AgdaPkt 2005-06-06 - Laserfiche WebLink

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��" �/ Recommendation #2: Eliminate Time Limits Parking tickets and car shuffling aggravate customers. As was stated earlier, absent appropriate prices, the only tactic available to cities to create turnover are strict time limits backed up by aggressive enforcement. But aggressive enforcement means that not only do employees get tickets, but customers get tickets too—often for just being a few minutes late. Who wants to find a$25 parking ticket sitting on their windshield at the end of a visit for being two minutes late back to their car? Moreover, who wants their customers to conclude their powntown experience that way? On top of all of that, time limits don't even seem to do the job of creating open spaces for customers who really want them. Removing time limits is a very bold approach. Most cities do not do it this way. However, staff has full confidence that it will succeed. If, for some reason, market-rate prices do not generate sufficient vacancies, then it would be relatively easy to institute time limits, which staff would be prepared to do if directed by the Council. The potential for customer convenience is incredible, though, and therefore staff recommends that all time limits be removed and that occupancy be rigorously monitored in order to ensure that the prices are sufficient to generate the needed 15°Io vacancy rate. Recommendation #3: Convert the Core to Computerized "Pav-Bv-Snace" Meters While market-rate prices make sense in theory and have worked well in reality, they create a few challenges for the cities that implement them. First, the market-rate price isn't likely to be excessive, but it isn't going to be dirt cheap, either. How many quarters can we expect people to carry? Another issue deals with the nature of the desirability of parking spaces. The desirability, and therefore the mazket-price, will vary from block to block depending on the proximity to popular destinations. In order to get the prices right, we will have to make our best educated guess and set initial prices, and then monitor the use to see if we got it right. If the use is too low, we will need to lower the price, and if it the use is too high, we will need to raise the price. This is tough with conventional parking meters. Finally, depending on the activity levels throughout the day, the market price for the evenings may be too expensive for lunchtime, or vice versa. If we overcharge or overcharge during parts of the day, we will not have an optimal system. Unfortunately, conventional meters are not capable of variable prices. Fortunately, technology has caught up to us. Several companies now sell computerized multi- space parking meters. These meters can replace several conventional meters and are usually paced in the center of the block. They can accept coins, bills, and credit cazds for payment. Since they are connected to a central computer via a cellular internet technology, prices can be changed instantly from a computer at City Ha11, rather than by having Public Works mechanically adjusting every single individual meter. Computerized multi-space meters are also capable of variable price structures. pasEe 28