AGENDA HEADING: New Business AGENDA REQUEST COMMISSION MEETING DATE: January 4, 2016 AGENDA ITEM NO: XIV.5. BY Parking Management Mark Lyons Parking General Manager Lyons Originating Department SUBJECT: Department Head Presenter Report Re: Update the City Commission on new parking programs within the parking structures. COMMISSION PRIORITIES: Business Requirement EXPLANATION: At the December 7, 2015 Regular City Commission meeting a request was made to provide Commissioners an update on new parking programs at the parking garages. ADMINISTRATION'S RECOMMENDATION: Accept the parking report and provide any input necessary. APPROVAL SUMMARY: Approval Department Head Approval Deputy City Manager Approval City Manager Approval City Auditor and Clerk Approval Required Date Completed Y 12/21/2015 Y 12/21/2015 Y 12/22/2015 Y 12/22/2015 Completed By Mark Lyons Marlon Brown Thomas Barwin Pamela Nadalini Status
ADDITIONAL EXPLANATION: AGENDA REQUEST ADDITIONAL ADMIN RECOMMENDATION: FUNDING SOURCE: AMOUNT: HOUSING IMPACT (Per House): NEW CONSTRUCTION: REHABILITATION: $ 0 $ 0 SUPPORT DEPARTMENTS: - COMMISSION ACTION: Final Action Motion: Motion By: AGENDA DISPOSITION Second By: Vote: 2
Memorandum Date: December 15, 2015 To: From: CC: Subject: Mayor, Willie Shaw Vice-Mayor, Suzanne Atwell Commissioner, Susan Chapman Commissioner, Shelli Freeland Eddie Commissioner, Liz Alpert Mark Lyons, CAPP, Parking Division Manager Thomas Barwin, City Manager Marlon Brown, Deputy City Manager Parking Garage Operational Changes In the 2016 Budget, the Parking Division submitted and received approval of two changes in operations that would improve service and revenues within the parking garages, and advance the Parking Division s vision of Smart, Safe and Sustainable. Time Restrictions The first change enhances greater parking turnover and accessibility by instituting time restrictions, similar to existing time restrictions used in our surface parking lots and the Whole Foods/2 nd Street garage. This change creates a differentiation between cars parking for short term and long term, and accommodates selling employee parking permits. The plan consists of a two-tiered time restriction Monday through Friday 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. (see the graphic of the State Street facility on page 2) so that short term parking, two hours or less, and long term parking, four hours or less, will accommodate the public and employee parking needs. Implementing these changes will provide faster access to parking spaces and create more convenience for shoppers, lunch goers, and quick, easy trips to visit local shops when spaces are not available on street. The change expands parking options so the user can decide between short term and long-term spaces. The projected revenues for this program alone are approximately $51,000 annually. Distribution of Parking Garage Time Restricted Spaces Facility 2 Hours 4 Hours State Street Level 1-2 (77 spaces) incl. 10 spaces on ground level from Ringling Blvd. Level 3-6 (322 spaces) Palm Avenue Level 1-2 ( 200 spaces) Level 3-6 ( 535 spaces) 2 nd Street NA (level 1 is one hour) Level 2-3 (300 spaces) Page 1 of 4
The distribution of time restricted spaces provide for a good balance of parking use in the garages. The Parking Division will closely monitor the demand in these areas and will administratively adjust for proper nesting when data proves change is necessary. To facilitate flexibility of the parking permit program, we are reviewing the potential use of a pay by phone system used exclusively within the garages. A Pay by Phone program could allow patrons to purchase a daily permit to exceed the parking time restriction, and pay in advance for entry to the garage during special event pay on entry charges, outlined further below. State Street Parking Garage layout * Palm Avenue Parking Garage time restrictions are consistent with this diagram Pay on Entry Special Events The second change is implementing a flat fee ($5) to park during the highest parking demand periods. This operation will ensure availability of parking spaces, and increased revenue for the enterprise fund. The operation is directly related to parking demand and will be used during events where extra staffing for operations and maintenance would draw significantly on the parking staff resources. Page 2 of 4
A flat fee of $5 has shown, largely, to be an acceptable fee for all day parking. Similar fees are charged in other municipalities such as Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Orlando for downtown events that draw high occupancy parking to the garages. For permit holders that work at restaurants, opera house, and residential permit holders, the fee is waived. To date the Palm and State Street garages combined have collected $11,695 in parking revenues. Annual revenue projections for this program are $111,250 using the following schedule: Planned Event Schedule for Paid Parking Days Estimated Date Activity 2 November 21-22 DSA Fall Art & Craft Show 1 October 24, 2015 Gator Halloween Party on Lemon 1 December 5, 2015 Holiday Parade 1 December 31, 2015 New Year s Eve 2 January 9-10, 2016 Thunder by the Bay 1 March 17, 2016 St. Patrick s Day 2 March 19-20, 2016 DSA Spring Art & Craft 3 April 15-17, 2016 Suncoast Boat Show 1 July 4, 2016 Fireworks 11 Oct March Large events, and other activities in which demand for garage parking is very high (subject to change & notice) 25 total It is no surprise that generating revenue is a critical function for well maintained, operated and safe facilities. Using the intermittent schedule of events to pay for parking in the garages provides relief to this enterprise fund and is directly proportional to the required services at the facility. Summary The Parking Division operating and maintenance budgets in the Palm Avenue and State Street parking garages are estimated to exceed $614,000 annually. Parking revenues (excluding enforcement/citations) from parking fees are projected to be $193,471, which include pay on entry fee and income from various parking space lease agreements. As an Enterprise Fund, the Parking Division seeks to develop parking programs that are smart, safe and fiscally sustainable. These changes advance this goal, and more importantly, helps decrease the potential General Fund subsidy that has been allocated to Parking Division over the last several years. Accepting this program as an alternative concept to paid parking may be more productive and useful at the present, and perceived as less intrusive then implementing full-time paid parking in the garages. Our Parking Advisory Committee (PAC) has asserted the parking industry axiom, which states it, is counterproductive to charge for parking in off-street (garage) facilities unless charging to park for prime on-street spaces, and risks the negative redistribution of the parking demand back on Page 3 of 4
to crowded street parking spaces. As activity continues to grow in our parking districts, we face increasing pressure to support, maintain and operate at the standards often experienced in other cities. In the near future, we hope to bring forward a full scope discussion regarding the PAC s findings, review and development of a citywide objective for the parking system. The City Commission was previously briefed on the committee s vision, mission and guiding principles. It would be beneficial to share the Committee s full recommendation on how to strategically address parking. As a final note, these programs will not interfere with any pre-established contractual parking requirements within the garages. Enforcement of the time restrictions in the garages will be carefully calibrated during special events and high demand periods to mitigate unnecessary citations for exceeding the time limits. Page 4 of 4