City wants to regulate where you park your pickup

Is this a public safety problem?

The City Council is scheduled to introduce tonight and perhaps even debate a proposed ordinance to prohibit the parking of certain vehicles on residential city streets, including a pickup truck with a compartment in the bed holding tools . The city claims the ordinance is "necessary to maintain the safety, governance and good order of the city." because, as well all know, Bloods, Crips and members of Mexican cartels may very well be hiding out along with those tools in the pickup truck.

Yes, this is much more of decorative issue than it is a public safety issue — there are those who think it just doesn’t look good to have a camper parked on subdivision streets. However, they will find a way to make it a public safety issue by saying those vehicles restrict the view of motorists from seeing what might be parked directly behind that camper and we all know how important than can be.

Could this be barred from parking?

The ordinance could be interpreted to prohibit the parking of Jeep Wranglers, a popular vehicle for using off highway, from city streets as well as pickups. Even though I seriously doubt the local gendarmes are going to tow away a Jeep Wrangler parked along a residential curb, someone might be able to argue if Jeep Wranglers are excused, then the entire ordinance is faulty. But that’s something for a shrewd attorney and the courts to haggle over if and when the proposed ordinance is actually passed.

The proposed ordinance, sought by council member Damon Fogley, states "no person shall park or leave standing any trailers, utility trailers, recreational vehicles, campers, boats, watercraft, snowmobiles, off highway vehicles (OHVs), recreational vehicles, structures, equipment, or apparatuses on a city street, road or public right-of-way within a residential district in the city." It’s that "apparatuses" bit that causes me some concern. The ordinance defines "Apparatus" as "a group or combination of instruments, machinery, tools, materials, etc." What in heaven’s name does that mean? That’s why I’m saying a pickup truck used by most contractors could be among the vehicles prohibited.

The ordinance also states "This does not apply to trash, recycling, compost receptacles used or regulated by the City or other contracted disposal service when placed overnight," as if the city had been plagued by hundreds of garbage trucks parked on residential streets of late.

There is a public hearing attached to this agenda item so if you feel strongly about it one way or another, tonight at City Hall would be the best time to state your case.