PURPOSE

Staff is requesting City Council authorization to proactively seek individual neighborhood approval to post streets for no parking during street sweeping hours.

BACKGROUND

In 1975 the City of Burbank was divided into five sweeping districts, each to be cleaned weekly.  At the time, most residential streets were not posted for no parking during street sweeping hours because staff believed that the frequency of the sweeping would compensate for the fact that parked cars prevent the entire curb line of a street from being swept.  Streets were swept on alternate sides (designated as side "A" or side "B") on consecutive days.  The City received many complaints from residents who were confused by A/B designations.  Residents were not sure which side of the street was "A" and which side was "B".  Following a survey of residents, staff concluded that public support for sign installation in most neighborhoods was weak.  Consequently, the City Council established a policy that a petition, submitted to the Traffic Engineer, signed by more than 50 percent of the residents or property owners on a requesting block was necessary before a street would be posted.  By 1978 most residential blocks interested in posting had requested signage. 

In conjunction with the City's conversion to an automated refuse collection program in 1993, street sweeping scheduling adjustments were made to eliminate conflicts in the sweeping and refuse collection schedules, and the A/B distinction was dropped from street sweeping signs.  In the latter part of 1995, the City Council further refined the signage policy for street sweeping by reducing the hours of no parking from four to two hours and changing the schedule so sweeping occurs the next two days following a street�s regular refuse collection day. 

ANALYSIS

Approximately 60% of residential streets have been posted for a two hour period of no parking during sweeping operations. These street sections receive the highest level of sweeping service because the sweeper can sweep the entire curb line of the street and not have to detour around any obstacles.  Generally, any material on a street will naturally migrate to the side of the street as traffic drives through the area.  Unless the material along the curb line is collected through our sweeping operation or through private efforts it remains in the curb line and blocks drainage causing debris build-up and/or is carried into the storm drain system.  

Effective street sweeping has grown in importance as concerns over material in storm water discharged to flood control systems and the problem of mosquito breeding in stagnant water have gained public attention.  Regular street sweeping on all City streets is now a requirement of the City�s municipal storm water permit.

Recognizing the benefits of sweeping the entire curb length on a street, staff would like to proactively seek neighborhoods willing to post their street for no parking during street sweeping hours.  Staff will utilize the same petition process established in 1975, which requires more than 50% of the residents or property owners to sign a petition requesting posting.  Staff has not previously sought street postings beyond providing petition information and answering questions regarding the process.  Staff will first approach neighborhoods whose streets are not impacted by heavy street parking.  

FISCAL IMPACT

Funds currently available in the budget will be used to pay for this effort.  Staff expects to spend approximately $3,000 annually in staff time and about $3,000 annually in materials, which include the signage. 

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends that the City Council provide direction to staff regarding the proposal to proactively seek individual neighborhood approval to post streets for no parking during street sweeping hours.

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