REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Consider Adopting an Emergency Ordinance Extending the Temporary Moratorium on Motorized Scooter and Bicycle Share Programs
Report
BACKGROUND
On December 20, 2018, the Council adopted an Emergency Ordinance establishing a temporary moratorium, which took immediate effect, on motorized scooter and bicycle share programs. The Council simultaneously introduced a Regular Ordinance to establish a temporary moratorium that would take effect on February 14, 2019.
The Emergency Ordinance was needed due to the short notice provide by Bird Rides, Inc. for their upcoming deployment in Santa Clara. On December 12, 2018, a representative for Bird Rides, Inc. emailed the Mayor's office with information regarding Bird scooters and looking for "a convenient time to connect." Two days later, on December 14, an additional email was sent to the Mayor's office that stated "this is our final attempt to reach out about launching Bird in Santa Clara" and "in the coming weeks you may see individuals moving about downtown on low-speed Bird electric scooters."
Given that Bird Rides, Inc. notified the City that it intended to imminently commence operations in Santa Clara, the City Council adopted an Emergency Ordinance to establish the moratorium, which went into effect immediately upon adoption. At the same meeting the City Council introduced an identical moratorium through the Regular Ordinance adoption process:
* Emergency Ordinance:
o Went into effect immediately, December 20, 2018.
o Will expire 45 days later, on February, 3, 2019, unless extended by City Council action.
o Staff is recommending that the City Council extend the moratorium, at today's Council meeting, for 10 months and 15 days.
o If extended, the moratorium will then expire on December 19, 2019.
* Regular Ordinance:
o Introduced on December 20, 2018.
o Adopted on January 15, 2019.
o Ordinance goes into effect 30 days after adoption, February 14, 2019.
o To match the emerge...
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