PARKING BOARD
MINUTES
JUNE 19, 2006
1. CALL TO ORDER 4:30 p.m. by Mr. Spatafore
2. ROLL CALL Messrs. Spatafore, Caggiano and Needham and Parking Director James Hacker. Also present was City Councillor O’Leary.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Caggiano made a motion to approve the minutes of June 5, 2006. Mr. Needham seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
4. REPORT OF BOARD MEMBERS
There were no reports from Board members.
5. INFORMATION & CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Hacker stated that on Fourth of July, the parking garages are typically busy and that they usually have security, but there is no charge to park. He stated that the administration wants to charge a fee that day and that he suggested $5.00 flat fee for 9:00 am to 9:00 pm in the garages only. He stated that typically South Harbor garage fills up by 2:00/3:00 and that the streets get closed around 5:00/6:00. He stated that he felt the all day rate would be excessive and noted that most of the users that day are Salem residents. He added that there will still be parking on the street at no charge. Meter enforcement will be out focusing mostly on handicapped and resident sticker enforcement and vehicles parked in crosswalks. Mr. Hacker stated that they will have large
$5.00 parking signs out on that day and that there will be flyers posted inside prior to the 4th. He noted that cardholders will not be affected.
Mr. Needham made a motion to approve a one day rate of $5.00 for the garages for the fourth of July. Mr. Caggiano seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mr. Spatafore provided a sketch of Riley Plaza indicating the number of spaces and time limit per signage as of 8:30 am. on June 16, 2006.
Mr. Caggiano noted that the only income from Riley Plaza is tickets for exceeding the posted time limits.
Mr. Hacker stated that Riley Plaza was approved for meters during the Harrington administration and that meters were purchased, but the City Council chose not to put them in Riley Plaza. Mr. Hacker stated that some Councillors did not like the look of the meters and therefore they were installed in other areas of the city. He stated that the Mayor is not sold on meters, but he felt if they were not metered, they should be pay and display.
Mr. Caggiano stated that there is a ton of revenue potential.
Mr. Hacker stated that the Parking Board recommendations for Riley Plaza are still sitting in the City Council Committee.
Councillor O’Leary stated that if the Board sends a letter by noon tomorrow, it can be placed on the next agenda.
Mr. Caggiano stated that people who park all day at the South Harbor garage and Museum Place garage pay, while Riley Plaza all day parkers park for free. He noted that discussion of Riley Plaza parking comes up at every meeting.
Mr. Caggiano made a motion to send a letter to the City Council urging them to act on the Parking Board recommendations previously submitted regarding Riley Plaza and to send a copy of the letter to the Mayor. Mr. Needham seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Mr. Spatafore stated that he felt all spaces should be for a fee.
Mr. Hacker stated that pay and display is better than an honor board (like at the MBTA lot). The meter maid can see the receipt on the dash board and if there is an error, it is easy for the driver to prove payment. He added that it may be possible for charge cards to be accepted. He recommended that a few 30 minute spaces remain on the Dunkin Donuts and Salem Post Office end, but that the rest can be long term with the driver putting in the appropriate amount of money for the time they wish to park.
Mr. Caggiano agreed that it should be mostly long term, as long as it is for a fee. He suggested finding meters that can be placed at the end of each row so that one meter covers one row.
Mr. Hacker stated that these types of meters are available, but they are more expensive than pay and display. He stated that revenue during the winter would be down if markings are placed on the pavement, where they could be covered with snow.
Councillor O’Leary asked how much the fee for all day would be.
Mr. Spatafore suggested $2 or $3.
Mr. Caggiano suggested all long term spaces be pay and display for $2 up to 10 hours.
Mr. Hacker stated that he felt the Board should review what was submitted to the City Council and see if it needs to be amended. He asked if the City Council would allow the Board to come before them.
Councillor O’Leary replied in the affirmative.
Mr. Hacker suggested having the letter be a request to go before the City Council in order to make a presentation in order to make Riley Plaza a revenue producing parking area.
Mr. Caggiano amended his motion for the letter to be a request to go before the City Council in order to make a presentation in order to make Riley Plaza a revenue producing parking area. Mr. Needham seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
7. NEW BUSINESS/VISITORS
Councillor O’Leary stated that he has seen in Canada and suggested that the city consider moving meters to the inside of the sidewalk, rather than on the edge of the sidewalk, to improve snow removal and access to meters.
Mr. Hacker stated that they could try it out on Washington Street.
8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be August 7, 2006.
9 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mr. Caggiano made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Needham seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane A. Guy
Secretary to the Parking Board
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