PARKING BOARD
MINUTES
JUNE 10, 2013
A meeting of the Salem Parking Board was held on Monday, June 10, 2013 at 4:30 pm. at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Michael Caggiano, Tim Doggett and Rinus Oosthoek. Also present was Parking Director James Hacker.
Mr. Caggiano welecomed Mr. Oosthoek, representing Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Doggett made a motion to approve the minutes of September 10, 2012. Mr. Oosthoek seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
- REQUEST FOR FREE PARKING AT SOUTH HARBOR GARAGE ON JUNE 23, 2013 – NORTH SHORE CANCER WALK
Mr. Hacker stated that the North Shore Cancer Walk has requested to have free parking from 6:30am to 12:30pm for walkers.
Mr. Doggett stated that the city has done provided free parking for many years for this event.
Mr. Doggett made a motion to allow free parking from 6:30am to 12:30pm on June 23, 2013 for the North Shore Cancer Walk. Mr. Oosthoek seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
- REQUEST TO BLOCK PARKING LOT SECTION AT SALEM WILLOWS PARK ON AUGUST 17 & 18, 2013 – SALEM JAZZ AND SOUL FESTIVAL
Mr Hacker stated that for last three or four years there has been a jazz concert at the Salem Willows and that it attracts a lot of people. The event gives money back to the Salem school system. They als give a check to the Parking Department for lost parking revenue. They are proposing to block the section of meters in front of the Chinese restaurant. They will hire a policeman, but the Jazz and Soul Festival is responsible for blocking the spaces.
Mr. Oosthoek made a motion to approve the request to block the requested section of spaces for the Jazz and Soul Festival on August 17th and 18th. Mr. Doggett seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
- REQUEST TO ADD A/C CONDENSOR ON SOUTH HARBOR GARAGE – SCRATCH KITCHEN
Mr. William Fogarty from Scratch Kitchen stated that they need to replace the existing HVAC unit. The existing has been looked at and it is more expensive to repair than replace. The new unit requires a condenser outside. He stated that he chose an area on the ground floor in the garage that will not impede any parking spaces. The condenser is roughly 3’ x 3’ x 3’. They will need an electrical and refrigerant line to go beside the existing lines going into the restaurant - where the existing unit vents. He noted that they have had no air conditioning since last summer and that the heater element stopped working this past winter. They are looking to install the unit so that they can continue to do business and give guests a comfortable environment. The new unit
will be more efficient.
Mr. Dogget asked if there is any additional language to add to the agreement, such as that they are responsible for removing the unit should they no longer occupy the space.
Mr. Hacker stated that they have been a good tenant and that they run a good operation. He stated that he can put in some minor conditions to protect the city as he did with the previous owner. He noted that when the city originally put the agreement together, the air conditioning was originally supplied by the city, so that, at end of the lease, it remains part of the restaurant and city property. Conditions will be that they obtain all permits as necessary, that the position of the units and lines is to be determined and approved prior to work starting, that the business will maintain the equipment, that the city is not responsible for repairs or maintenance, and that the unit becomes the property of the City of Salem upon termination of the lease. All costs will be the responsibility of the
tenant.
Mr. Doggett stated that he had no objections.
Mr. Oosthoek made a motion to approve the request to install the air conditioning unit as requested, with the conditions as noted. Mr. Doggett seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
- REPORT ON REVENUES FOR PRIOR MONTH (S)
Mr. Hacker distributed the report on revenues through April, 2013. He stated that, as of last month, the garage and office revenue was up 6%, with most of it being office sales. The parking lots and meter revenue was up 43.5% likely due to the installation of new meters and the new increases. The parking lot revnuew was up 14.2% - except that the last three months were down, which was probably due to the MBTA lot being closed and the decrease in meter costs for both Church Street lots. He noted that they have no control over parking fines revenue and that people can’t renew licenses or registrations if there are outstanding tickets. He stated that meter revenue skyrocketed (up 63.6%). Overall, revenues were up 7.9%. He noted that the first couple months of the fiscal year
were under the prior fee structure.
Mr. Doggett asked the status of the Universal Steel lot.
Mr. Hacker stated that it is anticipated to be ready some time in July.
Councillor Arthur Sargent joined the meeting at this time.
Mr. Hacker stated that, with regard to the parking plan changes, there is no plan to reprint the flyers.
Ms. Guy noted that the website has been changed and that she can make additional changes if requested by Mr. Hacker.
Mr. Hacker stated that the signs used to say 8am to 8pm and that rather than order new signes, “6”s were ordered to cover up the “8”s.
Mr. Caggiano suggested that the parking plan implementation be put on an upcoming agenda in order to look at what has been done and to recommend any minor tweeking.
Councillor Sargent stated that his recommendation was to implement 100% of the plan and then scale back where need. He noted that this was tried and that they only scaled back about 10%.
Mr. Caggianno stated that he felt the changes have helped and that there is more pakring available.
Mr. Oosthoek stated that he feel there is a need to do a better job of telling people.
Councillor Sargent stated that he feels that some people are not getting ticketed - such as along the side of the post office along Gedney Street.
Mr. Hacker stated that the businesses’ employees are just moving their cars.
Councillor Sargent stated that the same is happening at the Courthouse and on Essex and Broad streets.
Mr. Oosthoek asked if there is a policy for the meter control people.
Mr. Hacker stated that there are two route people and that it takes about an hour to do a route. He noted that they do not record every car. He stated that he will have them target areas and step up enforcement.
Mr. Oosthoek suggested putting information on windshields with the website and with information telling theym where they should park.
Mr. Hacker stated that the survey concluded that people are looking for convenience rather than low cost.
Mr. Caggiano stated that the idea was to have a specific percentage of spaces per city block available and that he thinks the plan has helped accomplish that goal.
Mr. Oosthoek stated that he hears from merchants about them seeing the same persons parking in front of their business day in and day out, all day long.
Mr. Caggiano stated that there will always be people who think they can park for free (i.e. construction workers).
Mr. Oosthoek stated that with regard to the long term investments for garage, he sees three to four things relating to the long term maintenance of garage in the budget. He asked if it covers everything.
Mr. Hacker stated that this is in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and that he thinks it covers everything.
Mr. Caggiano suggest that, over the next two months, members talk to people about the status of the parking plan and collect any complaints and suggestions.
Mr. Hacker stated that for Heritage Days, the Board annually votes to allow one hour stamps to be good for 2 hours.
Mr. Doggett made a motion to allow one hour stamps to be good for two hours during Heritage Days. Mr. Oosthoek seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Mr. Hacker stated that he will go before the budget committee of the City Council this week and then will go before the full City Council later in month. He is proposing the addition of a coin collector, so that they can have two routes and twice a week pickups in certain areas.
Mr. Oosthoek asked when smart meters will be available for all of the downtown.
Mr. Hacker stated that he currently has meters collected twice per week because smart meters are located in a busier zone and the new meters have smaller cups. He stated that they had kiosk complaints, particularly in the Church Street lot, so they have been pulled, funds have been withheld for final payment and we are now are renting new kiosks for the last couple months. He stated that they are much more customer friendly and have more accurate information going over the internet. He stated that there is more money in the budget for rent to own.
Councillor Sargent asked Mr. Hacker to let let him know if he has trouble with the Finance Committee.
Mr. Hacker stated that he is still working on painting the lots. They had a major problem with the South Harbor elevator; although the State passed it, they requested work be done within 90 days. He has therefore requested $5000 in CIP funds. He noted that the garage lost some lighting in stairwells today/
The next meeting will be held on September 9th.
There being no further business, Mr. Oostoek 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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