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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem WAGENDA REPORT DATE: June 25, 2001 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: John B. Bahorski City Manager SUBJECT: Request to Explore the Feasibility, Cost and Implementation of Parkin Meters on Main Street f.YiJMU /_\ "V961M11�GlllDf yW Authorize staff to explore the feasibility of placing parking meters on Main Street and neighboring streets. Staff has been working with the Parking Committee over the past several months to address the parking problems in and around Main Street. At the last Parking Committee meeting it was generally agreed that staff should pursue the concept of parking meters with the acknowledgement that significant issues still need to be addressed. Staff is returning to City Council to obtain authorization to move forward with this project. Approving this request does not bind the Council to a particular course of action. BACKGROUND: The City of Seal Beach has formed three previous parking committees to examine the parking problems in the Downtown area A Main Street Specific Plan prepared by Zucker Systems (1995) also examined parking in the Downtown area and concluded that the "primary parking problem in the study area is the location and management of the existing parking supply and not an overall shortage of parking." This report also confirmed the popular urban legend in Seal Beach that people parking on Main Street tub the chalk off the tires to avoid parking citations. Based on the recent experiences with attempting to change residential parking permits it became clear to the Parking Committee that additional study was needed before formally recommending parking meters to City Council. It was recommended that City staff undertake the additional study and return to the Parking Committee with a report. The Puking Committee would review the report and make a final recommendation to City Council on the concept of parking meters in the Downtown area. Staff has determined after listening to the Parking Committee discussions that the additional study needs to focus on the following areas: Agenda Item V Technology — Parking meter technology has advanced significantly over the past few years. Cities are no longer locked into the traditional parking meters and many of the newer parking meter systems could reduce the visual blight often associated with traditional meters. Staff will investigate the various types of meters to determine the strengths and weaknesses of each system. Implementation — There are several issues regarding how parking meters could be implemented that need further analysis. For example, a survey of the existing curbs in the Downtown area will need to be made to determine if meters can be securely installed. Regulatory agencies need to be consulted to determine if permits are needed. A project timeframe will need to be developed that begins with City Council approval through installation. Operational issues such as collection, repair, accounting systems and management of the program need to be analyzed as part of this study. These are only a brief list of the implementation issues that must be addressed. Phasing — Several options exist on where parking meters could be installed. At this point, staff will investigate all options on where meters could be installed. Some of the options for phasing includes: installing meters on Main street only, installing meters on Main street and side streets within the 100 to 200 blocks, or selecting a smaller area as a pilot project. Staff is committed to exploring all phasing options to maximize City Council's discretion if the decision to proceed with parking meters is approved. Financing — Staff will need to develop costs for implementing a parking meter program and determine if financing will be required. A number of factors will impact the financing plan including the type of meter technology, phasing and marketing issues. Community outreach — Residents, businesses and visitors will be affected by a decision to install parking meters. Clearly, each segment of the community must be included in the process and their views must be considered. There are advantages and disadvantages to installing parking meters, which the community should be made aware of before proceeding with the implementation. Learning from the aborted changes to the residential permit parking program it is clear that the community will need to be informed, educated and listened to regarding any plan to install parking meters. As part of the study, staff will meet with a variety of business and residential groups to discuss parking meters. Other study issues — The study report will include other topics such as enforcement, signage, marketing, education and aesthetics. City Council is encouraged to provide staff with additional areas that should be studied as part of this process and the Parking Committee will continue to be involved in the study. Prior to bringing the report to City Council, the Puking Committee will review the report, make modifications as necessary, and then if appropriate, send the report to City Council for final consideration. FISCAL IMPACT: At this time there is no fiscal impact other than the allocation of staff time. Authorize staff to dedicate the resources necessary to prepare a report on the parking meters in the downtown area.