15.A.ii.
City Council Meeting - FINAL
- Meeting Date:
- 01/19/2016
- From:
- Karl Eberhard, Comm Design & Redevelopment Mgr
Information
TITLE:
Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2016-01 - A resolution of the City Council of the City of Flagstaff, Arizona adopting the COMPREHENSIVE PARKING MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, NOVEMBER 2015 and declaring an effective date.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
1) Read Resolution No. 2016-01 by title only
2) City Clerk reads Resolution No. 2016-01 by title only (if approved above)
3) Adopt Resolution No. 2016-01
2) City Clerk reads Resolution No. 2016-01 by title only (if approved above)
3) Adopt Resolution No. 2016-01
Executive Summary:
Adoption of this resolution would adopt the Comprehensive Parking Management Program. If the City Council also modifies Title 9 of the City Code (Ordinance 2016-5), then City staff, working with the stakeholders, would begin implementation of the program including the development of Administrative Guidelines and initiating an educational outreach program designed to inform the general users of the new programs and requirements. Subject to budget approval, City staff would procure and install the program components, most immediately including pay-to-park kiosks, permits, signage, minor improvements to parking facilities, and acquiring additional employee parking. Again subject to budget approval, additional enforcement staff would be hired and in the near future, a parking Manager would be hired.
Financial Impact:
If the City Council also modifies Title 9 of the City Code (Ordinance 2016-5), and once all the program components are in place, the parking program is self-funding with an anticipated annual income of $1,000,000 and anticipated annual expenses of $600,000, leaving an annual balance of $400,000 to be held in reserve for the construction of new parking facilities (all figures being approximate projections). The start-up costs are approximately $350,000 which is proposed to be put forth by the City and re-paid from the parking income over the first two years of operations. None of these expenses are currently budgeted. However, if the Council adopts this ordinance and the Comprehensive Parking Management Program (Resolution 2016-1), the revenues and expenses will be expressed in the next City Budget (the process for which is just now getting started).
Connection to Council Goal and/or Regional Plan:
COUNCIL GOALS:
3) Provide sustainable and equitable public facilities, services, and infrastructure systems in an efficient and effective manner to serve all population areas and demographics.
7) Address key issues and processes related to the implementation of the Regional Plan
8) Foster relationships and maintain economic development commitment to partners
REGIONAL PLAN:
Addressed in the attached Memo prepared by the Comprehensive Planning Office.
Has There Been Previous Council Decision on This:
There have been several actions by the City Council related to parking and parking management over the last twenty-five years. These have included various code provisions for parking and parking meters, conditional adoption of a parking management plans, installation and removal of parking meters, and many more actions too numerous to list and not necessarily foundational to the decision currently before the City Council.
Most recently, in December of 2015, the City Council considered the draft Comprehensive Parking Management Program and considered concepts for this ordinance at a work session and provided not direction for changes.
Most recently, in December of 2015, the City Council considered the draft Comprehensive Parking Management Program and considered concepts for this ordinance at a work session and provided not direction for changes.
Options and Alternatives:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 2016-01 and all attachments.
2. Amend Resolution No. 2016-01 and all attachments.
3. Do not adopt Resolution No. 2016-01 and all attachments.
Background/History:
Historically, three general areas in Flagstaff have experienced notable parking issues. The north Downtown area has experienced issues with parking shortages and parking turn-over. The North End neighborhood has experienced issues with spill-over parking from north Downtown. And, in recent years, the Southside has also experienced issues resulting from spill-over parking and due to the successful ongoing Southside redevelopment, new parking issues are emerging.
Discussions of addressing parking issues in north Downtown date back to the 1950s and five parking studies have been commissioned since the 1980s. In 2008 there was a partially successful effort to formulate a solution to the parking and other issues of downtown. However, that limited success was conditioned on resolving the remaining parts - notably including the development of more comprehensive solutions and achieving accord between, and buy-in from, all of the stakeholders. In addressing the unresolved parts, the follow-up work resulted in the formation of the Flagstaff Downtown Business Improvement and Revitalization District, however without addressing the parking issues. In 2011 there was an effort to solve some of the early renditions of parking issues in the Southside.
Certainly since 2008 the parking problems are well understood and agreed upon. Looking from the highest elevation, we need to manage our existing parking and we need to construct new parking facilities.
The impetus of the current consideration of our parking system is spill-over parking in the Southside, notably in the residential areas. Upon tackling this issue it quickly becomes clear that the issues and solutions are interconnected with the north Downtown and thus with the North End Neighborhood. And, we can reasonably anticipate that solutions for these areas will impact other adjacent neighborhoods such as La Plaza Vieja and Townsite. Thus the current Comprehensive Parking Management Program is a holistic solution to the known and anticipated parking problems.
A distinguishing feature of the current effort relates back to the 2008 City Council direction - Not only are the parking issues addressed comprehensively, there is accord and buy-in from the stakeholders. While there may still be individuals that have concerns, the eleven stakeholder groups have all indicated support for the current approach. Each recognizes the need to address the parking issues now, the need to do so in a balanced way (compromise), and the need to start accumulating funds for constructing new parking facilities.
Detailed background information relative to the current effort is included in the Comprehensive Parking Management Program that would be adopted by this resolution and is not duplicated here for brevity.
Discussions of addressing parking issues in north Downtown date back to the 1950s and five parking studies have been commissioned since the 1980s. In 2008 there was a partially successful effort to formulate a solution to the parking and other issues of downtown. However, that limited success was conditioned on resolving the remaining parts - notably including the development of more comprehensive solutions and achieving accord between, and buy-in from, all of the stakeholders. In addressing the unresolved parts, the follow-up work resulted in the formation of the Flagstaff Downtown Business Improvement and Revitalization District, however without addressing the parking issues. In 2011 there was an effort to solve some of the early renditions of parking issues in the Southside.
Certainly since 2008 the parking problems are well understood and agreed upon. Looking from the highest elevation, we need to manage our existing parking and we need to construct new parking facilities.
The impetus of the current consideration of our parking system is spill-over parking in the Southside, notably in the residential areas. Upon tackling this issue it quickly becomes clear that the issues and solutions are interconnected with the north Downtown and thus with the North End Neighborhood. And, we can reasonably anticipate that solutions for these areas will impact other adjacent neighborhoods such as La Plaza Vieja and Townsite. Thus the current Comprehensive Parking Management Program is a holistic solution to the known and anticipated parking problems.
A distinguishing feature of the current effort relates back to the 2008 City Council direction - Not only are the parking issues addressed comprehensively, there is accord and buy-in from the stakeholders. While there may still be individuals that have concerns, the eleven stakeholder groups have all indicated support for the current approach. Each recognizes the need to address the parking issues now, the need to do so in a balanced way (compromise), and the need to start accumulating funds for constructing new parking facilities.
Detailed background information relative to the current effort is included in the Comprehensive Parking Management Program that would be adopted by this resolution and is not duplicated here for brevity.
Key Considerations:
There are numerous key considerations that the City Council would want to consider in adopting the Comprehensive Parking Management Program. It represents a significant departure from current policy and practice in a number of areas and ways.
The reader is referred to the attached Comprehensive Parking Management Program document, the "Background" section in particular, as it highlights many of the key considerations. And, staff has assembled a listing of some parking policies that are imbedded into the Comprehensive Parking Management Program. They are as follows:
The reader is referred to the attached Comprehensive Parking Management Program document, the "Background" section in particular, as it highlights many of the key considerations. And, staff has assembled a listing of some parking policies that are imbedded into the Comprehensive Parking Management Program. They are as follows:
- Our parking solution is comprehensive. The parking needs are considered over the broad area experiencing (or expected to experience) parking issues and the unique solutions needed in each area are coordinated into a single balanced holistic plan.
- No stakeholder or stakeholder group has an advantage over another stakeholder or stakeholder group. The parking plan is inclusive of all stakeholders and customers and balances needs and resources fairly.
- Streets are a public resource, and the public is a stakeholder. Being inclusive and fair, and balancing needs and resources with the public is necessary.
- Management best practices, pro forma results, and logistics are a part of comprehensive planning. This assures that the plan is not only viable, but also sustainable, and that long term goals can be achieved.
- Parking management is necessary. More so when the parking supply is insufficient, parking is a limited resource and limited resources require management to allow for the efficient use of them, providing the maximum benefit for the most people.
- Our parking will be managed using availability, cost, demand reduction, regulations, and enforcement. These are the major tools of parking management and all will be used.
- Increasing the parking supply is necessary. With sufficient supply, in the right places, all parking customers can be accommodated.
- We will charge parking customers for parking. Charging for parking (pay-to-park) serves to make space available for priority parking customers, reduces the public subsidy of parking, and funds the implementation of all of the other parking management tools.
- Changes in transportation choices is a desirable outcome. To avoid parking management, or because facilities and services are provided for alternative transportation, people choosing alternate modes of transportation reduces parking demand.
- Investment in alternative transportation reduces the parking demand. Funds would be used not only for automobile accommodation but also for pedestrian, bicycle, and transit services and facilities.
- Regulating and enforcing parking is necessary. Short of having an excessive parking supply, without employing these tools, people will park where it’s advantageous to them, and the system will not be used efficiently or fairly.
- Our parking system will be financially self-sufficient. This policy has been previously provided as direction from the City Council.
- The City will fund modest start-up costs, which will be re-paid over the first two years of operations. This is proposed.
- Pay-to-park will be the primary ongoing funding mechanism. For various reasons, ticket revenue, permit fees, and City subsidies are not available to fund the system and thus by process of elimination, pay-to-park is the primary funding mechanism.
- The parking program shall be implemented within a special revenue fund with monies restricted to parking operations and development. This is proposed.
- The plan, our parking solution, will be implemented in phases. In order to construct even minor new facilities, and certainly for significant new facilities, funds need to be saved from the net proceeds of pay-to-park revenues over operational costs.
Expanded Financial Considerations:
Details of the financial implications are included in the Comprehensive Parking Management Program (attached) and thus are not duplicated here for brevity. Notably the pro forma information in the document is illustrative and it is anticipated that final numbers will differ from the illustrations. It is anticipated that the annual revenues will exceed the expenses and that these revenues would remain in the fund balance of the parking fund until sufficient for parking construction.
If the City Council adopts the Comprehensive Parking Management Program by adopting this resolution, the expenses will be included in the next City Budget through the budget process that is currently just getting started.
If the City Council adopts the Comprehensive Parking Management Program by adopting this resolution, the expenses will be included in the next City Budget through the budget process that is currently just getting started.
Community Benefits and Considerations:
Addressing the parking issues enhances the economic vitality of the north Downtown and for the commercial portions of Southside. It will also enhance the property values in the residential districts. Currently, unmanaged parking is negatively impacting these properties and having an active plan and effort that leads to constructing parking will further alleviate the negative impacts.
Managing our existing parking supply will allow us to use our resources more efficiently, ultimately reducing expenditures for constructing parking. Notably, an over-supply of parking is also harmful to the economic vitality of a community. The highest benefit is achieved through parking management.
Traditionally, the cost of public parking has been borne by the general tax payers of the City. If adopted, this program would establish that users will pay for the use of public parking spaces in high parking demand areas.
Managing our existing parking supply will allow us to use our resources more efficiently, ultimately reducing expenditures for constructing parking. Notably, an over-supply of parking is also harmful to the economic vitality of a community. The highest benefit is achieved through parking management.
Traditionally, the cost of public parking has been borne by the general tax payers of the City. If adopted, this program would establish that users will pay for the use of public parking spaces in high parking demand areas.
Community Involvement:
Consult
Involve
Collaborate
Empower
The Comprehensive Parking Management Program has been significantly vetted with the community in general but specifically balancing the desires and needs of eleven identified key stakeholder groups. The stakeholders, users, and editor have variously worked on the development of this plan over the last eight years.
Involve
Collaborate
Empower
The Comprehensive Parking Management Program has been significantly vetted with the community in general but specifically balancing the desires and needs of eleven identified key stakeholder groups. The stakeholders, users, and editor have variously worked on the development of this plan over the last eight years.