CITY OF DOVER
PARKING AUTHORITY MINUTES
January 8, 2004- 8:00 A.M. - Caucus Room - City Hall
The Dover Parking Authority met on Thursday, January 8, 2004, with Mr. Lyle DeMarie presiding. Members present: Mr. Doug VanSant, Mr. Thomas Smith, Mr. Lyle DeMarie, and
Mr. Michael Ambruso. Mr. Bernardo Rossello was absent. Also, present were Mr. Ray Cola, Mr. Scott Koenig, Mr. Frank Hutchins, Mr. Jim Galvin, Councilman Ruane, and Mr. Ed Perez.
Mr. DeMarie called the meeting to order at 8:00 A.M.
Mr. Smith made the motion to accept the agenda as submitted, seconded by Mr. VanSant and the motion unanimously carried.
Mr. VanSant made a motion to accept the minutes of the January 8, 2004 as submitted, seconded by Mr. Ambruso and the motion unanimously carried.
Budget Report
Mr. Cola briefly discussed the revenues for the month of December. Mr. Cola stated that the revenues were up 57% for parking fees compared to the past year. Annual sales are $41,000. Expenditures include a Contractual Service payment on Governors Avenue Lot in the amount of $4500.00 and electricity in the amount of $216.00. The State is paid revenues for the Water Street Lot of 25%.
Water Street Lot Weekly Report for January
Mr. Koenig stated that the Water Street Lot Collections are complete through the end of January. There was a drop in the November and December collections and, January 2004 is less than last year due to minimum court activities.
Permit Sales Report through December
Mr. Koenig stated that there was a slight drop in the permit sales from 346 to 295 due to adjustments and related space issues at the North Street Lot. There are 78 spaces verses the 110 spaces. The North Street Lot agreement will be modified in 4-6 weeks.
Police Department
Mr. Hutchins stated that there are problems with the coin machines. He has had to reset them. People have been directed to go to court and they would not be given a ticket because of the problem with the machines.
Mr. DeMarie asked if the machines were being maintained. Responding to Mr. DeMarie, Mr.
Koenig replied that the meter is about 14 years old and needs to be replaced. Mr. Koenig stated that he will bring in a quote to the next meeting for a new meter. Mr. Koenig will also pull the agreement for the State.
Mr. Koenig also stated that there has been no response for the request from the Water Street Lot.
Mr. Koenig asked the Police Department have there been any harassments reported. Responding to Mr.Koenig, Mr. Hutchins replied not to his knowledge but would check into it.
Main Street
Mr. Perez stated that the third phase of the Vacant & Condemned buildings downtown was in affect. There are fifteen (15) vacant buildings and stores at the present time downtown that consist of being located on the first floor.
Mr. Perez stated that he plans to meet with vacant property owners. He also suggested that to have signage put in the windows instead of brown paper coverage.
The News Stand building is up for sale in the amount of $134,000.00.
DDDC Report
Mr. Smith stated that there was a meeting held on December 10, 2003. Issues discussed were the environmental concerns on the purchase of property west of the railroad track and the cost of the study.
The Loockerman Street traffic circle is scheduled to go to public input this year.
There was a discussion about the west side projects, salvage yard, and funds for infrastructure at Clarence Street. Funds needed are $1,500,000 and they have $400,000.
The City received a clean-up grant from HUD but will not follow through with the grant for various reasons.
Mr. Smith stated that he mentioned to the DDDC that the Parking Study final report would be
presented to the Parking Authority in February 2004. Mr. Smith suggested that the organization and the Parking Authority could have one public presentation for everyone.
Staff Report
Mr. Koenig stated that Mr. Friedman was billed $420.00 that includes FY 03-04. The draft agreement has been revised to be delivered today for signature of the actual lease agreement.
Mr. Friedman had a concern about the soliciting of bids. The contract stated that the Parking Authority would be soliciting bids in the spring (for a July contract start date) for a new contractor. Mr. Friedman stated that July is the high season and he would be losing business in the middle of the season. Mr. Friedman wanted to know if bids could be solicited in February 2004 or extend contract to receive bids in January 2005 to eliminate a turnover.
Mr. Ambruso asked if Mr. Friedman took the bid over in July when he started business. Responding to Mr. Ambruso, Mr. Koenig replied yes, but when Mr. Friedman submitted his bid it was not his intentions. Mr. Ambruso stated that his loses on the end would have been gained at the beginning.
Mr. Koenig stated that the rebid service can be done in February 2004. It would be written in the solicitation that the Authority would have the right to review past performance as well as cost. The Authority has the right to accept bid(s) that gives the Authority the best advantage. The new bidder would start July 1, 2004. Mr. Friedman would like to make adjustments to business plans for the future.
Mr. Koenig stated that the bid process could be changed to winter instead of spring for the
July 1st start.
Mr. Friedman business is year-round verses other businesses in the past; they were seasonal.
Mr. Ambruso asked what would happen if the businessperson ran for office. Responding to Mr. Ambruso, Mr. Koenig replied that elected office does not preclude a person from submitting a bid.
Mr. Smith and Mr. VanSant stated that they were comfortable with issuing the bid in February.
Mr. Koenig stated that he has not received any direction from the City Manager as to who will be the staff contact for the Parking Authority.
Mr. Koenig and Mr. Galvin will discuss who will continue as the staff contact for the Parking Authority.
Mr. VaSant had a question in reference to the new paving in the City Hall parking lot. the islands have been a walk way. Will there be a sidewalk put where the grass is being worn because of the walkway or just leave as it is? Responding to Mr. VanSant, Mr. Koenig replied that it will be left as is and replaced at a later date with grass. Mr. Koenig also stated that he would look into it.
North Street Parking Lot
Mr. Koenig stated that progress has been made on the North Street parking lot issues. It is not complete at the present time.
Mr. Koenig stated that he met with the Colonial Investment Company. The North Street Lot originally had 107 spaces. With the construction of the office building for Becker Morgan, the Lot has been downsized to fifty-two (52) striped spaces including five (5) handicap spaces. Two (2) of the five (5) handicap spaces will be removed; therefore, leaving three (3) spaces. There will be fifty-three (53) spaces at the Old North Street Lot. There is a lot next to the North Street Lot that has a storage building and it has four (4) spaces in front of that Lot that VonCroy has offered as additional parking. If it is stripped correctly it will be five (5) spaces. There would be a total of fifty-eight (58) spaces after adjustment.
Mr. Koenig stated that another lot that is owned by VonCroy on the North Street was also offered. At the present time it is free parking. It would bring the total to seventy-eight spaces. The Lots have not been marked and do not have signs. At the present time it is unsigned and full daily. The parking is not being enforced.
Mr. DePrima stated that free parking permits were issued in the past.
Mr. Koenig stated that the free parking was not part of the agreement for North Street Lot when it was signed in 1999. There are at least four (4) Lots in the area. The new agreement will have a map that will list the number of spaces and location. The map will be provided to Administrative Services. At the present time the North Street Lot is not signed for a Parking Authority Lot. There is no permit parking signs in the Lot. The signs will be ordered and placed in the Lot. The map needs to be completed before the agreement can be executed. After which, enforcement will start of the agreement. The agreement will be written for three (3) years.
Mr. Smith asked what would be the cost. Responding to Mr. Smith, Mr. Koenig replied that the agreement would be adjusted to receive an equal percentage payment from the last agreement. The last agreement was for 107 spaces. The new agreement will be for 78 spaces.
Mr. Smith asked if it was a significance cost to the Parking Authority for signage. Responding to Mr. Smith, Mr. Koenig replied yes, $400. Mr. Smith stated that the Parking Authority did not want to spend money for early execution.
Mr. Koenig stated that he should have the signs and the agreement executed at the next Parking
Authority meeting. An accounting calculation has to be done to see if more revenues were collected than anticipated. If more revenue was collected than anticipated then that amount would be shared. It will be checked for compliance of the agreement for December 31, 2003.
Downtown Dover Parking Study
Mr. Koenig stated that all of the public meetings for the Downtown Dover Parking Study are complete. The Public Works Office has processed a $4500 invoice. It is anticipated to have the final billing after the presentation. A time for the presentation will be scheduled with the Consultant. After the time has been scheduled, Mr. Koenig will contact the Parking Authority members.
Mr. Smith stated that the Parking Authority would like to share the information with the DDDC. Mr. Smith stated that the Parking Authority would prefer to have the presentation in the evening. Mr. Smith stated that he would discuss this information with Mr. DeMarie about the time and get back with Mr. Koenig.
Study Expansion: Area around Wesley College
Mr. Koenig stated that several months ago the Parking Authority expressed interest in possibly extending the parking study to include the area around Wesley College. There were nine (9) issues from Mr. Koenig’s notes of issues that the Parking Authority was concerned with. The issues are as follows:
1. On street parking availability based on national criteria, size of space.
2. Dormitory requirements: Review of City code, review of national codes or criteria and recommendation on a revised City code if applicable.
3. Impact on available parking related to the Campus Community School.
4. Off-street parking availability.
5. Review Wesley College’s long range plan and recommendations regarding parking requirements.
6. Impact of night street sweeping on parking availability.
7. Interviews with Police Department.
8. Interviews with local residents.
9. Use of the residential area immediately surrounding the college by students for long term parking.
Mr. Koenig stated the estimated cost for the study is $11,000. The Parking Study would use the same format with information provided. Mr. Koenig stated that the study would not include a design workshop.
Mr. Koenig stated that he would like to have feedback from the Parking Authority as to how they would like to proceed with the study. It could be budgeted for July 1, 2004 as a capital project or planning project for the Parking Authority. They need to discuss cost sharing arrangements. If the Parking Authority would like to approve the study it could be put on the agenda for approval for the February meeting with discussion.
Mr. Smith stated that he would like to discuss the information with Mr. DeMarie in reference to adding it to the February agenda for discussion. Mr. Smith and Mr. VanSant decided to put the item on the February agenda for discussion.
Mr. DePrima stated that the Parking Authority could speak with the Wesley College President to see if they would like to share the cost of the parking study and also have City Council discussion on the study.
Mr. Koenig stated that a written report from the Parking Study is expected to be delivered in January 2004. The consultant is scheduled to present in February 2004.
Discussion of Correspondences
Mr. Smith asked if there were any comments on the correspondences. One of them being the Parking on North Street behind Loockerman Square Apartments that was included in the packet. The second being a letter from Mr. DePrima from Ken Edwards.
Colonial Investment have indicated that the Lot is not available to the Schwartz Center day-time or night-time customers because the tenants and customers in the old Sears building use the parking spaces. Mr. Koenig stated that Colonial Investment did not mention the Lot when he met with them in December 2003.
Mr. Koenig stated that four or five people have switched their permits from the North Street Lot to the Loockerman Way Lot.
Mr. Ruane stated that he was pleased with the response on the estimate of the potential addendum to the parking study area for Wesley College.
Mr. Koenig stated that the parking around Wesley College needs to be studied during peak time.
Mr. Smith opened the public forum.
Mr. Smith closed the public forum seeing that there was no one wishing to speak.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Maretta Mason
Secretary