PARKING BOARD
MINUTES
MAY 7, 2007
1. CALL TO ORDER 4:30 p.m. by Mr. Spatafore
2. ROLL CALL Mr. Spatafore, Mr. Caggiano, Mr. Needham, Ms. Hensley and Parking Director James Hacker. Also present was City Councilor Michael Sosnowski.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Hensley made a motion to approve the minutes of April 2, 2007. Mr. Caggiano seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
4. REPORT OF BOARD MEMBERS
Ms. Hensley stated that she talked the Chamber of Commerce Director Rinus Oosthoek about the Board’s survey of metered spaces in individual areas. He is concerned that too many shoppers are being ticketed at the one hour meters on Essex Street and feels that all meters should be the same, at 2 hours.
Mr. Hacker stated that the Board’s recommendation had been for all meters to be 2 hours with some exceptions (i.e. in front of a dry cleaner that only needs 1 hour).
Ms. Hensley stated that the word needs to get out to employers for employees to use the garage for employers to use stickers for shoppers.
Mr. Hacker noted that 9% of the tickets issued are for meter violations since using the hand held device, up from 5% when ticketed was done manually.
5. INFORMATION & CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Hacker provided the spreadsheets for the revenues through April, 2007. He noted that February revenues were like down due to the weather and that one of the condominiums opted not to renew its passes. The timing of meter revenue deposits and condominium pass purchases may have an up or down effect on a month when compared from last year to this year. The increase in April is also due to the new condominiums who purchased passes.
Mr. Hacker stated that the Planning Department has come up with a proposal to put up bicycle racks throughout the downtown that are attached to meters. He provided a photograph of the racks.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mr. Hacker provided copies of an outline he prepared with the recommendations on parking related issues that will be submitted to Councillor Sosnowski.
Councillor Sosnowski stated that he will submitted orders for City Council approval for:
· Increasing the meter maximum time to two hours, with exceptions
· Increase fines for meter feeding and expired meters
· Increasing fines for snow violations
· Increasing resident parking violations
· 2 hour lots
Mr. Caggiano suggested bring the Riley Plaza pay and display terminals before the City Council funding appropriation. He stated that long term parking is needed in the area of Washington, New Derby and Lafayette in order to free up 2 hour spaces. He stated that the City is loosing revenue because people are parking all day in Riley Plaza for free.
Councillor Sosnowski stated that he would have to ask Councillor Pelletier to submit that order, since it is in his ward. He noted that there still haven’t been funds found for a garage at Church Street, so the Council may be reluctant.
Mr. Hacker stated that the cost for 2 machines and lot preparation would be approximately $40,000 installed.
Councillor Sosnowski stated that he was willing to put the Board’s recommendations before the Subcommittee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs as one of its items for discussion.
Mr. Hacker will finalize the recommendation document and forward it to Councillor Sosnowski.
7. NEW BUSINESS/VISITORS
Mr. Hacker stated that he would like a motion from the Board to charge $5.00 entrance to the two garages on July 4th. Passes will be honored, but stamps will not.
Mr. Needham made a motion to charge $5 entrance to the two garages on July 4th, passes to be honored, stamps not honored. Mr. Caggiano seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Mr. Hacker stated that the Parking Department has begun Spring clean up. They have painted the lines in the South Harbor Garage. They have started painting the lines and stairwells at Museum Place Garage. They will soon start striping the on-street spaces and all the lots (except Bridge Street). He noted that the Bridge Street lot needs work, so he will be working with the DPW to fix pot holes, etc. He added that the outside painting of the garages will wait till next year. They are finishing the garage lighting this week. For Church Street, they plan to remove old curbstones and bumpers and put in new.
Mr. Hacker provided street maps for members to walk areas and survey meter locations, etc.
Councillor Sosnowski stated that the windows along the Congress Street side of the South Harbor garage have displays which include some businesses that are from out of town.
Mr. Hacker stated that he let the Rockmore use the display last year, but the Chamber of Commerce will be using it this year, along with the Salem YMCA and the Witch House.
Councillor Sosnowski reminded the Board of his request for 6 spaces in the Church Street metered lot to be temporarily allocated to the Morency and Dalton residents. He noted that 12 spaces will be lost to them at the jail in 3 days, and only 5 will be gained when 10 Federal Street is completed.
Mr. Spatafore stated that he thought the Board members were going to look at the area, when the meter survey is being done. He noted that sometimes it is difficult to take back spaces once people are used to using them.
Mr. Hacker stated questioned how to respond if residents of Charter Street ask if they can park in the garage at no charge. He felt it is a slippery slope to go down that route.
Ms. Hensley asked if Councillor Sosnowski asked the St. John’s Church.
Councillor Sosnowski replied in the negative.
Mr. Hacker stated that it is $200 per year for seniors to park in the garage.
Councillor Sosnowski stated that the spaces would also be used by visiting nurses, who get tagged all the time. He stated that innocent people are being affected with the jail spaces being lost.
Mr. Hacker stated that it appears to be a Salem Housing Authority issue, not a Parking Board issue.
Councillor Sosnowski stated that many seniors cannot walk to the distance to the garage.
Mr. Hacker stated that if they have mobility issues, they can get a handicapped placard and can park at any handicapped spot.
Ms. Hensley stated that visiting nurses should park in the Church Street lot, so they don’t get a ticket and get reimbursed by their employer.
8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be June 4, 2007.
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
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