PARKING BOARD
MINUTES
JUNE 27, 2011
A meeting of the Salem Parking Board was held on Monday, June 27, 2011 at 4:30 pm. at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Mr. Caggiano, Mr. Doggett and Mr. Bouchard. Also present was Parking Director James Hacker.
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Bouchard made a motion to approve the minutes of May 9, 2011. Mr. Doggett seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
2. REPORT ON REVENUES FOR PRIOR MONTH
Mr. Hacker reported on revenues. He stated that the garage and office revenues were up approximately 36% in May over the previous year. He estimates that for the year, it will be a 16% increase over last fiscal year, or approximately $200,000. For Museum Garage gate revenue, he anticipates it will be up 24% or $100,000 from last fiscal year. South Harbor parking garage gate revenue is anticipated to be a 70% increase or $66,000 over last year. Parking garage office revenues should break even for the fiscal year. For parking lot and meter revenue it is anticipated to be an approximate $45,000 increase. Meter revenue for the Willows should break even for the year. National Park Service Visitor Center visitorship is down 12-13%, while parking revenue is up overall.
Parking fines revenue is down.
3. REVIEW AND OUTLINE STRATEGY TO ADDRESS CITY COUNCIL ORDER REGARDING COMPREHENSIVE PARKING PLAN ISSUES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SNOW EMERGENCIES, HAUNTED HAPPENINGS, TOUR BUS PARKING, RESIDENT STICKER PARKING, DEDICATED OR GUARANTEED PARKING, VISITOR PARKING AND CONSTRUCTION WORKERS’ PARKING
Mr. Caggiano stated that the Parking Board received an Order from the City Council to address issues that have arose as a result of the new Comprehensive Parking Plan.
Jason Silva, Chief Administrative Aide to the Mayor was present. Marlene Faust, 51 Lafayette Street and Chair of the Derby Lofts Board, was present.
Mr. Caggiano stated that the parking board are volunteers appointed by City Council and the Mayor to advise. The Board has discussed the issues brought up by Nelson/Nygaard as part of the Comprehensive Parking Plan study. He suggested forming a working group to discuss and take on the issues in the Council Order, similar to the working group formed for the parking study. He noted that there are a list of items that the City Council wants discussed by September. He suggested forming a task force which includes board members, as well as persons who would be affected by the plan, such as condo owners, residents and businesses.
Mr. Hacker stated that the task force should include all parking board members, but could also include residents, retail workers, professional workers, city, state, and county employees, shoppers, clients, commuters and tourists. He suggested there be one representative from Derby Lofts because they park in the South Harbor Garage and is the only condominium that is required to park there. He also suggested having a resident who represents the other condo developments which are required to park in the Museum Place Garage. He suggested there also be a resident of downtown salem, who purchases a card because they choose to.
Ms. Faust stated that snow emergency parking is the biggest problem and felt it will take the most time. she suggested there be a separate task force for that issue. She felt it would be several meetings and offered to represent Derby Lofts. She also did not think all parking board members would have to be on the task force. She noted that walking to Blaney Street in a blizzard is dangerous and scary.
Mr. Caggiano stated that the task force will prioritize the issues, but felt a task force for any one issue may effect another issue and could result in upsetting constituent for another issue that they feel is a priority.
Mr. Hacker agreed they were all intertwined.
Mr. Doggett questioned having a large working group, instead of having public hearings. He suggested that if the Mayor wants a task force, she should appoint one. He did not feel that the Parking Board should establish it.
Mr. Bouchard felt that the last working group had good representation. He stated that there are at least 3 condominiums that have their own issues – The Essex, the Norman St. Condominiums and Derby Lofts.
Mr. Silva stated that is it up to the board on which approach to take. He felt there was a value to having stakeholder groups involved in the process. He felt the parking study group was productive.
Mr. Doggett stated that Nelson/Nygaard had the task of sorting all the information and presenting it in a cohesive manner.
Mr. Silva stated that the task force will not have the benefit of a consultant. He stated that, ultimately, the Parking Board will decide what to do. The task force will not take on the Parking Board’s roll, but would give recommendations to the Parking Board to act on as they see fit. He expected a lot of work will need to be done on all the issues. He stated that the process may be just as long as the parking study and to rely only on the Parking Board would be a heavy burden.
Mr. Caggiano agreed that the task force would not make the final recommendations. He suggested having the task force meet between the now and the Parking Board’s August meeting. He felt if there was a public meeting on a specific issue, there may be a large showing for one issue, and no public attendance on other issues. He stated that the task force members would represent each of the stakeholders. He felt that one issue may effect another and preferred not to have a public meeting on just one issue. He preferred to have the representatives along for the entire ride. He stated that Kate Fox from Destination Salem is involved with tour busses, while condominium residents may be interested in snow emergencies and felt a need to have a diverse group to discuss diverse issues.
He preferred not to have multiple public hearings to hear people complain until 11:00 at night.
Mr. Doggett stated that the priority is really the order in which we gather the information, not necessarily the order we respond. He stated that he was fine with a task force as long as it reports to the Parking Board and represents a good cross group of people. He asked how it will be populated.
Mr. Bouchard stated he was also concerned how it would be populated.
Mr. Hacker suggested having one condo unit resident who would represent the condos that have to park in Museum Place. He noted that one condominium represents 85% of the parking there. He felt all the Parking Board members should be included on the task force in order to hear from the stakeholder representatives. He stated that while the Derby Lofts may not have issues with busses, the residents of the Salem Common area may feel the best place for busses to park is on Derby Street, which would then effect Derby Lofts.
Mr. Silva stated that throughout the parking study, there was a very public process as well. There were two public meetings and they met with neighborhood groups and met twice with NIAC. He felt that at some point along the way, there should be a public hearing. He did not feel one is exclusive of the other. Mr. Silva volunteered to be involved.
Also present was Sheryl Michaels, Board of Trustees of The Essex and Debra Schneider, resident of Derby Lofts and business owner.
Mr. Caggiano stated that his vision is to meet once or twice before the August meeting and then at the August meeting would be a report of the findings where people can come and comment. He stated that he was not sure about having a separate public meeting.
Mr. Doggett wanted to insure that everyone’s opinion is heard.
Mr. Hacker stated that each representative on the task force speaks on behalf of their stakeholder group. He stated that he was concerned that if there were public hearings, one group would rally their troops and that may not represent everyone interests.
Mr. Bouchard asked what would be a manageable number for the task force.
Mr. Hacker suggested 13 people.
Mr. Caggiano asked how to reach out to other groups.
Mr. Hacker stated that there are already people who have volunteered. He will check with Tom Daniel and Mr. Silva to see who was interested.
Mr. Caggiano stated that some of the issues came up at the working study group.
Mr. Bouchard stated that he was on board with having a task force.
Mr. Hacker stated that he felt it was appropriate for a person from The Essex represent the condominium developments, since they have the most residents that park at Museum Place.
Ms. Michaels stated that they would be willing to have a seat and coordinate with the other condos that park at Museum Place. She noted that some of the other condominium needs will also be represented by the downtown resident representative.
Mr. Bouchard stated that he felt the Norman Street condominiums should be represented, since they park at Riley Plaza.
Mr. Hacker suggested giving them right of first refusal of one of the other resident spots.
Mr. Bouchard suggested asking Pam Broderick, who was on the study group.
Mr. Doggett suggested someone from the McIntire Historic District, which has interest in resident sticker parking.
The Parking Board members created the following list of task force representatives:
Parking boards members (5)
Jim Hacker
Retail business owner
Non-retail business owner
City Council liaison Arthur sergeant
Tourist group representative
Condominium representative that parks at South Harbor Garage (specifically, Derby Lofts representative)
Condominium representative that parks at Museum Place Garage (specifically, The Essex representative)
Resident of downtown
Jason Silva
Non-downtown resident of outlying areas (ie. Derby street, Salem Common, McIntire District)
Mr. Bouchard suggested Norman street condos be represented.
Mr. Doggett felt that the condo representation might be heavy.
Mr. Caggiano stated that their issue specifically was the cost.
Mr Hacker stated that The Essex and Derby Loft have a laundry list. He stated that with the Norman Street Condominiums, the only issue was reduction in price and that one person wanted guaranteed space. Mr. Hacker stated that the business representatives would include a minimum wage type, part-time employee representative, as well as a more professional employee representative that does not mind getting a parking ticket.
Mr. Caggiano stated targeted one business owner that has quick turnover in clients and part time employees and one business owner that does not. He stated that he would like to meet at least bi-weekly.
Mr. Hacker will talk to the people who already volunteered and give them the courtesy of first refusal.
Mr. Caggiano stated that snow emergencies and resident sticker parking should be the first priority issues.
Ms. Schneider asked if enforcement of meters at 8pm and its effect on resident sticker parking issues will be discussed by the task force.
Mr. Caggiano stated that the task force discussion will based on the current rules, and that the Parking Board would not go back to the City Council to request a change in time for the meters.
4. NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for August 1, 2011.
There being no further business, Mr. Doggett made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Bouchard seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane A. Guy
Secretary
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