PARKING BOARD
MINUTES
JUNE 9, 2008
1. CALL TO ORDER 4:34 p.m. by Mr. Caggiano
2. ROLL CALL Mr. Caggiano, M r. Walsh and Mr. Doggett and Parking Director James Hacker. Ms. Hensley arrived later in the meeting.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Doggett made a motion to approve the minutes of May 19, 2008. 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 for the parking garages, parking lots, meters and office through April, 2008. He stated that the only thing he could attribute to the decline is the gas prices.
Ms. Hensley joined the meeting at this time.
Mr. Hacker distributed a spreadsheet on Salem Regional Visitor Center statistics, noting that the visitors to Salem are down from 2006 to 2007.
Mr. Hacker noted that that the Registry of Deeds has moved, which has freed up spaces in the downtown. He added that the Salem Ferry is up in ridership.
6. NEW BUSINESS/VISITORS
Mr. Hacker stated that after speaking with the Mayor, and keeping in mind economic conditions and gas, he recommended not charging $5 after 5:00 this season. He noted that it was not a great money-maker last year and could help the merchants this year. He stated that persons leaving the garages after 8:00 pm would end up parking for free. Mr. Doggett made a motion not to have $5 after 5:00 this season. Mr. Walsh seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Mr. Hacker stated that he will be going before the City Council for the department budget. The budget submitted included a 9% reduction in expenses and a 2% increase in salaries. He noted that part of the expenses reduction is for electricity and this is due to the negotiation of new rates. He stated that they may have difficulties in maintenance, but if the pay-and-display gests bonded, they should be okay.
Mr. Hacker recommended that $5 be charged in the garages on July 4th. Mr. Walsh made a motion to charge $5 in the garages on July 4th. Ms. Hensley seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Mr. Hacker stated that Halloween falls on a Friday and that he expects November 1st and 2nd to also be busy. He recommended that parking in the garages and Church Street lot for those days be $20. He noted that this helps eliminate cars from backing up in the garage to leave at 5:00. Mr. Doggett made a motion to charge $20 in the garages and Church Street lot on November 1st and 2nd. Mr. Walsh seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Mr. Hacker stated that they had a major electrical short circuit on the first floor ramp of the Museum Place Garage which was repaired last week. He stated that a similar problem is developing on the second floor.
Mr. Hacker stated that they have a new meter control person starting. For 3 days per week, there will be 3 people on and for 3 days a week, there will be 2 people on.
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – RESIDENT STICKER PARKING
Mr. Hacker stated that he checked with the City Assessor, who did not feel Resident Stick notices could be tied in with the property tax bills. He stated that they could be included in the mailings for the excise or water bills. They have a contract with a private company to send out these bills. It would be 9¢ each for stuffing, 4¢ for folding and 4¢ for printing, or approximately $1000, which Mr. Hacker stated the department did not have.
Mr. Hacker reviewed the list of ten Resident Sticker issues that had been provided by the City Clerk’s office.
RECOMMENDATION: Mr. Hacker recommended that non-resident property owners not be permitted to get resident stickers, noting that they could get a police okay for special circumstances.
RECOMMENDATION: College students must have a current MA registration to get a resident sticker. Out of state registrations are not acceptable.
RECOMMENDATION: People who live in a resident sticker zone, but are driving someone else’s car would either have to get a Visitor Pass (short term) or transfer the vehicle’s registration (long term).
Mr. Hacker noted that typically the city and the police do not bother moving vehicles for persons moving into a resident sticker zone.
RECOMMENDATION: Someone having a party will not be able to obtain additional visitor passes.
RECOMMENDATION: Lost or stolen Visitor Passes are tied to the property address and will not be replaced.
RECOMMENDATION: Replacement of Resident Stickers only permitted for window replacement or insurance claim.
RECOMMENDATION: People living in two states will need to have vehicle registered in MA according to the law.
Mr. Hacker noted that if the Parking Department takes over the program and issues all new stickers, it should reduce abuses. He noted that they don’t ticket people in October who have a resident sticker but are parking in the wrong zone.
Mr. Hacker distributed a draft memo to the City Council Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs.
RECOMMENDATION: Change page 2,
o 1st paragraph – “grantee” to “guarantee”
o 2nd paragraph – change “during the hours of….” To “during the hours determined by the Parking Director”.
o 6th paragraph – change “showing resident with a” to “presenting a valid” and change “5 days” to “14 days”
o 9th paragraph – insert “landline” before “telephone”; add requirement that students must present a letter from the college stating that they are a full-time student.
Mr. Walsh stated that he felt that excise tax being up to date is a key element to assure vehicles are registered in Salem.
RECOMMENDATION: To apply, applicant will need to submit the following: 1) application, 2) RMV issued valid driver’s license or ID; and 3) MA registration with Salem address. Delete requirement for utility bills.
RECOMMENDATION: For leased vehicles, applicants will need to provide a copy of a valid lease and a RMV issued valid driver’s license or ID. The vehicle will need to have a MA plate.
RECOMMENDATION: Resident parking stickers should be designed so as to be destroyed if peeled off.
RECOMMENDATION: For new vehicles or new windshield’s, replacement cost is $25; otherwise no replacement.
RECOMMENDATION: Parking Department employee will affix resident sticker to vehicle.
Mr. Doggett suggested exemptions for visiting nurses, oxygen deliveries, hospice, etc.
Mr. Hacker stated that they could exempt certain circumstances.
Mr. Doggett questioned the requirement to have a Resident Sticker in order to get a Visitor Pass. He noted that an elderly person may not have a car, but may want family to visit.
Mr. Walsh suggested that for those without a vehicle, they present their ID and utility bill as proof of residency.
Mr. Hacker stated that he felt is was not an issue yet and has never come up with the City Clerk.
Mr. Doggett made a motion to approve the memo with the RECOMMENDATIONS as discussed (as provided above). Mr. Walsh seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Mr. Hacker stated that he spoke to the Lieutenant at the Police Department who is in charge of traffic. The Lieutenant had no problem moving the issuance of construction vehicle parking permits to the Parking Department. He asked the Board what they recommended for the per day fee. He suggested $15 per day for vehicles that are necessary to be parked on the street in order for the job to be performed.
Mr. Walsh made a motion to recommended to the City Council that construction vehicle parking permits be moved from the Police Department to the Parking Department and that the fee for parking be $15 per day. Mr. Doggett seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Mr. Hacker stated that he cannot be at the July meeting and suggested it be canceled. The next meeting is scheduled for August 4, 2008.
9. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mr. Doggett made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Hensley seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried. The meeting adjourned at 6:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane A. Guy
Secretary
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