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6X- Page 7of7 <br />Attachment B <br />economic burden of these collisions to the wider community. We would also anticipate an <br />increase in the number of vehicles unable to meet the state emission standards, contributing to <br />poor air quality. <br />Available residential parking has become increasingly impacted as economic growth and <br />prosperity in Redwood City and the surrounding area has fueled population growth and driven <br />housing prices ever higher. High housing costs mean more shared housing and increased <br />population density, resulting in more and more vehicles competing for limited available <br />parking. The City of Redwood City has experienced a tenfold increase in the reports of vehicles <br />left on the roadway for more than 72 -hours, over the past decade, rising from an average of <br />500 reports per year between 2008 and 2013 to more than 5,000 in 2017. This dramatic <br />increase is a direct reflection of the highly impacted nature of parking in residential areas of <br />Redwood City. Elimination of the City's ability to remove abandoned vehicles taking up these <br />valuable parking spaces would only add to this growing problem and leave the City with few <br />tools left to respond to the legitimate demands of its citizens. <br />It is key to note that the 72 -hour parking enforcement notice is usually triggered by a complaint <br />from a local resident or business when cars appear abandoned or haven't moved for an <br />extended period of time. By the time our city responds, more than 72 hours have typically <br />elapsed, when a notice is thereby issued for the vehicle to move. Compliance costs nothing and <br />can simply involve moving a vehicle to a more acceptable location to avoid a tow. By the time a <br />tow is actually enforced, a vehicle has likely remained unmoved for days and possibly weeks. <br />The approach in AB 516 rewards people who fail to pay their parking tickets, register their <br />vehicles, or adhere to reasonable policies aimed at preventing abandonment and/or street <br />storage of vehicles, regardless of income. Eliminating proportional consequences for these sorts <br />of vehicle violations will exacerbate parking scarcity by creating an environment vulnerable for <br />exploitation. This bill, coupled with efforts by the state aimed at eliminating local parking <br />minimums, will create quality of life concerns across income demographics in California. <br />For these reasons, the City of Redwood City Opposes AB 516. <br />Sincerely, <br />Ian Bain <br />Mayor <br />City of Redwood City <br />cc: City Council, City of Redwood City <br />Kevin Mullin, State Assemblymember <br />Melissa Stevenson Diaz, City Manager, City of Redwood City <br />112 <br />