Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 17, 2015
Subject/Action
SUBJECT: METRO PARKING ORDINANCE, METRO PARKING RATES AND PERMIT FEE RESOLUTION
ACTION: ADOPT METRO PARKING ORDINANCE, METRO PARKING RATES AND PERMIT FEE RESOLUTION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
A. ADOPTING the attached Parking Ordinance, as set forth in Attachment A (“Metro Parking Ordinance”), enacting a new Title 8 to Metro’s existing Administrative Code;
B. ADOPTING the attached Fee Resolution, as set forth in Attachment B (“Metro Parking Rates and Permit Fee Resolution”) establishing parking rates and permit fees at all Metro operated parking facilities and proposed new parking fees at Los Angeles Union Station;
C. AUTHORIZING the Chief Executive Officer to implement and begin regulating the adopted Metro Parking Ordinance and Parking Fee Resolution at all Metro operated parking facilities. Systemwide including proposed new fees at Los Angeles Union Station; and
D. AUTHORIZING the Chief Executive Officer to deposit all additional revenues generated into the Risk Allocation Matrix Internal Savings Account (RISA), pending Board approval of the full concept later this year.
Issue
ISSUE
At the March 2015 Board Meeting, staff introduced to the Board a draft of Metro’s first Parking Ordinance, and Parking Rates and Permit Fee Resolution to regulate parking and standardize existing parking rates and policies. The objective of the Parking Ordinance is to establish enforcement tools that promote safety and enhance the patrons’ experience. Metro is currently operating without a parking ordinance, which makes enforcement difficult, if not impossible. The California Vehicle Code (“CVC”) 21113 (d) allows government agencies to adopt their own parking ordinances to regulate parking. If adopted, the Parking Ordinance will be incorporated into Metro’s Administrative Code as Title 8.
Furthermore, Metro is currently operating its preferred parking permit program at several locations and at Union Station without a Board adopted Parking Rates and Permit Fee Resolution. Adopting a Parking and Permit Fee Resolution will standardize the existing fee structure at all parking facilities. Included in the Fee Resolution are the parking fee adjustments at Los Angeles Union Station going into effect in winter of 2015. The Parking Rates and Permit Fee Resolution also includes a fee structure for all parking violations.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The recommended Parking Ordinance does not contain significant substantive changes from current parking law, policy or practices. The Parking Ordinance standardizes existing policies which include, but are not limited to, the following; (1) obeying posted signage; (2) ensuring vehicles park within a single parking space; (3) non parking related activities are prohibited; (4) ensuring that vehicles parked within a parking facility do not exceed 14,000 lbs. or twenty-four (24) feet in length; and (5) prohibit vehicles from parking longer than seventy-two (72) consecutive hours in a parking space or exceeding the posted time limit at park and ride facilities.
Vehicles other than automobiles such as bicycles and electric carts will also be regulated through the proposed Parking Ordinance when parked or left standing at any Metro parking facility. The Parking Ordinance also includes parking citation issuance procedures, the appeal process, hearing process and the policy on removal of vehicles.
The Parking Rates and Permit Fee Resolution does not propose any changes in the parking rates at park and ride facilities. However, it proposes new rates at Los Angeles Union Station. Below are the new proposed parking rates for the Los Angeles Union Station;
§ Event parking fees will be established based on market rate conditions.
§ Special monthly parking rates may be negotiated between Metro and tenant, government, or business entity.
The rates have not been adjusted for the past eight years or more. The current parking rate of $6.00 daily max is equivalent to one hour of the time increment rate of $2.00 per 20 minutes. The new proposed parking rate of $8.00 daily max is under the same formula which is equivalent to the new proposed time increment rate of $2.00 per 15 minutes.
Following the March 2015 Board meeting, staff published the draft Parking Ordinance and Parking Rates and Permit Fee Resolution for public comment. Staff has presented the Ordinance to Regional Service Councils and other stakeholders groups, and has received and responded to all comments. Modifications were made to the Parking Ordinance and Parking Rates and Permit Fee Resolution in response to the comments received and are reflected in the Parking Ordinance and the Parking Rates and Permit Fee Resolution attached (Attachment A & B)
After the July 23, 2015 Board Meeting, Staff has further reviewed the policy on public parking rate adjustment authority. Consequently the parking rate setting parameters have been revised to only allow the CEO to establish special event parking rates and parking rates at additional and new rail line extension parking facilities not included in the fee resolution.
The Parking Ordinance and Parking Rates and Permit Fee Resolution will go into effect 30 days after the required “cooling off” period following the adoption by the Board.
Background
BACKGROUND
Currently, there are over 22,000 parking spaces along the Metro Rail, Orange and Silver Line Stations. With current and future rail station expansions under way, and assuming the Caltrans park and ride facilities are transferred to Metro this number will continue to grow. It is essential to have policies in place that address current issues and allow for a more efficient operation of our parking system. Since Metro does not currently have an adopted Parking Ordinance in place, Metro cannot properly enforce rules that protect Metro transit riders.
This Parking Ordinance and Parking Rates and Permit Fee Resolution are a part of a larger set of activities developed to improve Metro’s parking program to better serve our patrons. Additional activities will include returning to the Board for the authorization of the Supportive Transit Parking Program (STPP) Master Plan Study in Fall 2015. Staff will also be returning to the Board for the adoption of a parking management strategy, Metro’s Parking Strategic Implementation Plan (5 to 10 year program) and the STPP Master Plan Study. Staff anticipates the STPP Master Plan Study will be completed by Fall 2016. Modifications to the Ordinance and Parking Rates may be proposed as part of the STPP Master Plan Study.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
Adoption of the Parking Ordinance and Parking Rates and Permit Fee Resolution will essentially continue existing policies, with minor updates to comply with current law. It will administratively consolidate current policies into one document and clarify parking citation issuance procedures and the appeals process.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board may choose to maintain the status quo. This is not recommended, as Metro-authorized enforcement agencies’ capabilities are currently limited. Maintaining the status quo would also result in no adjustment of Metro policies to address concerns regarding security, non-transit rider use and long term parking.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The total cost associated with the implementation of the Parking Ordinance is estimated at $100,000. Funding is available in the FY16 budget in cost center 3046 - Parking Management with Enterprise Funds under Project 308001. Enterprise Funds are eligible for bus/rail operating and capital expenses. Costs are associated with signage fabrication at all park and ride entrances and various locations within the parking lots. Additional costs include printing materials such as flyers, pamphlets and flyer distribution.
The gross revenue impact by the adjustment of parking rates at the Los Angeles Union Station is estimated at $400,000 annually. The additional net revenues generated will be deposited into the RISA, pending Board approval of the full concept.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval of this item, staff will initiate the installation of official signage at park and ride facility entrances and major pathways and make the Parking Ordinance and Parking Rates and Permit Fee Resolution available online. To notify customers, staff will distribute printed information and continue community outreach. Staff anticipates enforcement will begin next fiscal year.
Staff will continue efforts on the STPP Master Plan Study and return to the Board for the adoption of a parking management strategy. Any additional net revenues generated through modification of the parking rates will be deposited into the RISA.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Metro Parking Ordinance
Attachment B - Metro Parking Rates and Permit Fee Resolution
Prepared_By
Prepared by: Adela Felix, Transportation Planning Manager, (213) 922-4333
Frank Ching, Director, Parking Management, (213) 922-3033
Jenna Hornstock, Deputy Executive Officer, (213) 922-7437
Reviewed_By
Reviewed By: Martha Welborne, FAIA, Chief Planning Officer, (213) 922-7267
