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Minutes 77-04-20161 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CYPRESS CITY COUNCIL HELD April 20, 1977 The adjourned regular meeting of the Cypress City Council was called to order at 7:3S p.m. on Wednesday, April 20, 1977, in the auditorium of Cawthon Elementary School, 4S4S Myra Avenue, Cypress, California, Mayor Donald Hudson presiding. PRESENT: ABSENT: Councilmen Lacayo, MacLain and Hudson Councilmen Harvey and Sonju PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: flag. Councilman Lacayo led the pledge to the Mayor Hudson introduced members of the City Council and City staff and reported the purpose of the meeting was to allow an opportunity for public discussion of the proposed parking ban on street sweeping days. The City Manager stated staff would review the results of the test area study and would later dis- tribute a questionnaire to be filled out by the audience. COUNCILWOMAN SONJU ARRIVED AT 7:40 P.M. The Public Works Director presented slides and charts describing the results of a study conducted during the month of November, 1976 in the residential area located between Denni and Bloom- field and Ball and Cerritos in which a parking prohibition was instituted between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 12 noon on the street sweeping day. He repqrted that residents in the area were notified by letter two weeks in advance of the study and streets were posted. Residents were notified that warning citations for offenses would be issued but no punitive action would be taken. The slides illustrated the sweeper operation, difficulty of cleaning the street with on-street parking, and the number of ~ars parked on the street before and after the sweeping day. Staff reported a questionnaire was distributed to residents in the study area and a random sampling was taken of 48 out of 778 homes. There was a 70% response to the ques- tionnaire and the results were as follows: 82% felt the ban resulted in cleaner streets; 79% felt the City should impose a parking restriction, and 94% felt they would comply with a parking ban on street sweeping days. The staff reported that postcards were mailed to the 6% of residents who violated the ban, asking why they parked on the street. The results showed that 74% had more than two cars; 31% used the garage for other purposes; and 47% had no other place to park within a "reason- able" distance from their homes. Staff estimated there were 2000 cars in the test area and the 6% of violations repre- sented about 110 cars. Mayor Hudson asked if there were questions from the audience. A resident of Larwin Avenue suggested that one side of the street be swept one day and the other side swept another day. Mr. Jim Barnard, 4775 Larwin, felt it was a waste of money to pay a contractor and then handicap him with on-street parking so he cannot do his job. A resident at 4383 Larwin complained about the quality of the sweeping and stated she cleans up debris after the sweeper. She reported the City of Long Beach has an effective sweeping day parking prohibition and citations are issued. She was concerned over maintaining property values in Cypress. Mr. James Zechmeister, 9452 Alderbury Street, City Council Minutes April 20, 1977 stated that 100 gallons of water are used each month for street cleaning and he felt in light of the energy crisis the sweeper should be allowed to do an effective job. He spoke in favor of a parking restriction and felt the City could gain revenue from such a program. He felt the restriction should be put into effect since Cypress is one of the few cities without such a ban. Mr. J. Leon, 6785 Molokai Drive, agreed there should be a res- triction and complained about cars parked on his street for two months without being moved. He asked what the delay was on having a parking ban. Mr. Curtis Harrington, 4288 Dina Court, reported the Tanglewood development has no driveways and two car garages. He felt it might be more expensive to sweep two sides of the street on different days and asked if staff had any cost figures. The Public Works Director stated staff did not do a cost analysis but the sweeping contractor indicated this method would involve a substantial additional cost. He pointed out that areas such as cul-de-sacs would have to be swept twice. Mr. Bernie Strand, 10449 Jeanine Lane, reported his tract consists mainly of cul-de-sac streets and sweeping opposite sides on different days could be costly. Mr. Roger Underwood, 4322 Opal Avenue, felt the majority of Cypress resi- dents would prefer a parking restriction. He felt sweeping the two sides of the street on different days would add con- siderably to the cost. He felt a ban would eliminate junk cars from the street and increase property values. He stated he supports a ban on overnight parking and he asked why there was a delay in enacting some restriction since most cities have one. He felt that certain areas of the City may require special arrangements and felt the entire City should not be penalized by not having a restriction. Mr. Zechmeister suggested that a police officer on a mini-bike, rather than a patrol car, follow the sweeper to issue citations. Mr. Strand asked if the cost of citations could be escalated for repeat offenders. The staff felt this may not be possible since fines are set by the municipal court. Mr. Strand noted that property values in Cypress have doubled and on-street parking by recreational vehicles and junk cars detract from the City's appearance and will give Cypress a bad reputation. He felt there may be limited areas in the City where conces- sions could be made. Another speaker reported that the over- night parking restriction was discussed a few years ago and he fe]t people are losing confidence in government since matters are discussed but no action is taken. He recommended adoption of a no parking ordinance. The staff distributed a questionnaire to members of the audience. Mr. Underwood felt attendance at this meeting represented a good cross section of the City. He stated the meeting was not called just for the purpose of hearing persons who favor a parking restriction, and since it was advertised in the papers everyone had the opportunity to attend. He stated he favored an overnight parking restriction but at the minimum the City should enact the restriction on sweeping days. One speaker complained about persons parking boats and campers on their front lawns and she asked if there were any restrictions. Another speaker suggested that a questionnaire be sent to all property owners so that they can vote on the matter. Mr. Underwood suggested that the Council impose the no parking restriction on sweeping days at their next meeting or as soon as possible and after residents have lived with the ban awhile, the Council can then consider an overnight parking ban. The Council advised him that they have scheduled another neighbor- hood meeting in the south part of the City and action at this time would be premature. Mrs. Curtis asked what provisions could be made for overnight guests if an overnight restriction is imposed. Mayor Hudson reported on the permit system in the City of Cerritos. City Council Minutes April 20, 1977 ADJOURNMENT: It was moved by Councilwoman MacLain, seconded by Councilman Lacayo and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. ATTEST: CITY CLERK,5OF~THE ,~ITY OF CYPRESS