PARKING BOARD
MINUTES
APRIL 7, 2008
1. CALL TO ORDER 4:32 p.m. by Mr. Spatafore
2. ROLL CALL Mr. Spatafore, Mr. Walsh, Mr. Timothy Doggett and Ms. Hensley, and Parking Director James Hacker. Mr. Caggiano arrived later in the meeting.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Walsh made a motion to approve the minutes of February 4, 2008. Ms. Hensley seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
4. REPORT OF BOARD MEMBERS
Mr. Spatafore stated that the Parking Board members have been invited to attend a meeting of the City Council Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs on April 23, 2008 at 6:30 pm regarding the relocation of the Resident Sticker Parking Program from the City Clerk’s Office to the Parking Department.
Mr. Spatafore stated that he and Mr. Hacker attended the North Shore Task Force meeting held on March 13, 2008 which included a discussion on new parking strategies for North Shore communities.
Mr. Hakcer stated that the issues that other communities have are the same that Salem has; however, most communities have 1 or 2 issues, while Salem has several. He stated that they saw examples of the latest parking garage designs, which look less like parking garages than when the Museum Place garage was built.
Mr. Doggett asked if there is interest in building a new garage.
Mr. Hacker that along with the MBTA site, there is also interest in a garage at Church Street.
Mr. Spatafore stated that he watched the City Council meeting regarding the Ordinance proposal to form a board that would combine traffic and parking, thereby eliminating the Parking Board. It would be made up of representatives from Police, Planning, Fire, Chamber of Commerce and Salem residents. The Council did not appear to be in favor of the proposal.
Mr. Walsh stated that there was no question that the City Council did not want to give up any power.
Mr. Caggiano entered at this time.
Mr. Doggett stated that getting professionals would not hurt, but questioned that it would be 3 mayors away before the board would change.
Mr. Hacker stated that if enacted, the Council would no longer have authority over 1 way streets, traffic control, handicapped signs, stop signs, 20 mph signs, etc. He stated that he suspected the Ordinance will sit in committee.
Mr. Spatafore welcomed Mr. Doggett as the newest member of the Board.
Mr. Doggett asked Mr. Hacker if he thought the Resident Sticker Parking Program should be transferred to the Parking Department.
Mr. Hacker stated that the City Clerk says that they are understaffed and doesn’t have the people to run the program. They also get verbally abused by residents. He stated that a move may not change much, nor solve the issues, but it would be an opportunity to bring the recommendation memo that the Board developed a couple of years ago to the City Council Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs. The Parking Department would need to hire another staff person and to purchase some computer equipment to run the program.
Mr. Hacker stated that there are 8100 resident stickers issued, but there is no way of knowing how many are actively used. He stated that it would be a good opportunity to change the ordinance and suggested they stickers be renewed once per year and not be used from October through March. He stated that he felt there should be an annual fee (i.e. $20/year). He did not recommend eliminating visitor passes, but suggested that there be only 1 issued per address or household, rather than 2 per resident sticker. Both stickers should have expiration dates. He also stated that resident stickers should be placed right on the car by city staff, that the sticker include the vehicle registration number and that they not be transferable.
Mr. Hacker stated that there needs to be a definition of a resident, that a registration should be required to prove residency and that there would need to be an exception for leased vehicles. He noted that there are currently 7 zones in Salem, each assigned a different color. He added that currently 1 zone runs from Salem Willows to Federal Street in the downtown.
Mr. Doggett suggested including a number and month on the sticker, so expirations can be staggered.
Mr. Hacker stated that he could set the expiration by zones and stagger them.
Mr. Walsh stated that the program application could be available on line.
Mr. Hacker stated that the city ought to start charging for contractors’ permits and that he would also be willing to issue these from the Parking Department office.
Mr. Caggiano stated that he noticed pothole repairs are underway in some of the parking lots.
5. INFORMATION & CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Hacker distributed the revenue spreadsheets for the fiscal year through February, 2008. He noted that the garages in January were up and average in February. He also noted that the lots were done in January compared to one year ago and the February was up a little.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mr. Hacker stated that the Board previously talked about leasing parking spaces in the South Harbor garage. He stated that he has spoken to the legal department in this regard. He noted that the first floor has 26 to 28 metered spaces and suggested a pilot program to guarantee spaces at $1500 per year for anyone who is willing to pay for a guaranteed space.
Ms. Hensley suggested that the guaranteed spaces be on the second floor, so that the meters do not have to be taken out.
Mr. Hacker stated that they would not be able to get a tow truck in to remove cars that are parked in the guaranteed spaces and don’t belong there.
The most a space could bring it with meters is $702.00 if used 100% of the time.
Mr. Caggiano made a motion to send a letter to the Mayor recommending a trial guaranteed space program at the South Harbor garage with the fee not to exceed $1500 annually. Mr. Walsh seconded the motion, Messrs. Spatafore, Doggett, Caggiano and Walsh voted in favor. Ms. Hensley abstained. The motion so carried.
7. NEW BUSINESS/VISITORS
Mr. Hacker stated that he submitted a Capital Improvement Plan budget for the next 5 years. He recommending drawing $50,000 this year to purchase 3 to 4 pay and display units. He noted that at a recent seminar he attended, he learned that Salem is the only small city that charges .25 per hour for parking and that most charge .50 per hour. He stated that the machines will take major credit cards and that one machine would eliminate 10 meters. He suggested installation at the city lot at the MBTA station, at Washington Street in front of Eastern Bank and possible Riley Plaza or the church Street lot. Mr. Hacker stated that they have talked about making Riley Plaza a no time limit lot.
Mr. Hacker stated that in FY10, he proposed $75,000 be used to waterproof the South Harbor garage. In FY11, he proposed $150,000 for the Church Street Lot, $70,000 for waterproofing the Museum Place garage, and $100,000 for mechanical upgrades at the garages and lots. In FY12, he proposed $30,000 to fill potholes at Bridge Street and $70,000 to buy a sweeper for the garage. In FY13, he proposed $60,000 for the Crombie Street lot and $125,000 for the YMCA lot.
Mr. Hacker stated that for the FY09 budget, he proposed a 2.63% increase in salary and 6% increase in maintenance. He stated that he expected revenues to drop next year due to the courthouse leaving during new construction.
8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for May 5, 2008.
9. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Ms. Hensley made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Caggiano seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane A. Guy
Secretary
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