SR-701-004 (2)
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Nov 2 4 1987
Santa Monica, California
CM:KKS:RF:dvrn
city council Meeting 11/24/87
TO: Mayor and city council
FROM: City staff
SUBJECT: Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies
INTRODUCTION
The Los Angeles County Transportation Commission (LACTC) has
recently pUblished an extensive highway plan for the region
entitled "On the Road to the Year 2000". This report identifies
the problems of Los Angeles County's streets and freeways and
suggests an action agenda for improvements.
One of the
suggestions is to establish LACTC as a service Authority for
Freeway Emergencies (SAFE) in Los Angeles County.
This report
provides details of the SAFE program and recommends adoption of a
resolution in support of the proposal.
DISCUSSION
On January 1, 1986, state legislation (SB 1199) became effective
which enables counties and cities to establish a Service
Authority for Freeway Emergencies.
The Los Angeles county
Transportation Commission has put forward a proposal to be
designated as the SAFE in Los Angeles county, as permitted by
statute. (Membership is restricted to: 7 membersl with 2 members
selected by the Board of Supervisors and 5 members selected by
cities within the County; or a county transportation commission.)
The authori ty must have the approval of the County Board of
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NOV 2 4 1987
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Supervisors and the city councils of a majority of cities within
the county having a majority of the population.
The purpose of the authority is to plan for improvements to the
existing Freeway Emergency call box system such as improved
response time , additional phones, improved safety and improved
repair time. The legislation authorizes the authority to finance
the system t s operation and any improvements by levying $1 per
year per registered vehicle through the state Department of Motor
Vehicles.
If approved, the LACTC will take responsibility to plan
improvements to the Freeway emergency system, enter into
contracts for its operation, and exercise fiscal and operational
oversight.
Specifically, the LACTC would contract with the
County Public Works Department for continued operation of the
system, the DMV for billing, CALTrans for siting new call boxes
and the Highway Patrol for dispatching. It is estimated that $6
million will be raised annually through the dollar per registered
vehicle method. Funds currently spent, $1.2 million by CHP and
$1.2 million by the County, will be freed for law enforcement and
road repair activities.
Los Angeles County now has 3,600 freeway call boxes connected to
the CHP central dispatch center. Current responses to emgergency
calls are often delayed due to staffing constraints and equipment
overload or failure. Phones are typically spaced at 1/4 mile
intervals, but, some areas have no service at all. For example,
Pacific coast Highway is not now serviced but would be included
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in the system under the LACTC plan using cellular or radio
phones.
According to the LACTC, the dollar per registered vehicle will
buy: 1,376 new phones to complete the system; improve response
and repair time; enhance caller's safety; permit better equipment
moni toring and the installation of equipment improvements ie.
location identification, sound hoods to decrease freeway noise,
and CHP call capabilities to notify persons of response changes.
The Los Angeles County Board of supervisors is scheduled to
consider the matter on December 1 and indications are that they
will vote favorably.
Santa Barbara, San Bernardino I Ventura,
Riverside, Orange and San Diego Counties have already adopted
SAFE programs.
B~DGET/FISCAL IMPACT
There is no city budget or fiscal impact.
All fees and
administrative costs will be raised from the $1 per vehicle plan
by the DMV.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends adopting the attached resolution in support of
creation of a service Authority for Freeway Emergencies in Los
Angeles County and that the Los Angeles County Transportation
commission be designated as the Service Authority.
Prepared by: Kathryn K. Spellman
Senior Management Analyst
Ron Fuchiwaki
parking and Traffic Engineer
Attachment: Resolutlon
(LACTC)
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CA:RMM:rmd597/hpca
City Council Meeting 11-24-87
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Santa Monica, California
RESOLUTION NUMBER 7522(CCS)
(city Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SANTA MONICA TO ESTABLISH SERVICE
AUTHORITY FOR FREEWAY EMERGENCIES
WHEREAS, Chapter 14 of Division 3 of the Streets and
Highways Code was added by Chapter 1350 of the statutes of 1985
providing for the establishment of a Service Authority for
Freeway Emergencies ("SAFE") if the Board of Supervisors of the
county and a maj ori ty of the cities wi thin the county having a
majority of the population adopt resolutions providing for the
establishment of the authority~ and
WHEREAS, the Santa Monica City Council finds that a freeway
motorist aid system is needed to protect the safety of motorists
on freeways; and
WHEREAS, the Santa Monica city Council finds that a freeway
motorist aid system is needed to reduce the time spent by law
enforcement officers responding to routine vehicle disablements;
and
WHEREAS, SAFE will have responsibility for implementing a
freeway motorist aid system in the Los Angeles County region,
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA
MONICA DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
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SECTION
1.. That
a
Service
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Author1ty
for
Freeway
Emergencies be established in Los Angeles county pursuant to
Section 2550 of the streets and Highways Code, with authority to
expend funds for any use as allowed by law.
SECTION 2 .
That the Los Angeles County Transportation
Commission be designated as the Service Authority for Freeway
Emergencies in the County of Los Angeles.
SECTION 3. The city Clerk shall certify to the adoption of
this Resolution, and thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be
in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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ROBERT M. MYERS
City Attorney
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Adopted and approve
1987.
I hereby certify that t e foregoing Resolution No. 7522(CCS)
was duly adopted by the City council of the City of Santa Monica
at a meeting thereof held on November 24, 1987 by the following
council vote:
Ayes: Councilmembers: Finkel, Jennings, A. Katz, H.
Katz, Reed, Zane, Mayor Conn
Noes: Councilmembers: None
Abstain: Councilmembers: None
Absent: Councilmembers: None