HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/21/2003, BUS 5 - ROBOTIC PARKING SITE VISIT 1 ,
council
j acEnaa Report
C I TY OF SAN L U IS O B I S P O
FROM: Ken Hampian, City Administrative Officer
SUBJECT: ROBOTIC PARKING SITE VISIT
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Designate two Council members to join in a local delegation to visit a robotic parking facility in
Hoboken, New Jersey, to better understand that technology prior to the decision making process
for the North Area Regional Facility(NARF) Study.
DISCUSSION
The attached memorandum summarizes this request. It should also be noted that while "robotic'
parking is used in other countries, the "robotic' facility in Hoboken is the only American example
of this particular technology. Thus far, only the Public Works Director and the Director of County
General Services (Duane Leib) have visited the facility. Given the "cutting edge" nature of the
technology, and the huge financial investment in any parking facility, staff believes that it is
essential for added City leaders to directly experience and review such a facility, before committing
to such a project. As outlined in the memorandum, it is recommended that the next delegation
include Council members, two advisory body representatives (one each from the Planning
Commission and Downtown Association), and two staff members. Other interested citizens would
be welcomed to join in at their personal or professional expense. The County will also be invited to
send representatives since the NARF study is a joint undertaking.
FISCAL EWPACT
The specific cost of travel to Hoboken will be determined when the need for such a trip is confirmed
(as the results of the consultant study come in over the next few weeks). However, the cost for
travel to the East Coast is quite favorable these days(in fact, far more economical than some nearby
air travel) and staff will search for the best available deals. Costs will be paid for by the Parking
Fund. Thus, absolutely no General Fund money will be used for this trip.
ALTERNATIVES
The Council could rely on the videotape demonstration that was presented locally by the Hoboken
Parking Operator last year. However, given the interest already expresses by some council member
and the high stakes involved in committing to a project of this kind, an on-site visit is strongly
recommended.
ATTACHMENTS: Memorandum
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January 7, 2003
TO: City Council
FROM: Ken Hampian, City Administrative Officer �yj.�J►'
Mike McCluskey,Director of Public Works/4An
SUBJECT: North Area Regional Facility(NARF) and Automated Parking
As the Council will recall, one of the options to be considered in the NARF project is the
installation of an automated parking garage in addition or in lieu of a standard parking garage to
help meet the parking needs of the County and the City. In order to better understand the
architectural and operational affects of an automated parking garage, a number of people (council
members, chamber members, downtown association members, etc.) have talked about the
prospect of visiting the site of one such facility in Hoboken, New Jersey.
We think that a visit would be productive and would help both the Planning Commission and the
City Council in their decision making process. However, any visit should be well coordinated
and timed appropriately with the NARF project. At this time the project is proceeding on
schedule. Assuming no major obstacles arise, the Planning Commission should be sorting
through options in March and the Council should be considering the Planning Commission's
recommendations in April. The Council's decision in April will select a "project description"
and once determined an environmental analysis will proceed. An "order of magnitude" cost
estimate will be provided in April as well so the Council can consider some funding for further
design or land acquisition in the upcoming 03-05 budget.
Therefore, in order to provide the best information in the most appropriate time frame, it appears
that if a trip should still be desired, that somewhere in the last week of February or the first week
in March would be most appropriate. This would provide very timely information for Planning
Commission input and only be about one month before Council action. The schedule could slip
(as often happens) so once we have selected volunteers and gathered names, we'll keep tight tabs
on project schedule and try to align the best time for a trip.
Because we are in tight budgetary times the City cannot possibly send everyone who has
expressed an interest in visiting the automated parking garage. For right now, it is proposed that
two City Council members, one Planning Commissioner, one Downtown Association Board, and .
two staff members visit the garage. Other member(s) of the Downtown Association or the
Chamber of Commerce, or other private individuals would be welcome to join us (at their
expense of course). Friday or Monday trips generate the least expensive airfare and would
therefore be the most likely.
If you would like to participate or have other thoughts, please feel free to bring the issue up under
Council Communications so the entire Council can discuss the issue.
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