HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-12-86 Personnel & Finance Qmnnitttt ittpurt
Ea tic Okauunau Outwit of tiji e g of*sway
PERSONNEL AND FINANCE. COMMITTEE
The June 12 , 1986 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was
called to o•rd' r by it ' s Chairman, Councilman Ann Puzzello at 2 :00 P.M.
in the council and formal meeting room.
Persons in attendance included Councilmen: • Zakrzewski, Voorde , Paszek,
Serge , Puzzello , Beck, and Barcome ; Carol Sanders , Michael Vance, Betty
Lou Nimitz , Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand and members of the news media.
Councilman Puzzello noted that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss
two bills, namely: Bill ' rlrumbers 36-86 and 34-86 dealing with parking
garage fees and overtime parking.
Mr. Vance noted that the city-owned parking garages are supported by revenue
from the garage fees and fines. At this time there are no tax dollars being
used. Currently there is a deficit position. The fines are outdated and
the fees are well below those charged by other cities.
The parking garage bill would raise across the board the monthly rates by
$3. 00. The hourly increase would be 10 , 'lu.s a new classification for
weekends and after 5 :30 is being proposed for special events.
The parking fines are proposed to be raised from $2. 00 to $5. 00 for a single
parking violation and after five (5) days the amount would be raised from the
current price of $5. 00 to $10. 00. He noted that this amount had not been
changed since 1972. He added, that in his opinion, the $2. 00 fine was not
a deterent . . Approximately $130, 000. 00 of projected revenue would be increased
by the increase in fines on an annual basis .
Councilman Serge requested an update with regard to comparisons to other
communities. Mr. Vance noted that the monthly parkers in the parking
garages do not create enough revenue for a break-even point. He did note
that Mishawaka is at the $2. 00 parking fine level.
Councilman Paszek voiced concern over the wrong image being created by
raising parking fees and fines at this time. He noted that with the opening
of Michigan Street that he feared that we would be giving the wrong sign to
individuals coming to the downtown area. He additionally voiced concern
over those individuals who are late by only a 10-15 minute time span.
Mr. Vance noted that the majority of the people who are violators do not
fall into the classification of 10-15 minute violators. Councilman Paszek
noted that he would favor a $3. 00 fine but not $5. 00.
Councilman Voorde questioned whether the revenue could be better .coll.ected.
He believed that the City should zealously pursue parking violators. Mr.
0.. ..... ./011. Po o•..w,«..o.
Page 2 .
Vance noted that the Traffic & Lighting Division is currently studying
parking zones because of the "chopped" sequence in the downtown area.
Two meter maids and limited policemen enforce by ticketing. Councilman
Voorde suggested that perhaps senior citizens could assist in this area.
Councilman Puzzello asked of Mrs. Nimitz the collection procedure and she
indicated that there was a considerable backlog and currently she does
the processing by hand and believes that computers would assist greatly.
Mr. Vance noted that much of the delay is from the county.
Councilman Beck and Councilman Puzzello voiced concern over stressing
enforcement in different zones. Councilman Puzzello questioned the status
of the free lot.
Councilman Barcome noted that 60%, currently being collected, could be
increased as high as 80% which would create an additional $20, 000. 00 in
revenue. Mr. Vance added that the parking garages are up for sale and
that an approximate balance remaining is at $3 , 600,000. 00.
Councilman Beck noted that the parking garages were built under the Mayor
Allen administration and were refinanced under the Mayor Nemeth administration.
It also was noted that if the garages would not be refinanced, that a balloon
payment would have been due in 1990. Currently there is a reserve being
built of $239 , 000. 00 debt service annually. The parking garages are to be
paid off in the year 2015 .
Councilman Serge voiced concern that the time is wrong for raising the fees.
Councilman Barcome suggested that he would support the bills once the
remaining two blocks would be opened.
Mr. Vance noted that the problem is deficit financing.
The council attorney noted that she had been contacted by a group of county
employees who voiced opposition to the $3. 00 increase in monthly parking
rates. She also noted that it appeared from the discussion that the counsel
was concerned over raising the parking fines to the $5 . 00 level for the
initial fine. She suggested that perhaps a $3. 00 parking violation at the
initial level, and maintaining the proposed $10. 00 fine after the five day
period had elapsed, would be a compromised position. Several councilmen
agreed to this basic concept . It was suggested that on August 1st effective
date to be possible for both bills.
Following further discussion, Councilman Barcome made a motion, seconded
by Councilman Paszek that bill number 64-86 be amended to include a $3. 00
fine and settlement of the offense and a $10. 00 fine thereafter, with an
effective date of August 1st. The motion passed unanimously.
Page 3.
The council attorney also noted that a 2-year statutory period is in
effect for parking violations.
Councilman Voorde noted that the present parking garage rates were based
on a study conducted by Crowe-Chizek in 1980. It was noted that the Colfax
garage had been repaired with the use of revenue sharing money. Both
garages are currently being repainted. The question of raising reazenues
for preventive maintenance remains.
Mr. Vance noted that they must address debt service and operational cuts
at the current time. The Colfax garage maintenance is up to date currently.
He also noted that rates are reviewed on an annual basis by the administration.
Following further discussion, Councilman Serge made a motion, seconded by
Councilman Paszek that bill 63-86 go to council favorably. The motion
passed unanimously. There being no further business to come before the
counsel, the meeting was adjourned at 3 :30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Councilman Ann Puzzello