To: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
From: Steve Potter, City Manager
Prepared By: Molly Rattigan, Deputy City Manager and Aaron Medina, Police Sergeant
TITLE:
Title
Addition of Napa Municipal Code Section 10.32.120-Compliance with Traffic Control
LABEL
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommendation
Approve the first reading and introduction of an ordinance adding Napa Municipal Code Section 10.32.120 related to compliance with traffic control
Body
DISCUSSION:
Background
On September 6, 2022, the City of Napa adopted the Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP). The LRSP is a localized data-driven plan that identified and provides recommendations for addressing roadway safety issues.
On January 31, 2025, red-light cameras became active within the City of Napa. As cameras become active, warnings are issued 30 days before infractions are issued for violations.
Since the implementation of the red-light cameras, City personnel have regularly observed and have received increasing reports of drivers leaving the roadway and using public or private property as a mechanism to avoid traffic control measures placed on City roadways. This creates other traffic safety issues and evades the intent of the purpose of these traffic control devices.
Today’s action introduces the first reading of an ordinance that would make it a violation of the local municipal code to operate a vehicle as defined in the California Vehicle Code on public or private property in order to avoid complying with traffic control devices.
Implementation
If this first reading is approved by the City Council, the item will return on the May 20, 2025, consent calendar for final adoption. The ordinance would go into effect 30 days after City Council adoption.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
There are no direct costs related to the adoption of the proposed Ordinance. There is a cost to implementing the ordinance which will be prioritized and done with existing staffing resources.
CEQA:
The City Manager has determined that the Recommended Action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (operation of existing streets and sidewalks).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
ATCH 1 - Ordinance
NOTIFICATION:
Legal notice of public hearing published in the Napa Valley Register on April 24, 2025.