PARKING BOARD
MINUTES
AUGUST 4, 2008
1. CALL TO ORDER 4:30 p.m. by Mr. Spatafore
2. ROLL CALL Mr. Spatafore, Mr. Walsh and Ms. Hensley and Parking Director James Hacker. Mr. Doggett arrived later in the meeting.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Walsh made a motion to approve the minutes of June 9, 2008. Ms. Hensley seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Mr. Doggett joined the meeting at this time.
4. REPORT OF BOARD MEMBERS
There were no reports from Board members.
5. INFORMATION & CORRESPONDENCE
Ms. Guy distributed copy of an article on parking provided by Tom Daniel in the Department of Planning & Community Development.
Mr. Hacker provided the revenue figures for the parking garages, parking lots, meters and office through the end of Fiscal Year 2008. He stated that overall the parking garage and office revenue was down 4.6% and the parking lots and meter revenue was down 2.2%. He noted that for this summer the garage has not been completely filled one time and that they are seeing less customers.
6. NEW BUSINESS/VISITORS
Mr. Hacker stated that he has had discussions with the Chamber of Commerce over the last year and with the Mayor a couple of weeks ago regarding the Board’s recommendations to the City Council. He believes that Mayor is ready to go to the City Council to change all the 1 hour meters to 2 hours. And make all the 2 hour meters in the lots to 2 hour lots to stop people from changing spots. The proposal is also to change rates on the meters to .50/hour or .25/half hour, which will help provide funs to upgrade meters so that they will accept charge cards or cell phones.
Rinus Oosthoek, Director of the Chamber of Commerce, stated that he has talked to the Mayor for a long time about this proposal and that he supports it. He added that he would want there to be education for businesses where employees should park for long term. He also would like to see the City look into pay and display units. He also supports new garage structures at the Church Street lot and the MBTA station and hopes that the city will move forward with these. He added that he has received Chamber member suggestions to add paint, lighting and signage to the Museum Place garage in order to make it women and user-friendly.
Ms. Hensley made a motion to support a proposal to the City Council to change all meters from 1 hour to 2 hours, to change all 2 hour meters to .25/half hour and to change the metered lots to 2 hour maximum lots. Mr. Walsh seconded the motion.
Ms. Guy stated that when the changes are approved, notice can be placed on the city website and that the Chamber of Commerce can put it in their newsletter.
Mr. Hacker stated that he could issue press releases.
Mr. Spatafore stated that the proposal will help people use the garages more.
Mr. Hacker stated that he read that 30% of traffic in the average community is people looking for parking. He stated that the increase in rates is to discourage all day parkers from feeding the meters. He stated that he did not believe the Chamber would support the proposal if they thought it would hurt businesses. He stated that it will take a little public relations.
The motion was voted upon, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Mr. Hacker stated that he would like a motion to increase the one hour vendor stamps to 2 hours for Heritage Days.
Mr. Doggett made a motion to increase the one hour vendor stamps to 2 hours for Heritage Days. Ms. Hensley seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Mr. Hacker stated that the gate at the Church Street lot got hit and that they filed an insurance claim for a new gate, which has since been installed.
Mr. Hacker stated that he is awaiting notification of whether the city will received a $50,000 grant for a pay and display unit.
Mr. Doggett asked how the unit verifies that a credit card is valid.
Mr. Hacker stated that it is an issue and that he was also concerned if someone is trying to use a wet dollar bill, which could clog the machine.
Ms. Hensley suggested that the units also take an easy pass.
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mr. Hacker stated that he has spoken with Councillor O’Keefe. He distributed a draft letter regarding resident sticker parking for the City Council Subcommittee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs. He asked members to call him with any comments.
8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for September 8, 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 5:05 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane A. Guy
Secretary
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