HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 05 AIS CAO Parking for Persons with Disabilities
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: 2/18/2020
Meeting Type: Regular Meeting
Staff Contact/Dept.: Kristina Kraaz/CAO
Staff Phone No: 541-744-4061
Estimated Time: 5 Minutes
S P R I N G F I E L D
C I T Y C O U N C I L
Council Goals: Strengthen Public Safety
by Leveraging
Partnerships and
Resources
ITEM TITLE: PARKING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES CODE UPDATE
ACTION
REQUESTED:
Hold a public hearing and first reading of the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 6 VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
SECTIONS 6.060(1) AND 6.045 OF THE SPRINGFIELD MUNICIPAL CODE
REGARDING COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER ENFORCEMENT OF
PARKING VIOLATIONS, INCLUDING PARKING FOR PERSONS WITH
DISABILITIES
ISSUE
STATEMENT:
Should the City Council update the Springfield Municipal Code (1) to allow
Community Service Officers to issue parking tickets under state statutes, and (2) to
incorporate Oregon state laws regarding parking for persons with disabilities?
ATTACHMENTS: Attachment 1: Ordinance
DISCUSSION/
FINANCIAL
IMPACT:
The Springfield Police Department and City Attorney’s Office have received an
inquiry from a resident regarding parking enforcement of “Wheelchair User Only”
parking spaces in private parking lots. The resident has inquired whether
Community Service Officers (CSOs) may be used to increase enforcement of
“Wheelchair User”-only parking spaces.
To allow CSOs to issue tickets for improper parking in these spaces, the Springfield
Municipal Code must be updated to (1) authorize CSOs to issue parking tickets
under state parking laws, and (2) update the code to incorporate the current state
statutes regarding parking for persons with disabilities.
CSOs currently have authority in the City of Springfield to enforce municipal
parking violations, but have not been granted authority by the municipal code to
enforce state or county parking laws. The proposed ordinance updates the
municipal code to allow CSOs to issue tickets for parking violations of state or
county laws, including state laws that regulate parking for persons with disabilities.
Under Oregon state law, only a person with a “Wheelchair User” placard can park
in spaces marked “Wheelchair User Only.” A person with another type of disabled
parking placard cannot park in “Wheelchair User Only” spaces. However, the
Springfield Municipal Code section regarding parking for persons with disabilities
does not reflect the different types of parking placards that the DMV issues to
persons with disabilities. The proposed ordinance updates the code to incorporate
state laws regarding parking for persons with disabilities, including the laws that
regulate “Wheelchair User Only” parking.
PAGE 1 of 2
CITY OF SPRINGFIELD, OREGON
ORDINANCE NO. ___________ (GENERAL)
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 6 VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC SECTIONS 6.060(1) AND
6.045 OF THE SPRINGFIELD MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING COMMUNITY SERVICE
OFFICER ENFORCEMENT OF PARKING VIOLATIONS, INCLUDING PARKING FOR PERSONS
WITH DISABILITIES
WHEREAS, patrol community service officers provide needed support to police officers and the
Springfield Police Department by performing paraprofessional and related duties including parking
enforcement; and
WHEREAS, patrol community service officers aid in maintaining order and public safety through
enforcement of parking and standing ordinances; and
WHEREAS, accessible parking for persons with disabilities is a requirement under the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), and use of such parking is privileged to those who have obtained and display the
appropriate placard or decal issued by the Oregon Department of Transportation, including “Wheelchair
User” placards or decals; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes the need to enforce ordinances and state laws that regulate parking,
and standing, including ordinances and laws that regulate parking for persons with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, it is in the public interest to authorize patrol community service officers to enforce City
ordinances and state laws that regulate parking and standing, including ordinances and laws that
regulate parking for persons with disabilities,
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Subsection 6.060(1) of Chapter 6 Vehicles and Traffic is hereby amended to read
as follows:
“(1) Police officers and patrol community service officers shall enforce the terms of sections
6.005 to 6.075 as well as parking violations defined by state or county laws, by appropriate marking of
vehicles and the issuance of citations for violations or impoundment, or both.”
Section 2. Section 6.045 “Disabled Person Spaces” is hereby retitled as “Parking for Persons
with Disabilities” and amended to read as follows:
“6.045 Parking for Persons with Disabilities.
The statutes contained in ORS Chapter 811 relating to parking for persons with disabilities as
currently in effect, are adopted by reference and made part of this chapter.”
Section 3. Severability Clause. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or
portion of this Ordinance is, for any reason, held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent
Attachment 1, Page 1 of 2
PAGE 2 of 2
jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision and such
holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion hereof.
ADOPTED by the Common Council of the City of Springfield this ___ day of __________, 2020,
by a vote of _____ for and ____ against.
APPROVED by the Mayor of the City of Springfield this ______ day of ___________, 2020.
_______________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________________
City Recorder
Attachment 1, Page 2 of 2