PARKING BOARD
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 5, 2007
1. CALL TO ORDER 4:31 p.m. by Mr. Spatafore
2. ROLL CALL Mr. Spatafore, Mr. Caggiano, Mr. Needham and Mr. Walsh and Parking Director James Hacker. Ms. Hensley joined later in the meeting.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Caggiano made a motion to approve the minutes of January 8, 2007. Mr. Walsh 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 provided the revenue figures through January, 2007. He stated that for the garages/office, January was low due to some condominium associations have paid their annual fees in December. He noted that they were still 20% ahead of last year, which should last for another month. He noted that rates were increased in April, 2006. Mr. Hacker stated that the lots/meters show a 39% increase due to one of December’s meter collections being credited to January, 2007.
Ms. Hensley jointed the meeting at this time.
6. NEW BUSINESS/VISITORS
Mr. Caggiano stated that he would like a breakdown of what the garages and lots generate in revenues.
Mr. Hacker stated that he could provide this information at the next meeting.
Mr. Walsh asked if the lots can be separated from the meters.
Mr. Hacker stated that he can do it, but will have to review the ordinances to see which are 1 hour, 2 hour, etc.
Mr. Caggiano will call Mr. Hacker and set up a time to work on collecting this information and placing it on a map.
City Councillor Sosnowski was present and stated that he was in attendance with regard to the Board’s review of the 14 points previously provided at the request of the City Council.
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Review of August 2, 2005 Council submission on 14 items.
I. Meter rate increase to $1. per hour.
Councillor Sosnowski stated that the idea of raising the meter rates was to encourage people to use the garage.
The Board decided to table this discussion until after its review of some of the other items.
II. Increase the meter maximum time to 2 hours, except where noted as per the Parking Director
Mr. Hacker stated that most people can’t conduct their business in just one hour. However, he noted that some areas may need a quicker turnover.
The Board decided to keep this recommendation as per the 8/2/05 recommendation letter.
Mr. Caggiano stated that he felt the Board needed to go through the city and see what we have before going through the rest of the list. He stated that the list should be prioritized for implementation. He stated that the Board she have facts and figures in case they need to present before the Council.
Mr. Spatafore asked if the prior recommendations died at the end of the calendar year.
Councillor Sosnowski replied in the affirmative.
Mr. Walsh asked if the Board had facts and figures prior to making the recommendations in the 8/2/05 letter.
Councillor Sosnowski noted that, when last reviewed, the Chamber of Commerce, residents and various businesses were at opposite ends of the spectrum and there was no unanimous consensus.
Mr. Hacker stated that there have been some changes implemented and rate increases since the last review. He stated that the Board needs to look at the greater good, and not one constituency.
Mr. Walsh stated that smart cards need to be publicized more and the meter rate raised to .50.
Councillor Sosnowski noted that there will be a horrible issue when the court complex starts renovation, which will have an incredible effect on traffic.
Mr. Caggiano stated that he would like to meet with Mr. Hacker and create a parking zone map of the city and then analyze each zone. He suggested that rather than looking at individual businesses, they look at the entire city. He stated that it needs to be organized.
Mr. Hacker stated that they really need to walk the streets and see what is needed in each area.
Mr. Caggiano agreed and felt each section will need short-, medium- and long-term parking.
Mr. Spatafore questioned if there was time to cover all the areas.
Mr. Walsh suggested focusing on the worst areas of employee parking on-street.
III. Fines for meter feeding and expired meters
Mr. Caggiano stated he was in favor of raising fines for meter feeding to $20.
Mr. Hacker noted that meter reading personnel cannot catch all meter feeder within shift time-constraints. He stated that he would be in favor of raising some fines, as well as penalties to the State maximums.
Councillor Sosnowski agreed with increasing fines, but suggested that Lt. Preczewski be present for his knowledge of the limits. He added that there is no incentive to park in the garage if the fines are cheaper than the garage.
Mr. Hacker stated that expired meter fines should be $15 or $20. He stated that he believed that the meter feeding maximum was $25.
Mr. Walsh stated that the Board should recommend $25 for the meter feeding fine.
Mr. Hacker stated that, like last year, in May through November he has an additional part time meter reader who will focus on resident sticker violations and meter time limit violations.
Councillor Sosnowski suggested that Buddy Herlihy, who hears ticket sob-stories, understand and is on-board with the purpose of the fines.
Mr. Caggiano made a motion to recommend meter feeding fines be increased to the maximum, but not to exceed $25, and expired meter fines to be raised to $15. Mr. Walsh seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
IV. Increase snow violations from $15 to $25
Mr. Walsh made a motion to keep this recommendation as per the 8/2/05 recommendation letter. Mr. Caggiano seconded the motion all were in favor and the motion so carried.
V. Handicap parking violations to be left at $100.00
Mr. Hacker stated that the biggest problem is at the city’s portion of the MBTA lot where there is live parking at the handicapped spots. He noted that the meter readers are not on shift during the times when these violations occur most.
Councillor Sosnowski stated that the police have talked to the MBTA, who is the real enforcing authority and that they are considering cameras. He stated that there are also problems at private lots (i.e. Crosbie’s), but the city cannot enforce it.
Mr. Caggiano stated that he felt the $100 fine is sufficient.
Mr. Walsh stated that many times, cars in violation also get towed and stored, in addition to the fine.
Councillor Sosnowksi agreed with leaving the recommendation at $100.
Mr. Walsh made a motion to keep this recommendation as per the 8/2/05 recommendation letter. Mr. Caggiano seconded the motion all were in favor and the motion so carried.
VI. Stacking of Tickets
Mr. Hacker stated that for a 1 hour space, stacking allows the meter reader to ticket every hour. He stated that they tend to stack tickets in hot spots.
Mr. Walsh noted that stacking cannot be done if the car is moved to another sport.
As with the 8/2/05 recommendation letter, no change is recommended.
VII. Signage & Education
There were no changes recommended.
Councillor Sosnowski suggested jumping to Item #10.
X. Resident Parking
Mr. Walsh stated that he preferred the fine be increased to $25.
Mr. Caggiano stated that the Board may want to get input from Lt. Preczewski.
Mr. Hacker stated that the Police Department’s issue is not cost, but enforcement. He stated that resident parking violations are a big problem in the downtown and recommended that the Board recommend $25.
Mr. Caggiano made a motion to recommend that resident parking violations increase to $25. Mr. Walsh seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Councillor Sosnowski asked the Board to consider recommending that Resident Parking be taken out of the City Clerk’s Office and put into the Police Department. He noted that staff in the City Clerk’s Office are being verbally abused and harassed. He also suggested considering different shapes for stickers.
Mr. Hacker stated that rather than deciding on colors or shapes, it be left to see what is best to enforce.
Councillor Sosnowski suggested charging a fee for a resident parking permit.
Ms. Hensley stated that she did not felt that a resident should have to pay to park in front of their house, noting that taxes are high enough.
Mr. Walsh stated that all taxpayers pay for the program costs, yet many residents don’t need parking permits. He felt that people that use it should be the ones to pay for it.
Mr. Caggiano asked if other communities charged for resident parking permits.
Mr. Hacker stated that if the program is moved from the City Clerk’s Office, the department running the program will need a budget increase to pay for the person who will enforce the program.
Mr. Caggiano made a motion to recommend that resident parking permits be issued for a fee of $5.00 and that they expire after 2 years. Mr. Needham seconded the motion. Mr. Caggiano, Mr. Needham and Mr. Walsh voted in favor. Ms. Hensley voted in opposition. Mr. Spatafore abstained from voting. The motion so carried.
Mr. Hacker stated that Visitor Passes for Resident Sticker Parking do not work. He noted that people park all day using them and use them for more than the 2 weeks they are intended for. He suggested that there be a public hearing on this specific item.
Ms. Hensley suggested that the Visitor Passes have the property address on them.
Mr. Caggiano made a motion to continue further discussion on the 14 parking items until the next meeting. There was no second.
Mr. Walsh made a motion to recommend that the City Council hold a public hearing on Visitor Passes. Mr. Needham seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Ms. Hensley suggested that a letter be sent to the Salem News regarding employee parking on the street.
Mr. Caggiano made a motion to recommend that the Salem Police Department take over the duties from the City Clerk with regard to issuing parking stickers. Ms. Hensley seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
With regard to the issuance of construction parking passes, Mr. Hacker stated that he did not feel that the City will have any control over the State for the courthouse project.
8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be March 5, 2007.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Hensley made a motion to continue further discussion about the review of the 8/2/05 recommendation letter and to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Caggiano seconded the motion. Ms. Hensley, Mr. Caggiano and Mr. Needham were in favor. Mr. Walsh and Mr. Spatafore were in opposition. The motion so carried. The meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane A. Guy
Secretary
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