Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCD-07-99 , ~-:.a ~./ ~ ~, THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON REPORT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE File #-rO:;:2GC Res. #('jPA -(dJ-Cjq Date: February 1, 1999 Report #: CD-07-99 Subject: PARKING PROPOSAL - BOWMANVILLE BUSINESS CENTRE- OUR FILE: T02.GE By-law # It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Cou ncil: 1. THAT Report CD-07-99 be received; 2. THAT the pilot project of providing free three hour parking in the off-street lots at Division Street and Silver Street continue until December 31, 1999; and 3. THAT the Bowmanville BIA be advised of Council's decision. BACKGROUND At its meeting on July 13, 1998 Council approved Resolution #C-622-98 allowing for a five month pilot project on parking in downtown Bowmanville. Since that time, parking at the Division Street and the Silver Street lots has been free and the cost of parking in the Church Street iot has been a flat rate of $2.00 per day. Staff were requested to monitor the situation and report back in the new year. A meeting was held with members of the BIA on January 20, 1999. At that time, the BIA indicated that the introduction of free parking in the lots has been a positive marketing strategy and the discontinuance of the practice would have a negative impact on their customers. As such, they have requested that the free parking be continued to the end of 1999. They feel that this time frame would provide a better base for the pilot project. From the Municipality's view point, the most apparent result has been the effect on revenue. At the end of July, parking revenue was $85,158.26, an increase of $4,334.16 over 1997. This was partly the result of increased enforcement, the majority of which was complaints in the evenings related to on-street parking at various baseball diamonds in residential areas. Despite the early increase, by year end the revenue was 7ul '.' ..___\::. ~-"~ . :, Report CD-07-99 -2- February 1, 1999 down $9,270.14 from last year. This equates to a total loss for 1998 of $13,604.30, an average of $2,720.86 per month. Report TR-58-98 stated that the calculated loss in revenue, should Council approve staff's original recommendation to provide free parking at ail meters and central meters, would be approximately $5,100 per month. At the request of the BIA, Council did not approve the recommendation for free parking at the meters, therefore, the lost revenue is less than was projected. However, the actual loss will impact the Parking Reserve Fund in an annual amount of $32,650. The Parking Reserve Fund is used to offset ail costs of Parking operations, ie, enforcement, maintenance, acquisition of new parking lots and any related capital expenditures. The approximate balance in this fund is currently $475,000. The Property Manager is presently negotiating the purchase of two pieces of property which may impact the funds in this account.. A concern of misuse of the free lots by employees of downtown businesses was identified in the initial report presented to Council. Originaily, municipal staff were instructed to park in the Church Street lot, as per Council's resolution. By way of letter dated August 21, the BIA requested that municipal staff park in any of the lots in order to free up the Church Street lot for downtown employees. Accordingly, staff of the municipality have dispersed from this one lot, thereby freeing up more spaces for the employees of the downtown businesses. However, inspections of the lot have indicated that these individuals frequently park in the free lots. The BIA has indicated that they will forward a letter to its members requesting that ail employees park in the Church Street lot at the $2.00 per day flat rate. Previously, these employees were purchasing a monthly parking pass at a cost of $50.00 plus applicable taxes. Paying $2.00 per day to park in the Church Street lot saves each employee approximately $16.00 per month. During the meeting with the BIA, concern was raised that the Church Street lot was quite often fuil when the downtown employees arrive for work. Staff advised that if this should happen, the employees could pay the $2.00 at the central meter, display the tag on their dash and park in the Division Street or Silver Street lots for the entire day without the threat of being ticketed. The resolution of Council stated that ticketing in the lots was only to be carried out on a complaint basis. The BIA is satisfied with this arrangement and, should Council grant an extension to the pilot project, they will continue to monitor the lots for vehicles parked in excess of the permitted three hours. RECOMMENDATIONS The merchants have indicated that their customers have commented that the free parking is a definite attraction to shopping downtown. Although the municipality recognizes a loss of approximately $32,000 annuaily, staff are not opposed to the extension of the pilot project to the end of 1999. The time previously spent by the Parking Enforcement Officer in monitoring these lots (approximately one to one and one haif hours per day) has been spent in other areas of the municipality investigating complaints. This is evidenced by the increase of 375 more tickets issued in 1998 than in 1997. 7u2 "",. . ,;'~ . . Report CD-O? -99 - 3- February 1, 1999 Should Council extend the pilot project until the end of 1999, a further report will be forthcoming early in 2000 to provide an update. Reviewed by cJ V ~- ~k. Franklin Wu, M.C.l.P, R.P.P., Chief Administrative Officer Interested party to be advised of Council's decision: G. Gilpin Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager Bowmanville Business Centre P.O. Box 365 Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3L1 /03