HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/01/1989, 2 - PUBLIC HEARING FOR CONSIDERATION OF CHARGING PARKING FEES ON THURSDAY NIGHTS IN THE PALM STREET PAR MEETING DATE:
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITEPW NUMBER:
FROM: David F. Romero '.- WayneA. Pet Prepared by: Keith Opalewski
Public Works Director City Engineet°Q Parking Program Coordinator
SUBJECT: Public Hearing for Consideration of charging parking fees on Thursday nights in
the Palm Street Parking Structure
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt resolution to establish a $.50 parking fee in the Palm Street Parking
Structure Thursday nights during Farmer's Market activities.
Background:
Thursday night (Farmer's Market) activities attract visitors from all corners of the County
and are especially attractive to the high school and college age groups. The Palm Street
Parking Structure plays a vital role in providing adequate parking but also serves as a focal
point for Thursday night visitors. Over the past months security and vandalism problems have
escalated, which culminated with a visitor being struck by a bottle thrown from the roof of
the structure. Shortly after this incident another bottle was thrown from the structure, but
fortunately no one was injured.
As a result, the Parking Program recently hired a security guard in an attempt to diffuse
potential problems and create a positive public image. Although the additional staff has
served as a visible deterrent, the constant flow of drive-thru traffic also causes operational
and traffic problems as well as increased safety hazards. The establishment of a parking fee
on Thursday nights will discourage frequent drive-thrus and deter people from parking in the
structure for mischevious reasons.
Staff feels that charging a reasonable fee will not pose a financial burden to the average
user nor discourage them from parking in the structure. However, requiring a parking fee each
time that a vehicle leaves the structure will discourage the "cruising" traffic which is a
major problem on Thursday nights.
Also, when parkers know that they can come and go at will, it reinforces the fact that the
garage roof is readily available to gather for social reasons which can lead to drinking and
bottle throwing incidents.
The Parking Program will continue to have a security guard patrol the structure from 6:00 p.m.
- 10:00 p.m.; however, reducing the traffic flow will improve operational, safety, and
security problems that we have been experiencing on Thursday nights.
Fiscal Impact:
The establishment of Thursday night parking fees will increase the parking revenue fund by an
average of $200 per week or $10,000 annually. Also, since an attendant is already on duty, no
additional staffing costs would be incurred.
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WisZo COUNCIL AGENDA DEPORT
Council Agenda Report
Page Two
Alternatives:
1. By resolution charge a flat rate of $.50 per vehicle from 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. This rate
would be an average fee and would benefit visitors parking more than two hours.
2. By resolution charge $.25 per hour from 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. This rate would benefit the
short-term parker of one hour or less.
3. Take no action.
Concurrences:
The BIA and the Parking Management Committee support the recommendation to charge a parking
fee.
Consequence of Not Taking Recommended Action:
The current problems of drive-thru "cruising" traffic and corresponding operational and safety
hazards will continue to exist on Thursday nights.
Recommended Action:
By resolution establish a $.50 parking fee for Thursday night activities in the Palm Street
Parking Structure.
ACTION TAKEN: Approved as recommended as modified
Denied Continued
Vote:
P/stfrpt
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Attachment - Resolution
i
RESOLUTION NO. (1989 Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN
LUIS OBISPO ESTABLISHING A PARKING FEE FOR USERS
OF THE PALM STREET STRUCTURE ON THURSDAY EVENINGS
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo is host for the Farmer's
Market activities each Thursday evening; and
WHEREAS, the City benefits from the large number of visitors
that frequent the Thursday night activities; and.
WHEREAS, the City's Parking Program has been experiencing
security and vandalism problems in the Palm Street Structure on
Thursday nights; and
WHEREAS, the City wishes to provide secure parking for all
users of the parking structure and the parking program would
benefit from the additional revenue; and
WHEREAS, the Council has considered the staff report and did
hold a public hearing on the parking fee.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of
San Luis Obispo as follows:
SECTION 1. The fee to park in the Palm Street Structure on
Thursday nightsshall be as follows:
A. All vehicles using the parking structure on Thursday nights
between the hours of 5:30pm and 9:30pm shall be required to pay
50 cents ($0.50) . This fee will apply each time a vehicle
exits the structure from 5: 30pm to 9: 30pm.
B. All vehicles that park during the daytime and exit the
structure after- 5: 30pm on Thursdays will pay the normal rate of
25 cents ($0.25) per hour. Passcard holders, city vehicles on
official business, and emergency vehicles shall be exempt from
paying any fee.
On motion of ,seconded by
and on the following roll call vote:
Resolution No. (1989)
Page 2
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted this day
of 1989
Mayor RON DUNIN
ATTEST:
City Clerk PAM VOGES
APPROVED:
Cie. inistrative Officer
City A aey
i
Financ Director
Public Works Director
Ci Engineer �,