PARKING BOARD
MINUTES
NOVEMBER 16, 2009
1. CALL TO ORDER 4:30 p.m. by Mr. Caggiano
ROLL CALL Mr. Caggiano, Mr. Bouchard and Mr. Walsh and Parking Director James Hacker.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Hacker stated that for the minutes of September 14, 2009, Page 2, Item C, first paragraph, 4th line, the words “on-street” should be inserted between _10-12” and “parking spaces”.
Mr. Bouchard made a motion to approve the minutes of September 14, 2009 as amended. Mr. Walsh seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
3. REPORT OF BOARD MEMBERS
Mr. Caggiano stated that there is a lift truck in the Front Street lot that has been in a parking space for 3 weeks and has no registration. Mr. Hacker will check into it.
Mr. Caggiano stated that there is a public hearing tonight at Old Town Hall which will be an open forum meeting with workshops regarding the downtown parking management study.
- INFORMATION & CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Hacker distributed the revenue spreadsheets for July, FY04 through October, FY10. He stated that for the Parking Garage & Office Revenue, the office sales were down in October, noting the weather, and noting that a few businesses are no longer paying for their employees parking. He noted that the weekdays in October were not as busy as the year before, but that the weekend times were extended. For the Parking Lots & Meters, the numbers reflect the increase in the meter rates. He noted that the Visitor Center for October shows visitors up 6.6%. He added that the Salem Willows meters are done for the Winter.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Mr. Hacker stated that the Bride Street Lot and the Church Street Lot spaces have been numbered and the sign posts are in. Staff will be getting training on the pay and display equipment. He is waiting for the software. The units will take coins, bills and credit cards. He will have some ambassadors out at the lots for a couple weeks. He is hoping for the units to be up and running by the end of the month. He will have the gates taken out at the same time and then he will arrange for the booth removal.
B. Mr. Hacker stated that he would like a motion to ratify that the rates and hours of enforcement will remain the same for the Bridge Street lot, even though they are changing the collection method.
The motion was so moved by Mr. Walsh. Mr. Bouchard seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
C. Mr. Hacker stated that he would like a motion to ratify that the rates and hours of enforcement will remain the same for the Church Street lot, even though they are changing the collection method.
The motion was so moved by Mr. Walsh. Mr. Bouchard seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
- Mr. Hacker stated that they are ending the 2am closing at both garages on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights this weekend for the Winter, but would like to extend the hours again in the Spring. He stated that he will be going to the City Council for funding for salaries to cover the extension. He stated that he would like a motion to resume the extended hours in the Spring, when the weather breaks.
The motion was so moved by Mr. Walsh. Mr. Bouchard seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
- Mr. Hacker stated that he would like a motion to affirm that at the Church Street lot, there is no overnight parking and that it is not designated as a snow emergency lot.
The motion was so moved by Mr. Walsh. Mr. Bouchard seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
- Mr. Hacker stated that he would like a motion to expand the garage hours Monday through Friday to 10 pm, once the pay and display units go into effect.
The motion was so moved by Mr. Walsh. Mr. Bouchard seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Mr. Hacker noted that they will try to keep the South Harbor garage open this Winter.
- Mr. Hacker stated that he would like a motion to petition the City Council for an amount not to exceed $50,000 for personnel costs to accomplish the above goals.
The motion was so moved by Mr. Walsh. Mr. Bouchard seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
- Mr. Hacker stated that 1 hour stamps will not longer be valid at the Church Street lot with the pay and display units, but they can still be used in the garages. He stated that he would like a motion stating that there are no refunds for those who purchased 1 hour stamps.
The motion was so moved by Mr. Walsh. Mr. Bouchard seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
6. NEW BUSINESS/VISITORS
A. Mr. Hacker stated that he would like a motion to have free parking on Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving at both garages in perpetuity.
The motion was so moved by Mr. Walsh. Mr. Bouchard seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
- Mr. Hacker stated that the garages are free on Christmas. He stated that he would like a motion to have free parking on December 24th and December 31st of this year.
The motion was so moved by Mr. Walsh. Mr. Bouchard seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
- Barry Neely was present and asked if there is any parking enforcement under the bridge by the train station. Mr. Hacker stated that it is not city property, but is owned by Gilford and the MBTA.
Mr. Neely stated that there is a problem with visitor passes in the Lynde Street neighborhood. He stated that the new passes have no addresses and that during the work day, 40% of the cars parked on Lynde Street are using visitor passes. He noted that he has gotten 3 passes revoked. He noted that the restaurant on Lynde Street was giving visitor passes to the waitresses.
Mr. Hacker stated that addresses were taken off the passes at the request of the police department for security reasons. He noted that the in order to get the visitor passes, the restaurant owner had changed his address to Lynde Street, got the passes, and then changed his address again. The passes have since been revoked. He noted that another person gave his uncle his visitor passes to use for when he works at the courts and that these were also revoked.
Mr. Neely stated that he did not feel he should be put in the position to be parking enforcement or a police officer. He stated that to use a visitor pass, the ordinance states that the visitor is supposed to be in the house. He stated that with no address on the pass, there is no way to check if the person and visitor are at home. He stated that people are using the visitor pass to go to work.
Mr. Hacker stated that they are aware this is happening and that he has told some of the city councillors. He stated that when the Council passed the ordinance, they added utility bills as proof of residents and also added a clause that a City Councillor can override and permit passes to be issued.
Mr. Neely stated that it is way out of hand and that he would like meter readers to enforce visitor passes by writing tickets and having passes revoked.
Mr. Hacker stated that the issue is with the ordinance. He stated that he does not have the manpower to take a person off the street to look at resident sticker parking. He stated that either an ordinance change is needed or the Council give his department the funds needed to hire someone to enforce resident and visitor parking.
Mr. Neely stated that the meter readers are writing tickets if there is no resident sticker.
Mr. Hacker stated that the ordinance needs to have only a drivers license or registration as proof of residency.
Mr. Caggiano stated that he believed the utility bill was added in for people who don’t have a car, but still have visitors or visiting nurses.
Mr. Neely asked the Board to send a letter to the City Council.
Mr. Hacker stated that he believed that there are still parking recommendations in the Sub-Committee.
7. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be January 4, 2010.
8. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mr. Walsh made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Bouchard seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried. The meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane A. Guy
Secretary
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