HomeMy WebLinkAboutParking Meters - Free Parking in Downtown During Holidays( !/)Y - j — /44ava"_) � 60M.
Council/Agency Meeting Held:12AI` (P
Deferred/Continued to:
U-)(pprov d ❑Conditionally Approved ❑ Denied
S4 o. 35
City Clerk's Si ature
Council Meeting Date: December 2, 1996
Department ID Number: CS 96-047
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH l 11
� m
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION �, "
SUBMITTED TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
SUBMITTED BY: MICHAEL T. UBERUAGA, City Administrator
PREPARED BY: RON HAGAN, Director, Community Service'/
SUBJECT: FREE PARKING IN DOWNTOWN DURING HOLIDAYS
Statement of Issue, Funding Source, Recommended Action, Alternative Action(s), Analysis, Environmental Status, Attachment(s)
Statement of Issue: Should free parking be provided during the holidays in the downtown
as requested by the Downtown Merchants Association?
Funding Source: Loss of $20,000 to $25,000 in revenue to the General Fund which may
be offset in part by an increase in sales tax revenue.
Recommended Action: The Downtown Council Subcommittee recommends that staff be
directed to implement two-hour free parking in the downtown business zone from Deeen*w
3;-1996 through JeAwapy-6-,1-9W, as requested by the Downtown Merchants Association.
epe".6" 13 — Duu—� 31, 1,796
Alternative Action(s): Staff recommends that the city maintain the current $1 per hour
parking meter policy for the holiday season.
Analysis: The Downtown Merchants Association presented a request at the Downtown
Council Subcommittee meeting on November 22 for the city to provide two hour free parking
in the downtown during the Christmas holiday season. This was a city practice which ended
in 92/93. The merchants feel that free, on -street parking is necessary to attract customers
and compete with other business areas during the holidays.
The Downtown Council Subcommittee concurred with the merchants' request and asked staff
to present an analysis to the entire Council of changing the existing parking policy. The
primary disadvantage of offering free parking is the loss of revenue to the city. Last year, the
city took in $23,531 during the month of December from the 206 business zone parking
meters. It will also take extra parking enforcement to monitor thd two hour limit. Another
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
MEETING DATE: December 2, 1996 DEPARTMENT ID NUMBER: CS 96-047
consideration is the inconvenience that would be caused to people being cited or having to
move their cars if they want to stay longer than two hours.
Staff feels that free parking will not increase foot traffic in the downtown. On the contrary,
free spaces will most likely be used by beachgoers for recreational parking. If Council
chooses to implement the two hour free parking program, plastic bags would be purchased
and stenciled with "two-hour free parking - strictly enforced." The Police Department would
provide additional parking enforcement during this period of time. The two-hour limit would
have to be monitored, tires marked, and citations issued. If not enforced, business
employees and beachgoers may monopolize the on -street parking. However, the merchants
feel that this will not happen. They think the beachgoers (surfers and fisherman) will continue
to use the beach parking lots. They also feel that the loss of meter revenue will be
compensated for by increased sales tax.
Attachment(s):
RH:cr
0022528.01 -2- 11/27/96 8:54 AM
?*-.- O-A,-,
Business Zone Meters:
1992193
1993194
1994195
1995196 1996197
Oct
$61805
$61506
$191525
$34,845 $321872
Nov
61302
241181
231721
161130
Dec
11910
139130
121043
233531
Jan
51135
.151845
281314
341541
Feb
73517
81732
301607
251915
Mar
91888
191821
181409
281602
Apr
91200
23,374
351064
331573
May
91517
181301
453321
521539
Jun
123438
311226
413680
311395
Jul
101894
261341
571040
391861
Aug
111094
361437
701857
651241
Sep
111380
271362
351206
371116
Total
$102,080
$251,256
$4173787
$423,289 $32,872