RV Parking, Santee City Council 9-27-2017
Council discussion of RVs followed City staff presentation and public comment. Mayor John Minto absent.
Stephen Houlahan:
If we enforce regulations regarding RV parking in one area they will be moved to other residences.
If Santee has weaker restrictions, El Cajon residents may park their RVs in Santee.
Apparently referring to RV's blocking views, he said, "Matter of safety to me." If just one child were hurt...
Rob McNelis:
He described himself as a libertarian at heart, but a number of people don't do what's right.
We need a new way to handle this for the minority who are doing it wrong. For example, there are RVs stored in the street so long that they have cobwebs.
We can't afford to have the Sheriff enforcing everything that we want. The more burden we put on the Sheriff the less they'll be available for serious incidents. Traffic is farther down the list of priorities.
We need a system where City staff issue citations. If you are going to STORE on the city streets, you should pay. RV owners should be allowed to prepare vehicles. It takes more than a few hours. City should allow at least 48 hours.
Santee is known for other cities storing RVs here because they know that they won't be towed.
Unsure how we get it done. Need to allow 48 hrs for preparation time. Need something City staff can enforce, rather than sworn officers. Fines would need to accelerate.
Brian Jones:
Opposed to permit process, even if permits are free.
Some streets, for example, Alphonse Street, have become permanent RV parking areas.
Multiple utility vehicles parked in the street indicate a business being run.
Need a place for RVs to go. Maybe City or others have vacant land we can use.
Residents from other cities are parking their vehicles in Santee. Is there a legal mechanism for Santee to enforce? <City Attorney responded: You would need a permit process.>
The current 72 hour parking limit is OK. Why is it so hard to enforce?
Sheriff Dept. response: Following a complaint, a vehicle is tagged, which is the warning. Santee City Code doesn't specify how far the vehicle has to be moved. People can also argue that they moved the vehicle and brought it back.
Jones: Can we amend the code to say a certain number of tags result in a violation?
Sheriff Dept: We aren't required to tag the vehicle.
Jones: Have we impounded an RV?
Sheriff Dept: Many.
Jones: Why don't we do a law enforcement task force for the hot spots for a few months?
Sheriff Dept: We have been doing that. We handle this daily.
Jones: I disagree. My neighbor just keeps moving it. We are required by law to keep streets clean. This interferes.
Sheriff Dept: As soon as a vehicle is moved the clock starts all over.
Jones: We need to stop the cat and mouse game. It isn't city-wide, it is hot spots.
Ronn Hall:
Vehicles should have to be moved one half mile or more. A $1000 impound fee would solve it.
72 hr. limit is OK. Maybe a maximum time period per week would work.
Can we give code enforcement officers authority? <City Attorney response: There are some limitations.>
Jones: RVs double parked are a safety issue, as Houlahan mentioned about safety.
Hall & Houlahan want to encourage individuals to take responsibility and do the right thing.
McNelis: It isn't that simple. It's a big issue. It's too big. Our Sheriff can't enforce. The only way we can afford enforcement is a system enforced by code enforcement.
