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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.2 Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies 1 �-aa CITY OF DUBLIN AGENDA STATEMENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: February 23, 1987 SUBJECT Establishment of a Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies (SAFE) EXHIBITS ATTACHED Proposed Resolution ; Article from January 1987 Western City Magazine RECOMMENDATION �(� Consider Resolution and direct Staff to forward a copy V' to the Board of Supervisors FINANCIAL STATEMENT: State Law would authorize a $1 .00 surcharge on automobile registrations to fund the establishment and - operation of a SAFE system DESCRIPTION At the regular City Council meeting on February 9 , 1987 , the City Council requested consideration of the Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies (SAFE) at a future meeting . In 1985 , the Legislature adopted SB 1199 , which enables the creation of a SAFE program. The law allows any county in California to add one dollar to each motor vehicle registration . The board of supervisors of a county , joined by the majority of the cities (having a majority of the population) , must pass resolutions which establishes a SAFE. The Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies is to be governed by a board of seven members . Two members are selected by the board of supervisors and five members are selected jointly by the cities within the county . The purpose of the SAFE is to coordinate the financing , implementation operation and maintenance of an emergency aid system. Although most areas are using this process for freeway call box service , the enabling legislation also allows for providing paramedic services , airborne medic patrols and other "freeway emergency aid systems" . A freeway call box system would locate emergency communication links along major highways . These special phones provide direct communication between a stranded motorist and the California Highway Patrol . They can be used to report accidents , hazards in the roadway , or disabled vehicles . The cost of installing a system varies depending on the type of technology used . Staff has prepared a resolution based on the model provided by the City of Livermore . The resolution has been amended to refer specifically to a freeway call box system. Also , the resolution urges an evaluation of the potential to expand the service area. As noted in the attached article , when more than one county pursues a system, they are able to increase their purchasing power and reduce administrative costs . Staff recommends that the City Council consider the resolution and direct Staff to forward a copy to the Board of Supervisors . ---------- ------------------------------------------------- COPIES TO: ITEM NO. RESOLUTION NO. - 87 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN AGREEING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SERVICE AUTHORITY FOR FREEWAY EMERGENCIES WHEREAS, Section 2550 of the California Streets and Highways Code provides for the establishment of a Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies (SAFE) if the Board of Supervisors of the County and a majority of the cities within the County having a majority of the population adopt a resolution providing for the establishment of the authority; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Dublin finds that a Freeway Emergency Motorist Aid System consisting of a freeway call box system, is needed to protect the safety of motorists on the freeway; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that a Freeway Emergency 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 Emergency Motorist Aid System in Alameda County; and WHEREAS, State Law allows a $1.00 automobile registration surcharge to fund the establishment and operation of a SAFE; and WHEREAS, Section 2550 of the Streets and Highways Code provides for a seven member SAFE Board with two members selected by the Board of Supervisors and five members selected jointly by the individual cities. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Dublin agrees to the establishment of a Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies within Alameda County. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that it is recognized that sharing a system gives greater purchasing power and reduces administrative costs and therefore, the City Council urges an evaluation of the potential to expand the service area to include more than Alameda County. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council urges the Alameda County Board of Supervisors and the City Councils of other cities within Alameda County to agree to the establishment of a Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 23th day of February, 1987. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk t + `' t. F' 9� 4 r • x v c ! r tit L n a C rr �. fa l(q t 44h };1 f�,t c x .a- t. 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L ... ,p sad. °'�'h�C"' .7 _•f�•7<r•>�..�' 1�1i� y� ,..taro �,� .� .c.'� r. e'�,s`6. •+�vf r�}�.da ,r►�. � 'J - `�'.''''„•• !�+!' �.`, ..��,'W* r: Y`:,, tia- �' •y•"�,s[:..�'S '7i�j_.mot +���s��.~"� Y � .;.t . .� r 'a,^�-pu>�in `�- �. "" ..� .etb� •sue i• � :a•y iiC �J7r' a ,c 1 i►' �; ,+ rig`.:,ti'�`� �{ Jw � ,Y" -. WSJ! y �+•�'� � - -• 't J �" ./ • .�d'Y :��«W y,.+i 1y',i'° �'Yj'�i'f.+it+ �.• '�� �• � mot- '� av�#�•.}'++� �2 t >1W✓'}��`R��"�l t� �,.'��s� a �3f�`���.� .p"-�.ti��yJ��Teti$ vI reached a CHP dispatcher, who asked help purchase, install and operate the SAFE and Sane her for details of the incident. Because call boxes. I. 1 (continued) call boxes were available every quarter The mechanics of the enacted legis- Several hundred miles away, Linda mile throughout the Los Angeles free- lation are simple. The board of super- i Harris was driving home from the Los ways, Linda and her parents were not visors of a county joined by the majority subject to the same risks as Joan. Los of the cities within that county (having Angeles International Airport where she Angeles call boxes are used by motorists a majority of the population) must pass i had just picked up her parents who had come to visit her.On the way home,they 24 hours a day to report such incidents resolutions that establish a Service Au- witnessed an accident involving two cars as accidents, blow-outs, running out of thorny for Freeway Emergencies, com- on the other side of the freeway. Real- gas and mechanical failure. monly known as SAFE. SAFE boards izing it was unsafe to stop, they decided Ting he California Legislature passed consist of seven members.Two members to call for help. Within seconds Linda a bill in 1985 that provides fund- are selected by the Board of Supervisors was able to pull her car onto the shoulder for freway call boxes. The and five members are selected jointly by in front of a large blue sign with white bill, Senate Bill 1199 (Craven), allows the cities within the county.The SAFE'S lettering which read CALL BOX. By any county in California to add one dol- tic can be spearheaded by a number of ,. simply lifting the phone handset, she lar to each motor vehicle registration to agencies. been To date, SAFE'S have b been headed by two public works depart- ments, two transportation commissions and an associated government. The purpose of the SAFE is to coor- dinate the financing, implementation, `� • operation and maintenance of an emer- ae In gency aid system. Emergency aid sys- tems include, but are not limited to, emergency call boxes on the California • • " freeway and expressway systems located within the county of the SAFE. Al- Cainorvfta though the counties which have formed ior are currently forming SAFE's,are in- tending to develop freeway call box sys- tems, the SB 1199 may provide for other uses as.well,such as paramedic services, airborne medic patrols,and other"free- way emergency aid systems." Six counties in Southern California already have completed SAFE feasibility studies and are hiring call box consul- tants to help plan and implement com- plete systems. One recent study ' ESTABLISHED 1931 ' recommended creating one call box sys- tem covering two counties. Sharing a system gives greater purchasing power Stone & Youngberg has made its mark in and reduces administrative costs. California Municipal Financing. San Diego and Orange Counties were the first counties to formulate SAFES. Stone & Youngberg is a leader in structuring, Orange County's SAFE Board members underwriting, and distributing all types of are commissioners of the Orange municipal securities. And we're first in County Transportation Commission assessment district financing. (OCTC), the county's transportation planning and coordinating agency; whereas, the San Diego SAFE is a hy- brid of the Public Works Department with its board consisting of two mem- STONE & YOUNGBE R.G bers of the county Board of Supervisors Established 1931 and five city majors or council members. Underwriters and distributors of municipal bonds San Diego and Orange counties have Public Financing Specialists �o been working to ogether throughout the Member Pacific Stock Exchange SOW formulation of the SAFEs and are con- tinuing to do so during Call Box system San Francisco Los Angeles La Jolla Palm Springs design and implementation. This coor- 415/981-1314 818/985-8121 619/454-9081 619/322-2417 dination has repeatedly helped reduce "reinventing the wheel." San Bernar- dino County and Riverside County may work together in the future; however, 10 January 1987/Western City Riverside County is still in the process chase agreements(including certificates months. Thus far. San Bernardino of forming its SAFE. It appears that two of participation) or issue revenue bonds County. Orange County, San Diego .4or more counties working closely to- under the Revenue Bond Law of 1941. County and Ventura County have formed gether help overcome many hurdles. It It also is possible to implement a SAFES. Riverside and Kern counties also makes coordinating services easier "pay-as-you-use" system,similar to pay were in the process of forming such ser- for other agencies involved such as Cal phones. These call boxes require credit vice authorities and other counties were trans,the Department of Motor Vehicles cards or money to operate. As the call thinking about it as this article was being and the California Highwav Patrol. boxes are used, revenues are collected prepared. Most Northern California San Diego and Orange counties have to help offset the operating and capital counties, on the other hand. are gener- concluded that call box systems with costs. ally not familiar with SAFES and one-half mile spacing may be feasible We can expect to hear more about call SB 1199.As more SAFES form to imple- and adequate. The systems will most box systems as more counties form ment call box systems in Southern Cal- likely cover all freeways throughout the SAFES and implement call box systems. ifornia, densely areas in the two counties, requiring as many as Southern California has been forming Bay Area and around Sacramento may 1.000 call boxes each. Each county will SAFES at the rate of one every two take advantage of the legislation.3 collect nearly $1.5 million each year from the re�_istration fees to pay for the purchase, installation, maintenance. Which municipal and operation of the systems. If things go as planned, the Orange County and San Diego County Call Box financing option system may be completed by the end of 1987. However, the counties must still j� best for select the type and extent of system to i implement, gain approval from Caltrans OU? and the California Highwav Patrol and decide how to finance the project. hree basic call box technolo�,2ies • ~• • are used: hardwire. conventional '! • radio, and cellular. To date, all .� ' �Y•i• • call box systems throughout the country �. •.� • have used hardwire or radio technology \�"•.` except one: the New York Police De- partment was the first to use cellular call • boxes when they installed their system • • ,,•� ` •`� this year. .'• • • There are substantial differences in • 17 • _ , costs between the technologies. Hard- • ' � •� ;"'ter, • �' - wire is consistently the most expensive of the three,due to the initial installation — • •" _ y costs. Consequently, in most cases, �`- ., • ' ``..�~y� °,r hardwire call boxes may not be cost ef- fective. especially when compared to • • conventional radio and cellular systems. '' r. A"rule of thumb"cost for hardwire call „' 0 � s • 1 . . boxes is difficult to formulate, because To read • • va each unit has varying costs depending the fine print, • ; � �~ ti +° �, upon trenching and other considerations. Call your nearest •�~ •� .� ,� •t Radio and cellular call boxes cost • M.L. STERN & C0. . •• 2' �. � ` � � ' about the same depending upon the type { of features selected. A "rule of thumb" Public Finance Office today. estimate for one cellular or conventional ��•' radio call box installed can range from Paul H.White,Manager Public Finance 53,500 to 55,000. Department,or Madelyn M.Murray—Beverly SB 1199 provides SAFE with one dol- Hills(800)832-6637. lar per motor vehicle registration in a Jim Hatter—Sacramento(800)343-9999. i�► county.The annual revenues can be used Richard Scibird—Olympic Valley(916)583-4042. to pay for operating expenses of a system Harlan Friedman—San Diego(619)234-2242. and debt service payments for the capital expense. Senate Bill 202 (Bergeson), • . 1 10 enacted in 1986, provides SAFE with a r 4 • variety of financing mechanisms. ' SB202 designates SAFE as having au- PUBLIC FINANCE DEPARTMENT 8350 Wilshire Boulevard,Suite 210 thorny to enter into lease or lease pur- Merrier NASD Beverly Hills,Calitorrua 902 I1 Mernt-,er SIPC