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MGSA Activities
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Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Program
The Abandoned Vehicle Program is in effect in all of the cities, towns and County of Marin. It allows the local authorities to remove an "abandoned" vehicle and to be reimbursed by the State for this expense. The MGSA administers this program for Marin County and each of the municipalities to ensure the distribution of State funds to the proper local authority.
A vehicle is considered to be "abandoned" if it is left on a highway, public property or private property in such inoperable or neglected condition that the owner's intention to relinquish all further rights or interests in it may be reasonably concluded. |
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Marin Climate and Energy Partnership (MCEP)
In 2008 the City of Novato received a grant application from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District for $75,000 on behalf of the Marin Climate and Energy Partnership (MCEP), a group of representatives from all Marin municipalities, Marin County, the Marin Municipal Water District and the Transportation Authority of Marin in collaboration with the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), Marin Energy Management Team, and Joint Venture Marin. The purpose of the grant was to fund a “Climate Action Director,” to assist municipalities assess, prioritize and implement greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction activities in their greenhouse gas reduction programs. The City of Novato assigned the grant to MGSA in November 2008. In April 2009, the MCEP received an $80,000 grant from the Marin Community Foundation to fund a green building strategy planning process, including green building policy principles for local jurisdictions and to assist in development of a county-wide green building retrofit program. In 2010 MCEP received another grant of $80,000 to underwrite assistance to six cities/towns to complete their Climate Action Plans. All six plans are expected to be completed by June 2011.
The following links are to BAAQMD work program progress reports and MCF funded Grant reports. |
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Marin County Taxicab Regulation Program
Upon direction from the County of Marin and all Marin municipalities, the MGSA administers a program which regulates all taxicab companies and drivers. Pursuant to State law, the County, towns and cities have adopted ordinances creating the regulatory program and assigning responsibility for its implementation to the MGSA. The cab companies, drivers and vehicles are all required to obtain permits under the program. Currently, MGSA has issued permits to thirteen cab companies in the county, operating approximately 84 vehicles, with 136 drivers. Taxicab drivers are given initial drug and alcohol tests and are required to undergo periodic, random testing.
Posted below is a roster of companies, their reported rates, and the names of drivers working under each company. Some companies, using unique trade names, are under common ownership. The roster is updated periodically. |
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Marin JPA Oversight Committee
The Marin County Council of Mayors and Councilmembers, which consists of the all the towns/cities in Marin County and the County itself, has created an Oversight Committee to review the operations of all joint powers authorities. At least once a year, the MCCMC JPA Oversight Committee reviews the work of each of these JPAs and reports on the progress of each, usually making policy recommendations regarding their operations. The links below give access to the Oversight Committee's reviews of the MGSA. |
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Street Light Maintenance Program
The cities, towns, Special Districts, the County and some utility companies own the street lights in Marin County, These lihts need to be maintained to assure public safety. The MGSA administers the streetlight program for the cities, towns and County of Marin.
During 2010-2011, MGSA will undertake a streetlight repair/maintenance program based on inspections conducted by our street light maintenance contractor, Republic ITS. Rather than reacting to failures, street light poles, arms and fixtures that were identified as needing maintenance will be repaired or replaced. A total of eighteen poles, four street light arms, and twenty-two fixtures will be repaired or replaced. In addition, PG&E has been notified that 12 of their poles on which streetlights are mounted need repair or replacement. |
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Wireless Broadband Service in Marin County
In 2006 and 2007, the MGSA and its consultant, CBG Communications, Inc., conducted a Wireless Broadband Needs Assessment Study. The results indicated tremendous interest among Marin County residents and businesses in the development of a comprehensive wireless broadband network that would serve the various communities (residential, commercial, nonprofit, educational, public agencies, and community groups) in the county. The study found that a majority of residents believe individual access to a wireless network is important and that they would pay between $10 and $20 a month for this access. Additionally, both residents and governmental entities strongly agree that it is important for public safety to have access to a wireless network. In 2008 on behalf of the MGSA, CBG, in conjunction with the Golden Gate Bridge and Transit District conducted a pilot study to determine if Internet access aboard its buses would increase ridership. The buses on routes 72X and 75 were outfitted with cellular-based equipment, using Sprint’s cellular network and a WiFi gateway providing network accessibility to riders on the bus. Results showed riders’ overall satisfaction with the network. Riders used the network to do banking, conduct research, buy or sell merchandise, e-mailing, file sharing and obtaining news and information. The demographics of the users indicated that they were more often middle aged males traveling to or from work. Upon completion of the pilot project the MGSA Board endorsed the suggestion that telecommunications policy makers, such as the MTA, take the lead in broadband development in the county as part of a “network” of wireless and wire line networks. The Board also agreed that MGSA’s sponsorship of the Wireless Broadband System Project end with the completion of the pilot project, given the ever-changing technical, economic and business environment in which broadband exists. |
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