Staff Report.AVASA
PREPARED BY: Greg Borromeo and Heather St. John
Traffic Sergeant and Senior Administrative Analyst
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Finance Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 06/15/2021
ITEM NO: 5
DATE: May 26, 2021
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing Continued Participation in the State
Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Program that:
a. Extends the Santa Clara County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Services
Authority (AVASA) for another 10-year term beginning May 1, 2022 and
ending April 30, 2032 and
b. Approves the Town’s continued participation in the existing “Agreement
for Santa Clara County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority”
and the collection, by the Department of Motor Vehicles, of one-dollar
($1.00) vehicle registration fee for this purpose.
.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution authorizing continued participation in the State Abandoned Vehicle
Abatement Program that:
a. Extends the Santa Clara County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Services Authority (AVASA)
for another 10-year term beginning May 1, 2022 and ending April 30, 2032 and
b. Approves the Town’s continued participation in the existing “Agreement for Santa Clara
County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority” and the collection, by the
Department of Motor Vehicles, of one-dollar ($1.00) vehicle registration fee for this
purpose.
BACKGROUND:
Sections 9250.7 and 22710 of the California Vehicle Code provide for the establishment of a
service authority for abandoned vehicle abatement if the County Board of Supervisors and a
majority of the cities within a County adopt resolutions supporting such action. In Los Gatos,
the Town Council adopted a resolution authorizing the Town of Los Gatos’ participation in the
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SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing continued Participation in the State Abandoned
Vehicle Abatement Program.
DATE: May 26, 2021
BACKGROUND (continued):
Santa Clara County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority (AVASA). This service
authority was established on May 1, 1992 for a term of ten years to provide County law and
code enforcement agencies with resources to facilitate the proper removal and disposal of
abandoned vehicles. The service authority was extended for an additional ten years in April of
2002 and in April of 2012.
DISCUSSION:
Senate Bill 106 amended section 9250.7 of the California Vehicle Code which established the
AVASA program. The amendment authorizes the extension of the service fee for each Service
Authority for increments of up to ten years if the County Board of Supervisors, by a two-thirds
vote and a majority of the cities having a majority of the incorporated population within the
County, adopt resolutions providing for the extension of the fee. The County of Santa Clara and
15 of its cities are currently participating in this program. Adoption of this resolution would re-
authorize the Town’s participation in the AVASA program until April 30, 2032. In the past ten
years, the Town of Los Gatos received reimbursements in the amount of $369,203.26 from the
AVASA program for its expenses related to the removal of 4,155 abandoned, wrecked,
dismantled, or inoperative vehicles from public and private property. Vehicle abatement relies
on strong community support and has been a successful program for the Town during the
previous 30 years.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends continued participation in the State Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Santa Clara County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Services program provides State
reimbursement for most of the Town’s ongoing costs incurred as a result of our vehicle
abatement program. The reimbursement amount fluctuates with changes in the total number
of vehicles and changes in the local population. The AVASA reimbursement is incorporated in
the budget annually and was included in the Adopted FY 2021/22 Operating Budget. The
reimbursement amount is sufficient to cover the direct costs of vehicle abatement.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
Attachment:
1. Resolution authorizing continued participation in the State Abandoned Vehicle Abatement
Program