Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, May 02, 2023
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE INSTALLATION OF NO IDLING SIGNS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
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I. SUMMARY
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) provided a presentation about California’s idling rule and enforcement efforts to the Environmental Commission in 2022 (Exhibit No. 1), informing the Commission about a program where they can provide No Idling signs to the City of Carson at no cost, however, the City would need to identify potential locations and cover the installation costs. Signs are not needed to enforce the idling rules, but they do serve as a reminder to not idle unnecessarily (Exhibit No. 2). These rules can be enforced by CARB, air districts (e.g., South Coast AQMD), and local law enforcement, however, specific local authorization is needed prior to enforcement by the City’s parking enforcement.
The Environmental Commission identified various locations throughout the City and those locations were reviewed by City’s Engineering Department. Twenty locations are being recommended for approval at this time (Exhibit No. 3).
The Commission is also requesting that the City Manager’s Office review and develop an ordinance for City Council consideration to expand enforcement authority of commercial vehicle idling regulations to the City’s parking enforcement personnel.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
TAKE the following actions:
1. AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director to install No Idling signs at various locations throughout the City.
2. DIRECT the City Manager’s office to develop an ordinance to expand enforcement authority of commercial vehicle idling regulations to the City’s parking enforcement personnel.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
DENY the request and take another action that the City Council deems appropriate, consistent with the requirements of the law.
IV. BACKGROUND
Idling is running a vehicle’s engine while it is not moving. Unnecessary idling by diesel-fueled trucks, buses, and passenger vehicles near homes, schools, and shopping centers raises concern for many communities across California.
Idling diesel trucks and buses can create toxic air pollution, contribute to global warming, increase respiratory health problems, add to traffic congestion, are unsightly, and emit smelly noxious odors. California has enacted rules, California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 13, 2480 & 2485, that prohibit vehicles that weigh more than 10,000 pounds from idling for more than five minutes. Although CARB’s idling rules do not apply to passenger vehicles, it is important to reduce idling, all the same, to help protect our community’s health and our environment.
CARB has rules that limit diesel truck and bus idling to five minutes everywhere. Trucks and buses with certified Clean Idle stickers can idle for more than 5 minutes in unrestricted areas but are still not allowed to idle in restricted areas. This rule does not apply to cars or pick-up trucks. Exceptions to these rules exist. Truck and bus idling is not allowed in places defined by CARB as “restricted areas” such as schools, homes, hospitals, and senior and childcare facilities within 100 feet of the property line. Many of California’s trucks and buses are already certified clean idle vehicles, which means that they can idle for more than 5 minutes in unrestricted areas.
Commercial vehicle idling regulations state that CARB, air districts, and local law enforcement can issue citations, however, specific local authorization is needed prior to enforcement by the City’s parking enforcement. Fines can range from $300 to as much as $1,000 per day and vehicle owners can be responsible for citations issued to drivers of their vehicles (Exhibit No. 4).
If there is a desire to extend authority to enforce commercial vehicle idling regulations to the City’s Parking Enforcement personnel, the City would need to adopt an ordinance.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
The No Idling signs will be provided to the City at no cost by CARB, however, the cost to install the signs at twenty (20) locations is approximately $5,000.00. The Public Works Department can absorb this cost within its existing budget and the specific account numbers are 101-80-840-280-5002 for staffing and account no. 101-80-840-280-6009 for materials.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Presentation by CARB to the Environmental Commission(pgs.4-9)2. Sign Legend (pg.10)
3. Location Maps (pgs.11-21)
4. Fact Sheet - Commercial Vehicle Idling Requirements (pgs.22-23)
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Prepared by: Reata Kulcsar, Innovation and Sustainability Manager