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Supervisor Novasel, in coordination with Community Development Services, Transportation Department and the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office, recommending the Board approve the Final Passage (Second Reading) of Ordinance 5054 "Traction Control Devices" to amend Chapter 10.08 - Traffic Movement of Title 10 -Vehicle and Traffic, of the County of El Dorado Code of Ordinances
FUNDING: Road Fund.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On July 18, 2017 (Item 43), the Board approved the Introduction (First Reading) of Ordinance 5054 and continued the item to July 25, 2017 for Final Passage (Second Reading).
On March 21, 2017 (Item 9) the Board approved preparation of a traction control devices ordinance. The EDSO has received increased calls during the winter months about vehicles that have lost control due to weather and road conditions and are then involved in accidents, run off the road or gotten stuck in the snow. While these incidents themselves may not be life threatening, the roads are often blocked while reports are prepared and vehicles removed, impeding other emergency service responders and inconveniencing residents and other travelers.
The proposed change to County Code would incorporate by reference California Vehicle Code (CVC) Sections 558, 605, 27459 and 27460 which contain descriptions of acceptable traction control devices, including studded snow tires and when vehicles must use the devices.
The proposed ordinance has been reviewed by EDSO and officers in both the Placerville and Lake Tahoe California Highway Patrol (CHP) offices and they are in support of the ordinance.
If the proposed ordinance change is adopted by the Board, Transportation staff is proposing to prepare appropriate warning signs and post them. Signs would be installed adjacent to existing No Parking Snow Removal signage. Twenty-six (26) signs would be required at a cost of $315 per sign, including installation, for an estimated cost of $8,200. To fully implement the ordinance the County would need to institute a program where changeable signs are installed on affected roads or at entrances to neighborhoods and staff would need to monitor weather and road conditions continuously and change the signs as appropriate. Staff and the CHP would need to create checkpoints to verify that vehicles were using traction control devices as required.
ALTERNATIVES
No changes to existing ordinance and procedures.
The Board could decline to amend Chapter 10.08 of Title 10 of the County of El Dorado Code of Ordinances. The CHP and EDSO would continue to be able to cite drivers involved in accidents for other CVC violations, such as CVC 22350 Basic Speed Law, and no signs would be installed.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel, Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol
CAO RECOMMENDATION
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact or change to Net County Cost associated with the adoption of this ordinance. The cost to create and install warning signs is $8,200 and would be funded by Road Fund. No estimate has been made to fully implement a traction control program.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) After Final Passage, the Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair’s signature on the Ordinance.
2) The Clerk of the Board will forward one (1) fully executed original of the Ordinance to Transportation, Attn.: Julie Millard.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure, Public Safety, Good Governance
CONTACT
N/A