HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5g. Authorize the Public Works Director to implement a 'Park Local' Pilot Parking Program Item 5g
Department: Public Works
Cost Center: 5101
For Agenda of: 4/18/2023
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Matt Horn, Public Works Director
Prepared By: Gaven Hussey, Parking Program Manager
SUBJECT: ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PUBLIC WORKS
DIRECTOR TO ESTABLISH A “PARK LOCAL” PILOT PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Draft Resolution entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo, California, authorizing the Public Works Director or their designee to implement
the Park Local Pilot Program” that provides a continuation of the first hour free in the
gateless parking structures to registered San Luis Obispo County residents.
POLICY CONTEXT
On February 21, 2023, the City Council reviewed and approved the Access and Parking
Management Plan. At that meeting, Council expressed a strong desire to continue to
support downtown businesses and employees by continuing to provide the first hour free
in parking structures while still balancing the increased funding needs to support the
construction of the Cultural Arts District Parking Structure. At that time, Council requested
that a pilot program to Park Local be created and returned to Council for review on the
consent calendar prior to its implementation.
DISCUSSION
Background
Parking plays a critical role in the fiscal health and customer satisfaction of the downtown
area. Currently, the City subsidizes parking rates in three downtown parking structures
by providing the first hour free. On June 7, 2022, Council approved future increases in
parking rates to provide the necessary rate framework to support the construction cost
for the City’s fourth parking structure, the Cultural Arts District Parking Structure which
will be located near Monterey Street at Nipomo Street. (Resolution No. 11334 (2022
Series).) The increased parking rates are to go in effect on July 1, 2023. At the time,
Council also approved eliminating the first-hour subsidy for all customers of the downtown
parking structures, effective July 1, 2023.
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Item 5g
Elimination of the first-hour subsidy was initially set to take effect July 1, 2022 (see
Resolution No. 11252 (2021 Series)), but Council extended that subsidy on June 7, 2022,
as discussed above. To cover the revenue loss caused by this extended subsidy, Council
authorized allocation of $700,000 in funds received under the American Rescue Plan Act
of 2021 (ARPA) to the Parking Fund. Because the ARPA funding is one-time funding and
not an ongoing source of revenue for the Parking Fund, Council opted to eliminate the
first-hour subsidy (effective July 1, 2023) to enhance the Parkin g Fund and asked staff to
return with options that could lessen the impacts to community members.
On February 21, 2023, staff presented to Council the Access and Parking Management
Plan which provided a concept for a Park Local Program that could be implemented in
the parking structures as they become “gateless”. Council provided direction to staff to
return with the proposed Program prior to implementation. The pilot Park Local Program
will, in effect, extend the first-hour subsidy for participants after the elimination of that
subsidy goes into effect on July 1, 2023.
Pilot Park Local Program Details
Staff evaluated the options available to provide a Park Local Program that would serve
locals (County residents), downtown businesses, and employees of downtown
businesses that would be low cost to administer. With that framework, staff is
recommending that Council establish an opt-in program that would provide one hour of
free parking in the gateless1 parking structures seven days a week available to all San
Luis Obispo County community members who have a permanent residency within the
County boundaries. This would be a pilot program will be reviewed annually and subject
to future changes to best meet community needs and shared goals and objectives related
to downtown vitality.
The primary details of the Park Local Pilot Program are as follows:
1. ‘Locals’ would be defined as anyone living in San Luis Obispo County. Participants
in the program would be required to submit proof of residency which could include
a lease agreement, utility or cable bill, driver’s license, or vehicle
registration. While this is not an exhaustive list, the intent is to require some proof
of residency prior to providing this benefit.
2. There is no charge to enroll in this program and enrollment in this pro gram would
last for one year. Participants may enroll online or in person beginning June 1st,
2023. Participants may re-enroll each year, by providing proof of residency, so long
as the Park Local program continues to operate.
1 Palm #1, (842 Palm Street) is the first parking structure that will have “Gateless” technology installed
and the other structures will be added along with the new Cultural Arts Parking District Structure in late
phases. The two existing parking structures should have the Gateless technology installed in the 2023 -
2024 Fiscal Year depending on the availability of the system for installation.
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Item 5g
3. The benefit of registering in this program is that the registered vehicle would be
provided the first hour free parking per day. Participating vehicles would receive
the first hour free in the gateless structures prior to being required to pay for parking
through a contracted mobile parking application or pay station.
4. Initially it will be available only at the 842 Palm Street parking structure after
the implementation of gateless parking controls in that structure. Gateless parking
removes control devices such as the gate arms, entry ticket dispenser and revenue
collection equipment at the exit which causes vehicle back up entering and exiting.
Eventually, this program will expand to include all City parking structures as they
upgrade to gateless. Gateless technology is key to making this pilot program work
efficiently by keeping costs low as well as allowing customers to enter and leave
the parking structure easily.
The parking structures have long served as the recommended location for visitors and
employees to park downtown since the first hour is free and the hourly rate is lower than
the on-street parking in the downtown core. Offering free one-hour parking in the
structures supports the continued use of the structures as the go -to place for long-term
parking.
Previous Council
On February 21, 2023, the City Council reviewed and approved the Access and Parking
Management Plan.
Public Engagement
The Park Local Pilot Program was presented to Downtown SLO’s Parking and Access
Committee on March 9, 2023. If adopted, the Communications would have an expansive
and comprehensive communications and marketing program to encourage persons to
take advantage of Downtown Parking Programs including the Pilot Park Local program,
chaser tickets, 10 hour permits, PROX permits, and the Downtown Access Pass.
CONCURRENCE
The Public Works Department supports this recommended action.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act does not apply to the recommended action in
this report, because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA Guidelines
Sec. 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: No Budget Year: On-going
Funding Identified: No
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Item 5g
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
Parking Fund $0 $0 $0 $0
Total $0 $0 $0 $0
Staff does not have an estimate on the impact of this pilot program on the parking fund,
but staff considers this program to cost much less than the current program of providing
one hour of free parking in the parking structure by default. The actual cost of this
program will be dictated by adoption and usage rates of the community and will likely
have a minimal impact on Parking Fund revenues. There is a $2.00 fee per permit
issuance from the City’s permit vendor IPS Group, which staff is recommending the
parking fund cover and will not be passed along to permit applicants. Staff will return at
the Mid-Year Budget Review with a fiscal update on this pilot program and have some
initial preliminary data on overall usage by SLO County eligible users.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Allow downtown employees to participate in the “Park Local” Pilot Program.
Staff does not recommend this alternative as there are other subsidized parking
programs such as the PROX cards, 10-Hour meter permits, and chaser tickets that
are currently available and better suit the parking needs of employees. Staff are also
working on daily and debit parking programs that offer greater flexibility for employees.
Additionally, allowing employee participation could adversely increase permit fees
charged to the Program.
2. Do not adopt the Resolution. Staff does not recommend this alternative because
parking in the downtown area plays a significant role in supporting businesses and the
local economy.
ATTACHMENTS
A - Draft Resolution adopting the “Park Local” Pilot Program
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R ______
RESOLUTION NO. _____ (2023 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE PUBLIC WORKS
DIRECTOR OR THEIR DESIGNEE TO IMPLEMENT THE PARK LOCAL
PILOT PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the Circulation Element of the General Plan states the City shall
maintain and regularly update the Access and Parking Management Plan including
parking demand reduction strategies and emerging best practices; and
WHEREAS, on January 18, 2022, Council reviewed and approved the release of
a Request for Proposals to update the Access and Parking Management Plan; and
WHEREAS, on June 7, 2022, Council adopted rate increases to address revenue
enhancement strategies associated with the Parking Fund, and approved elimination of
the first hour parking subsidy at public structures, effective July 1, 2023; and
WHEREAS, the Access and Parking Management Plan was updated and adopted
on February 21, 2023; and
WHEREAS, on February 21, 2023, Council instructed staff to return with a consent
item outlining additional details for the Park Local Pilot Program, which would preserve
the first hour free in the parking structure or similar benefit in the parking structures that
supports downtown vitality while allowing the Parking Fund to meet current and future
debt obligations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo as follows:
SECTION 1. Findings. The Council, after review and consideration of the
development of a Park Local Pilot Program, public testimony, and staff presentation;
makes the following findings:
a) Park Local Pilot Program would be of benefit to downtown businesses,
employees, and the local community.
b) Eligibility for enrollment in the Park Local Pilot Program is available to anyone
living in San Luis Obispo County. Participants will be required to verify
residency by providing, for example, a lease agreement, utility or cable bill,
drivers’ license, or vehicle registration. This list is not exhaustive.
c) The benefit of enrolling in the Park Local Pilot Program is one hour of free
parking per day within gateless parking structures.
d) Enrollment in the Park Local Pilot Program is free of charge and enrollment in
this program would last for one year. Participants may re-enroll each year, by
providing proof of residency, so long as the Park Local program continues to operate.
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Resolution No. _____ (2023 Series) Page 2
R ______
SECTION 2. Environmental Review. The California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) does not apply to the recommended action in this report because the
recommended action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA Guidelines Sec. 15378.
The adoption of the Park Local Pilot Program is an administrative activity of a government
agency that will not result in direct or indirect physical impact on the environment.
SECTION 3. Approval. The Park Local Pilot Program is hereby approved by the
Council and authorizes the Public Works Director or their designee to approve future
administrative revisions to the Park Local Pilot Program.
SECTION 4. Report to Council. Direct Staff to return and report on the status of
the program during the 2024 Mid Year Budget Report.
Upon motion of Council Member ___________, seconded by Council Member
___________, and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
The foregoing resolution was adopted this ____ day of _________ 2023.
___________________________
Mayor Erica A. Stewart
ATTEST:
___________________________
Teresa Purrington, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________________
J. Christine Dietrick, City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of San Luis Obispo, California, on ______________________.
___________________________
Teresa Purrington, City Clerk
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