PARKING BOARD
MINUTES
JUNE 4, 2012
A meeting of the Salem Parking Board was held on Wednesday, May 7, 2012 at 4:00 pm. at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Mr. Caggiano, Mr. Doggett and Mr. Walsh. Also present was Parking Director James Hacker.
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Doggett made a motion to approve the minutes of April 2, 2012. Mr. Walsh seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
2. REPORT ON REVENUES FOR PRIOR MONTH
Mr. Hacker distributed the report on revenues through April, 2012. For the parking garage and office revenue, Mr. Hacker stated revenues were up about 5% in March and down about 18% in April, which he felt was mostly due to reduced billing for the annual fees. For the Museum Place Parking Garage gate revenue, it was down 23.7% in March, which was probably due to a lot of available on-street parking, and up 7% in April. The Parking Garage Office revenue was up 28.5% in March and down 35.1% in April. The South Harbor Parking Garage gate revenue was up 71.5% in March and almost 75% in April. He stated that there was more activity at Pickering Wharf and noted that the parking lot over the Congress Street Bridge is now $10 per day to park. The Parking Lots and Meters were up 34.3 % in March
and up 30% in April, and Parking Lot revenue was up 22.9% in March and almost 15% in April. Meter revenues were up almost 7%, not including willows.
Mr. Caggiano asked if Mr. Hacker was aware that one on street space on Front Street is being eliminated this week and that the sidewalk is being extended between Front Street Coffee Shop and Maria’s Sweet Somethings.
Mr. Hacker stated he was not aware.
Mr. Caggiano stated that it looks good, but thought that the Parking Board should have been notified.
Mr. Hacker stated that he was told ahead of time about the loss of spaces on Lafayette Street.
- REQUEST TO USE SOUTH HARBOR GARAGE FOR BOYS & GIRLS CLUB FUNDRAISER
Mr. Hacker stated received letter from Moonhaven Productions to hold a outdoor musical event on the roof of the South Harbor Garage with 100% of profits benefitting music programs at both Plummer Home and the Boys & Girls Club. The event is Saturday, July 28th. He stated that normally he would be apprehensive, but felt it was a good trade-off with the lower parking fees. He asked that the board members consider having the operators be required get a liability insurance policy in amount directed by the City Solicitor and be required to hire two police details from 5:00pm to 1:00am – one working with the City to patrol the garage) and also be required to obtain all necessary permits from Licensing, Fire, Building and Health Departments.
Mr. Doggett stated that he was will to grant approval with these conditions.
Mr. Hacker stated that he spoke with the Building Inspector - who was not concerned about the weight factor - who would like to take a look at it.
Mr. Walsh hoped that they would not be throwing anything into the air that might be thrown off top.
Mr. Hacker noted that it was not indicated in the letter. He noted that there will also be food from local restaurants.
Mr. Caggiano asked why they need this venue.
Mr. Hacker stated that they thought it would be good idea to have rooftop party.
Mr. Walsh stated that if it rains, they may want to consider the first floor instead. He stated that he was concerned of something coming over the walls.
Mr. Hacker stated that if there are two police officers there, it should be okay. He noted that there will also be the garage security guard. He stated that there is no electricity on that floor, so they will have to supply their own electrical power and water.
Mr. Walsh asked about toilets.
Mr. Hacker stated that there are no public toilets there and that they may be required to get Jiffy Johns.
Mr. Doggett made a motion to approve the request contingent that they get all the necessary permits and licenses, insurance as recommended by the City Solicitor and two police details. Mr. Walsh seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
- REQUEST TO USE RILEY PLAZA FOR GAY PRIDE PARADE
Mr. Hacker stated that he received a memo from Salem Police Department (SPD)stating that the City of Salem will host the North Shore Pride Festival and Parade. The SPD has determined that the best staging area and step off point for the parade would be the Riley Plaza parking area. The residents of the Norman Street condominiums would be notified that they do not need to relocate their vehicles, but that they may not be able to remove them during the staging and step-off hours. The SPD is asking authorization to close the parking area to vehicles 10am to 1:00 on 6/30/12.
Mr. Walsh made a motion to approve the request. Mr. Doggett seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
- STATUS OF THE PARKING PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
Mr. Hacker stated implementation is moving ahead. He stated that they have started the new rates in the garages and it has gone fairly well. They have updated 2100 cards at Museum Place and have backed out all cards not used, expired or lost/stolen. They have entered the Derby Loft cards into the system. He stated that they were given the opportunity to pick whichever garage they wanted. He noted that six to eight cards will have duel entrance (both garages). The new labels for the meters should be in next week. The remainder of smart meters – 30 more - should be delivered some time next week and they will start to put meters on the new empty polls. He stated that within the next two weeks, the new pay by space at the Church Street metered lot will go in.
It will be a lot of work to reprogram the meters. He is hoping that by July 1st everything is implemented. He added that today they started selling the $25 monthly pass for Riley Plaza and Congress Street. He stated that it is his intent not to oversell what we have.
Mr. Caggiano asked if at Riley Plaza, there will also be spaces that don’t require a pass.
Mr. Hacker stated that there will be some meters and some unrestricted parking, along with pass only spaces. There will also be 20 spaces in the lot by Starbucks for pass only parking.
Mr. Caggiano asked the enforcement hours.
Mr. Hacker stated that it will be 8am to 8pm.
Mr. Walsh felt that 8am to 6pm would be more reasonable.
Mr. Hacker stated that, if the budget is approved, he will hire a couple of part time people for enforcement.
Mr. Caggiano asked if there has been any payment from Zipcar yet.
Mr. Hacker replied in the negative. He noted that their Riley plaza spaces seems to turn over well. He added that he very rarely sees both cars at the Church Street lot.
Mr. Caggiano asked if there were any other changes in the location of meters besides Gedney Street, Steve’s market and the dry cleaners.
Mr. Hacker stated that the City Council had some orders that would require two passages, and that he has not gotten word as yet. He stated that there is a new parking website set up that Tom Daniel is monitoring.
Mr. Hacker distributed the new parking rate chart. He stated that he expects revenues to initially go down, but will come back once the meters go up. He noted that right now there is no reason to change the habit of parking at meter and go to garage until the meters are in.
Mr. Hacker stated that he received a letter from City Council regarding forming a sub-committee to study the Resident Sticker Parking Program.
The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for August 6th.
There being no further business, Mr. Walsh made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Doggett seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane A. Guy
Secretary
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