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Recommendation to receive and file a report from Public Works providing an update on street sweeping; and, provide input and policy direction to staff on next-step strategies on street sweeping as it relates to the Safer-at-Home Public Health Order. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Cleaning City streets is a critical public health and safety function managed out of the Public Works Department. Each year, street sweepers cover over 140,000 miles and collect approximately 11,000 tons of debris. Keeping streets clean is one of the City’s most important tools in complying with its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. It serves as a source control mechanism by removing litter and waste that would otherwise make its way into the storm drain system and eventually to the ocean. Street sweeping not only removes debris like litter, but also sediment that carry heavy metals and bacteria into waterways.
To provide relief to individuals impacted by the Safer-at-Home Public Health Order, the City suspended issuing street sweeping citations from March 17, 2020 through May 15, 2020. Residents were advised to continue to move their vehicles during posted sweeping hours, but they would not be cited if they failed to do so. During this time, residents were also offered the opportunity to receive free parking permits so that they may park at various underutilized City lots. This provided additional parking options for residents to help remove vehicles from roadways for street sweepers to be more effective.
On April 21, 2020, the City Council directed staff to inform residents of the plan to begin issuing street sweeping tickets again on May 18, 2020. During the preceding weeks, staff created and distributed over 84,000 warning flyers. The flyers provided information about the neighborhood parking program, the City’s plan to re-start sweeping parking restrictions enforcement, and was translated in alignment with the Language Access Policy.
We under...
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