Loading...
2007-08-07 Joint CC CIC MinutesMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY- -AUGUST 7, 2007- -7:32 P.M. Mayor/Chair Johnson convened the Special Joint Meeting at 10:34 p.m. ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers/Commissioners deHaan, Matarrese, Tam, and Mayor/Chair Johnson – 4. Absent: Councilmember/Commissioner Gilmore – 1. MINUTES (07-391CC/07-031CIC) Minutes of the Special Community Improvement Commission (CIC) Meeting held on July 17, 2007 and the Special Joint City Council, Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority and CIC Meeting held on July 18, 2007. Approved. Councilmember/Commissioner deHaan moved approval of the minutes. Councilmember/Commissioner Matarrese seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote – 4. [Absent: Councilmember/Commissioner Gilmore – 1.] AGENDA ITEM (07-032CIC) Recommendation to review and approve the Civic Center Parking Garage Management and Operations Plan and Operating Budget. The Development Services Director gave a brief Power Point presentation. Commissioner Matarrese inquired what is the rationale for having free metered street parking and charging for garage parking during the holiday season. The Development Services Director responded having a free day in the parking structure is different than bagging the meters; stated free garage parking would be provided for the first few weeks; the goal is to have a consistent policy. Commissioner Matarrese stated that bagging the garage meters would be easy; he is glad that there will be an aggressive community education process, particularly with the permitted spaces after Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and Community Improvement Commission August 7, 2007 1 10:00 a.m. on the top floor. Chair Johnson stated that parking fines are a lot lower in Alameda than other cities; increasing street fines versus structure fines and free holiday parking should be reviewed; a report should be brought back by mid-summer next year on opportunities for more permit parking; opportunities should be given for City employees and students to park in the parking structure if space is available. Commissioner deHaan stated that he would like to have feedback on what other cities charge for metered parking. The Development Services Director stated a mix exists within various cities; caution needs to be exercised to ensure people do not feel bad about the new experience [of using the parking structure]. Commissioner deHaan inquired what the hours of the two part-time enforcement officers would be. The Development Services Director responded two officers would provide coverage six days per week between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Commissioner deHaan inquired whether benefits would be provided, to which the Redevelopment Manager responded in the negative. Commissioner deHaan inquired what is the annual meter revenue, to which the Business Development Manager responded approximately $500,000. Bill Smith, Alameda, discussed bicycle parking. Pauline Kelley, Alameda, complimented staff and stated that she supports permitted parking. Robb Ratto, Park Street Business Association (PSBA), stated that he supports the staff recommendation; enforcement is critical; habitual offenders should be fined heavily; the PSBA Board unanimously approved the parking plan with the provision that cameras be installed. Commissioner Tam stated the Economic Development Commission report shows that there are four to six part-time parking enforcement officers now; inquired whether anything can be done regarding people feeding the meters in back of the Beauty College before the Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and Community Improvement Commission August 7, 2007 2 parking structure opens; stated customers are prevented from using the spaces. The Development Services Director responded students have a right to use the meters; stated efforts should be made to get the students to use the parking structure; other businesses’ employees are feeding the meters also; enforcement is complicated. The Police Lieutenant stated the Police Department is authorized to have five part-time technicians; one technician is assigned to abandoned vehicle abatement; two additional part-time technicians would increase enforcement work; tires are marked and citations are issued at the Beauty College; Alameda’s parking fines are lower than other cities. Chair Johnson inquired whether there is a rule for reissuing a ticket. The Police Lieutenant responded a ticket can be reissued within two hours in a two-hour parking zone. Chair Johnson stated the Beauty College students are not merchants and should not park at the Beauty College. Commissioner deHaan inquired what is the cost of a ticket. The Police Lieutenant responded tickets vary between $17 and $24. Commissioner deHaan stated Bank of America’s parking fine is $45. The Police Lieutenant stated Alameda’s parking citations are approximately one-third of what other cities charge. Commissioner Tam inquired what needs to be done to increase fines. The Police Lieutenant responded increasing fines requires Council action. Chair Johnson stated that parking structure fines should be lower to encourage use; street and surface parking fines should be increased. Commissioner Tam stated that the Development and Disposition Agreement (DDA) stipulates that the parking rates would be fifty cents per hour; Attachment 14 shows that the parking rate would be fifty cents per hour, and that the hourly charge would be kept current by reasonable adjustments for inflation, but with minimum Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and Community Improvement Commission August 7, 2007 3 adjustments in twenty-five cent increments; inquired whether opportunities would be available to review the parking rates beyond the period stipulated in the DDA. The Development Services Director responded the referenced attachment stipulates the operating parameters in the first couple of years of operation; stated rates could be adjusted. Commissioner Tam inquired whether there is any frequency limitation [to rate increases], to which the Development Services Director responded in the negative. Commissioner Tam stated that Table 1 shows a net balance of $255,281, which escalates to $1,200,803 in 2027; occupancy is estimated at 45% to 50%; inquired whether said estimate would provide enough reserve funding; further inquired whether shortfalls exist; stated the existing parking revenue is subsidizing the garage; inquired whether the existing parking meter revenue is Citywide. The Development Services Director responded in the affirmative; stated predominate collections are in the Park Street business area where there are more meters; the City would determine how to make payments in the future; the Brownfields Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) funds enter the cash flow in 2007 through 2009; different revenue sources come into the cash flow four to five years later; restructuring opportunities would be available; currently, a conservative approach is being taken where the debt service payment would have a coverage of $1.25 million plus the fund balance; the debt could be covered by using the fund balance at a ratio of 2.0. Commissioner deHaan stated the parking meter revenue was mandated to help establish additional parking by ordinance; inquired what is the gross parking meter revenue. The Finance Director responded approximately $500,000 per year. Commissioner deHaan inquired whether any overhead is taken from the $500,000. The Development Services Director responded the net revenue would be provided. Commissioner Tam stated parking revenue should help enhance parking in other business districts throughout the City; $240,000 is estimated for daily parking and monthly permit revenue; inquired Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and Community Improvement Commission August 7, 2007 4 whether the revenue would go up proportionally if the rate is increased by twenty five cents, to which the Development Services Director responded in the affirmative. Chair Johnson inquired how long the City is committed to only a twenty-five cent increase. The Development Services Director responded forever; stated the increase could be more than twenty-five cents but never less; it would not be a problem to change to less than twenty-five cents. Chair Johnson stated that an option might be to increase the street parking more than the parking structure; inquired whether opportunities are available to work with the Beauty College to ensure that students are not creating parking problems. The Development Services Director responded what is good for Park Street will end up being good for the theater; stated opportunities would be available to discuss what the City is trying to accomplish; theater spaces need to be guaranteed. Chair Johnson inquired when said discussions would take place. The Development Services Director responded discussions could take place along the way. Commissioner deHaan stated that he is having a hard time with fifty percent occupancy; the busy time would be between 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. The Development Services Director stated summer and winter occupancies would be different. Chair Johnson stated that morning parking is not easy to find on Park Street; adjustments can be made, such as the number of issued permits. Commissioner Matarrese inquired whether there is a provision for a second elevator. The Development Services Director responded a second elevator is not budgeted. Commissioner Matarrese suggested that revenue for a second elevator be kept in mind. Commissioner Matarrese moved approval of the staff recommendation. Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and Community Improvement Commission August 7, 2007 5 Commissioner deHaan seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote – 4. [Absent: Commissioner Gilmore – 1.] ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor/Chair Johnson adjourned the Special Joint Meeting at 11:52 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lara Weisiger, City Clerk Secretary, Community Improvement Commission The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown Act. Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and Community Improvement Commission August 7, 2007 6