits provided motorcyclists under our current programs that are not extended to cars and trucks. 1. Lower Rates. Motorcycle meters are set at $0.30 an hour as compared to the higher hourly parking rates of$0.75 and $1 an hour in the structures and metered spaces on our streets and parking lots. 2. Exclusive Parking. Motorcycle spaces are reserved exclusively for motorcycles and exclude cars and trucks from parking in these spaces. 3. More Parking Options. Motorcycles can park at the reserved motorcycle spaces and at any street or parking lot space. They can park at any regular space on street or in a parking lot. We even allow them to share parking spaces. 4. Less Restrictive Time Limits. Most of our downtown motorcycle spaces are in the 2-hour downtown commercial core where we want tum-over for customer parking. To accommodate long-term parking we have converted some motorcycle spaces to 10 hour metered parking. This is not offered to other long term parking customers who must park on the perimeter of the downtown. ALTERNATIVE The Council could direct staff to further study the possibility of modifying the structures to allow motorcycle use. Staff does not recommend this alternative since there is no apparent alternative gate arm system that would adequately address safety concerns for motorcycles. Even if a different manufacturer could provide this equipment, the costs associated with fully retrofitting the structures would be significant and is conservatively estimated at $100,000 - $150,000 per structure. Modifications needed would likely include widening or reconstructing the current entry and exit lanes at each structure, and impacting access during very busy times. Staff believes that investing this amount of revenue for such a small percentage of motorcycle customers when there are reasonable alternatives would be problematic. Even if the gate arm systems are addressed, there are no alternative solutions to the ramp grades or operating issues that could be problematic for motorcycle users in the garage. C3 - 3 Grand Jury Response on Motorcycle Parking in Structures Page 4 ATTACHMENTS I. Grand Jury Report, "Where Can I Park My Motorcycle?" 2. Federal APD Safety Notice 3. Downtown Motorcycle Map 4. Proposed letter of response G:\Staff-Reports-Agendas-Minutes\_CAR\2008\Parking\Grand Jury Response MC\GJ Motorcycle CAR.doc C3-� ATTACHMENT 1 Grand Jury P.O. Box 4910 San Luis Obispo, California 93403 June 19,2008 Confidential Timothy Scott Bochum Deputy Director of Public Works City of San Luis Obispo 919 Palm Street San Luis Obispo CA 93401 Dear Mayor Romero and Council Members: The San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury has completed the attached report titled"Where Can I Park My Motorcycle?" This copy of the report is being provided to you two days in advance of its public release.as required by California Penal Code §933.05 (f),which states: A grand jwy shall provide to the affected agency a copy of the portion of the grand jury report relating to that person or entity two working days prior to its public release and after the approval of the presiding judge. No officer, agency, department, or governing body of a public agency shall disclose any contents of the report prior to the public release of the final report. Please check the last page of text of the report for the timing of your response,if any,as required by the Penal Code. Sections 933 through 933.05 of the Penal Code are attached for your reference. Please keep in mind that this report must be kept confidential until its public release by the Grand Jury. Y Respectfully, Maryellen R. Simkins,Foreperson 2007/2008 Grand Jury Enclosures t 1f II l �I C3 -5 k ATTACHMENT California Penal Code 933: (a)Each grand jury shall submit to the presiding judge of the superior court a final report of its findings and recommendations that pertain to county government matters during the fiscal or calendar year. Final reports on any appropriate subject may be submitted to the presiding judge of the superior court at any time during the term of service of a grand jury. A final report may be submitted for comment to responsible officers,agencies,or departments, including the county board of supervisors,when applicable,upon finding of the presiding judge that the report is in compliance with this title. For 45 days after the end of the term, the foreperson and his or her designees shall,upon reasonable notice,be available to clarify the recommendations of the report. (b)One copy of each final report,together with the responses thereto,found to be in compliance with this title shall be placed on file with the clerk of the court and remain on file in the office of the clerk. The clerk shall immediately forward a true copy of the report and the responses to the State Archivist who shall retain that report and all responses in perpetuity. (c)No later than 90 days after the grand jury submits a final report on the operations of any public agency subject to its reviewing authority,the governing body of the public agency shall comment to the presiding judge of the superior court on the findings and recommendations pertaining to matters under the control of the governing body,and every elected county officer or agency head for which the grand jury has responsibility pursuant to Section 914.1 shall comment within 60 days to the presiding judge of the superior court,with an information copy sent to the board of supervisors,on the findings and recommendations pertaining to matters under the control of that county officer or agency head and any agency or agencies which that officer or agency head supervises or controls. In any city and county,the mayor shall also comment on the findings and recommendations. All of these comments and reports shall forthwith be submitted to the presiding judge of the superior court who impaneled the grand jury. A copy of all responses to grand jury reports shall be placed on file with the clerk of the public agency and the office of the county clerk,or the mayor when applicable,and shall remain on file in those offices. One copy shall be placed on file with the applicable grand jury final report by,and in the control of the currently impaneled grand jury,where it shall be i maintained for a minimum of five years. (d)As used in this section"agency" includes a department. F i, r 933.05. (a)For purposes of subdivision(b)of Section 933,as to each grand jury finding,the responding person or entity shall indicate one of the following: (1)The respondent agrees with the finding. C3 -� Y ATTACHMENT 1 (2)The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding, in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefor. (b)For purposes of subdivision(b)of Section 933,as to each grand jury recommendation,the responding person or entity shall report one of the following actions: (1)The recommendation has been implemented,with a summary regarding the implemented action. (2)The recommendation has not yet been implemented,but will be implemented in the future,with a timeframe for implementation. (3)The recommendation requires further analysis,with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study,and a timeframe for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed,including the governing body of the public agency when applicable. This timeframe shall not exceed six months from the date of publication of the grind jury report. (4)The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable,with an explanation therefor. (c)However, if a finding or recommendation of the grand jury addresses budgetary or personnel matters of a county agency or department headed by an elected officer,both the agency or department head and the board of supervisors shall respond if requested by the grand jury,but the response of the board of supervisors shall address only those budgetary or personnel matters over which it has some decisionmaking authority. The response of the elected agency or department head shall address all aspects of the findings or recommendations affecting his or her agency or department. (d)A grand jury may request a subject person or entity to come before the grand jury for the purpose of reading and discussing the findings of the grand jury report that relates to that person or entity in order to verify the accuracy of the findings prior to their release. (e)During an investigation,the grand jury shall meet with the subject of that investigation regarding the investigation,unless the court,either on its own determination or upon request of the foreperson of the grand jury,determines that such a meeting would be detrimental. (f)A grand jury shall provide to the affected agency a copy of the portion of the grand jury report relating to that person or entity two working days prior to its public release and after the approval of the presiding judge. No officer,agency,department,or governing body of a public agency shall disclose any contents of the report prior to the public release of the final report. I 2 3 r N L ATTACHMENT 1 WHERE CAN 1 PARK MY MOTORCYCLE? _ J t1i 1 5 i PURPOSE 1 This report addresses the procedures used by the City of San Luis Obispo Public Works s Department's Parking Services to restrict and limit motorcycle parking within the city of San Luis Obispo. 1 { AUTHORITY 1 1 The California Penal Code grants the Grand Jury authority to investigate and report on the ; method or system of operation used by any incorporated city or joint powers agency located in the county. The Grand Jury may then make recommendations based on their findings. The involved parties are then required by penal code'to respond to the Superior Court. t Pena(Code: §933.05,(a�ft(c),(d),(e),(Y) i 0 2007-2008 San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury Report Where Can I Park My Motoreydfe 3_Q' Y Page: l U G iI 0 ATTACHMENT 1 METHOD As part of its investigation, Grand Jurors did the following: • Interviewed the City of San Luis Obispo Deputy Director of Public Works • Interviewed the City of San Luis Obispo Parking Services Manager • Inspected the public parking structures in the city • Inspected motorcycle parking spaces in the city • Researched parking barrier gate manufacturer's specifications • Reviewed AMA report on motorcycle parking (httpJ/www.amadirectlink.com/index.asR _y NARRATIVE The popularity of motorcycles as a daily form of transportation is greatly increasing due to congestion and the rise in fuel costs. The number of motorcycle registrations for local counties is': • San Luis Obispo County - 9,704 i • Santa Barbara County - 10,647 2 Based on State DMV Office of Statistics for 2006 registrations 0 2007-2008 San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury Report Where Can II Park My Motorcyde nt Page:2 l� i ATTACHMENT 1 • Monterey County - 7,528 • Kern County - 16,432 The city owns and operates three public parking facilities within the downtown area. There are 1,027 parking spaces in the structures that motorcycles are banned from. This seriously limits the number of weather resistant parking spaces for motorcycles. The auto drivers are not charged for parking on Sundays and after various evening hours. According to the Parking Services Manager,since the gate arms are up during times of non-operation,the motorcyclist can also park in the structure without charge. This would seem to allow equal access for motorcycle parking,except there are signs posted that state"No Motorcycle Parking." There are no signs posted that would allow motorcycle access during certain days or times. The Marsh Street structure has four spaces on the street level for motorcycles,but unlike the autos that go into the structure,the motorcyclist has to pay the meter in advance. The auto drivers take a ticket and pay for the time used when exiting the structure. The City of San Luis Obispo originally issued its"Motorcycle Parking in Parking Structures Policy"in 1984,and updated it in 1996. The policy states: PURPOSE: "To reduce the City's liability and protect the public from bodily injury or property damage." POLICY:"Motorcycles are restricted from parking in the City's parking structures. This decision is based upon the manufacturers' recommendation to prohibit motorcycles from using the structures,given the potential of motorcycle users to be injured by the gate amts. This restriction of motorcycles from the parking structures reduces the City's liability and protects the motorcycle user from bodily injury. This policy also reduces the risk of property damage to the user and the City." According to the City staff interviewed by the Grand Jury,this decision is based upon the y manufacturers' recommendation to prohibit motorcycles from using the structures,due to the potential injury of motorcycle users by the gate arms. They also stated that restriction of q motorcycles from the parking structures reduces the City's potential liability. The American 2007-2008 San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury Report Where Can I Park My Mowrcyete Page:3 d ATTACHMENT 1 Motorcyclist Association(AMA)has reviewed these restrictive motorcycle parking issues for numerous cities. The AMA legislative affairs specialist,Imre Szauter,stated,"Any publicly funded parking facility should have provisions for motorcycle parking.' One of the ways the AMA assists motorcyclists is to work with cities that have implemented restrictive parking for motorcycles. The AMA worked with the City of Sacramento and motorcyclists regarding a municipal parking garage. The City's liability concerns were addressed by reducing the length of the gate,and by creating free parking areas for motorcycles by utilizing space that could not be used for automobile parking. Another issue the City has raised regarding allowing motorcycles into the parking structures was s the possible inability of motorcycles to properly trigger the loop sensors for the gate arm. The loop sensor lowers the parking gate after the driver pays and the vehicle leaves the structure. During the Grand Jury interview with the Parking Services Manager(PSM),the adjustments of this system were discussed. The PSM agreed that the sensitivity for the loop has been adjusted in the past. The Deputy Director of Public Works(DDPW) stated the City did not have engineering data that reviewed any safety issues regarding gate usage by motorcyclists. The DDPW suggested finding the information at the manufacturers' web site. The Grand Jury researched the product and specifications°for the parking barrier gate used by the City of San Luis Obispo. The i specifications,while addressing the abilities of the gate electronics to diagnose,test and adjust the loop detectors do not address any exclusion for motorcycles. a H G n -'AMA web article Parking Gates vs.Motorcycles 0=://ww,.v.Amadirectlink.com/roadridelriderrese/Gates.asp) °See Attachment A 2007-2008 San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury Report where Can I Park My Motorcyde /I Page:4 l i i ATTACHMENT 1 CONCLUSIONS The City of San Luis Obispo issued a policy twenty-four years ago based on liability concerns. Their main concern was to protect the motorcyclist from being injured by the exit gate in the parking structures. In interviews with the DDPW and the PSM there was no data presented that documented injuries or litigation resulting from a motorcyclist being struck by a gate because motorcycles are not allowed in the structures. The gates used in parking structures in San Luis Obispo are of a short design that may facilitate motorcycle entrance and exit. The City has been excluding motorcycles based on a policy that references the gate manufacturers' recommendation to restrict motorcycles. The Grand Jury did not receive any data from the DDPW or the gate manufacturer that would support banning motorcycles for safety issues. I FINDINGS il 1. The City does not allow motorcycles to park in city public parking structures. i 2. The City has stated there are technical concerns in allowing motorcycle access into the parking structures. l S� RECOMMENDATION 3 1. The City should review its procedures to accommodate safe and equal access for motorcycles in City parking structures.(Finding 1) i 2007-2008 San Luis Obispo County unty Grand Jury Report Where Can I Park My Motorcycle Page:5 (� I! 9 ATTACHMENT 1 REQUIRED RESPONSES L San Luis Obispo City Council 2. San Luis Obispo City Administrator All responses shall be submitted to the Presiding Judge at the Superior Court of California by October A 2008. Please provide a copy to the Grand Jury as well. The mailing addresses for delivery are: 7 Presiding Judge Grand Jury Presiding Judge Martin Tangeman Superior Court of California San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury P.O. Box 4910 1035 Palm,Room 385 San Luis Obispo,CA 93403 San Luis Obispo,CA 93408 { j z s 7 a 7 C 2007-2008 San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury Rcport Whwe can I Park My Mowmycte ' ' Page:6 3 i tl n i?arkin, arrier tGate st � lam. '4x� �•�r ' t��r Yr k r" aK. 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CPigm1.48376---U-%A 9d:(248)374'4690,:•live(24 4 3 749610'. alex(�Oj 521-9330.•Cwtatlz:(W0-3318144 M .casn @WIgDg®S!tp.b0. &mabfratlP.tlr4Qa00WanNSna°renlen,PAPlaatleeMt„aMpblmaaalaM➢lWpalrJ astsaq eleteap et /dePntlL qu d g�g Y n e 2007-2008 San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury Repoli E Where Can L Park My Motorcycle ���� Page:8 S a Safety Notice ATTACHMENT 2 CAUTION! To reduce the risk of severe personal injury or damage to equipment,turn off the power to the equipment before performing any maintenance or repairs. -Failure to heed this warning could result in injury or even death of those who come in contact with the product- Failure to turn off the power before performing any maintenance or repairs may result in damage to the equipment that is not covered by the warranty. People's lives and property depend on your safe installation of equipment. Listed below are some important safety instructions and precautions which you should follow when working on any Federal APD equipment. Failure to follow all safety precautions and instructions can result in serious injury or property damage.Refer to the specific operational manual for a particular piece of equipment before beginning any service work. ❑ Frequently inspect the equipment to ensure that it is operating properly. ❑ Ensure that maintenance is performed by the factory or an authorized distributor at least twice a year. Safety Hints ❑ Use vibrant colors on parking equipment at entrance lanes and exit lanes. ❑ Always provide proper signage,both on the roadway and on other equipment. ❑ Maintain the manufacturer's warning stickers on gate arms and on other equipment. ❑ Encourage the use of safety devices such as buzzers or flashing lights. ❑ Always recommend that sidewalks be parallel to entrance lanes and exit lanes. Safety Notice Any activity in relation to entrance lanes and exit lanes should be monitored to ensure against accidental low- ering or raising of barrier gates or manipulation of equipment so as to prevent injury of pedestrians,mainte- nance personnel,persons on bicycles or motorcycles.Take special care when commanding any equipment action from a centralized computer system,especially when the control equipment is not in your line of vision. Use Pictograms Federal APD strongly recommends that you use universally identifiable icons,or pictograms,in all entrance lanes and exit lanes,roadways,posts and walls.It is also recommended that a"No Pedestrian"pictogram be painted on the roadway immediately adjacent to a parking barrier gate.Pictograms depicting"No Motorcy- cles,"No Wheelchairs,""No Bicycles,"and"No Trucks"are also recommended. Safety Is Good Business As an institution,municipality,or private operator,it is important to be aware of the potential liabilities which may arise in normal parking operations.Adapting a"Safety First"attitude will provide your business and your patrons with a safer environment.After all,safety is good business! COPYRIGHT Model G-90 CD Series Barrier Gate ZMA-200,Ver.5 © 1999 Federal APD,Inc.All rights reserved.All materials in this document are protected by copy- right law and international treaties.Materials contained in this document are confidential and/or trade secrets of Federal APD Inc.No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,electronic or mechanical,including photocopying and recording,or by any infor- mation storage or retrieval system,without the written permission of Federal APD,Inc. First Version..........................................................................April 1999 SecondVersion.......................................................................July 2001 Third Version................................................................September 2002 FourthVersion........................................................................May 2003 C,3-1(o FifthVersion...........................................................................May 2004 FAPD Publication R12.M.04/99-05/04.H.5 ATTACHMENT 2 Figure 1.1 Gate Warning Label ®WARN I NG AUTOS ONLY No Pedestrians No Motorcycleso No Bicycles i . Gate Ann The standard gate arm is 10 ft. (3.05 m) in length and is constructed of clear white pine. It is finished in diagonal stripes of black and white enamel. Note: A bright orange warning label is required to be affixed to both sides of the gate arm. Figure 1.2 illustrates a gate arm warning label. (FAPD part#20-4348-English;other languages available.) Figure 1.2 Gate Arm Warning Label MOVING ARM w ® CARS ONLY: CAN CAUSE R i R NO BICYCLES BODILY HARM OR N N MOTORCYCLES VEHICLE DAMAGE. N N OR PEDESTRIANS. G-90 CD Connection Panel The G-90 CD Connection Panel is a plug-in assembly that contains field connections and is used to mount the Omega LCD Controller. The terminal blocks are removable. 2•Getting Started "LMA-200,Ver.5 Model G-90 CD Series Barrier Gate ATTACHMENT 2 Warning! Federal APD does not recommend the use of loops in lanes that have motorcycle or bicycle traffic.Vehicles with minimal amounts of metal may not be continu- ously detected as they cross loops because of the decreased sensitivity in the mid- dle of the loop and this may cause the gate arm to come down while the vehicle is still on the loop. Figure 2.3 Electrical Field HIGH FIELD STRENGTH HIGH FIELD STRENGTH LOW FIELD STRENGTH Setting the Loop Lead Length A lead-in cable should be used when the lead-in length exceeds 30 ft.(I m).The length of the loop lead-in cable depends on the inductance of the loop itself,but the length should not exceed 100 ft. (30.49 m). The inductance of the lead-in cable should not be more than 20 percent of the total inductance seen at the loop lead input of the detector module. Use a 16-18 AWG stranded,twisted-pair wire.The cable should have a minimum twist of six turns per foot. Note: Splicing is not recommended,but if you splice the lead cable,twist and solder the wires before sealing. This will ensure that the cable is water proof. C3a8' 18•Loop Components and Installation ZMA-200,Ver.5 Model G-90 CD Series Barrier Gate Attachment 3 Motorcycle Parking in The City of San Luis Obispo SANTA RoSA Downtown Area Im a _ County Court September 23, 2008 E m a — I L OSOS CitCey Hall w _ H COURT a. Parking z Structure 0 919 Palm _ MORRO Parking I Structure 842 Palm Parking Lots w 4 LL C 13 and 11 w L � v 2 4 _ �a rki St: a a Parking Structure CHORRO GARDEN � W Parki a a Lots a ting c7 BROAD Parking Lot 15 Parking A— I _L__. 4 Lot 14 i Parking Lot 1'0 NIPOMO I �Fz Attachment 4 The Honorable Martin Tangeman, Presiding Judge Superior Court of California 1035 Palm Street, Room 385 San Luis Obispo, CA 93408 Subject: 2007-08 Grand Jury Report—Where Can I Park My Motorcycle? Dear Judge Tangeman, The San Luis Obispo City Council discussed the Grand Jury Report titled"Where Can I Park My Motorcycle?" at its regularly scheduled meeting on October 7, 2008. The City Council appreciates the work of the members of the Grand Jury on this report and its focus on motorcycle parking in the downtown. The City Council directed staff to respond to this report accordingly. In accordance with Penal Code §933(c), the following is the City of San Luis Obispo City Council's response to the 2005-2006 Grand Jury Report Grand Jury Finding 1: The City does not allow motorcycles to park in city public parking structures. The City does not dispute this finding because it is correct. The City's policy of restricting motorcycles in the parking structures has been in place for a very long time. The restriction was placed because of potential safety issues stemming from the inability of the parking structure's gate arm detection systems to efficiently identify a motorcycle as they enter and exit the structures. Grand Jury Finding 2: The City has stated there are technical concerns in allowing motorcycle access into the parking structures. The City disagrees with this finding. It is more than a technical concern; it is a concern for the safety of motorcyclists and their passengers due to mechanical inabilities of the gate arm system to assure safe passage through the gates. In the pavement ahead of each gate arm, there are inductive loops that detect cars and trucks and command the gate arm to safely come up and go back down. This detection equipment has significant limitations in accurately executing the up and down commands when motorcycles pass over the loops. It is further complicated due to the varied use of aluminum and other metallic parts used in motorcycles that increase the difficulty of the loops to detect them. This loss or lessened "detection" is very significant because the gate arm can come down prematurely and strike the operator(or passenger) of the motorcycle causing injury or loss of control. While the detection equipment can determine that a motorcycle is present it cannot adequately detect when the motorcycle leaves the loop location — causing the Attachment 4 gate arm to come down prematurely. The detection equipment can be adequately adjusted for most cars and trucks, but it cannot be adjusted well enough to ensure the safety of motorcyclists, or for staff to relax the restriction on motorcycle parking in the structures. Grand Jury Recommendation 1: The City should review its procedure to accommodate safe and equal access for motorcycles in City parking structures. Staff routinely reviews its parking structure practices and policies based on regular feedback. The structure access controls (or gate arm systems) are manufactured by Federal APD Inc. who was contacted during and after the Grand Jury investigation. Unfortunately, they cannot guarantee that the detection systems in use can adequately pick up motorcycles such that we would consider revising our current policy. Staff checked again with Federal APD as part of preparation for this report to find out if there have been recent changes that would allow motorcycles in our structures. They responded with the following: "Federal APD requires that no motorcycles, bicycles or pedestrians traverse a traffic lane in which a barrier gate is controlling ingress or egress. This warning is clearly indicated on the warning labels placed both on the gate cabinet and gate arm. The lane's operation is controlled by a series of inputs from vehicle loop detectors that are essentially ferrous metal detectors. They detect a metal surface area passing through the electromagnetic field of the loop detector. If the metal surface area is irregular(like a motorcycle) or basically non-existent(as with a pedestrian or bicycle), the loop detector may not detect the object at all, or, detect but prematurely lose the detection of the object's presence. Based upon where this occurs within the current lane workflow, the result could vary from nothing happening to the gate arm prematurely lowering." Federal APD Inc. also provided us further documentation available on their website as a "Safety Notice" (Attachment 2).Without the assurance that the system can adequately address motorcycle safety concerns, allowing access could lead to injuries and possible city liability. In addition to this primary concern, the ramp gradients, raised ceramic markers used for channelization, and the slow operating speeds during peak egress periods are also problematic for motorcycle use of our parking structures. For these reasons, staff continues to recommend the City maintain its policy of no access in the parking structures for motorcycles. Current Motorcycle Parking Benefits The City does attempt to mitigate this restriction by providing alternative parking locations spread throughout the downtown area with special parking rates for motorcycles. In addition, motorcycle parking meters have been installed near the entrances to our Palm I and Marsh Street parking structures. Motorcyclists push a button to obtain their 1" 60 minutes free (as other vehicles do in the structures) and then pay for any additional time above the first 60 minutes. However, there is one significant difference in the rate; they pay a lower rate of$0.30 an hour as opposed to the �3-a I Attachment 4 $0.75 an hour for structure users. The primary difference between a structure user and a motorcyclist is that they have to pay at the beginning of their stay rather than paying at the end. While some may comment that this amounts to unequal treatment, staff believes that the lower, hourly rate adequately compensates motorcyclists for their prepayment. Currently the City provides 31 motorcycle spaces in the Downtown in relation to 2,742 total parking spaces. These spaces are spread around the downtown to accommodate motorcycle parking. (see Attachment 3) Staff continues to monitor all motorcycle parking in the downtown and adds spaces as they are needed. While motorcycle parking is restricted in our parking structures due to safety concerns, there are many other benefits provided motorcyclists under our current programs that are not extended to cars and trucks. 1. Lower Rates. Motorcycle meters are set at $0.30 an hour as compared to the higher hourly parking rates of$0.75 and $1 an hour in the structures and metered spaces on our streets and parking lots. 2. Exclusive Parking. Motorcycle spaces are reserved exclusively for motorcycles and exclude cars and trucks from parking in these spaces. 3. More Parking_Options. Motorcycles can park at the reserved motorcycle spaces and at any street or parking lot space. They can park at any regular space on street or in a parking lot. We even allow them to share parking spaces. 4. Less Restrictive Time Limits. Most of our downtown motorcycle spaces are in the 2- hour downtown commercial core where we want turn-over for customer parking. To accommodate long-term parking we have converted some motorcycle spaces to 10 hour metered parking. This is not offered to other long term parking customers who must park on the perimeter of the downtown. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Grand Jury's report. As demonstrated in the responses, we believe that the City is undertaking reasonable methods to both accommodate motorcycle parking and to ensure that they are protected from harm. Please contact me should you or any member of the Grand Jury have any additional questions. Sincerely, David F. Romero, Mayor City of San Luis Obispo 03 -�� i COU I NOL HEHOJ 4NDUH October 7,2008 TO: City Council VIA: Ken Hampian, City Administrative Officer FROM: Jay Walter,Director of Public Works Prepared by: Robert Horch, Parking Services Manager SUBJECT: Grand Jury Report Item C3 The Grand Jury report on "Where Can I Park My Motorcycle" references the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) working with the City of Sacramento to allow motorcycles to use one municipal parking structure for parking. The report specifically noted: "One of the ways the AMA assists motorcyclists is to work with cities that have implemented restrictive parking for motorcycles. The AMA worked with the City of Sacramento and motorcyclists regarding a municipal parking garage. The City's liability concerns were addressed by reducing the length of the gate arms, and by creating free parking areas for motorcycles by utilizing space that could not be used for automobile parking. " City staff followed up with the City of Sacramento Parking office on this arrangement. Sacramento did in fact agree to allow motorcycles in one of their parking structures for a period of time to see if it would work. However, after experiencing continued instances of gate anus coming down on motorcyclists and pedestrians near their entrance and exit gates, the City stopped this practice. They met with local AMA representatives who agreed that the arrangement was not safe. The City of Sacramento and the AMA agreed to accommodate motorcycle parking on the street near this structure at no cost. The City of San Luis Obispo offers similar reserved motorcycle parking near our parking structures. The motorcycle spaces offer the first hour free with subsequent hours at the reduced rate of$0.30 an hour. For more information, contact Parking Services Manager Robert Horch. r.B-ATTORNEY E mRtL RED FILE G''CDD DIR MEETING AGENDA ff FIN DIR Q FIRE CHIEF pA n r TEM #� ffpw DIR p'POUCE CHF E3� EADS Z-REC Dip l�'T2/FSG IG 1UTIL 018 GVHR DIP C'O'u�uGcC- � CA-o