PARKING BOARD
MINUTES
JANUARY 4, 2010
1. CALL TO ORDER 4:30 p.m. by Mr. Spatafore
ROLL CALL Mr. Spatafore, Mr. Bouchard and Mr. Caggiano and Parking Director James Hacker. Mr. Doggett arrived later in the meeting.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Caggiano made a motion to approve the minutes of November 16, 2009. Mr. Bouchard seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
3. NEW BUSINESS/VISITORS
Matt Caruso of the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival was present. He stated that Festival includes a free concert at Derby Square and a two day festival at Salem Willows. The non-profit organization produces free concerts for the public and raises money to support music education programs in Salem. He stated that at the Willows event, band members show up throughout the day and need to bring equipment that will be set up on stage. They are asking for a street closure and for use of the 22 spaces (noted on the map provided) from Kiddie Land at 187 Fort Avenue to Hobbs’ at 207 Fort Avenue for band use and would compensate the city for the lost meter revenue. The event is on August 21 and 22. The area entrance will be staffed by both festival volunteers and police
details.
Mr. Doggett joined the meeting at this time.
Mr. Hacker stated that he has a letter on file from Doug Bollen, Director of Park, Recreation and Community Services, in favor of the street closure.
Mr. Hacker recommended that there be a condition to have a police officer present, that the area be gated/blocked off (i.e. saw-horses) and that the gated area be manned to ensure that the approved vehicles enter. He estimated the revenue cost to be $154.
Mr. Caruso stated that they will have the area blocked off 12 hours on the first day and 11 hours on the second day.
Mr. Doggett questioned how many businesses will be effected.
Mr. Caruso stated that there are not a lot of businesses open during the winter that he could speak with. He did not know the individual number of businesses.
Mr. Doggett asked if there were any complaints from prior years.
Mr. Hacker stated that he has had no complaints from any functions held there.
Mr. Bouchard made a motion to approve the street closure with the conditions that 1) the Salem Jazz & Soul Festival have an officer present; 2) that they maintain a barricade; 3) that they compensate the city $154; and that they maintain and control the parking flow at the barricade for band member use. Mr. Caggiano seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
4. REPORT OF BOARD MEMBERS
Mr. Caggiano stated that he and Mr. Hacker met with Tom Daniel of the Department of Planning & Community Development regarding the Salem Redevelopment Authority Parking Study. Mr. Daniel showed them the work completed by the consultant. They are meeting again on January 5th.
Mr. Hacker stated that the study area includes the downtown and some streets just outside, as well as public and private parking areas.
- INFORMATION & CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Hacker stated that the Cancer Walk is being held on June 20, 2010 and that the organization would like free parking at the South Harbor Garage that day until noon, as has been done in past years. Mr. Doggett made a motion to approve the request. Mr. Caggiano seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Mr. Hacker provided the revenue spreadsheets for FY04 through November, FY10. he noted that the visitor center numbers were down 30% in November and that this is the first month he can remember that there is a big difference in visitor center numbers versus the garage numbers. The parking garage and office revenues were up 28.8% in November which he believed was due to museum events, card renewals and court activity. Specifically, the Museum Place Garage was up 45.9%, the South Harbor Garage was up 95.6% and the garage office was up 24.4%. Parking fines issued were up 26.1% and the Willows meters were up 40.4%.
Mr. Hacker noted that the pay by space started in December, including 2 machines at the Bridge Street lot and 5 at the Church Street lot. He stated that he has received some complaints that there is not enough time to pay if they are waiting for the train. Other reactions included a person who parks at Church Street saying that there are fewer cars parking there since the pay and display was installed. Mr. Hacker stated that he has staff there to help teach people how to use the equipment. He noted that some people don’t know how much time to buy. He added that he did not know where employees, such as wait staff, are parking now that the gate is no longer unmanned after 8:00. He also added that
Bridge Street parking time purchased expires at midnight, while Church Street expires based on the amount of time purchased. Mr. Hacker stated that he did not issue any parking tickets for the first couple weeks. He added that handicapped persons can park anywhere and not pay at the Church Street lot.
Mr. Bouchard asked if there have been waiting lines at the Bridge Street lot equipment.
Mr. Hacker stated that he has not seen more than 1 person paying with 1 person waiting.
Mr. Hacker stated that there are more leaking problems from the South Harbor Garage into the mall. He stated that he felt the need to hire a professional in water and weatherproofing and that he will need to make a Capital Improvement Plan request. He believed that they will need to work on the expansion joints.
Mr. Doggett made a motion to authorize Mr. Hacker to engage a waterproofing firm and to access appropriate funds as necessary. Mr. Caggiano seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Mr. Caggiano stated that he recently contacted Mr. Hacker because there was a crane taking up 1+ spaces in the Front Street lot to complete some work on a building which was required by the Building Inspector. Cranes are not registered, so there is no way to tie a ticket to it.
Mr. Hacker stated that he has suggested to Finance that they meet with the Building Department to try to develop an ordinance for contractors to be required to take out a permit.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no unfinished business.
7. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be February 1, 2010.
8. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mr. Caggiano made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Doggett seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried. The meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane A. Guy
Secretary
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