REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on the Introduction of an Ordinance Adding a New Chapter 10.06 to Title 10 of the City Code ("Vehicles and Traffic") Related to Illegal Street Racing and Sideshows [Council Pillar: Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure]
Report
BACKGROUND
On April 9, 2019, Council directed the City Manager to return to Council with information and analysis regarding the resources need to curtail the recent activity related to illegal street racing and sideshows and what is needed to make the Ordinance, passed in 2004, operative. In the interim, the Police Department was directed to focus on the prevention of illegal activity within their resources and the Council authorized the City Manager to provide the resources to address the issue.
On April 25, 2019, the City Manager's Office issued a Statement of Qualifications process for a consultant to conduct data gathering and analysis on street racing and sideshows. Matrix Consulting Group was selected to conduct the study, and the City entered into an agreement with Matrix Consulting Group on June 21, 2019.
The main purpose of the study was to better understand illegal street racing and sideshow activity specific to Santa Clara, to identify current laws as it relates to this activity, to review how other cities in the Bay Area are addressing similar issues in their communities, and to identify short-term and long-term strategies to discourage this illegal activity in Santa Clara.
On February 25, 2020, Matrix Consulting Group presented the Council with a report, Illegal Street Racing and Sideshow Activity Study, dated February 7, 2020, with nine recommendations (Attachment 1). Staff supported six of the recommendations, including the introduction of an Ordinance Amending Title 10 of the City Code ("Vehicles and Traffic") Related to Illegal Street Racing and Sideshows.
The balance of the staff and Council approved recommendations can be implemented with exi...
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