10-10-16 Personnel and Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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street parking times when it comes to one (1) hour versus two (2) hour spaces, and the garages also have inconsistent grace times. The rates in South Bend are too low to sustain current capital needs and the operational needs of the garages, and they are also significantly lower than other municipalities. Other opportunities were identified for decreased rates. On- street parking citation fines are too low to encourage the type of behavior we want to see on these streets, and the collection rates are too low. We have some ideas of how to address those. Mr. Perri showed the rates of other cities, which are significantly higher than those in South Bend, and explained that parking rates were last increased in 2008. Before that it was about every five (5) years for the last forty (40) years, so this will be the longest South Bend has gone without a rate increase. His Power Point presentation is available in the City Clerk's Office. About $4.75 million worth of capital needs were found in the garages. The break -even rate would be about $125 per parker. We won't go that high but we'll identify something that works for our market. The two (2) things the Council will vote on this evening deal with on- street citations, which is the ordinance, then the parking garage rates which comes to Council in the form of a resolution, which has also been approved by the Board of Public Works. We're looking at increasing the fine for on- street citations to $20 per ticket from $10 per ticket. The late fee would continue to be an extra $10 after fourteen (14) days. We also want to remain a hospitable place to do business. We want to have a kinder, gentler approach where we allow one (1) warning ticket per calendar year. The second ticket would be the one where parkers are being charged $20 rather than $10. These only apply to time violations. It does not apply to other illegal parking in front of fire hydrants or in handicap parking spots. The City Clerk suggested having the ability, at the Clerk's discretion, to introduce an amnesty day every year. It would be one (1) day per calendar year that would be advertised to come in and pay tickets with the late fee waived so the people can clean the slate. Court fees would still need to be paid by the parker if their ticket has gone to collections. In the parking garages, there would be a $10 increase in the subscription. That has not increased since 2008. We would be looking at a much larger increase in the premium spot upgrade. Currently it only costs $10 to upgrade, but that will be raised to a $35 upgrade. Right now it is pretty affordable to pay for a block of spots that might not be needed, so we are trying to encourage people to really take a look at what they need. So if you want the same spot that is reserved for you every day, it is going to be at a significant premium. There will also be options for people who park in the garages for twenty -five (25) hours or less, which will make it cheaper for part-time employees to have a place to park downtown. We are also introducing a $15 discount for downtown residents. There will be an increase in the daily rate maximum. Right now it is $5, but it will change to $10, after the first two (2) free hours. The two (2) hour free parking will be standardized in all 3