In the fall, 2011, the Parking Advisory Board (PAB) recommended that the City Council approve allowing it to test whether removing parking meters from the downtown perimeter would have a positive impact on downtown parking.  The theory was that free parking within easy walking distance of the downtown core would improve utilization of those parking spaces and might encourage downtown business employees and owners to use the free parking instead of abusing the more conveniently located metered parking. The PAB requested and the Council approved a six (6) month test, which expired March 31, 2012.  Parking utilization was monitored during the test period and the results confirmed that the parking space usage increased, there was some evidence that parking meter abuse declined and there did not appear to be a negative impact on the City's parking garage occupancy.  At its April 16 work session, the City Council heard the PAB's request for a three (3) month extension of the meter reduction trial so that parking during summer months could be tested and that areas that had meters restored during the initial test be signed and enforced as two (2) hour parking.  Due to PAB and City Council meeting schedules, the test would begin on May 15 and run for three months from that date. 

The City Council may:

• Approve the Parking Advisory Board request.
• Disapprove the request.
• Modify and approve the request.

The test confirmed staff predictions that removing meters would produce a net loss for the Parking Fund.  The net result of not collecting meter deposits or enforcement revenue and eliminating one meter enforcement position was a loss of $15,000 for the trial period, or a predicted annual total of $30,000. 

The Parking Advisory Board recommends that the City Council approve a 3 month extension of the meter reduction trial period, beginning on May 15 and that the areas previously removed from the test area be signed and enforced for 2 hour parking.