AGENDA #6
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TO: |
Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager |
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FROM: |
Kay Johnson, Finance Director |
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SUBJECT: |
Council Parking Sub-Committee Recommendations |
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DATE: |
June 27, 2007 |
The purpose of this memorandum is to present the Town Council Parking Sub-Committee responses to certain recommendations of the Citizens’ Downtown Parking Committee. The proposals include the following: increase the fee for on-street parking from $1.00 to $1.50 per hour; offer free parking at all Town lots and on street on Sundays; and reduce the regular hourly rate at the Wallace Deck to $1.00 per hour.
The Town Council received the report of the Downtown Parking Citizens Committee on February 26, 2007. Staff reported back to the Council on March 28th. At the March 28 Council meeting, the Council established a sub-committee including Mayor Kevin Foy and Council Members Cam Hill and Jim Ward to respond to the Citizens’ Downtown Parking Committee recommendations. On June 11, Cam Hill spoke on behalf of the Sub-Committee and discussed with the Council the Sub-Committee’s proposed responses to some of the recommendations of the Downtown Parking Citizens Committee.
The Sub-Committee proposals adhere to the principle recommended by the Citizens’ Downtown Parking Committee - that the rates for less accessible off-street parking be made lower than on-street rates. The proposals below do not alter the rates at Lot 2 which is in the highest demand. The rates are recommended to be lowered at the Wallace Deck to equal the rates at Lots 3 and 5, while the on-street rates are raised in order to encourage turnover.
Proposal #1: Increase the on-street meter rate from $1.00/hour to $1.50/hour in fiscal years 2007/2008. The Citizens’ Downtown Parking Committee wanted the rate to allow approximately 85 percent occupancy at on-street parking. With an increase in the rate and the closing of Lot 5 some time next year, we estimate the revenue effect of the increase of the revised fee at $70,000.
Proposal #2: Offer free parking on Sundays. Meters at Lot 3 and Lot 5 are already free on Sundays. Currently the Wallace Deck averages revenues of approximately $300 on Sundays, with expenses of $150 for an attendant for a full day and a supervisor for two hours, for an annual cost of $8,000. Lot 2 averages approximately $560 with attendant costs of $60 for an annual cost of $26,000. We estimate that free Sunday parking at these two additional locations would reduce revenues, less costs, by a total of $34,000.
Proposal #3: Lower the hourly rate at the Wallace Deck to $1.00/hour. The Wallace Deck is currently under utilized. Lowering the rate brings the Deck rate in line with Lots 3 and 5, and the rate would be lower than the proposed on street rate.
In the past, senior citizens have been charged half of the regular rate for only the first four hours. Under this proposal, we have used half the regular rate for senior citizens at all times. We anticipate that the lowered rates would increase revenues by about 5 percent, or $26,000.
Because of the high demand for Lot 2, the proposal does not include changing any rates at Lot 2.
Budgetary Affects of Proposals: The combined proposals would increase on-street parking revenues by $70,000 and would reduce off-street parking revenues by $8,000. If the proposals are put in place, the Council could consider transferring $8,000 from the Downtown Service District Fund to the Off-Street Parking Fund to cover the cost of the change in the rates and days of service; alternatively the $8,000 could be transferred from the On-Street Parking Fund revenues. Neither of these changes needs to be made at this time.
Any excess revenues in on-street parking could be allocated to improve downtown parking services, for example, to market information on the proposed fee changes or to improve signage. The attached resolution would make changes to the parking fee schedule. Staff can return in the fall with any required budget ordinance changes based on Council recommendations.
That the Council approve the following changes to the fee schedule:
1. Increase the fee for on-street parking from $1.00 to $1.50 per hour;
2. Offer free parking at all Town lots and on street on Sundays; and
3. Reduce the regular hourly rate at the Wallace Deck to $1.00 per hour and the senior citizen rate to $0.50 per hour.